promote and support the present opposition
carrying on, as well by arms, as by the Con
tinental Association, restraining our com
merce."
Then they go on and appoint committee
of observation in every county, in relation to
raising troops for the purposes of this asso
ciation.
By this Continental Congress the first con
tinental army was formed, and George Wash
ington was appointed commander-in-chief
Continental currency was issued: a genera
treasury, and a post-office department were
created for the " United Colonies." [See 1
Curtis, 37.]
On the 15th of May, 1776, Congress trans-
mitted to the several Colonies the following
remarkable "Resolve,'' which I consider the
very basis, and foundation, and origin of the
several State governments. And it will be
seen from this document how careful they
were to speak in the name and on behalf of
"the people," and how the new government
of our own State was formed by, and spoke
in the name of; the people. At page 138 of
the Maryland Conventions, will be found this
resolve which was sent by the Continental
Congress to the Convention of Maryland.
" The President laid before the Convention
a letter from the. Deputies of this Province in
Congress, enclosing the following resolutions
to wit:
" In Congress, May 15, 1776.
" Whereas, His Britannic Majesty, inconjunc-
tion with the Lords and Commons of Great
Britain, has, by a late act of Parliament, ex-
cluded the inhabitants of these United Colo-
nies from the protection of his Crown: And
whereas, no answer whatever, to the humble
petitions of the colonies for redress of griev-
ances and reconciliation with Great Britain,
has been, or is likely to be given, but the
whole force of that kingdom aided by foreign
mercenaries, is to be exerted for the destruc-
tion of the good people of these colonies:
And whereas, it appears absolutely irreconcil-
able to reason and good conscience, for the
people of these colonies now to take the oaths
and affirmations necessary for the support of
any government under the Crown of Great
Britain, and it is necessary that the exercise
of every kind of authority under the said
Crown should be totally suppressed, and all
the powers of government exerted under the
authority of the people of the colonies, for
the preservation of internal peace, virtue and
good order, as well as for the defence of their
lives, liberties and properties, against the hos-
tile invasions and cruel depredations of their
enemies: Therefore,
"Resolved, That, it be recommended to the
respective Assemblies and Conventions of the
United Colonies, where no government suffi-
cient to the exigencies of their affairs has been
heretofore established, to adopt such govern-
ment as shall, in the opinion of the represent- |
atives of the people, best conduce to the happi-
ness and safety of their constituents in par-
ticular, and America in general,"
On page 184, of Maryland Conventions,
will be found the action of the Convention,
taken some time subsequently, was in favor of
the course recommended by Congress; and
the following resolution was adopted :
"Resolved, That a new Convention be
elected for the express purpose of forming a
new government, by the authority of the
people only, and enacting and ordering all
things for the preservation, safety and gen-
eral weal of this colony,"
And further on we come to another docu-
ment, which shows that the people of Mary-
land took up arms in defence of one great na-
tionality, and as one people, and which will
dispose of what was alleged by the gentleman
from Prince George's (Mr. Belt), that the
States acted as sovereignties, and not as one
people, in their separation from Great Britain.
I now read from page 191 of Maryland Con-
stitutions.
" Whereas, the united colonies have been
reduced to the fatal necessity of taking up
arms in defence of their indubitable and ines-
timable rights and liberties; and whereas
several of the inhabitants of this colony, lost
to every generous sentiment of liberty and of
love to their country and posterity, have kept
up a traitorous correspondence with, and sup-
plied the British troops and navy with pro-
visions, and some of them have joined in
arms and others have acted as pilots on board
the enemy's ships and vessels, whereby the
safety of this and our sister colonies may be
endangered, therefore resolved."
And then the Convention goes on to re-
solve the penalty of death to any man who
may be found in traitorous intercourse, sup-
plying provisions; piloting boats or anything
of that kind connected with the enemy. And
then at pages 201 and 202 they resolve what
they call the declaration of the rights of the
people of Maryland. On page 202 they de-
clare—
'' We, the delegates of Maryland in Conven-
tion assembled, do declare that the King of
Great Britain has violated his compact with
this people, and that they owe no allegiance
to him; we have therefore thought it just
and necessary to empower our deputies in
Congress to join with a majority of the united
colonies in declaring them free and indepen-
dent States, in framing such farther confeder-
ation between them in making foreign alli-
ances, and in adopting such other measures
as shall bejudged necessary for the preserva-
tion of their liberties," &c.
And this brings us to the Declaration of
Independence. Mr. Jeff. Davis, in his mes-
sage of the 26th of April, 1861, has asserted,
and the gentleman from Prince George's (Mr.
Belt), has followed him, that at the time of
the Declaration of Independence each " State |
