250 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [June 13,

nate suddenly, and at an earlier day than present appear-
ances indicate;

AND WHEREAS, From the commencement of hostilities to the
present time, Maryland has been restrained by the policy of
the administration at Washington from giving full and free
expression of the will of her people through the ballot-box,
as to whether she will adhere South or North, in the event of
a final acknowledgment of the independence of the Con-
federate States on the part of the Federal Government;

AND WHEREAS, Believing as we do, in the cardinal principle
asserted in our bill of rights, "that government of right
originates from the people, and derives its just powers from
the consent of the governed;" therefore;

Resolved, by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That the sovereignty of this State belongs to the people
thereof; that in the event of a restoration of peace, and an
acknowledgment of the independence of the Confederate
States by the Federal Government, the position of Maryland
will then be an open one, subject alone to the will of the
people clearly expressed through a State convention of their
own choosing, and that the question can then and only then
be legitimately decided whether this State will go South or
North;

Which was read the first time.

The Secretary of the Senate delivered the following:

WHEREAS, The Legislature has been informed that the
southern troops are now destroying the clams, locks, canal
boats and other property belonging to the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal Company, and to individuals doing business; and,

WHEREAS, Our commissioner to the Governor of Virginia,
in his report to the Legislature informs us that the Governor
of Virginia was understood to say "that if, at any time, the
military forces of Virginia should trespass, or temporarily
occupy the soil of Maryland, it could only be justified by the
pressing exigency of a military necessity, in defence and pro-
tection of her own soil from threatened or actual invasion,
and certainly with no hostile intent towards the citizens of
the State of Maryland, and that any and all damages to per-
son or property consequent upon such occupation should be
fully and liberally compensated;" therefore,

Be it resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That