Baltimore Independent Blues record book

The Baltimore Independent Blues record book contains 62 pages related to the administration of the 2nd Battalion of the 5th Maryland Militia, circa 1811-1823. The book contains the constitution of the company, which itself consists of 23 articles detailing the rules and regulations of membership. Some examples include: procedures for the election of officers and members of the Committee of Finance, proper conduct for parades, and uniform regulations.

The volume also contains lists of commissioned and non-commissioned officers, as well as lists of privates and their places of residence. On several occassions, the privates listed their names in the book themselves, as opposed to a clerk, as each entry is written in a different hand.

Also included are the meeting minutes, describing the results of elections and certain decisions made. For example, "At a meeting of the Baltimore Independent Blues held on Friday the 13th of May 1814...resolved that Mr. George Elliot be authorized to draw on the treasurer of the company for the costs of a jacket, waistcoast, and pantaloons, in lieu of those articles loaned by him to Mr. Bunya, a volunteer to aid the company's band on a particular occassion which have since been lost."

The record book also contains miscellaneous entries, such as a list of persons who have received muskets and their addresses, as well as lists of members fined as delinquints at court martial meetings. The most common punishment was a fine of $1.

The business of the meetings was primarily recorded by the Secretary company. Over the years, these men included Matthew H. Murray, Charles Crook, and John L. Barry.