for and in behalf of the people; or were ap-
pointed by conventions of the people, called
expressly for that purpose; or by committees
duly authorized by the people to make those
appointments. I refer gentlemen to Cur-
tis' Constitution, vol. 1, page 8, and also to
the Conventions of Maryland. By reference to
the proceedings of the Conventions of Ma-
ryland, 1774, '75 and '76, at pages 3, 4, 5, and
6, gentlemen will find the language used by
the people of Maryland, assembled in conven-
tion to frame a revolutionary government
prior to 1776. They say: "At a meeting
of the committees appointed by the several
counties of the province of Maryland, at the
city of Annapolis, the 22d day of June 1774 "
&c., and then goes on to say :
"It being moved from the Chair to as-
certain the manner of dividing on questions.
it was agreed, that on any division each coun-
ty have one vote; and that all questions be
determined by a majority of counties.
"The letters and vote of the town of Boston,
several letters and papers from Philadelphia
and Virginia, the act of Parliament for block-
ing up the port and harbor of Boston, the
bill depending in Parliament subversive of
the charter of Massachusetts Bay, and that
enabling the Governor to send supposed of-
fenders from thence to another colony or
England for trial, were read, and after ma-
ture deliberation thereon,
" Resolved, That the said act of Parliament
and bills, if passed into acts, are cruel and
oppressive invasions of the natural rights of
the people of Massachusetts Bay as men, and
of their constitutional rights as English sub-
jects," &c.
And then on page 4 :
" Resolved, Notwithstanding the people of
this province will have many inconveniences
and difficulties to encounter, by breaking off
their commercial intercourse with the mother
country, and are deeply affected at the dis-
tress which will be thereby necessarily
brought on many of their fellow-subjects in
Great Britain, yet their affection and regard
to an injured sister colony, their duty to them-
selves, their posterity, and their country, de-
mand the sacrifice,—and therefore this pro-
vince will join in an association with the other
principal and neighboring colonies, to stop all
exportations to, and importations from, Great
Britain, until the said acts, and bills if joined
with acts, be repealed," &c.
On page 6, at a provincial meeting of dep-
uties, held at Annapolis, on the 21st of No-
vember, 1774, is the following ;
" The delegates appointed to represent this
province at the late Continental Congress laid
the proceedings of the Congress before this
meeting, which being read and considered,
were unanimously approved of; and there-
upon it is
''Resolved, That every member of this meet-
ing will, and every person in the province |
ought, strictly and inviolably to observe, and
carry into execution the association agreed on
by the said Continental Congress."
The first Congress met on the 5th of Sep-
tember, 1774; and it is a very significant
fact that they styled themselves " delegates
appointed "—not by the colonies as colonies ;
not by the States, because the States bad not
then been formed—but " by the good people
of these colonies." On the 10th of May, 1775,
the second Congress met, and it will appear
by reference to the proceedings of that Con-
gress that the delegates to that body were ap-
pointed in the same way, " by the people,"
and by reference to page 14, of the Conven-
tions of Maryland, will be found the follow-
ing:
"Resolved, That this Convention do now
rise; and it is recommended to such of the
counties of this province, where it may be ne-
cessary forthwith to make choice of deputies to
represent them in a provincial Convention to
be held in the city of Annapolis, on Monday,
the 22d of May, unless an earlier or later day
be appointed by the delegates of this province,
or any three of them, appointed to attend the
Continental Congress."
Then follow two communications " re-
ceived by return of the express sent by the
Provincial Convention to the Committee of
Correspondence for Philadelphia."
On the 26th of July, 1775, was formed the
" Association of the Freemen of Maryland ;"
a document which shows at once that the
colonies not only acted as United Colonies,
for and on behalf of the whole inhabitants of
the colonies; but it will be also seen how a
Committee of Observation for each county
was formed for the purpose of carrying into
effect the articles of association. The articles
of that association will be found at page 18.
I read a part of them.
" And as in these times of public danger,
and until a reconciliation with Great Britain,
on constitutional principles, is effected, (an
event we most ardently wish may soon take
place,) the energy of government may be
greatly impaired, so that even zeal unrestrained
may be productive of anarchy and confusion ;
we do, in like manner unite, associate and
solemnly engage, in maintenance of good
order, and the public peace, to support the
civil power in the due execution of the laws,
so far as may be consistent with the present
plan of operations; and to defend, with our
utmost power, all persons from every species
of outrage to themselves or their property,
and to prevent any punishment from being
inflicted on any offenders, other than such as
shall be adjudged by the civil magistrate, the
Continental Congress, our Convention, Council
of Safety, or Committee of Observation."
"And we do unite and associate as one
band, and firmly and solemnly engage and
pledge ourselves to each other, and to Amer-
ica, that we will, to the utmost of our power |
