RESOLUTIONS

ASSENTED TO BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, AT A SESSION

BEGUN ON THE THIRD DAY OF DECEMBER, 1861, AND ENDED

ON THE TENTH DAY OF MARCH, 1862.

NUMBER 1.

WHEREAS, The Honorable Coleman Yellott, Senator, from Baltimore
city, has, during three successive sessions of this Body, absented him-
self from his seat therein without assigning any reason therefor; and
whereas, it is a matter of public notoriety, established also by testi-
mony before the committee on Judicial Proceedings, that the said
Senator from Baltimore city has gone to the State of Virginia, and
has no intention of resuming his seat in this Senate. And whereas,
it is right and proper that in these times of public peril the large and
populous city of Baltimore should be represented here. And whereas,
the Constitution of Maryland provides that in the event of the removal
of a Senator from the county or city for which he shall have been
elected, the President of the Senate shall issue his warrant of election
for the election of another person in his place ; therefore,

Resolved, That the seat of the Senator from Baltimore city, be and
the same is hereby declared vacated.

Resolved, That the President of the Senate issue his warrant for the
election of a Senator from Baltimore city immediately.

NUMBER 2.

WHEREAS, Maryland, in her recent election, has unmistakeably demon-
strated through the ballot-box her loyalty and devotion to the Union,
and as one of the United States claims all her rights under the Con-
stitution ; and whereas, we believe that the present war is waged in
no spirit of hostility to the institutions of any of the States, but solely
to vindicate the integrity of the Union and to restore amity and peace
among all the parts thereof. And whereas, notwithstanding this
policy, it sometimes happens that through the action of individuals
among the troops, negroes belonging to citizens of this State escape
into the lines of the Federal Army, thereby causing trouble, and occa-
sionally loss to their owners And whereas, we desire to take some
specific action upon this subject; therefore,

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That a joint com-
mittee to consist of three Members upon the part of the Senate and
three upon the part of the House of Delegates, be appointed by the
presiding officers of the two Houses, respectively, whose duty it shall be
to proceed forthwith to Washington and request an interview with
Major General McClellan, and solicit the adoption of some plan to pre-
vent the admission of fugitive slaves within the' lines of the army.

Resolved, That said committee be directed to report immediately
upon their return the result of their mission.