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Dr. Fothergill and Surgeon Potts were called in, and asked their opinions on the gaol diftemper. They faid, it proceeded from a number of perfons being confined in a clofe place, and not kept clean that they recommended, as a prefervative to the courts of judicature, for the prifoners to be well washed before they were brought into court, and clean clothes provided for them to appear in that they would recommend the prifons to be often cleaned, fcraped, white-washed, and painted, and gave it as their opinion, that it was the clothes that carried the infection that the diftemper was of a fimilar nature with the small-pox, no perfon could have it more than once; and that hot and cold baths would be of great fervice in prifons. Several questions were asked them, to which they replied in a very able manner.

1

Col. Onflow faid, he was often on grand juries, and fhould be glad to know, if putting tobacco up the noftrils would prevent the infection being caught.

Dr. Fothergill anfwered, it was of no other ufe than stopping one of the paffages by which you might catch the infection; but, unless you could likewife ftop your mouth and ears, it would be of no fervice.

---

Mr. Howard, fheriff of Bedford, was called in, and gave the Houfe a particular account of the impofitions that were practifed in the different gaols of this kingdom faid, he had travelled and feen 38 out of the 42, on purpose to make himself master of the fubject, and explain the abufes to the Houfe. He mentioned releafing a perfon himself on the firft of last month out of Norwich gaol, who had been confined five weeks, only on account of not being able to pay his fees, which amounted to 135. that at Monmouth gaol the keeper, deputy-keeper, and ten out of eleven of the prifoners, lay now ill with the gaol diftemper - that the fees in most of the weftern gaols were 11. 8s. but in the county of York they were only 8s. He gave an account of the gaols being in general too clofe, which he imagined was in a great measure the caufe of the diftempers that another infamous practice fubfifted in the gaols among the prifoners themfelves, which was what they called making a man to pay his garnish; and that keepers loaded thofe unhappy perfons they imagined could pay, with heavy irons, on purpose that they fhould give them money to put on lighter.

After he withdrew, Mr. Dempfter moved, that the Houfe fhould return thanks to Mr. Howard, for the great zeal he had fhewn in

endeavouring to find out the abuses that were committed in gaols.

Col. Barre faid, he agreed with the honourable member, that too much praife could not be given to fo worthy a citizen.

The Houfe refolved, that John Howard, Efq. be called to the bar, and that Mr: Speaker acquaint him, that this House are very fenfible of the humanity and zeal which have led him to vifit the feveral gaols of this kingdom, and to communicate to the Houfe the interefting obfervations he hath made on that fubject.

March 23. An ingroffed bill for the relief of prifoners charged with felony or other crimes, who fhall be acquitted or discharged by proclamation, refpecting the payment of fees to gaolers, and giving a recompence for fuch fees out of the county rates, was read a third time and paffed.

March 29. The House went into a committee upon the bill for regulating the bill for the more effectually fecuring the health of prifoners in gaols during their confinement, &c. when Capt. Phipps and Mr. St. John objected to a claufe relative to clothing the prifoners, which was very warmly fupported by Lord Folkstone, Mr. R. Whitworth, and Mr. R. Fuller, and after a debate of near two hours the bill was finished with feveral amendments, and ordered that the chairman do report the fame to the House.

April 19. The report was made from the committee which fat on the gaol bill. Several very material amendments and regulations were propofed, fuch as warm baths, feparate rooms for the fick of each fex, feparate yards for the debtors and felons, fresh clothes, &c. the expence of which is to be paid by the county.

May 11. The bill for the more effectually fecuring the health of prifoners in gaols, during their confinement, was read a third time and paffed. Capt. Phipps propofed a claufe, which was, that the gaoler fhould oblige every prifoner in health to work, not more than one hour in a day, at the ventilators, which are to be fixed to every gaol in the kingdom. He faid, it would greatly preferve their health, and keep them free from many disorders.

Mr. Gafcoigne faid, he did not object to the claufe, but did not think the prifoners would work, unless the gaoler had fome compelling power given him.

Mr. Popbam and Mr. R. Whitworth feemed to think the claufe would occafion the gaoler to receive fees from perfons, in order to fcreen them from working.

Mr. Mackworth faid, he did not altoge. ther like the claufe; yet, if the money paid by the perfons who did not choose to work was given to those who would work, he fhould imagine the claufe, with a compelling power to the gaoler, might do.

On

On the question being put, "Whether the claufe fhould be inferted in the bill," it was rejected.

MARCH 7.

Lord North acquainted the Houfe, that he had a meffage to it, figned by his majefty, which was prefented and read. This mef fage had a reference to America, and ushered in the famous Bofton Port Bill. The whole proceedings, and debates of the House upon it, to the paffing of the bill, have already been prefented to our readers in our Magazine for laft APRIL. MARCH 8.

