1776.] OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND. 115

of this province against the payment of levies, such conduct
evidently leading to throw this province into disorder, confusion
and anarchy desired by the inveterate enemies and dreaded by the
real friends to American liberty.

Resolved therefore, that this convention will, if necessary, aid
the officers with their utmost power, in the collection of the levies
which ought to have been paid in the summer past; yet those offi-
cers are requested not to distrain the effects of those whose ex-
treme poverty disables them from paying.

Resolved, That the justices of the several county courts ought to
assess the inhabitants of their counties, agreable to the acts of as-
sembly of this province; but as the people may not be able, if the
unhappy differences with Great Britain should continue, to pay the
whole of the assessments for building court houses, churches, and
for the like extraordinary charges, and a convention will probably
again meet before the time of payment, the legislative authority for
the time being will make further order, as to the payment of such
assessments as the circumstances of the people may require, and
the application of the money assessed will admit; it being the fix-
ed intention of this convention to support order in the community,
and ease the good people of this province as far as possible.

On reading the following application of John Archer and James
Harris of Harford county :
"Gentlemen, December 6, 1775.

" We are fully convinced of the public utility of factories, and
would therefore make an overture to you to undertake a flax or
hemp manufactory. To carry on the above branch of business to
any effect, we should stand in need of £300, which we would en-
gage to remit in linen of such sizes as you would recommend, at
the following times; one third of the above sum the first of June
next, one third more on the first of September, and the remaining
third the first of December, 1776; the cost we will cherfully trans-
mit therewith, and leave the price to the honorable convention.

JOHN ARCHER,
JAMES HARRIS.
To the delegates of Harford county now sitting in convention."

Resolved, That the sum of three hundred pounds, out of the trea-
sury of this province, be advanced to the said John Archer and
Jas. Harris, agreeable to their application aforesaid, on their giving
bond with good security, payable to the honorable Matthew Tilgh-
man, Esq. Thomas Johnson, jun. and Charles Carroll, barrister,
Esquires, conditioned for the performance of the terms in the said
application mentioned.