1776.] OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND. 249

The president laid before the convention a letter and several
resolutions from the honourable the president of the congress, of
the third day of this instant, which was read and thereupon the
convention taking the same into consideration;

Resolved, That the commanding officers of the several battalions
of militia in Prince George's, Frederick, Anne Arundel, Baltimore,
Harford, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's and Caroline counties; be re-
quested to call their battalions together as soon as possible, and
that the field officers of the said counties, respectively, select com-
panies of volunteers as follows, to wit--Prince George's one, Fred-
erick three, that is, one in each district thereof, Anne Arundel two;
Baltimore two, Harford two, Cecil three, Kent two, Queen Anne's
two, and Caroline one; that each company consist of 68 privates;
4 sergeants, 4 corporals, one drummer, and one fifer, under the
command of a captain, two lieutenants and an ensign.

That each company be armed out of the arms belonging to the
battalions of their counties respectively, which shall be appraised
and borrowed, or paid for at the election of the owner, by the
council of safety: That if arms cannot be procured from the mili-
tia, any of the field officers may impress and appraise arms neces-
sary to equip each company, which shall be paid for by the coun-
cil of safety.

That to encourage the immediate march of the militia, a bounty
of three pounds, and one month's pay, be advanced by the council
of safety to each non-commissioned officer and private.

That the field officers of each battalion recommend the com-
missioned officers for each company to this convention, or in their
recess to the council of safety, for their approbation; which officers
so to be recommended shall be made known to the militia before
their enrollment.

That the committees of observation of any of the said counties
or districts, where there shall be no field officers to any battalion
therein, be required to carry the above requisition into execution in
their respective counties and districts.

That the convention, or in their recess the council of safety, form
the said companies of volunteers into battalions, and appoint the
field officers.

That the council of safety take every measure in their power
to furnish and equip the said companies with all necessaries,
to expedite and prepare carriages and provisions for their march.

That the said companies be enrolled until the first day of De-
cember next, unless sooner discharged by congress, and receive
confidental pay from the day of enrollment.
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