The House went into a committee, Lord Folkftone in the chair, when the bill to prevent frivolous and vexatious removals of the poor was read a fecond time, which occafioned a debate, not against the bill, but almoft every member was for propofing fome amendment or claufe of his own, At half paft feven o'clock the question was put, " that this bill commence from the 24th of June, 1774?" which, upon a divifion, was carried in favour of the bill. A claufe was then added, for no woman to be removed to her own parish until after he had lain in fix weeks, which occafioned much debate, but, upon a divifion, was carried in favour of the claufe, ayes 29, noes 21. The blanks of the bill were then filled up, and it was ordered to be reported the next day. MARCH 9.

The fpeaker took the chair at two o'clock: feveral private bills, &c. were received. Lord Felkftone made his report from the committee, on the " poor bill."

Mr. Greaves moved that the third reading might be on this day fe'nnight.

Mr. Gilbert opposed it, and faid, that he fhould wish to fend it down to the country, for every juftice to fee and give his opinion upon: he complained against the bill in its prefent form, and moved that the fecond reading be on the 20th of April.

Mr. Ongley fpoke nearly the fame : faid, by that time, the quarter feffions would be over, at which place the juftices would have met, and had time to deliver their fentiments; he therefore feconded Mr. Gilbert.

Sir Charles Bunbury, in a short but severe Speech, faid, was the bill to contain any bad or new principles, gentlemen might be alarmed, but it was only meant to allow the fame privileges to every perfon, as was ufually allowed to foldiers, failors, Irish, &c. He spoke in favour of the bill, and feconded Mr. Greaves.

Mr. R. Whitworth fet forth the abfurdity of putting it off; faid the bill was brought in laft feffion, and had been in most of this, which certainly was allowing time enough for any perfons to give their opinion; that the hon. gentleman (Mr. Gil

bert) could mean nothing by putting it off, unless it was to throw it entirely out; for by putting it off, until the 20th of April, there would then be fcarce any members to attend, and it might as well be put off for fix months: he was very fevere on members leaving their duty as foon as fine weather came in, and faid, he had fcarce miffed one day fince he came into parliament.

Sir Cecil Wray spoke against the bill. Mr. Henry Cavendish propoled a middle way between the 17th of March and the 20th of April for the third reading.

Mr. Dowdefwell fpoke in favour of the bill, and faid fufficient time had been given.

Mr. Greaves defended his bill in a very able manner, and said, that the justices had had time enough to perufe it; for last year he caufed printed copies to be difperfed all over the different counties, and this year he did not prefent it until there was a full Houfe, on purpose that it might have a fair chance; that he fhould never fear its fucceeding in a full House, and dreaded nothing but its being put off until the end of the feffion, when but few members would attend.

Mr. T. Townfbend was for the third reading on the day firft propofed, as after that time the Houfe would be either taken up in other business, or members would be going into the country.

Several other members fpoke much in favour of the bill, and on the queftion being put, is was carried without a divifion. MARCH 17.

The order of the day for the bill to prevent frivolous and vexatious removals of the poor was read. A ftrong debate ensued; the arguments for and against the bill were nearly the fame as on the fecond reading: the friends of the bill contending, that the prefent poor laws were fuch as needed an immediate amendment, and that this alteration would put a stop to the numberless difficulties which the parish and vagrant poor were now liable to, through the inefficacy of our prefent laws; the enemies of the bill faid, this bill was of too general a nature, it gave the poor too great liberties; they might, if this bill paffed, travel about the country without controul, to the great hurt of the inhabitants.

Mr. Greaves again fupported his bill, Mr. E. Burke fpoke in favour of it, and kept the house in continual good humour.

Mr. Gilbert, Mr. Gafcoigne, &c. ftrongly opposed it, and on a divifion whether the bill fhould then be read a third time, there appeared for it 53, against it 56.

A motion was then made, that the third reading be on that day four months, which was carried.

(To be continued.)

Fer

For the LONDON MAGAZINE.

AMERICAN PAPERS and PROCEEDINGS, in Confequence of the late extraordinary Acts of Parliament refpecting that Continent

continued.

MARY LAN D.

At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the City of ANNAPOLIS, on Wednesday the 25th of May, 1774, after Notice given of the Time, Place, and Occafion of this Meeting.

I. RESOLVED, that it is meet-mittee, that the gentleman

nimous opinion of this meeting that the town of Bofton is now fuffering in the common caule of America, and that it is incumbent on every colony in America to unite in effectual means to obtain a repeal of the late act of parliament for blocking up the harbour of Boston.

II. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that if the colonies come into a joint refolution to stop all im portation from, and exportation to, Great Britain, till the faid act be repealed, the fame will preferve North America and her liberties.

