1776.] OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND, 201

in said county, by John Page, William Rogers, and William Bord-
ly, Esqrs. or any two or one of them, and that the said election
be held and made agreeable to the directions and resolves of the
last convention.

Agreeable to the order of the day, the convention resolved itself
into a committee of the whole, to consider farther of the declaration
of rights, and form of government for this state; Mr. T. Wright in
the chair. After some time spent therein Mr. President resumed
the chair, and Mr. Wright reported, that the committee had, accor-
ding to order, taken into their consideration the declaration of
rights, and form of government for this state, and had come to sev-
eral resolutions thereon, but not having had time to come to a
conclusion; had directed him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this convention will on to-morrow resolve itself
into a committee of the whole, to consider further of the same.

Mr. Bowie and Mr. Hooe have leave of absence for a few days,
on account of particular private business.

This convention being informed, that in the constitution or form
of government agreed to by the delegates of Virginia, a claim is
made by them injurious to the inhabitants of this state, Ordered,
That the same be read, and the same was read as follows, to wit:

"The territoiies contained within the charters erecting the colo-
nies of Maryland, Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina, are
hereby ceded, released, and forever confirmed to the people of
those colonies respectively, with all the rights of property, jurisdic-
tion and government, and all other rights whatsoever, which might
at any time hereafter have been claimed by Virginia, except the
free navigation and use of the rivers Potowmack and Pocomoke,
with the property of the Virginia shores or strands, bordering on
either of the said rivers, and all improvements which have been
or shall be made thereon. The western and northern extent of
Virginia shall in all other respects stand as fixed by the charter of
king James the first, in the year one thousand six hundred and nine,
and by the public treaty of peace between the courts of Great Bri-
tain and France in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty
three; unless, by an act of legislature, one or more territories shall
hereafter be laid off, and governments established westward of the
Alleghany mountains. And no purchase of lands shall be made
of the Indian natives, but on behalf of the public, by authority of
the general assembly."

Resolved, That this convention will on to-morrow resolve itself
into a committee of the whole; to take the same into consideration.

Convention adjourns till to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.