52                The Maryland Constitution of 1851.             [430

been urged many times in the legislature, during the re-
form agitation, and was referred to in the convention. Mr.
Dashiell's view of the government of Maryland was that
of a confederation of counties: each county being a sepa-
rate and distinct community. He did not regard the coun-
ties as sovereignties, because the State herself had scarcely
a principle of sovereignty left after the formation of the
Federal Government.

The basis of this view of the political individuality of
the counties was an historical one. In the convention of
1776, which framed the original constitution of the State,
the counties were represented equally. In that conven-
tion the voting was by counties; and not by individuals,
except in certain cases, and on the final adoption of the
constitution.⁴² In the convention of 1776 Baltimore town,
and Annapolis city were recognized as boroughs; and a
representation of only one-half of that allowed to a county
was conceded to them. The resolution in determining the
representation of Baltimore town and Annapolis says,
" Nor shall the resolution be understood to engage or se-
cure such representation to Annapolis or Baltimore town,
but temporarily; the same being, in the opinion of this
convention, properly to be modified, or taken away, on
a material alteration of circumstances of those places,
from either a depopulation or a considerable decrease of
the inhabitants thereof." ⁴³

From these facts Mr. Dashiell argued that the right was
reserved to take away the representation of Annapolis and
Baltimore, under certain circumstances; but no such right
was given, reserved, or acknowledged to have the like
effect upon the counties under any circumstances what-
ever. The right to political existence and equal represen-
tation was reserved to each county, and whenever this
equal representation was to be changed, modified or abol-

⁴² See Proceedings of Convention, June 25, 1774.

⁴³ Proceedings of Convention, July 3, 1776.