At a meeting of the Committee of Observation for Talbot County, on Friday, the 7th of July, 1775:

James Lloyd Chamberlaine, in the Chair.

Messrs. Thomas Harrison, William Hamilton, Richard Skinner, and Hugh Rice, four of the gentlemen deputed to go on board the Ship Johnston, and examine her papers and log book, appear and report: That on notice from Mr. James Braddock, agent and Factor for Messrs. James Gildart and John Gawith and Co., of Liverpool, merchants, in the night of the 27th of June last, they did in the morning of the 28th, get on board said Ship Johnston, then lying in the Western Bay, waiting the return of her boat sent for the said deputation, and did examine her manifest, cocket and log-book, by which they found that she had on board Salt, fourteen Convicts, two indented Servants, and Dry-Goods, as in the annexed schedule; said by Mr. Braddock to be shipped by Mr. James Gildart, on account of the above-mentioned Gildart and Gawith, and did give orders for her immediate return, permitting her, however, to lay at Hampton Roads, in Virginia, to take in a recruit of bread and water.

They further report, that Mr. Braddock applied to them for leave to land the convicts and servants; to which they replied, that they could see nothing in the proceedings of the [Continental] Congress relative to convicts or servants, and therefore could give no directions with regard to their being landed; but told him, if he chose to do it, it must be at his own risk; on which Mr. Braddock did land the said convicts and servants, when they (the deputation) came on shore, alleging in his justification, that servants had been a few days before landed at Annapolis and Baltimore Town, and were then advertised for sale.

They further say, that they charged Captain Jones, of the said Ship Johnston, to return immediately to the Port of Liverpool, without breaking bulk, which he, the said Captain assured them he would do; and when they left him, he stood down the bay. The deputation also say, that Mr. Braddock, in their hearing, told the said Captain he must proceed immediately on his return as aforesaid. One of the deputation further saith he overheard the Captain, in private conversation with Mr. Braddock, remonstrate that he could not land the Salt at Liverpool; to which Mr. Braddock replied, they might do as they would with it, but that he (the Captain) must immediately carry it back to the b lace from whence it came.

It is the unanimous opinion of this Committee, that the said Messrs. James Gildart and John Gawith, by sending the said Goods to be landed in America, have been guilty of a breach of the first Resolve of the American Association, viz: "That if any Merchant, residing in Great Britain or Ireland, shall, directly or indirectly, ship any Goods, Wares, or Merchandise, for America, in order to break the Non-Importation Agreement, or in any manner contravene the same, on such unworthy conduct being well attested, it ought to be made publick; and on the same being so done, we will not thenceforth have any commercial connexion with such Merchants."

Resolved, therefore, for ourselves and our constituents, That we will from henceforth break off all commercial connection with the said Messrs. James Gildart and John Gawith, and each of them, their and each of their agents, factors and store-keepers.

Resolved also, That agreeable to a determination of the Provincial Convention, in December last, no Gentleman of the Law ought henceforthward to bring or prosecute any suit whatever for the said Messrs. James Gildart and John Gawith, or for either of them, their or either of their agents, factors, 'managers, or storekeepers, as such:

Ordered, That the proceedings of this meeting be immediately made publick and printed in the Maryland Gazette.

Signed per order: