66 Proceedings of the Maryland Convention, 1775.

C. J.²

(N^o 13.)

ASSOCIATION
OF THE FREEMEN OF
MARYLAND
July 26. 1775.
THE long premeditated, and now avowed design of the
British Government, to raise a revenue from the property of
the colonists without their consent, on the gift, grant and dis-
position of the Commons of Great Britain; the arbitrary and
vindictive statutes passed under color of punishing a riot, to
subdue by Military force, and by famine, the Massachusetts
Bay; the unlimited power assumed by parliament to alter the
charter of that province, and the constitution of all the colonies,
thereby destroying the essential securities of the lives, liber-
ties and properties of the colonists; the commencement of
hostilities by the ministerial forces, and the cruel prosecution
of the War against the people of the Massachusetts Bay, fol-
lowed by General Gage's proclamation, declaring almost the
whole of the Inhabitants of the united colonies, by name or
description, rebels and traitors are sufficient causes to arm a
free people in defence of their liberty, and to justify resistance,
no longer dictated by prudence merely, but by necessity, and
leave no alternative but base submission or manly opposition
to uncontroulable tyranny. The CONGRESS chose the latter,
and for the express purpose of securing and defending the
united colonies, and preserving them in safety, against all
attempts to carry the above-mentioned acts into execution by
force of arms,
RESOLVED, that the said colonies be immediately put into a
state of defence, and now supports, at the joint expence, an
army to restrain the further violence, and repel the future
attacks of a disappointed and exasperated enemy.
WE therefore inhabitants of the Province of Maryland, firmly
persuaded that it is necessary and justifiable to repel force by
force, do approve of the opposition by Arms to the British
troops, employed to enforce obedience to the late acts and
statutes of the British parliament, for raising a revenue in
America, and altering and changing the charter and constitu-
tion of the Massachusetts Bay, and for destroying the essential
securities for the lives, liberties and properties of the subjects
in the united colonies. And WE do unite and associate, as one
band, and firmly and solemnly engage and pledge ourselves
to each other, and to America, that we will to the utmost of
our power, promote and support the present opposition, carry-
ing on, as well by Arms, as by the continental association,
restraining our commerce.