478 Journal and Correspondence

ever our Quota for the flying Camp was struck at 3400 as you
will see by the resolve inclosed by the President, but it was
not understood that the Militia were to be drafted or com-
pelled to march. And it is left altogether at large how they are
be collected. Some additions to the resolutions on that sub-
ject are talked of but not formally proposed. We are aston-
ished at the ungenerous and malevolent Turn given to the
Proceedings of our Convention by that of Virginia, and hope
they will be as unsuccessful in their nefarious attempt to stir
up the People of Maryland against their representatives, as
they have hitherto been in their Endeavours to render the
Councils of that Province suspected. We are exceedingly
sorry to observe this unfriendly disposition in a neighbouring
sister Colony, but hope there will be found spirit enough in
the Convention of Maryland to resent this most injurious
Treatment in the manner it deserves. The proposition from
the Delegates of Virginia to declare the Colonies independent
was yesterday after much Debate postponed for three weeks
then to be resumed, and a Committee is appointed to draw up
a Declaration to prevent Loss of time in case the Congress
should agree to the Proposition at the day fixed for resuming
it. This postpone was made to give an opportunity to the
Delegates from those Colonies, which had not as yet given
Authority to adopt this decisive measure, to consult their con-
stituents; It will be necessary that the Convention of Mary-
land should meet as soon as possible to give the explicit sense
of the Province on this Point. And we hope you will accord-
ingly exercise your Power of convening them at such Time as
you think the members can be brought together. We wish
to have the fair and uninfluenced sense of the People we have
the Honour to represent in this most important and interesting
affair and that it would be well if the Delegates to Convention
were desired to endeavour to collect the opinion of the people
at large in some manner or other previous to the meeting of
Convention. We shall attend the Convention whenever it
meets if it is thought proper we should do so. The approach-
ing Harvest will perhaps render it very inconvenient to many
Gentlemen to attend the Convention. This however must
not be regarded when matters of such momentous Concern
demand their deliberation. We beg you will inform us as
soon as may be of the Time you fix for the Convention to
meet, and we should also be very glad to receive the Pro-
ceedings of the last Session. W^re see with the deepest con-
cern the attempts from various Quarters to throw the Prov-
ince into a state of confusion Division & Disorder, but trust,
the Exertions of those who are the true friends of Virtue
& the American Cause will be adequate to the surrounding