236 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION [1776.

coming from Levvistovvn to compel them to assent to indepen-
dency. That Costin persuaded them to assemble at Merumsco
dams to oppose it, and that in consequence of the said report,
Isaac Costin with about two hundred people did assemble at Me-
rumsco dams for the declared purpose of opposing independency.

"Your committee further report, that about the twentieth of June
last, Isaac Costin, in company with several persons, so-ne of
whom were armed, damned the whigs and rebels, that the company
huzzaed for king George the third, and said they would wash the
shirtmens shirts for them.

"Your committee further report, that sometime in the month of
September or October last, the said Isaac Costin went with Levin
Townsend on board of the man of war at Norfolk, and on theii re-
turning to their company, he strongly solicited and endeavoured to
induce them to enlist under lord Dunmore, by offering them a guinea
and a crown advance, and standing pay, a gun, bayonet, &c. and a
suit of regimentals each. That the said Isaac Costin highly approved
of the proposition of Levin Townsend to fit out a privateer to cruise
in the bay, and agreed to act as his lieutenant, and to.proceed up Po-
comoke river to take the committee of Worcester county prisoners,
and to carry them to lord Dunmore.

" All which is humbly submitted to the consideration of the
honourable convention.

Signed per order of the committee.

JOHN JOHNSON, clerk."

The order of the day for taking into consideration the several
depositions and papers relative to the conduct of the said Isaac
Costin was then read, and referred till Monday the 16th instant.

Convention adjourns till to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.

TUESDAY, September 3, 1776.

Convention met. All members present as on yesterday. The
proceedings of yesterday were read. Mr. Parnham, Mr. James
Smith, Mr. T. Ringgold, and Mr. Bowie, appeared in the house.

On reading propositions from Abraham Boyd of Prince George's
county, Resolved, That a company of militia to be composed of
not less than fifty men be immediately enrolled, and proper officers
commissioned thereto, and that a warrant issue by the council of
safety to Abraham Boyd for enrolling the said company, which
shall be employed, paid, and continued for the same time as the
militia lately raised in this state for the flying camp, the said com-
pany finding their own arms and blankets.

Adjourned till 3 o'clock.