Annapolis Convention
Encyclopedia
The Annapolis Convention was an Assembly of the Counties
of Maryland
that functioned as the colony's revolutionary
government from 1774 to 1776. After 1775, it was officially named the Assembly of Freemen.
In 1774, the committees of correspondence
that had sprung up throughout the colonies were being drawn to the support of Boston, as they reacted to the closing of the port and increase of the occupying military force. Massachusetts had asked for a general meeting or Continental Congress
to consider joint action. To forestall any such action, the royal governor of Maryland, Robert Eden
prorogued
the assembly on April 19, 1774.
This was the last session of the colonial assembly ever held in Maryland. But, the assembly members agreed to meet in June at Annapolis after they went home to determine the wishes of the citizens in the counties they represented.
Over the next two and a half years, the Convention met nine times and operated as the state or colony level of Government for Maryland. Throughout the period, they maintained some standing Committees that continued their function between sessions.
as their chair. Within that short time, they agreed:
Other sessions were held on November 21 – November 25, and December 8 – December 12.
ASSOCIATION of the FREEMEN of MARYLAND
July 26, 1775.
The long premeditated, and now avowed design of the British Government, to raise a 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 vindictive statutes passed under color of punishing a riot, to subdue by Military force, and by famine, the Massachusetts Bay; the unlimited power assumed by parliament to alter the charter of that province, and the constitution of all the colonies, thereby destroying the essential securities of the lives, liberties and properties of the colonists; the commencement of hostilities by the ministerial forces, and the cruel prosecution of the War against the people of the Massachusetts Bay, followed by General Gage's proclamation, declaring almost the whole of the Inhabitants of the united colonies, by name or description, rebels and traitors are sufficient causes to arm a free people in defence of their liberty, and to justify resistance, no longer dictated by prudence merely, but by necessity, and leave no alternative but base submission or manly opposition to uncontroulable tyranny. The Congress chose the latter, and for the express purpose of securing and defending the united colonies, and preserving them in safety, against all attempts to carry the above-mentioned acts into execution by force of arms.
Resolved, that the said colonies be immediately put into a state of defence, and now supports, at the joint expense, an army to restrain the further violence, and repel the future attacks of a disappointed and exasperated enemy.
We therefore inhabitants of the Province of Maryland
, firmly persuaded that it is necessary and justifiable to repel 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 a 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 solemnly engage and pledge ourselves to each other, and to America, that we will to the utmost of our power, promote and support the present opposition, carrying on, as well by Arms, as by the continental association, restraining our commerce.
And as in these times of public danger, and until a reconciliation 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 unrestrained, may be productive of anarchy and confusion; We do in like manner unite, associate, and solemly 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, continental congress, our convention, council of safety, or committees of observation.
The original engagement of the Associators, preserved under glass at Annapolis, consists of two pieces, apparently torn apart, and pasted down on card-board. On our p. 67 the order of names and arrangement of columns have been preserved, though not the spacing; and the division of the pieces falls just below the names of Joseph Sim, Thomas Dorsey, and Charles Ridgely.
On comparing these signatures with the Journal, 29 names will be found to be missing, viz: Philip Richard Fendall I
(1734–1805) of Charles Co.; Alexander Somerville of Calvert; George Lee and Dr Richard Brooke of Prince George's; Thomas Tillard and John Dorsey of Anne Arundel; Walter Tolly, James Gittings, and Charles Ridgely of John, of Baltimore; Charles Beatty, Baker Johnson, Jacob Funk, Samuel Beall, and Wm. Deakins, Jr., of Frederick; Samuel Durham, Saml. Ashmead, John Beall Howard, Francis Holland, Benjamin Rumsey, and James McComas, of Harford; Joseph Gilpin and William Rumsey, of Cecil; Richard Lloyd of Kent; John Wallace and John Brown, of Queen Anne's; Robert Harrison of Dorchester; Benson Stainton of Caroline; Josiah Polk of Somerset; Peter Chaille of Worcester.
Now when we note that amongst these 29 were some of the most active and assiduous members of the Convention, and that 21 of them had, as the Journal shows, no leave of absence, it is impossible to resist the conclusion that a portion of the document has been lost. It will be observed that the arrangement is generally by counties, and the break in the paper comes between Prince George's and Queen Anne's, between Ann Arundel and Dorchester, and between Baltimore and Worchester; a fact which confirms the editor's belief that a piece has fallen out between the upper and lower portions as now joined.
