into an association, called "The Sons of Liberty," and adjourned to meet at Annapolis. They came together in great strength and compelled the courts and public offices to be kept open, without the stamps. Business was again renewed, and the stamp act, though still unrepealed, was a dead letter in Maryland.

9. In 1766, the obnoxions act, long since dead in all the colonies, and never enforced in Maryland, was repealed. The House of Delegates did not fail to express their sense of gratitude to those who had, in the British Parliament, proved themselves the friends of the colonies. They decreed a statue of marble to Chatham, and a portrait by some eminent hand to Lord Camden, but through the action of the upper house, the decree was never carried into effect.

CHAPTER XXI.

THE DUTY ON TEA-Ta on Tea, &c.-Massachusetts' Circular Non-Importation The "Good Intent"-Alarm of the British Ministry--Defection of other Colonies.

1. The English government still clung to the idea of raising a revenue from the colonies.

But

Questions.-9. When was the stamp act repealed? How did the House of Delegates show their gratitude to the friends of the colonies? 1. How did the English government now proceed?

they determined to proceed in a more cautious manner. A tax, under the specious pretence of regulating commerce, was laid on tea, paints, glass and paper, imported into the colonies.

2. The old spirit of resistance broke out; the press teemed with appeals to the public; and the colonists were soon prepared to meet it, as they had met the stamp tax. The Legislature did not assemble until the 24th of May, 1768, but public opinion had already settled its course. tions had been received by the various governors to dissolve the assemblies of their provinces, if they manifested any disposition to unite in measures of opposition.

Instruc

3. But the Assembly of Maryland was too wary to be thus circumvented. It prepared its measures in advance. Massachusetts had issued a circular advising the sister colonies to frame petitions to the crown. The Assembly took into consideration the Massachusetts circular, and appointed a committee to draft a petition to the king.

4. The governor warned them that they would be prorogued if they persisted. Without reply or delay, they instantly adopted the petition, passed a series of resolutions, which they had already framed; and, having taken every step the occasion demanded, drew up a sharp reply to the gov

Questions.-2. What is said of the press? Instructions to governors? 3. What had the Assembly of Maryland done? 4. What further took place?

ernor, stating their readiness to be prorogued.They were accordingly dissolved.

5. The colonists were not yet prepared for an appeal to arms. Having tried petition and remonstrances, they determined to resort once more to "non-importation" which had been introduced in the days of the stamp act.

6. At an early period of the struggle, county associations had been formed in Maryland. For the purpose of united action, it was now deemed expedient to embody them together. On the 20th of June, 1769, the people assembled at Annapolis, and entered into articles of non-importation of British superfluities, for promoting frugality, economy and the use of American manufacture.

"The

7. In the beginning of the ensuing year, the spirit of the associators was put to the test. Good Intent," a British bark, arrived in the harbor of Annapolis, with a cargo of obnoxious articles. It was resolved that the goods should not be landed, and the bark was compelled to return to London with her whole cargo.

8. Long before the destruction of tea in Boston harbor by disguised men, the patriots of Maryland, calmly, openly and in the presence of the governor and the provincial officers, discussed and set at

Questions.-5. To what did the colonies now resort? 6. What is said of county associations? Of the meeting at Annapolis? 7. What test of their determinations did they now have? 8. What is said in this section?

defiance this obnoxious act, and more effectually, though more peacefully, prevented its execution.

9. The British merchants sent no more prohibited goods to Maryland; and the ministry, alarmed at the opposition, promised the repeal of the duty on all articles except tea. While Maryland stood firm, the other colonies began to give way. New York deserted the association; Philadelphia followed. Several merchants of Baltimore requested the associators to consider the matter. Delegates from all the counties met at Annapolis, but so far from yielding their consent, they denounced both the proposition and its authors. At last, Boston gave up the system. Maryland never abandoned its pledge.

CHAPTER XXII.

THE PROCLAMATION AND THE VESTRY ACT-Pay of Public Officers--Tithes--Expiration of the Law-Proclamation--Party Spirit--Dulany and Carroll.

1. The public officers did not receive regular salaries, but were paid by fees given for each service performed. The profits of some officers became enormous, and the people became restless under these exactions.

Questions.-9. What did the ministry promise? What is said of Maryland? Did Boston yield? Did Maryland? 1. What is said of the pay of public officers?

2. There was also another burden. The clergy of the Church of England, which had been established by law, were supported by tithes, or taxes. The rate was, at first, forty pounds of tobacco a head, afterwards, thirty pounds. As the population increased, the income of the parishes became

enormous.

3. In the spirit of opposition to unjust burdens, these too did not escape. The legislature endeavored to diminish the amount of the fees, and obtain other reforms. The House of Delegates, having ordered the arrest of a clerk for taking illegal fees, was prorogued by the governor.

4. The law that gave the clergy thirty pounds of tobacco a head, instead of forty, having expired, they claimed that the old law was in force, and the governor issued a proclamation fixing the old rates. of fees.

5. The intolerant spirit which had cheerfully sustained the tax for the support of the clergy, as a weapon of offence against non-conformists, was now passing away. The clergy moreover being appointed by the governor, the sympathies, therefore, as well as the interests of that body, were likely to be with the governor and his party, who were the representatives of arbitrary power.

Questions.-2. What other burden? ture endeavor to do? 4. What law clergy claim? What proclamation? section?

3. What did the legisla expired? What did the 5. What is said in this