The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1868-01-31
n Revolutionary Relic.

ii Revolutionary Relic.
Among some of the old records of this
county, we have found the following relic Of
the first revolution, which may be of interest
to some of our readers 1t seems that, at that
time the county was divided into Hundreds,
and every man in each Hundred, within the
military age, was visited by persons appoint
ed for the purpose, and required to join the
Association, or have his reasons for refusing
reported to the Central Committee Many,
probably most, of the names are familiar to
us of the present day, through their descend
ants who now worthily bear the old family
names but apart from all local and personal
interest, it cannot fill, in view Of more recent
occurrences, to call up in many bosom some
queer feelings, to reflect on the zeal with which
the "freemen of Maryland" in the last CEN
fury, united and associated as one band" to
resist "the arbitrary and vindictive statutes
passed under color of furnishing riot to
subdue by military force and by famine, the
Massachusetts Bay; the unlimited power as
sumed by parliament to alter the charter of
that province" &c. As a matter Of some To-
cal interest as well as food for serious retlec-
ton, we submit, without further comment,
the list which is of Spesutia Upper Hun
dred s...
ASSOCIATION OF THE FREEMEN OF MARY
July 90, 1775.
The long premeditated, and now avowed
inn IF fha ID
revenue from the property of the colonists
without their consent on the gift, grant, and
disposition of the commons of Great Britain;
the arbitrary and vindictiye statutes passed
under color of Furnishing riot, to subtlue by
military force, and by famine, the Massachus-
sets Bay; the unlimited power assumed by
parliament to alter the charter of that PROV
ince and the constitution of oil the colonies,
thereby destroying the essential securities of
the lives, liberties and properties of the COL
onists; the commencement of hostilites by
the ministerial forces, md the cruel prosecu-
ton ofthe war against the people of the Mas
sachussetts Bay, followed by General Cages
proclamation, declaring almost the whole of
the inhabitants of the united colonies, by
name or description, rebels and traitors, are
sufficient causes to arm free people in de-
fence of their liberty, and to justify resist
ance, no longer dictated by prudence merely,
but by necessity, and leave no alternative but
base submission or manly opposition to UNI
comfortable tyranny. The Congress chose the
latter, and for the express purpose of secur-
ing and defending the united colonies, and
preserving them in safety, against all attempts
to carry the aforementioned acts into exc
cution by force Of arms, Resolved that the
said colonies be Immediately put into state
of detfnce, and now supports, at the joint ex-
"a, ~ IA, ia fI1rtk viz
lence, and rspG Tie future attacks of dis
appointed and exasperated enemy.
We therefore, inhabitants of the province
of Maryland, firmly persuaded that it is ne
cessary and justifable to iepcl force by force,
do approve of the opposition by arms to the
British troops, employed to enforce obedience
to the late acts and statutes of the British
parliament for raising revenue in America,
and altering and changing the charter and
constitution of the Massachusetts Bay, and
for destroying the essential securities for the
lives, liberties, and properties of the subjects
in the united colonies. And we do unite and
associate, as one band, and firmly and solemn
ly engage and pledge ourselves to each other,
and to America that we WILL to the ut
most OF our power, promote and support the
present opposition, carrying on as well by
arms, as by the continental association retain
ing our commerce ~
And as in these times of public danger, and
until reconciliation with Great Britain, on
constitutional principles is effected Tan event,
we most ardently wish may soon take place.
the energy of government may be greatly i'm
paired, SO that even zeal unrestrained, may
be productive of anarchy and confusion
we do in like manner unite, associate, and
solemnly engage, in maintenance of good or
der, and the public peace, to support the civil
power in the due execution of the laws, SO
far as may be consistent with the present
plan of opposition; and to defend with our
utmost power all persons from every species
OF outrage to themselves or their property,
and to prevent any punishment from being
inflicted on any offenders, other than such
as shall be adjudged by the civil magistrate,
the continental congress, our convention,
council of safety, or committees of observa-
ton ls & b
Ynh, .