III. Refolved, therefore, that the inhabitants of this city will join in an affociation with the feveral counties of the province, and the principal colonies of America, to put an immediate ftop to all exports to Great Britain, and that after a short day, hereafter to be agreed on, that there be no imports from Great Britain till the faid act be repealed, and that fuch affociation be on oath.

IV. That it is the opinion of this meeting that the gentlemen of the law of this province bring no fuit for the recovery of any debt due from any inhabitant of this province to any inhabitant of Great Britain, until the faid act be repealed.

V. That the inhabitants of this city will, and it is the opinion of this meeting, that this province ought immediately to break off all trade and dealings with that colony or province which thall refufe or decline to come into fimilar refolutions with a majority of the colonies.

vi. That Meffieurs John Hall, Charles Carrall, Thomas Johnfon ju nior, William Paca, Matthias Hainmond, and Samuel Chafe, be a committee for this city, to join with those who thall be appointed for Baltimore Town, and other parts of this pro

mittee, and that the gentlemen appointed for this city immediately correfpond with Baltimore Town, and other parts of this province, to effect fuch affociation as will best secure American liberty.

Annapolis, May 27, 1774.

A Paper having been circulated this tributed with the gazette, defiring morning in this city, and difthe public to fufpend forming any judgment of the fentiments of this city, on the fubject matter of letters from Bofton and Philadelphia, until they are furnished with more authentic grounds than the refolutions entered held for that purpofe, all the citizens, into by the meeting of the inhabitants from the printed refolutions, are earnand particularly thofe who diffent eftly requested to meet at the playhoufe precifely at three o'clock this

afternoon.

AT a meeting of the inhabitants of

the city of Annapolis, in confequence of the foregoing notice, after reading the feveral letters and papers communicated from Bofton and Philadelphia, the firft, fecond, and third refolutions of this city on Wednesday lat were diftin&tly read, one by one, and the queftion being put on them, feverally, that they be confirmed, the first was unanimously confirmed, and on a divifion, the fecond and third were alfo confirmed, very few diffenting. The fourth refolution being read, the queftion was moved, and put, that the fame be expunged, and on a divifion, refolved, by a confiderable majority, that it be not expunged. The other refolutions were read, and, the question being put on each, were confirmed without any divifion : it was then refolved, that this day's

pro

1775. Refolutions of the Freeholders of Baltimore County. 17

proceedings be immediately printed
and made public.
By order,
JOHN DUCKETT, Clerk,

At a General Meeting of the Freeholders, Gentlemen, Merchants, Tradefmen, and other Inhabitants of BALTIMORE COUNTY, held at the Court Houje of the faid County on Tuesday the 31st May, 1774.

Capt. CHARLES RIDGLEY, Chairman.

1.

RESOLVED, that it is the opie tion this meeting that the town of Boston is now fuffering in the common caufe of America, and that it is the duty of every colony in Ame. rica to unite in the most effectual means to obtain a repeal of the late act of parliament for "blocking up the harbour of Bofton."-Diffentient

three.

II. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that if the colonies come into a joint refolution to ftop importations from, and exportations to, Great Britain and the Weft Indies, until the act for blocking up the harbour of Boston be repealed: the fame may be the means of preferving North America in her liberties. — Diffentient three.

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V. Unanimously. bitants of this county will, and it is That the inhathe opinion of this meeting, that this province ought, to break off all trade and dealings with that colony, province, or town, which fhall decline or refufe to come into fimilar refolutions with a majority of the colonies.

Charles Ridgley, fon of John, Walter VI. That Captain Charles Ridgley, Tolley, jun. Thomas Cockey Deye, William Lux, Robert Alexander, Samuel Purviance, jun. John Moale, Andrew Buchanan, and George Rif teau, be a committee to attend a general meeting at Annapolis: and that the fame gentlemen, together with John Smith, Thomas Harrifon, William Buchanan, Benjamin Nicholson, Thomas Sollars, William Smith, James Plowman, and William Spear, be a Gettings, Richard Moale, Jonathan committee of correspondence to receive and answer all letters, and on any emergency to call a general meeting; and that any fix of the number have power to act.

VII. That a copy of the proceedings be tranfmitted to the feveral counties of this province, directed to their committee of correspondence, and be also published in the Maryland Gazette, to evince to all the world the fenfe they entertain of the invaion of their conftitutional rights and liberties.

VIII. That the Chairman be de

III. That therefore the inhabitants of this county will join in an affociation with the feveral counties in this province and the principal colonies in America, to put a stop to exports to Great Britain and the Weft Indies, after the ift day of October next, or fuch other day as may be agreed on, and to put a stop to the imports fired to return the thanks of this from Great Britain, after the first day of December next, or fuch other day meeting to the gentlemen of the comas may be agreed upon, until the faid mittee of correfpondence from Annaact thall be repealed, and that fuch polis, for their polite perfonal ataffociation fhall be upon oath. Dif-vitation by the committee of corre tendance, in confequence of an infentient nine. fpendence for Baltimore Town. Signed, by order.

