PREFACE.

The period covered by this volume is one of peculiar interest,
including, as it does, Maryland's transformation from a dependent
Province to a sovereign State.

The determined purpose of the British government to raise a revenue
in America, and the violent invasions of liberty contemplated by Towns-
hend's Act, plainly showed the people that they must offer a spirited
resistance unless they were resigned to the loss of all political freedom.
Resistance by arms was not at first thought of: it was hoped that
energetic remonstrance, backed up by a show of resolution, might bring
about a change of policy in the mother country. The plan adopted
was that of a commercial war. To refuse to import British goods or to
buy them if imported, could hardly be called treason; and such a course
might enlist on their side the manufacturing and commercial interests
of Great Britain, which could not but suffer from the loss of so important
a market. But to do this effectually, it must be done by all and in an
organised way. Hence non-importation associations were formed in all
the colonies, and around these associations the whole spirit of resistance
crystallised.

The partial recession of the government when it abandoned the
duties laid by Townshend's Act, except that on tea, caused a consider-
able relaxation of the non-importation policy; but the Boston Port Bill
and other violent measures rekindled the alarm and the spirit of resistance.
The resolutions of Massachusetts, recommending a return to the strict
non-importation system, but gave a voice to feelings that were spread-
ing everywhere. It was seen that something more organic than the
associations was necessary; and the people of Baltimore, assembled in
a town-meeting held May 31, 1774, recommended that a congress of
deputies chosen from each county should assemble in Annapolis, there
to determine on a plan of conduct for the whole Province.

This congress, or Convention as it was called, met for the first time
in Annapolis on June 22, 1774, and organized with Matthew Tilghman
as chairman. At no time in the history of Maryland did a representa-
tive body meet characterised by greater wisdom, truer patriotism, and
mure lofty unselfishness uf purpose. Clearly declaring their real motives
and aims, they resolved upon a general system of non-intercourse and
appointed deputies to a Congress of all the colonies to insure unity of
action.