Proceedings of the Maryland Convention, 1775. 49

Patrick Hart and James Walker being both duly sworne do
depose and declare that John Williams did censure them both
for mustering and said they took up Arms against their King,
and were Fools.
And it further appears to this Committee that when Com-
panies were first formed agreeable to the Recommendation of
the Provincial Convention, that the said Williams joined a cer-
tain John Cooper in forming a Company to act in opposition
to said recommendation, and after Cooper had renounced
those principles & resigned his post in said Company, he the
said Williams did persist and endeavour to keep up said Com-
pany, and now declares that he never will exercise on the
principles now adopted for the preservation of our Constitu-
tional Rights.
Resolved, that he be kept by the Sheriff of this County,
assisted by a Guard of a Sergeant & six men, in the Goal,
until otherwise ordered, by the Provincial Convention or this
Committee.
Resolved, that M^r Thomas Hardcastle be appointed to go to
Annapolis and present a copy of this days proceedings to the
Provincial Convention now sitting, and there beg their instruc-
tions in writing to this Committee respecting the above named
John Williams.
The Committee adjourns to Monday next. A true Copy
P. Henry Downes Jun^r Clk.

(N^o 8)
To the Honourable Convention at Annapolis.
The Petition of Richard Henderson of Bladensburgh humbly
sheweth.
That your Petitioner being in great hazard of his Person &
property: thro' the means of another begs leave to lay before
you the following facts, which are substantially true; altho'
from the confusion usually thrown upon the mind in time of
extreme and unexpected danger, they may not be in every
minute point, fully related.
On Monday last the 31^st of July, being for the day com-
manding Officer of the Bladensburgh Company, a letter from
Col^o Joshua Beall, was put into my hands to be read to the
Company. Our Company was not full, wherefore I put the
Letter into my pocket, intending to wait the coming of more
men. But the Company being impatient I opened it, and to

my astonishment found that it contained an intercepted Letter,
written by a youth who assisted at my Store, expressing the
strangest sentiments.
I called for the Clerk to read it, but he being absent, I was
forced to read it.

C. J.²