[Annapolis] Wednesday, May 22, 1776.
The Convention taking into consideration the resolutions of Saturday last on the charge against Samuel Purviance, jun. of Baltimore-Town, Resolved, That Samuel Purviance, jun. be called before this Convention, and be informed by Mr. President of the resolutions had on Saturday last on the articles of charge against him, and further, that this Convention highly disapprove and condemn his conduct in usurping the pow[er] to clirect the op ー erations of the military force of this province, and in using his character of chairman, and engaging the countenance and promising the protection and indemnity of the committee, without the orde[r]s of the committee, assembled as such. That it appears to this Convention, that the said Samuel Purviance in his usurpation of the power to di[r]ect the military force of this province, was considerably influenced by a person not residing in this province, nor having any interest or property therein, and that it would be of the most dangerous tendency to the peace of this province, and to the safety and security of the good people thereof, to suffer any person or persons, other than those entrusted with the proper authority by this province, and more especially such as do not r[e]side nor have any interest therein, to interfere in the direction of the internal affairs civil or military of the said province....
That this Convention are therefore of opinion, that justice would well warrant a more exemplary punishment to be inflicted on the said Samuel Purviance for his said misdoings; but that in consideration of his active zeal in the common cause, and in expectation that he will hereafter conduct himself with more respect to the public bodies necessarily entrusted with power mediately or immediately by the people of this province, and will be more attentive to propriety, this Convention hath resolved, that the said Samuel Purviance for his said conduct be censured and reprimanded, and that Mr. President do from the chair censure and reprimand him accordingly, and that he be thereupon discharged.
And thereupon the said Samuel Purviance, junior, being called in, and being at the bar of this house, Mr. President communicated to him the resolve of Convention, and did censure and reprimand him accordingly.