The eighth session decided that the continuation of an ad-hoc government by the convention was not a good mechanism for all the concerns of the province. A more permanent and structured government was needed. So, on July 3, 1776 they resolved that a new convention be elected that would be responsible for drawing up their first state constitution, one that did not refer to parliament or the king, but would be a government "...of the people only." After they set dates and prepared notices to the counties they adjourned. On August 1 all freemen with property elected delegates for the last convention.
The ninth and last convention was also known as the Constitutional Convention of 1776. They drafted a constitution, and when they adjourned on November 11, they would not meet again. The Conventions were replaced by the new state government.
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
that functioned as the colony's revolutionary
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
government from 1774 to 1776. After 1775, it was officially named the Assembly of Freemen.
Background
Committee of correspondence
The Committees of Correspondence were shadow governments organized by the Patriot leaders of the Thirteen Colonies on the eve of American Revolution. They coordinated responses to Britain and shared their plans; by 1773 they had emerged as shadow governments, superseding the colonial legislature...
that had sprung up throughout the colonies were being drawn to the support of Boston, as they reacted to the closing of the port and increase of the occupying military force. Massachusetts had asked for a general meeting or Continental Congress
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
to consider joint action. To forestall any such action, the royal governor of Maryland, Robert Eden
Robert Eden
Sir Robert Eden, 1st Baronet, of Maryland, 23rd Proprietary Governor of Maryland was a British colonial official and the last Royal Governor of Maryland...
prorogued
Parliamentary session
A legislative session is the period of time in which a legislature, in both parliamentary and presidential systems, is convened for purpose of lawmaking, usually being one of two or more smaller divisions of the entire time between two elections...
the assembly on April 19, 1774.
This was the last session of the colonial assembly ever held in Maryland. But, the assembly members agreed to meet in June at Annapolis after they went home to determine the wishes of the citizens in the counties they represented.
Over the next two and a half years, the Convention met nine times and operated as the state or colony level of Government for Maryland. Throughout the period, they maintained some standing Committees that continued their function between sessions.
1774 sessions
The first convention lasted four days, from June 22 to June 25, 1774. All sixteen counties were represented by a total of 92 members. They elected Matthew TilghmanMatthew Tilghman
Matthew Tilghman was an American planter and Revolutionary leader from Maryland, who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1776.-Early life:...
as their chair. Within that short time, they agreed:
- That each county should have one vote.
- Passed resolutions supporting Boston, and ordered supplies sent to them.
- The Convention would continue from time to time as needed.
- A Committee of CorrespondenceCommittee of correspondenceThe Committees of Correspondence were shadow governments organized by the Patriot leaders of the Thirteen Colonies on the eve of American Revolution. They coordinated responses to Britain and shared their plans; by 1773 they had emerged as shadow governments, superseding the colonial legislature...
would continue between sessions, and members were named. - They would support non-importation agreements if the Continental Congress called for them.
- Elected delegates to the first Continental CongressContinental CongressThe Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
.
Other sessions were held on November 21 – November 25, and December 8 – December 12.
Declaration of the Association of the Freemen of Maryland
(No 13.)ASSOCIATION of the FREEMEN of MARYLAND
July 26, 1775.
The long premeditated, and now avowed design of the British Government, to raise a 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 vindictive statutes passed under color of punishing a riot, to subdue by Military force, and by famine, the Massachusetts Bay; the unlimited power assumed by parliament to alter the charter of that province, and the constitution of all the colonies, thereby destroying the essential securities of the lives, liberties and properties of the colonists; the commencement of hostilities by the ministerial forces, and the cruel prosecution of the War against the people of the Massachusetts Bay, followed by General Gage's proclamation, declaring almost the whole of the Inhabitants of the united colonies, by name or description, rebels and traitors are sufficient causes to arm a free people in defence of their liberty, and to justify resistance, no longer dictated by prudence merely, but by necessity, and leave no alternative but base submission or manly opposition to uncontroulable tyranny. The Congress chose the latter, and for the express purpose of securing and defending the united colonies, and preserving them in safety, against all attempts to carry the above-mentioned acts into execution by force of arms.
Resolved, that the said colonies be immediately put into a state of defence, and now supports, at the joint expense, an army to restrain the further violence, and repel the future attacks of a disappointed and exasperated enemy.
We therefore inhabitants of the Province of Maryland
Province of Maryland
The Province of Maryland was an English and later British colony in North America that existed from 1632 until 1776, when it joined the other twelve of the Thirteen Colonies in rebellion against Great Britain and became the U.S...
, firmly persuaded that it is necessary and justifiable to repel 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 a 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 solemnly engage and pledge ourselves to each other, and to America, that we will to the utmost of our power, promote and support the present opposition, carrying on, as well by Arms, as by the continental association, restraining our commerce.
