The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-08-15

they meet in a battalion on Fri
day and Saturday next" A sub
committee was appointed to draft
resolutions to be submitted 10 the
committee and the militia. The
resolutions we're adopted. They
recite as grievances that 1.-The leg
islative. executive and judicial
powers in this province are at
present exercised by the same
body of mem" that 1.-The admins
tration of Justice is confused and
uncertain. places of the most i'm
portant trust held by persons dis
affected TO the common cause Of
America, the SactionS of the
convention carried on IN a secret
manner and that while the rec
concentrations of Continental
Congress were 'unregarded" and
propositions of the utmost i'm
portance were determined without
consulting the people" they
complain of the adulatory address
presented 10 Governor Eden, sup
plicating his iuterposition with
people that has hitherto treated
our just petitions with the greatest
contempt" aud state that all the
above mentioned matters have
Every much alarmed the good peo-
pie Of this district aud filled their
minds with deep concern for the
honor and welfare OF this province
in particular and the United Col
onieS in general" Because Of
these facts they declare the pres
emf mode Of government
incompetent TO the eXigencies. :"
Of the province and dangerous
TO our liberties" Being wiling
to support the union of the col
onies with our lives and fortunes. :"
they wish the present convention
TO be dissolved aud a lev one i'm
mediately elected to declare in
dependence.
The slow measures of the ma
.ioritY in the State still distressed
the committee in December, when
they petitioned tie Council OF
Safety 10 call the General Assem-
bly, Immediately. "that a speedy
establishment Of tie new govern
meut may take place for the sup
port aud good maintenance Of
peace and good order" Among
the early acts Of the committee
were resolutions authorizing
Henry Shryock and James Chap
lain TO enroll companies Of minute
men and appointing a committee
to license suits. The record book
shows that this committee per
formed its duty well and, doubt
less, all the business OF the courts
passed under their vigllant eyes.
The Association Of the Freemen
Of Mary land was speedily given
into the hands of a tried man in
each hundred, who should carry
II to all fleemen residents in his
district.
AS this document bound its
signers TO defend the patriotic
cause by arms, as we'll as by their
influence. the Quakers, Dunkers
and Mennonites declined TO sign
it, or TO muster in the militia.
The committee felt that it is
highly reasonable that every per
sou who enjoys the benefit of
their religion and protection of
the laws Of this free country ought
TO contribute, either III money or
military service, towards the de-
Tense Of these invaluable rights"
They were Of the opinion that
"those who are prevented from
mastering because of religious
scruples would render an equiva-
lent by paying two shillings and
sixpence per week" The enroll
ment and signing went on slowly
and on March 4, 1776, the cap
tains of each hundred were or
dered 10 take an association paper
to the people of their hundreds
and TO make records of those who
refuse to sign, with their reasons
for so doing. This was done and
on April 90 the "several returns
Of non enrollers and non associa
tors" were considered. These men
were then summoned to appear Oh
May : and show cause why they
do not enroll and associate and
"wby they should not be fined and
compelled to deliver up their fire
arms except pistols" Already
men had found it perilous to op-
pose the association; one had
been put under a guard of six
men until be could be sent to the
Council of Safety for trial, oil
would "sign the association, en-
roll into some company, ask par
don of this committee and give
good security for his good be
haviour for the future" Two
other troublesome Tories, who
spoke ''unbecOming words agains'
the association" had been brought
before the committee. "acknowl