To this communication, after some delay, Governor
Eden replied, declining to accept the terms proposed,
and requesting permission to return to England. To
this communication the convention replied, commending
the course of the governor, granting the request and inviting his services in behalf of reunion with England. A committee was appointed to wait on him and present the following address:
"To his Excellency Robert Eden, Esq., Governor of Maryland:
"May it please your excellency: We are commanded by the convention to wait upon your excellency, and to communicate to you the resolutions they have this day entered into; and we are instructed to assure your excellency that the convention entertains a favorable sense of your conduct, relative to the affairs of America, since the unhappy differences have subsisted between Great Britain and the United Colonies, as far as the same hath come to their knowledge, and of their real wish for your return, to resume the government of this province, when we shall happily be restored to peace, and that connection with Great Britain, the interruption and suspense of which have filled the mind of every good man with the deepest regret.
"From the disposition your excellency hath manifested to promote the real interest of both countries, the convention is induced to entertain the warmest hopes and expectations that, upon your arrival in England, you will represent the temper and principles of Maryland with the same candor you have hitherto shown, and that you will exert your endeavors to promote a reconciliation, upon terms that may be secure and honorable both to Great Britain and America."
"To which his excellency returned no answer, but received assurances that he might send down to the
Capes for a man-of-war, having engaged by letter to Mr. Carroll, that it should commit no hostilities whilst up for him." (Am. Arch., Fourth Series, Vol. 6, p. 737-8.)