And as in these times of public danger, and until a reconciliation 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 unrestrained, may be productive of anarchy and confusion; We do in like manner unite, associate, and solemly 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, continental congress, our convention, council of safety, or committees of observation.
| Mat. Tilghman Matthew Tilghman Matthew Tilghman was an American planter and Revolutionary leader from Maryland, who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1776.-Early life:... |
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| John Reeder Junr | Benn Hall | H. Griffith | Benect Edwd Hall | |
| Richd Barnes | John Contee | Th. Sprigg Wootton | Ths Bond | |
| Jereh Jordan | W. Bowie Captain William Bowie Captain William Bowie was an early colonist in the Province of Maryland and an American Revolutionary, a member of the Assembly of Freemen, a delegate to the Annapolis Convention .-Early life:... |
Richd. Brooke | Richd Dallam | |
| Jn. A. Thomas | O. Sprigg | John Hanson John Hanson John Hanson was a merchant and public official from Maryland during the era of the American Revolution. After serving in a variety of roles for the Patriot cause in Maryland, in 1779 Hanson was elected as a delegate to the Continental Congress... Jr |
Ignatius Wheeler Jr. | |
| W. Smallwood | Jos. Beall | Joseph Chapline | Wm. Webb | |
| Danl Jenifer | Thos Gantt Junior | Thos. Cramphin Jr | John Veazey Junr | |
| R. Hooe | Walter Bowie Walter Bowie Walter Bowie was an American politician.-Biography:Born in Mattaponi, near Nottingham, Prince George's County, Maryland, Bowie attended Reverend John Eversfield's School near Nottingham, the common schools in Annapolis, and Craddock’s School near Baltimore... |
Upton Sheredine | Jno. D. Thompson | |
| J. H. Stone John Hoskins Stone John Hoskins Stone was an American planter, soldier, and politician from Charles County, Maryland. During the Revolutionary War he led the 1st Maryland Regiment of the Continental Army... |
David Crauford | Benj. Nicholson | John Cox | |
| Will. Harrison | Stephen West | Wm. Buchanan | Peter Lawson | |
| S. Hanson of Sam. | Tho. Sim Lee Thomas Sim Lee Thomas Sim Lee was an American planter and statesman of Frederick County, Maryland. Although not a signatory to the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation or the US Constitution, he was an important participant in the process of their creation... |
J. Toy Chase | Nat. Ramsey | |
| Jno. Dent | J. Rogers | John Cradock | William Currer | |
| Edwd Gantt | Samuel Chase Samuel Chase Samuel Chase was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court and earlier was a signatory to the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Maryland. Early in life, Chase was a "firebrand" states-righter and revolutionary... |
Thomas Harrison | Chas Rumsey | |
| Samuel Chew | Th. Johnson Junr Thomas Johnson (governor) Thomas Johnson was an American jurist with a distinguished political career. He was the first Governor of Maryland, a delegate to the Continental Congress and an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.... |
Darby Lux | W. Ringgold Junr | |
| Edwd Reynolds | Brice B. Worthington | John Moale | Thos Smyth | |
| Benj. Mackall 4th | Rezin Hammond | Robt Alexander | Joshh Earle | |
| Josia Beall | J. Hall | Chas Ridgely son of Wm | Th. B. Hands | |
| Robt. Tyler | William Paca William Paca William Paca was a signatory to the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Maryland, and later Governor of Maryland and a United States federal judge.-Early life:... |
Saml. Handy | Thos Ringgold | |
| Rhos Contee | Matthias Hammond | Sadok Purnell | J. Nicholson Jr. | |
| Joseph Sim | Chas. Carroll Charles Carroll (barrister) Charles Carroll was an American lawyer and statesman from Annapolis, Maryland. He was the builder of the Baltimore Colonial home Mount Clare , and a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1776 and 1777.... |
Wm. Morris | ||
| Turbutt Wright Turbutt Wright Turbutt Wright was an American planter and political leader from Queen Anne's County, Maryland. He was a delegate for Maryland in the Continental Congress sessions of 1782.... |
Chas. Carroll of Carrollton Charles Carroll of Carrollton Charles Carroll of Carrollton was a wealthy Maryland planter and an early advocate of independence from Great Britain. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and later as United States Senator for Maryland... |
Thos Stone Thomas Stone Thomas Stone was an American planter who signed the United States Declaration of Independence as a delegate for Maryland. He later worked on the committee that formed the Articles of Confederation in 1777... |
||
| Jas. Tilghman of Annapolis | Ephraim Howard of Hy | |||
