Forensic Club Minutes


28 January 1760

RESOLVED unanimously that Mr. Thos. Johnson, Junior be deemed an honorary member of this Club and that he be entitled to all the Privileges of a Member thereof whenever he shall choose to attend and that Mr. Secretary do acquaint him therewith.

Present that evening: Messrs. Wm. Rind, Chas. Wallace, Robt. Alexander, Corn. Garretson, Wm. Paca, Jno. Ward, Jno. Duckett, Jno. Baldwin, Wm. Waters, Nathan Waters, Nathaniel Waters, Thos. Laneweems, Basil Dorsey, Junior.


1 September 1760

Whether Brutus was justifiable in killing Cesar? Determined in the affirmative.

Present that evening: Messrs. Wm. Rind, Charles Wallace, Robert Alexander, Wm. Paca, George Buchanan, Thomas Johnson, Nathaniel Waters, Cornelius Garretson

Messrs. John Brice John Davidson and John Hepburn being proposed as Members were approved of, had Notice of their Admission appeared and took their Seats in the Club accordingly.


6 October 1760

Thomas Johnson present, but debate postponed until next meeting.


20 October 1760

Whether Regulus was bound by his oath to return to Carthage? Determined in the affirmative.

Present that evening: Messrs. Wm. Rind, Charles Wallace, Wm. Paca, Thomas Johnson, John Davidson, and Robert Alexander.


3 November 1760

Thomas Johnson not present, but issue was: Whether The Emperor of the Turks when he cut the Head of his favorite Mistress or Alexander the Great when he desisted from debauching the Captive Queen and Daughter of Darius (a Right then claimed by Conquerors) be the more laudable for self Denial. Determined that Alexander was more laudable for self Denial


21 September 1761

Stephen Bordley Junior admitted as an Honorary Member of the club


16 November 1761

Thomas Johnson not present, but issue was: Whether Aristocracy be a better form of Government than a Democracy. Wm. Paca and John Rogers on the affirmative and John Brice and Samuel Chase on the negative. Determined in the affirmative.


21 December 1761

Thomas Johnson not present, but present were: Beale Nicholson, Charles Wallace, Corns. Garretson, John Hepburn, James Nielson, Nathaniel Waters, William Lynch, William Paca, Thomas Hands, John Rogers.

Whether it is lawful to keep slaves? Determined in the Negative.


10 May 1762

Present: Charles Wallace, Thomas Hands, Joseph Richardson, Samuel Chase, Thomas Johnson, William Paca, John Rogers

Mr. John Hall was admittes as an Honorary Member and did attend

Whether a Slave who exposes a Child to Death by Order of his Master is Guilty of Murder. Determined in the affirmative


2 August 1762

Samuel Chase expelled forever from the club


5 July 1762

Thomas Johnson not present, but issue was: Whether pleasure or pain be the first motive to action. Wm. Paca and Thomas Hands for pleasure, John Rogers for pain. Determined that pain is the first motive.


30 August 1762

Thomas Johnson not present, but issue was: Whether Monarchy or Aristocracy be the better form of Government. Determined in the affirmative

Mr. Waters absented himself without leave.


28 February 1763

Thomas Johnson not present, but issue was: Whether by the laws of Nature a Magistrate has a right of taking away the life of a subject. Determined in the Negative.


2 March 1763

Thomas Johnson was not present, but issue was: Whether the people have a right to dethrone a King when he degenerates into a Tyrant. Determined in the affirmative. (Paca on the negative)


21 November 1762

Johnson not present, but issue was: Whether Coriolanus was Justifiable in taking up arms against his Country? Determined in the negative.


27 January 1766

Wm Paca is granted honorary status, and so can come whenever he wants, and doesn't come nealry as often afterward


20 October 1766

Baker Johnson admitted as a member of the club



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