IV. Unanimously. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that as the moft effectual means of uniting all parts of this province in fuch affociation, as propofed, a General Congress of deputies from each county be held at Annapolis, at fuch time as may be agreed upon, and that if agreeable to the fenfe of our fifter colonies, delegates fhall be appointed from this province to attend a general congrefs of delegates from the other colonies, at fuch time and place as shall be

Jan. 1775

WILLIAM LUx, Clerk.

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by the feveral counties of the province of Maryland, met at the city of Annapolis, and continued by adjournment till the 25th-prefent

For St. Mary's County. Col. Abraham Barnes, H. Greenfield Sotherton, Jeremiah Jordan.

For Kent County, William Ringgold, Thomas Ringgold, Jofeph Nicholson, jun. Thomas Smyth, Jofeph Earle.

For Queen Anne County. Turbut Wright, Richard Tilghman Earle, Solomon Wright, John Brown, Thomas Wright.

For Prince George County. Robert Tyler, Jofeph Sim, Joshua Beall, John Rogers, Addifon Murdock, William Bowle, B. Hall, (fon of Francis) of born Sprigg.

For Anne Arundell County, and city of Annapolis. Charles Carroll, Efq. Barrister, B. T. B. Worthington, Thomas Johnfon, jun. Samuel Chafe, John Hall, William Paca, Matthias Hammond, Sam. Chew, John Weems, Thomas Dorfey, Rezin Hammond.

For Baltimore County and Town. Charles Ridgley, Tho. Cockey Deye, Walter Tolley, jun. Robert Alexander, William Lux, Samuel Purvi ance, George Rifteau.

For Talbot County. Matthew Tilghman, Edward Lloyd, Nicholas Thomas, Robert Goldborough.

For Dorchester County. Robert Goldborough, Will. Ennalls, Henry Steele, John Ennalls, Robert Hancock, John Henry, Matthew Brown.

For Somerset County. Peter Waters, John Waters, George Dashiell.

For Charles County. William Smallwood, Francis Ware, Jofias Hawkins, Jofeph Hanfon Harriton, Daniel Je nefir, John Dent, Thomas Stone.

For Calvert County. John Weems, Edward Reynolds, Benj. Mackall, attorney.

For Cecil County. John Venzy, jun. William Ward, Stephen Hyland. For Worcester County. Peter Chaille, John Done, William Morris.

For Frederick County. Thomas Price, Alex. Contee Hanfon, Baker Johnson, Andrew Scott, Philip Thomas, Thomas Sprigg Wootton, Henry Griffith, Evan Thomas, Rich. Brooke, Tho, mas Crampin, jun. Allen Bowie, jun. For Harford County. Richard Dallum, John Love, Thomas Bond, John Paca, Benedict Ed, Hall, Jacob Bond.

For Caroline County. Thomas White, William Richardfun, Ifaac Bradley, Nathaniel Potter, Thomas Goldbarough.

I

MATTHEW TILGHMAN, Esq. in the Chair.

JOHN DUCKETT, chofen Clerk. T being moved from the chair to afcertain the manner of dividing upon questions, it was agreed, that on any divifion each county have one vote; and that all queftions be determined by a majority of counties.

The letter and vote of the town of Bofton, several letters and papers from Philadelphia and Virginia, the act of parliament for blocking up the port and harbour of Boston, the bill depending in parliament fubverfive of the Charter of the Maffachusetts Bay, and that enabling the governor to fend fuppofed offenders from thence to another colony, or England, for trial, were read, and after mature deliberation thereon,

Refolved, That the faid act of par. liament and bills, if paffed into acts, are cruel and oppreffive invasions of the natural rights of the people of the Maffachusetts Bay as men, and of their conftitutional rights as English_fubjects; and that the faid act, if not repealed, and the faid bills, if paffed into acts, will lay a foundation for the utter deftruction of British America; and therefore that the town of Boston and province of Maffachusetts now fuffering in the common cause of America.

are

2. Refolved, That it is the duty of every colony in America to unite in the moft fpeedy and effectual means to obtain a repeal of the said act, and alfo of the faid bills if paffed into acts.

3. Refolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, that if the colonies come into a joint resolution to ftop all importation from, and exportation to, Great Britain, until the said act or bills, if paffed into acts, be repealed, the fame will be the most speedy and effectual means to obtain a repeal of the faid act or acts, and preferve North America and her liberties.

4. Refolved, Notwithstanding the people of this province will have many inconveniences and difficulties

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