1776.] OF THE PROVINCE OP MARYLAND. 273

said into battalions; and the said commissioners, or any three of
them, may also fill up such of the blank commissions sent to this
convention by congress, as may be immediately necessary for the
officering of the said corps; but in filling up the said commissions
they are required not to introduce into the corps of the now regu-
lars, any officer other than such as are of those regulars, nor into
the corps which may be formed of the flying camp militia, any of-
ficer not now an officer in the said regulars or flying camp; and
the commissioners are also required to leave some of the offices
vacant, that cadets of merit may be provided for; which list of the
officers so to be obtained, as well as a list of the appointments
which shall be made as aforesaid, the said commissioners shall re-
turn to this convention, or in their recess to the council of safety.
That the commissioners exert their utmost endeavors to procure
the enlistment of the regular troops and militia from this state in the
continental service, and make report of the state and condition of
the forces from this state now in camp.

That the commissioners be furnished with money sufficient to
advance the bounty of ten dollars as aforesaid.

That the council of safety, in the recess of convention, be em-
powered to issue warrants for the enlistment of such number of
non-commissioned officers and privates, and also to appoint and
commission such field and commission officers as may be necessa-
ry to make up the said eight battalions.

That the said commissioners, or any three or two of them, are
empowered to receive of congress any sum not exceeding thirty-six
thousand one hundred and twenty pounds, in dollars, at seven shil-
lings and six pence per dollar, on account of this state, to be ap-
plied in the said bounties.

That the commissioners be instructed to consult with, and take
advice from, his excellency general Washington, respecting the
promotion or appointment of officers in colonel Smallwood's regi-
ment, and the appointments to be made in the battalion to be form-
ed of the independent companies and flying camp of this state.

That the officers to whom warrants issued for the enrollment of
non-commissioned officers and privates for the two last battalions
directed by the convention to be raised for the flying camp, imme-
diately return lists of the men by them enrolled in pursuance of
those warrants, to the council of safety, and forbear any further
enrollment; that such of the companies as are full or nearly full
be equipped and marched as soon as may be, and such of the
companies as are not nearly full be discharged; and that the boun-
ty money not expended be returned.
35