Proceedings of the Committee for the County of Balitmore

v4:1710

Committee met agreeable to adjournment, May 2, 1775:

Present: William Smith, Vice-Chairman, Hercules Courtenay, Andrew Buchanan, William Spear, John Merryman, John Moale, James Calhoun, N˙ Griffith, Isaac Vanbibber, A˙ Vanbibber, J˙ McClelland, William Neill, John Mercer, David McMechen, Captain Clopper, D˙ McClelland, S˙ C˙ Davy, Thomas Gist, Benjamin Levy, John Sterrett, James Cox, Captain Henderson, Daniel Hughes, J˙ Smith, William Goodwin, John Smith, Thomas Todd, S˙ Ennals, Thomas Ewing, John Wells, Andrew Buchanan, Richard Cary, Mark Alexander, John McLure, George Lindenberger, G˙ Hopkins, G˙ Asthman, R˙ Cummin, John Boyd.

Captain W˙ Jones, of the Schooner Nancy, from St˙ Croix, reported Ills vessel, made oath, and subscribed.

Captain Peter Templetoun, of the Brig Jane, from London, did the same.

Captain Button appeared, agreeable to the order of yesterday, and the charge against him having been read; and George Helms, the evidence, having been examined, it appeared that said Button, in a conversation with said Helmes on the subject of mustering, had discouraged and prevented him for some time from learning the military exercise, as had been directed and recommended by the late Provincial Convention.

The Committee were, therefore, of opinion, that such conduct in Captain Button was a contravening the Resolutions of said Convention, had a tendency to sow discord and division among us, as far as his contracted influence could extend, and highly injurious to the common cause of American liberty.

The above Opinion being read to Mr˙ Button, he acquiesced in the determination of, the Committee, and subscribed the following Paper, as some atonement to the publick for his misconduct:

"I acknowledge, that in conversation with George Helms on the subject of mustering, I asked him whether it was not an infringement of his oath (he being a Constable) to take up arms or muster, but had no design to prevent or dissuade him from learning the military exercise; nor have I used any arguments, or in any manner endeavoured to prevent or dissuade any other persons whatsoever from mustering; and I promise and solemnly engage to this Committee, that I will not, in future, make any attempts of this sort, nor will, in any wise, contravene or oppose the Resolutions of the Continental Congress or Provincial Convention. I am extremely sorry if, by my conduct, I should have appeared inimical to the cause of American liberty, as I am conscious to myself of having never harboured a thought injurious to the freedom of the Colonies.

"RICHARD BUTTON.

"May 2, 1775."