1776.] OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND. 283

NEGATIVE.

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

TUESDAY, October 22, 1776.

Convention met. All members present as on yesterday, except
Mr. Dent. The proceedings of yesterday were read.

A petition from William Richardson, setting forth, that he at the
time of the alarming appearance of a hostile fleet under the direc-
tion of lord Dunmore, on the thirteenth of July last, observed a
sloop drifting towards the shore within about a mile and a half of
his dwelling house, and a barge from the fleet rowing towards her,
which soon scuttled the said sloop; that he went off with his own
negroes, intending to board her and save every thing on board the
said sloop he possibly could; that he accordingly saved and brought
away a mainsail, topsail, and gib, a quantity of old iron, thirty-six
pair of iron hinges, and fifty-three cow hides; and that all the said
articles were sent for and taken away by captain Uriah Forrest;
and praying to be authorized to receive a moiety of the said articles
procured by him as aforesaid, was read and ordered to lie on the
table.

Agreeable to the order of the day the convention resolved itself
into a committee of the whole, to consider further of the declara-
tion of rights, and form of government for this state; Mr. Worth-
ington in the chair. After some time spent therein Mr. President
resumed the chair, and Mr. Worthington reported, that the com-
mittee had, according to order, taken into their consideration the
declaration of rights, and form of government for this state, and
had come to several resolutions thereon, but not having had time
to come to a conclusion, had directed him to move for leave to sit
again.

Resolved, That this convention will on to-morrow resolve itself
into a committee of the whole, to consider further of the same.

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

WEDNESDAY, October 23, 1776.

Convention met. All members present as on yesterday. The
proceedings of yesterday were read.

On reading the petition of Jane Conn, wife of Hugh Conn, a
private in captain Fulford's company of artillery, Ordered, That
the said Hugh Conn be discharged from the service of this state,
on his procuring an effective man in his stead.

On motion of Mr. Johnson, Resolved, That the council of safety