Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-06-17
CONVENTION OF MARYLAND SLAVE
HOLDERS.


the shareholders of Maryland assembled
in Baltimore, on the 9Th instant,
and, on motion of Hon. j. Thompson
Mason, Judge Chambers was called tenn
porarily to the chair; Henry G. 5. Key,
of St. Mary's, vice president, and Col:
Geo. w. Hughes, of Anne Arundel, aud
John Richie, of Frederick, secretaries.
Judge Chambers stated that on Tues
day evening an informal meeting was
held, which appointed a committee to
nominate temporary officers:
AT this point, James T. Earle. Esq,
of Queen Anne's, arose and said, that to
expedite business, he would move that
those elected temporarily be declared the
permanent officers of the convention I;
which was done.
Judge Chambers returned his thanks
for the honor conferred on him. The
convention had assembled to discuss and
dispose of one of the most delicate ques-
ton before the community. The ques-
ton involved of the colored free ard
slave population was more complicated
and difficult than any other that could be
brought before the people. He spoke
of politics and religion where there were
any difference in common, but on the
slavery question every man had his own
theory. A question giving rise to such
contradictory, or at least conflicting opin-
ions, should be dealt with temporarily
and with proper regard and respect for
the opinion of all. Nothing could be
expected from it, if it violated the pop
ular opinion, that would be for good.
Another course would beget counter
embodiment, which would express ad-
verse opinions and adverse influence.
He hoped, therefore, that nothing would
be done which would not meet with gen.
eral acceptance. The mode of aiming
at the desired object it would be the duty
of the convention to arrive at.
The list of delegates from the several
counties was then called, during which
Judge Mason said the informal meeting
had recommended that the several coun.
ties be entitled to the same vote in the
convention as they are entitled to in the
Legislature, including the Senate, which
was adopted, and the votes to be taker
en- masse, except otherwise demanded BY
delegation.
Hon. James Alfred Pearce, of Kent
said he thought the meeting called by
the meeting at Cambridge last year wa!
not to be meeting of Shareholders, but
Of the citizens of Maryland, to take meas
urcs for legislative enactment in relation
to the negro population. There wer.
many laws scattered through the statutes
which had escaped the memory of manl
members of the legal profession. Their,
we're perhaps some of the statutes defec
tive, and it was necessary to see wha
was necessary. We should provide
against the admission or proposition
which might produce discord, and som,
might prove infammatory. He though
what was to be passed should be passe'
at once, and everything should be char
acterized by temperance and prudence
He then offered resolution that com
mittee on resolutions, consisting of =
be appointed, and that no resolutions b
considered which are not considered an,
reported upon by said committee.
James T. Earle, Esq, moved that tn
blank be filled by eight, which, on mo
ton of Hon. John Dennis, of Somerset
was increased to "twenty-oDe. Tn
resolution was then adopted.
On motion of Bradley johnson, Esq.
of Frederick, the committee provided 70
was directed to originate business for tn
consideration of the convention which
was adopted.
The following committee was then ap
pointed. Hon. j. Alfred Pearce, o
Kent, chairman; Brady T. johnson
of Frederick w. Baker Dorsey, o
Howard; Hon. j T. Mason, of Wash
ington; Jacob POuler, of Carroll; Thoma
F. Bowie, Prince Georges; james I
Earle, Queen Anne's; Il. w. Jacobs
Worcester; Hon. John Dennis, Somer
set; Samuel Pattison, Dorchester; Ram
say McHenry, Hartford; Col. +. Lloyd
Talbot George II. Carman, Baltimore
county; Z. d. Pierce, Cecil; Il. G.
Kilbourn. of Anne Arundel; A. II
Sellers, Calvert, John l.. Dnfef. Mont
gomery; Gen. Walter Mitchell, Charles
Col. j. II. Sonthron, st. Mary's; G.
w. Goldsborough, Caroline.
Mr.. Duke, Of Calvert county, saiC
that as Baltimore city had not appointed
a delegate, he moved that the committee
adjourn to Frederick city. At sugges
ton the motion was withdrawn with th'
intention to be renewed.
i. H.. Richardson, ESQ, said tina
though Baltimore city had appointed NJ
delegation, he hoped the counties woulC
not suppose that the people of the cit
had not their sympathies enlisted witt
them, and for one be was present to aiC
in any measure for the security Of thei
property. lie suggested the propriety
Of holding the sessions of the convention
in Temperance Temple.
On motion Of James T. carlo, th,
convention adjourned till four o'clock il
the afternoon, to meet at Temperance
Temple, when the committee would pre-
sent business for consideration.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The convention reassembled at foul
o'clock, and was called to order by the
president.
Hon. j Alfred Pearce stated that he
would make verbal report. After the
adjournment Of the morning session the
committee assembled and received a
great many resolutions, but there had