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Friday, July 5, 1776.
Convention met. All Members present as on yesterday, except Mr˙ Turbutt Wright and Mr˙ Currer. The Proceedings of yesterday were read.
Mr˙ Tilghman appeared in the House.
On motion, Resolved, That Colonel Henry Hollingsworth make two hundred Gun-barrels, of at least one inch in the bore, and three feet six inches in length, drawbored; and that Mr˙ Elisha Winters mount, and stock, and fit, and complete the same with Locks and Swivels, as soon as may be, for the publick use, for which they shall be paid a reasonable price.
On motion of Mr˙ Samuel Chase, (in obedience as he conceived to the Instructions of Anne Arundel County,) the question was put, That all publick and private interest of Moneys cease and determine during this time of general distress, such Moneys only to be excepted as have been actually lent within the three last months, which shall be proved by the lender to have been lent within the time above-mentioned, to the satisfaction of such persons as shall be appointed to determine the same, and that country produce be a lawful tender for the interest of the same, at the market price, to be regulated by two unexceptionable free-holders, upon oath, one to be appointed by each party? Carried in the negative.
Mr˙ Jordan,
Mr˙ Carroll, Barrister,
On motion, Resolved, That the Committees of Observation in the several Counties of this Province forbear to require of any non-Associator any bond, or further to proceed against any non-Associator for not giving bond according to the Resolutions of December last, this Convention having made more effectual provisions for the publick security.
On motion, the question was put, That no person or persons in the community be executed for the payment of any debts, publick or private, unless it is left in the option of the debtor to pay in the produce of the country at a reasonable price, to be ascertained by the County Committees respectively? Carried in the negative.
On motion, the question was put, That a sum of Money, not exceeding £500, for Kent County, be issued from the publick Treasury, for the purpose of answering the present necessities of the Pensioners, Kent County aforesaid giving sufficient security for the return of said Money, as soon as a change of the times will admit of it? Carried in the negative.
The Convention took into their consideration a Report from the Committee appointed to report on the establishment of Manufactories.
And thereupon, Resolved, That £300, without interest, be advanced out of the publick Treasury to Michael Cocendofer, of Frederick County, for the purpose of carrying on a Stocking Manufactory, he giving bond, with good security, to repay the same in fifteen months from the date of contract, either in money or good merchantable fulled
That £400, without interest, be advanced to John McFadon, of Baltimore County, he giving bond, with good security, to carry on a Linen Manufactory, and to erect a Bleaching-Mill, and to repay the same in ten months from the date of said bond, in money, or such brown or bleached Linen as the Convention or Council of Safety may direct, and at such rates and of such qualities as they may determine, in the proportions following, to wit: One-third thereof in four months, one other third in six months, and the remaining third in ten months from the date of contract.
That £1000 be advanced gut of the publick Treasury to Robert Riddle, of Baltimore County, to enable him to carry on a Linen Manufactory and Bleach-Field, he giving bond, with good security, to repay the same in thirteen months from the date of said bond, either in money or such brown or white Linen as the Convention or Council of Safety may direct, and at such value or price as they may set.
On motion, Resolved, That the balance of the Money taken out of the Loan-Office by act of Assembly, for opening, straightening, and repairing such parts of the Roads from Frederick to Baltimore, and from Frederick to Annapolis, which lie in Anne Arundel County, be paid by the Supervisors into the Loan-Office, where the same shall be kept; and that what may then remain in the hands of the Supervisors, as well as what may have been collected by the Sheriff, and yet remains in his hands, be applied in aid of the County charges of Anne Arundel County.
Mr˙ Beall brings in and delivers to Mr˙ President a Report from the Committee appointed to report on the establishment of Manufactories; which was read a first and second time, and thereupon the Convention, taking the same into consideration,
Resolved, That £500 be advanced to Thomas Ringgold, of Kent County, for the term of one year, without interest, he giving bond, with good security, to repay the same within the time aforesaid, either in cash, or in Linen, Woollen, or Cotton Cloth, and in such proportions and of such qualities as the Convention or Council of Safety, for the time being, may direct, and at the rates and prices the said Convention or Council of Safety may set thereon.
