Preface. ix

Now when we note that amongst these 29 were some of the most
active and assiduous members of the Convention, and that 21 of them
had, as the Journal shows, no leave of absence, it is impossible to resist
the conclusion that a portion of the document has been lost. It will be
observed that the arrangement is generally by counties, and the break
in the paper comes between Prince George's and Queen Anne's,
between Anne Arundel and Dorchester, and between Baltimore and
Worcester; a fact which confirms the editor's belief that a piece has
fallen out between the upper and lower portions as now joined.