| Th. Wright | Thomas Dorsey | |||
| Jas Hollyday | Robert Goldsborough | |||
| Rd Earle | Henry Hooper | |||
| Soln Wright | James Murray | |||
| Jas Loyd Chamberlaine | Thos Ennalls | |||
| Nic. Thomas | Nath. Potter | |||
| Edwd Lloyd | Will, Richardson | |||
| Peregrine Tilghman | Richd Mason | |||
| Wm Hindman William Hindman William Hindman was an American lawyer and statesman from Talbot County, Maryland. He represented Maryland in the Continental Congress, and in the federal Congress as both a Representative from the second and seventh districts, and as a U.S... |
Joshua Clark | |||
| R. Tilghman Jun. | Peter Adams | |||
| Rams Benson | John Stevens | |||
| F. Baker | Wm Hopper | |||
| Henry Dickinson | ||||
| Wm Waters | ||||
| Wm Rolleston | ||||
| George Dashiell | ||||
| John Waters | ||||
| Gustavus Scott |
Note by Maryland Historical Society
The original engagement of the Associators, preserved under glass at Annapolis, consists of two pieces, apparently torn apart, and pasted down on card-board. On our p. 67 the order of names and arrangement of columns have been preserved, though not the spacing; and the division of the pieces falls just below the names of Joseph Sim, Thomas Dorsey, and Charles Ridgely.
On comparing these signatures with the Journal, 29 names will be found to be missing, viz: Philip Richard Fendall I
Fendall family
The Fendall family was a prominent American political family that had its beginnings when Josias Fendall , immigrated to Maryland in the early 1650s. He was appointed the 4th proprietary Governor of Maryland from 1656-1660.-Lineage:...
(1734–1805) of Charles Co.; Alexander Somerville of Calvert; George Lee and Dr Richard Brooke of Prince George's; Thomas Tillard and John Dorsey of Anne Arundel; Walter Tolly, James Gittings, and Charles Ridgely of John, of Baltimore; Charles Beatty, Baker Johnson, Jacob Funk, Samuel Beall, and Wm. Deakins, Jr., of Frederick; Samuel Durham, Saml. Ashmead, John Beall Howard, Francis Holland, Benjamin Rumsey, and James McComas, of Harford; Joseph Gilpin and William Rumsey, of Cecil; Richard Lloyd of Kent; John Wallace and John Brown, of Queen Anne's; Robert Harrison of Dorchester; Benson Stainton of Caroline; Josiah Polk of Somerset; Peter Chaille of Worcester.
Now when we note that amongst these 29 were some of the most active and assiduous members of the Convention, and that 21 of them had, as the Journal shows, no leave of absence, it is impossible to resist the conclusion that a portion of the document has been lost. It will be observed that the arrangement is generally by counties, and the break in the paper comes between Prince George's and Queen Anne's, between Ann Arundel and Dorchester, and between Baltimore and Worchester; a fact which confirms the editor's belief that a piece has fallen out between the upper and lower portions as now joined.
1776 sessions
May 8 – May 25, June 21 – July 6, and August 14 – November 11The eighth session decided that the continuation of an ad-hoc government by the convention was not a good mechanism for all the concerns of the province. A more permanent and structured government was needed. So, on July 3, 1776 they resolved that a new convention be elected that would be responsible for drawing up their first state constitution, one that did not refer to parliament or the king, but would be a government "...of the people only." After they set dates and prepared notices to the counties they adjourned. On August 1 all freemen with property elected delegates for the last convention.
The ninth and last convention was also known as the Constitutional Convention of 1776. They drafted a constitution, and when they adjourned on November 11, they would not meet again. The Conventions were replaced by the new state government.
See also
- Annapolis Convention (1786)Annapolis Convention (1786)The Annapolis Convention was a meeting in 1786 at Annapolis, Maryland, of 12 delegates from five states that unanimously called for a constitutional convention. The formal title of the meeting was a Meeting of Commissioners to Remedy Defects of the Federal Government...
- History of MarylandHistory of MarylandThe history of Maryland included only Native Americans until Europeans, starting with John Cabot in 1498, began exploring the area. The first settlements came in 1634 when the English arrived in significant numbers and created a permanent colony. In 1776, during the American Revolution, Maryland...
- History of Maryland in the American RevolutionHistory of Maryland in the American RevolutionThe Province of Maryland had been a British colony since 1632 and did not at first favor breaking away from Great Britain, but in time became a supporter of the Revolution...
- List of delegates to the Maryland Constitutional Convention (1776)