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[{"insert":"[462]\n\nEXTRACTS FROM THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION OF MARYLAND, HELD AT THE CITY OF ANNAPOLIS, MAY 15, 1776.\n\n\tWhereas it is necessary that the peace and good order of this Province should be maintained as much as possible, and it appearing to this Convention that sundry officers, appointed for that purpose, have refused to take upon them the respective trusts to which they have been appointed, alleging scruples to take the usual oaths to Government, during the unhappy differences with "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Great Britain"},{"insert":":\n\n\t"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Resolved"},{"insert":", That the said oaths be dispensed with during the said differences; and that the persons already appointed, or who may hereafter be appointed, do qualify themselves for their trust, by taking the respective oaths of office to which they are or may be appointed. And all persons concerned either in administering or taking the said oaths of office, independent of the said oaths to the Government, may rest assured that proper measures shall be taken, upon the settlement of those differences, (an event we most ardently wish for,) to indemnify them against any penalties directed by any laws to be inflicted on persons acting as aforesaid, without having first taken the said oaths.\n\n\tMay 21.—On reading a second time, and considering the resolution of Congress of the 15th day of this instant, transmitted to this Convention by the Deputies attending for this Province in Congress, by express:\n\n\t"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Resolved, unanimously, "},{"insert":"That the people of this Province have the sole and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police of this Province.\n\n\t"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Resolved, unanimously,"},{"insert":" That it is the opinion of this Convention, that this Convention hath ample power to draw the whole force of this Province into action against the armed force that is or may be employed to carry into execution the several unconstitutional and oppressive acts of the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"British"},{"insert":" Parliament for laying taxes in "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"America"},{"insert":", to enforce the collection of those taxes, and for altering and changing the constitution and internal police of some of the United Colonies.\n\n\t"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Resolved, unanimously,"},{"insert":" That this Province has hitherto exerted itself, and will, upon all occasions, continue to exert itself with cheerfulness and alacrity in the common cause, agreeable to the faith pledged to the union of the Colonies; and if it shall appear to this Province necessary to enter into further compact with the other Colonies, for the preservation of the constitutional rights of "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"America"},{"insert":", this Province will enter into such further engagements for the purpose.\n\n\t"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Resolved, unanimously"},{"insert":", That this Convention, by a resolution of the 15th day of this instant, hath made sufficient provision to prevent a necessity for any person within this Province now taking the oaths for the support of Government under the Crown of "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Great Britain"},{"insert":"; and that it is the opinion of this Convention that it is necessary that the exercise of every kind of authority under the said Crown should be now totally suppressed in this Province, and all the powers of Government exerted under the authority of the people.\n\n\n[1524]\n\n\tThe Convention then, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee on the state of the Colony, and after some time spent therein, Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Cary"},{"insert":" reported, that the Committee had, according to order, had under their consideration the state of the Colony, and had come to the following Resolutions thereupon; which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk’s table, where the same were again twice read, and unanimously agreed to, one hundred and twelve Members being present:\n\n\tForasmuch as all the endeavours of the United Colonies, by the most decent representations and petitions to the King and Parliament of "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Great Britain"},{"insert":", to restore peace and security to "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"America"},{"insert":" under the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"British"},{"insert":" Government, and a reunion with that people upon just and liberal terms, instead of a redress of grievances, have produced, from an imperious and vindictive Administration, increased insult, oppression, and a vigorous attempt to effect our total destruction:—By a late act all these Colonies are declared to be in rebellion, and out of the protection of the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"British"},{"insert":" Crown, our properties subjected to confiscation, our people, when captivated, compelled to join in the murder and plunder of their relations and countrymen, and all former rapine and oppression of "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Americans"},{"insert":" declared legal and just; fleets and armies are raised, and the aid of foreign troops engaged to assist these destructive purposes; the King’s representative in this Colony hath not only withheld all the powers of Government from operating for our safety, but, having retired on board an armed ship, is carrying on a piratical and savage war against us, tempting our slaves by every artifice to resort to him, and training and employing them against their masters. In this state of extreme danger, we have no altemavtie left but an abject submission to the will of those overbearing tyrants, or a total separation from the Crown and Government of "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Great Britain"},{"insert":", uniting and exerting the strength of all "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"America"},{"insert":" for defence, and forming alliances with foreign Powers for commerce and aid in war:—Wherefore, appealing to the Searcher of hearts for the sincerity of former declarations expressing our desire to preserve the connection with that nation, and that we are driven from that inclination by their wicked councils, and the eternal law of self-preservation:\n\n\t"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Resolved, unanimously,"},{"insert":" That the Delegates appointed to represent this Colony in General Congress be instructed to propose to that respectable body to declare the United Colonies free and independent States, absolved from all allegiance to, or dependance upon, the Crown or Parliament of "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Great Britain"},{"insert":"; and that they give the assent of this Colony to such declaration, and to whatever measures may be thought proper and necessary by the Congress for forming foreign alliances, and a Confederation of the Colonies, at such time and in the manner as to them shall seem best: "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Provided"},{"insert":", That the power of forming Government for, and the regulations of the internal concerns of each Colony, be left to the respective Colonial Legislatures.\n"}]
Explore Groupings
Grouping Name
Appendix A: State and Local Declarations of Independence
^
5
States
1354
131846 - ?-??
Massachusetts
1462
541823 - ?-??
Counties
1354
8?-??
Appendix B: Local Resolutions on Independence: Some Examples
^
6?-??
New York
1462
2?-??
Grand Jury Presentments
1354
4?-??
Appendix C: The Declaration of Independence: The Jefferson Draft with Congress's Editorial Changes
Force, Peter. American Archives: consisting of a collection of authentick records, state papers, debates, and letters and other notices of publick affairs, the whole forming a documentary history of the origin and progress of the north American colonies; of the causes and accomplishment of the American Revolution; and of the constitution of government for the United States, to the final ratification thereof . 4th Series, Volume VI. Washington: M. St Clair Clarke, 1846. Available at HeinOnline.
