during the War of the American Revolution, 1775-83.	373

   RESOLVES OF CONTINENTAL CONGRESS--31 MAY, 1781.

	"Whereas the British king, regardless of the rights of mankind,
and of the United States in particular, continues the ravages of war with
relentless fury; . . . . and whereas the deficiency of the continental
regular lines, makes it absolutely necessary to call forth a respectable
body of militia, till those lines be completed; . . . . It is also earnestly
recommended to the state of Maryland, immediately to raise, arm,
equip and accoutre for the field, two battalions of infantry, consisting of
nine companies of 64 rank and file each; and a corps of cavalry of 64
troopers; And it is further recommended . . . . to cause the said
troops, as soon as raised   to be marched . . . . to such place or
places as the commander-in-chief shall direct, to remain in the service
for and during the space of three months  unless sooner dis
charged by Congress or the commander-in-chief, and to be subject to
the orders of the commander-in-chief."

  MARYLAND ACTS--MAY, 1781

	"An ACT to raise two battalions of militia for reinforcing the conti-
nental army and to complete the number of select militia.
	WHEREAS it hath been earnestly recommended by congress to call
forth two battalions of militia in this state, for the purpose of aiding and
assisting our friends, now actually invaded, in the southern states, and
this present general assembly have thought it reasonable and neces
sary to comply with the said recommendation:
	Be it therefore enacted, by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That thirteen hundred and forty effective men, to compose the non
commissioned officers and privates of two battalions of militia, to be
officered according to the resolutions of congress of the third and
twenty-first days of October last, be immediately raised in this state,
in manner hereafter directed, to act in conjunction with the continental
army until the tenth day of December next.
	And be it enacted, That the said two battalions be apportioned
upon and raised in the several counties, according to the number of
militia in each county.
	And be it enacted, That proper persons shall be appointed in each
county by the governor and council, to procure the said number of
militia men on or before the 16th of July next, by voluntary enrollment,
....and where several persons are appointed to recruit in any
county, he that shall procure the highest number of recruits exceeding
twenty, shall be entitled to a commission as lieutenant....and he