On motion of Mr˙ Samuel Chase, (in obedience, as he conceived, to the Instructions of Anne Arundel County,) the question was put, That all Rents be paid, and shall be received, in country produce, at the same rates which such commodities bore at the time such contract was made or renewed, and the same to be set by the Committees of
Observation until other persons are appointed? Carried in the negative.
Mr˙ Jordan,
Mr˙ Carroll, Barrister,
On motion, Resolved, That the Council of Safety be empowered to lend and advance to Robert Wood, of Frederick County, £300 of the publick money, on his giving bond, with good security, to lay out and expend the same in erecting a Sheeting and Slitting-Mill, and to repay the same money into the publick Treasury within ten months from the time it shall be drawn out.
On reading and considering a Petition from Reuben Meriweather and others, inhabitants of Anne Arundel County, praying leave to form themselves into an Independent Rifle Company,
Resolved, That the same be granted, and that Commissions issue, when the Company is completed to eighty men, to such persons as shall be appointed by the Council of Safety.
On motion, Resolved, That no Account or Claim against this Colony shall be received without being first proved by the party making the demand, or other sufficient testimony, or attested by some Committee of Observation; or if the charge arises for the service of any part of the Militia of this Colony, that the time of their service be certified by the Brigadier-General of their District, or the account of the time they have been in actual service proved by a Field-Officer, Captain, or Commanding Officer of any detachment of Militia that has been or may be employed in the service of this Colony.
Mr˙ Done and Mr˙ Bishop appeared in the House.
Mr˙ John Kilty was elected Ensign of Captain Tillard' s Company of Militia for the Flying-Camp, in the room of Mr˙ John Gassaway, who resigned.
On motion, the question was put, That all Interest on Bonds or Contracts, except on Loan-Office Bonds, cease and determine during this time of publick distress? Carried in the negative.
Mr˙ Jordan,
Mr˙ Hawkins,
Adjourned till three o' clock.
Post Meridiem. Convention met.
A Petition from William Noke, late Sheriff of Anne Arundel County, was read, and ordered to lie on the table.
On motion of Mr˙ Hooe, the question was put, That Interest now due on all Debts or Contracts, or that shall become due, till a further regulation, except on Loan-Office Bonds, may be paid in Corn, Wheat, Tobacco, Flour, Hemp, or Cotton, at such prices as may be agreed upon between the creditor and debtor, or on their disagreement, at such prices as may be set by the Committee of Observation for the County where the debtor resides, such country produce to be offered or tendered by the debtor at the capital of the County where he resides, unless any other place of delivery is agreed upon by the parties?
The previous question was called for and put, Whether the above question be now put? Carried in the negative.
Mr˙ Jordan,
Mr˙ Hooe,
The Convention proceeded to ballot for a Council of Safety, and John Hall, George Plater, Charles Carroll, Barrister, Daniel of St˙ Thomas Jenifer, Thomas B˙ Hands, Benjamin Rumsey, Thomas Smyth, James Tilghman, and Joseph Nicholson, Jun˙, Esquires, were duly elected for that purpose.
On reading and considering the Account and Letter of Amos Garrett, Supervisor of the Saltpetre Works in Harford County,
Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to the said Amos Garrett the further sum of £50, on account of his Saltpetre Works aforesaid.
Whereas many Farmers and Planters are indebted in sums of Money bearing interest, and from there being no market for the Tobacco, Wheat, and other usual produce of their Farms and Plantations since the 10th day of September last, they have not been enabled to pay the interest accrued since that time, and from a continuance of the cause may probably continue disabled to pay the interest which may accrue on their debts for some time to come:
It is, therefore, Resolved, That all Interest which hath accrued since the 10th day of September last, or shall accrue before the 10th day of July, 1777, shall and may be payable in Indian Corn, Wheat, Tobacco, Flax, Hemp, or Cotton, or Linen, or Woollen Cloth, which was or shall be raised or manufactured by the party who shall offer to pay the same, or be received by any creditor in discharge of such interest so due from him as aforesaid, and in such of the said commodities or manufactures as such Committee on all circumstances shall think most reasonable, and therefore direct; and if the parties cannot agree on the price and place of delivery, then the Committee of Observation of the County where the debtor resides, may ascertain and fix the price of the commodity, the time when, and the place (within their County) where the delivery shall be; provided the said delivery be made before the 10th day of September next, after the said interest shall have accrued; and provided also that this Resolution shall extend only to private, and not to Loan-Office or other publick debts.
