1776.] OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND. 355

the governor shall be deteimined by lot, between those who have
equal numbers; and if the person chosen governor shall die, re-
sign, remove out of the state, or refuse to act (silting the general
assembly) the senate and house of delegates shall immediately
thereupon proceed to a new choice in manner aforesaid.

2(i. " That the senators and delegates, on the second Tues-
day of November, seventeen hundred and seventy-seven, and an-
nually on the second Tuesday of November, forever thereafter, elect
by joint ballot in the same manner as senators are directed to be
chosen, five of the most sensible, discieet and experienced men,
above twenty-five years of age, residents in the state above three
years next preceding the election, and having therein a freehold in
lands and tenements, above the value of one thousand pounds
current money, to be the council to the governor, whose proceed-
ings shall be always entered on record, to any part whereof any
member may enter his dissent, and their advice, if so required by
the governor, or any member of the council, shall be given in wri-
ting, and signed by the members giving the same respectively;
which proceedings of the council shall be laid before the senate, or
house of delegates, when called for by them, or either of them.
The council may appoint their own clerk, who shall take such oath
of support and fidelity to this state as this convention or the legis-
lature shall direct, and of secrecy, in such matters as he shall be
directed by the board to keep secret.

27. That the delegates to congress from this state shall be
chosen annually or superceded in the mean time by the joint ballot
of both houses of assembly, and that there be a rotation in such
manner that at least two of the number be annually changed, and
no person shall be capable of being a delegate to congress for more
than three in any term of six years; and no person who holds any
office of profit in the gift of congress shall be eligible to sit in con-
gress, but if appointed to any such office his seat shall be thereby
vacated : That no person unless above twenty-five years of age,
and a resident in this state more than five years next preceding the
election, and having real and personal estate in this state above the
value of one thousand pounds current money, shall be eligible to
git in congress.

29. " That the senators and delegates, immediately on their an-
nual meeting, and before they proceed to any business, and overy
person hereafter elected a senator, or delegate, before he acts as
such, shall take an oath of support and fidelity to this state as
aforesaid, and before the election of the governor, or members of
the council shall take an oath "to elect without favour, affection,