At a meeting of the Committee of Observation for Talbot County, [30th of May, 1775] at the Court-House of the said County [at Easton]

On the 30th instant the Committee . . . met according to appointment, when the deputation . . . appeared and reported that they went to Mr. [James] Braddock's store, but not finding him at home, they left a copy of the letter from the Committee of Baltimore Town, together with a copy of the order of this Committee, to be delivered to him when he should return.²

In consequence of this Mr. Braddock appeared before the Committee, and informed them "that he did expect the Ship Johnston shortly to arrive in Miles River, but that he had no advice, nor had he any reason to believe (except from the aforesaid letter from the Baltimore Town Committee) that the Ship would bring either Dry Goods or Salt."

Mr. Braddock did likewise at the same time, voluntarily enter into the following engagement and promise: "That if the Ship Johnston or any other vessel having on board any Goods or Merchandise prohibited by the American Association, shall come addressed to him, or to any other agent or factor for Mr. Gildart, he will, in such an event, neither directly nor indirectly receive, nor assist in landing, storing, or following the said Goods or Merchandise, but that, on the contrary, he will, immediately and forthwith, give notice of the arrival of the said ship or other vessel to the above deputation, or to some four of them, (who are appointed to go on board such ship or vessel, and to examine the papers, viz: the manifest, the cockets, and log-book) and that he would give directions for the immediate return of any ship or vesesl addressed to him, without breaking bulk."

Mr. Braddock delivered, at the same time, to the Committee an inventory of the Goods he has now on hand, with which they declared themselves satisfied for the present.

Ordered, That the above proceedings be published in the Maryland Gazette.

Signed by order of the Committee