Convention adjourns till to-morrow morning, nine o' clock.
Motion of Mr. Chase, that all publick and private interest of Moneys cease and determine. During this time of general distress, rejected, Bonds of non-Associators dispensed with, Report of Committee on the establishment of Manufactories, Motion of Mr. Chase, that all Rents be paid in country produce, rejected, Motion, that all interest on Bonds or Contracts, cease and determine during this time of publick distress, rejected, Motion of Mr. Hooe, that interest on all Debts and Contracts be paid in country produce, rejected, Council of Safety elected, Interest which has accrued since the 10th of September blast, may be paid in Indian corn, wheat, tobacco, &c.
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Barnes,
Reeder,
Ford,
Hawkins,
Hooe,
Mackall,
Somerville,
Smith,
Allein,
Sim,
Beall,
Contee,
T˙ Johnson,
Mr˙ Carroll of Carrol' n,
Griffith,
Beatty,
B˙ Johnson,
Stull,
Baird,
Moale,
Tolley,
J˙ T˙ Chase,
Hall,
Rumsey,
Love,
Dallam,
Veazey,
Mr˙ Gilpin,
Thompson,
Ewing,
Hollyday,
Thomas Wright,
Earle,
Chamberlaine,
Thomas,
Murray,
Richardson,
Chaille,
Handy,
J˙ Dashiell.
Sluby,
Mr˙ Chase,
Ringgold,
Mr˙ Letherburyt.
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Stockings, at such rates as the Convention or Council of Safety shall determine, in the following proportions, to wit: One-third thereof in five months, one other third in ten months, and the remainder in fifteen months from the date of contract.
Hooe,
Mackall,
Somerville,
Smith,
Allein,
Sim,
Beall,
T˙ Johnson,
Carroll of Carrollton,
Mr˙ Griffith,
Beatty,
B˙ Johnson,
Baird,
Moale,
Tolley,
J˙ T˙ Chase,
Hall,
Love,
Dallam,
Mr˙ Veazey,
Thompson,
Ewing,
Hollyday,
Thomas Wright,
Earle,
Richardson,
Scott,
Handy,
J˙ Dashiell.
S˙ Chase,
Gilpin,
Mr˙ Letherbury,
Sluby,
Mr˙ Ringgold,
Mason.
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Barnes,
Hooe,
Mackall,
Somerville,
Smith,
Allein,
Sim,
Beall,
Contee,
Mr˙ T˙ Johnson,
Carroll of Carr' n,
Griffith,
Beatty,
Stull,
Moale,
J˙ T˙ Chase,
Rumsey,
Gilpin,
Thompson,
Mr˙ Ewing,
Sluby,
Hollyday,
Murray,
Richardson,
Mason,
Scott,
Chaille,
Handy,
J˙ Daghiell.
Harrison,
Carroll, Barrister,
Mr˙ Tolley,
Love,
Dallam,
Mr˙ Letherbury,
Ringgold.
Reeder,
Ford,
Somerville,
Smith,
Allein,
Beall,
Sim,
Contee,
T˙ Johnson,
Carroll of Carrollton,
Griffith,
Mr˙ Beatty,
B˙ Johnson,
Stull,
Baird,
Moale,
J˙ T˙ Chase,
Hall,
Rumsey,
Gilpin,
Thompson,
Ringgold,
Hollyday,
Mr˙ Thomas Wright,
Earle,
J˙ Tilghman,
Chamberlaine,
Thomas,
Murray,
Richardson,
Mason,
Scott,
Bishop,
Done,
J˙ Dashiell.
Hawkins,
Harrison,
Barnes,
Mr˙ Carroll, Barrister,
Tolley,
Dallam,
Mr˙ Ewing,
Letherbury,
Love.
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