18 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION [1775.

to enforce obedience to the late acts and statutes of the British par-
liament, for raising a revenue in America, and altering and chang-
ing the charter and constitution of the Massachusetts bay, and for
destroying the essential securities for the lives, liberties, and proper-
ties of the subjects in the united colonies. And we do unite and
associate as one band, and firmly and solemnly 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, re-
straining our commerce.

And as in these, limes of public danger, and until a reconcilia-
tion with Great Britain, on constitutional principles, is effected, (an
event we most ardently wish may soon take place) the energy of
government may be greatly impaired, so that even zeal unrestrain-
ed may bo productive of anarchy and confusion; we do, in like
manner unite, associate and solemnly engage, in maintenance of
good order 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 observation.

That the committees of observation in every county, as soon as
conveniently may be, appoint persons in each parish or hundred,
to offer or carry the said association to all freemen resident within
their county (the household of his excellency the governor except-
ed) and require their subscription to the same, which association,
when subscribed, shall be returned by the committees to the con-
vention. And in case any freeman within their county shall not
subscribe, upon application or within ten days thereafter, his name,
shall be returned by the said committee to the next convention, to
the end that the convention may take order therein.

Resolved, That there be forty companies of minute-men enrolled
in this province as soon as may be, each of which companies to
consist of one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, four sergeants,
four corporals, one drummer, one fifer, and sixty-eight privates;
and that the said forty companies be enrolled in the counties and
proportions following, to wit:

In Worcester, 1, Somerset I, Dorchester 2, Talbot 1, Caroline 1,
Queen Anne's 2, Kent 1, Cecil 2, St. Mary's 2, Calvert 1, Charles