ond day of June, 1774. In that Convention they
were represented equally, and recognized as
equals, and were looked upon as parties compe-
tent to enter into confederation and agreement.
Each county sent its committee to represent
its wishes and views; and the heading of its pro-
ceedings as found upon the third page of the
journal reads thus: "At a meeting of the com-
mittees appointed by the several counties of the pro-
vince of Maryland," &c. which shows plainly
the principle adopted then is the same contended
for now by my amendment, and is our true theory,
and should be still perpetuated. As a further
evidence in favor of county distinction and equal-
ity, and as parties to the work then to be per-
formed, I will, read the very first act of that body
which shows beyond all doubt in what capacity
they were acting. It reads thus: "It being moved
from the chair to ascertain the manner of divi-
ding upon questions, it was agreed, that on any
division each county have me vote, and that all
questions be determined by a majority of counties."
This Convention after a session of three days adjourned,
and its interesting proceedings can be
found on pages 3, 4, and 5, of the journal.
In November 21st, following, another Conven-
tion assembled, and continued its session for four
days, but there not being a full attendance it
passed the following resolution and adjourned.
"Several of the counties not being fully represent-
ed from the want of sufficient notice of the time
of this meeting, resolved that this meeting will
adjourn to Thursday, the eighth December next;
and that a letter be wrote to those counties,
earnestly to request them to send their deputies to
attend punctually on that day, as matters of very
great importance," &c. [See pages, of the journal.]
The Convention met again on the day appointed,
viz: eighth December, 1774, and among its
deeply interesting proceedings, may be found on
pages eight and nine of its journal, the following
.resolutions:
Resolved, That it is earnestly recommended by
this Convention, to the people of this province—
that the determinations of the several county committees
be observed and acquiesced in; That no per-
sons, except members of the committees, under-
take to meddle with or determine any question
respecting the construction of the association en-
tered into by the continental Congress; and that
peace and good order be inviolably maintained
throughout this province,
Resolved, unanimously, That it is recommend-
ed to the committees of each county, to raise, by
subscription, or in such Other voluntary manner
as they may think proper, and will be most agree-
able to their respective counties, such sums of
money, &c., &c., &c.; and that the committees
of the respective counties, lay out the same in
the purchase of arms and ammunition for the use
of such county, to be secured and kept in proper
and convenient places, under the direction of the
said committee.
Resolved, unanimously. That it will be neces-
sary that a provincial meeting of deputies chosen
by the several counties of this province, should
be held in the city of Annapolis, on Monday the |
24th of April next, &c., and, therefore, we re-
commend that the several counties of this pro-
vince, choose deputies as soon as conveniently
may be, to attend such meetings, &c.
That Convention met according to the time ap-
pointed, and another met also in July following,
1775, the latter of which adopted articles of as-
sociation which contains a kind of provisional
government, and a confederation of the counties.
See page nineteen to thirty-six of the journal.
In those articles of association, on page thirty,
the following provision for future Conventions is
made : "And on the same day, or the next, to
which the said delegates are empowered to ad-
journ, the said electors also choose, by ballot,
five of the most discreet and sensible of such free-
men, as aforesaid, of their county, to be delegates
for the same, in any provincial Convention to be
held for this province, within one year then next
following, with full power and authority to such
delegates or any three or more of them, to appear
and act for such county in such Convention; and
to consent and agree to, and bind such county to
perform and execute all such matters and things
as such Convention or a majority of the counties of
this province shall determine," &c.
The next Convention was called under the
" Articles of Association," and assembled on the
7th of December, 1775, It transacted much bu-
siness of importance, all tending to carry out the
object and principles of the " Association. "
Among its proceedings may be found, on page
eighty-five of the journal, a settlement by ballot
of the rank of counties, and Somerset, the county
I have in part the honor to represent, stands as
first in the catalogue. This was a proud and
lofty position, and well may she yet contend for
those great principles of county equality, when
only by lot she was made the " chief among
equals."
The sixth Maryland Convention was held on
the 8th of May, 1776, and its session was laborious
and protracted, continuing until Saturday the
6th of July following, to the very noon of night.
During its session, on page one hundred and eigh-
ty-four of the journal, provision was made for
calling a new Convention for the express purpose
of forming a new government. In that Conven-
tion, the counties were to be represented upon
the usual footing of perfect equality, anticipating:
a division of Frederick county in three counties,.
which was done. Baltimore town and Annapo-
lis were recognised as boroughs, and a represen-
tation of only half that allowed to a county, was
reluctantly conceded to each. The resolution
says, " nor shall the resolution be understood to
engage or secure such representation to Annapolis
or Baltimore town, but temporarily; the same
bring, in the opinion of this Convention, properly
to be modified, or taken away, on a material al-
teration of the circumstances of those places,.
from either a depopulation or a considerable de-
crease of the inhabitants thereof."
It will be seen by this, Mr. President, that the
right was reserved to take away the representa-
tion of Annapolis and Baltimore, under certain
circumstances; but no such right was given, re-
served or acknowledged to have the like effect |
