Virginia Revolutionary Conventions, 1774-1776

and had come to the following Resolutions thereupon which he read in the place and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table where the same were again twice read and agreed to by the Convention Resolved, that the samples of Salt exhibited by the Reverend Mr. Dixon do not appear to be sufficiently purified but of great strength in their taste. That the said Mr. Dixon having given assurances of this Intention to proceed in this work with expedition and Diligence if supported with a sum of money from the Country not exceeding fifty Pounds to purchase his Kettles and other necessaries. the Committee are of the Opinion the said sum ought to be advanced to the said Mr. Dixon upon his giving security to repay the money if his work succeeds within twelve months and if it does not to return what Articles he bought with the Countrys Money. The Convention then according to the order of the Day resolved itself into a Committee on the State of the Colony and after some time spent therein Mr. President assumed the Chair and Mr. Treasurer reported that the Committee had according to order had under

Tuesday December 12th 1775 The Convention according to the order of the Day resolved itself into a Committee on the State of the Colony and after some time spent therein Mr. President resumed the Chair and Mr. Cary reported that the Committee had according to order had under their Consideration the State of the Colony and had come to several resolutions thereupon which he was ready to report when the Convention should be pleased to received them. Ordered that the said Report be received tomorrow Resolved, that this Convention will tomorrow again resolve itself into a Committee to take into their further consideration the State of the Colony. The president laid before the Convention a letter received from Col. Woodford which being read Resolved, unanimously that this Convention do highly approve of Col. Woodfords Conduct manifested as well in the success of the Troops under his Command as in his humane treatment of and kind attention to the unfortunate though grave

to delcare Martial Law in force and to be executed throughout this Colony whereby our Lives and Liberty and Property are arbitrarily subjected to his power and direction (for the remainder see the printed copy) Resolved, that the Committee appointed to prepare a declaration in answer to Lord Dunmore's proclamation do also draw up and report a declaration offering pardon to such Slaves as shall return to their duty within ten days after the Publication therefor be liable to such punishment as shall be directed by the Convention. Resolved, that a delegate be chosen by Ballot on friday next to attend the Continental Congress in the room of the late honorabl Peyton Randolph Esqr. Resolved, that the Committee of Safety do write to Col. Woodford desiring that he will endeavour to affect an exchange of the Prisoners in his possession for our worthy Countrymen now confined by Lord Dunmore and if he should not be able to effect such exchange that he send his Prisoners to the City of Williamsburg as soon as

as it can be conveniently done and that he also and the Slaves taken to the said City. Ordered, that the Slaves taken and confined at the Town of Hampton be sent to the publick Gaol in the City of Williamsburg. The President laid before the Convention a letter received from the Delegates appointed to represent this Colony in General Congress inclosing several Resolutions of that respectable body which were read and ordered to be referred to the Committee on the State of the Colony. Resolved, that a Committee of three persons be appointed to examine and pass all such accounts as may be referred to them by the Committee of Safety. Resolved, that the said appointment be made by Ballot tomorrow. A Petition of sundry surviving Captains of Companies on the late expedition against the Indians was presented to te Convention and read setting forth that the said Expedition was greatly promoted by their Zeal for the Service and that they had advanced considerable sums of Money and extended their credit to the utmost in order to supply the Soldiers under their Command with every necessary for the

the Men under their Command and pay to the said Captains whatever shall be found due to them on such settlement. Mr Cary according to order reported that their Committee of the whole Convention had come to the following Resolutions which he read in his place and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table where the same were again twice read and agreed to by the Convention. Resolved that te regular forces now in the pay of this Colony be recruited to ten Companies of Sixty eight men each rank and file and that six other Battalions each to consist of the like numbr of men with their proper Officer exclusive of the Forces already voted for the Defence of the Counties of Northampton and Accomack be raised and emplored for the defence and protection of this Colony and that these Levies be recruited throughout the Colony. Resolved, that each of the said Battalions be commanded by a Colonel a Lieutenant Colonel Major then Captains twenty Lieutenants then Ensigns and thirty Sergeants. Resolved, that one of the said Battalions be

composed of Germans with German Officers. That the plan formerly established for the defense of this Colony by minutemen and militia ought to be continued with some alterations. Ordered that Mr. Cary Mr. A Lewis, Mr. Meredith Mr. Wills Mr. Jones Mr. Banister Mr. Smith Mr Rooter, Mr. Thomas Walker Mr. Fitzhugh Mr. Harvie Mr. Kenner Mr Dandridge Mr. Fleming Mr. Holt, Mr. Travis be a Committee to prepare and bring in an Ordenance pursuant to the foregoing Resolutions. Resolved, that the said Committee or any seven of them be a sufficient number to proceed to Business. Mr. Cary from the Committee to whom it was referred to examine Charles Robinson who had been apprehended as a suspected person reported that the Committee had accordingly examined him and had found no Papers of a publick nature in his profession but as he is at present in the Employment of a person in arms against this Colony they are of opinion he ought not be suffered to return to Norfolk but be admitted to go at large on his Parole. Resolved that the Convention doth agree with the Committee in the said Report.

The order of the day for the Convention to resolve itself into a Committee on the State of the colony being read. Resolved that this Convention will tomorrow resolve itself into the said Committee. Adjourned till tomorrow half after 10 oClock Thursday December 14th 1775 The President laid before the Convention a letter from Col. Woodford inclosing a Petition from the poor inhabitants of the Town of Norfolk requesting his protection also a petition from sundry [distressed] Highlanders lately arrived from Scotland praying that they might be permitted to go to Cape Fear in North Carolina the place where they intended to settle together with sundry other papers which were read. Resolved, that the President be desired to write to Col. Woodford, directing him that all such Tories taken by him who shall upon an examination before the Field officers, appear to have borne Arms against this Colony and be sent to the city of Williamsburg upon such examination,shall appear inimical to the liberties of America, be detained by him, til the farther Order of the Convention or Committee of Safety. That he extend all reasonable indulgence to such as appear to have taken the part of

of Lord Dunmore through necessity; that he take the [distressed] Highlanders, with their families, under his protection, permit them to pass by land unmolested to Carolina, and supply them with such Provisions as they may be in immediate want of. The Preside also laid before the Convention a letter from Col. Howe of North Carolina informing him that he had joined Col. Woodford with the Troops under is Command and should be happy to afford him his best assistance. Resolved, that the President be desired to write to Col. Howe acknowledging the receipt of his obliging letter and thanking him for his good intentions towards their Colony. The Convention then according to the order of the Day resolved itself into a Committee on the State of the colony and after some time spent therein Mr. President resumed the Chair and Mr. Cary reported that the Committee had according to Order had under their Consideration the State of the Colony and had come to several Resolutions thereupon which he read in his place and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table where the same were again twice read and agreed to as follow: Resolved

8.

Resolved, as the opinion of this Committee, that the Ordinance for providing arms and ammunition for this Colony ought to be amended.

Resolved, as the opinion of this Committee that Persons harbouring deserters from the forces raised or to be raised for the defence of this Colony ought to be punished.

Resolved, that the representation from the County of Accomack and request therein contained are reasonable and that they be assured the Convention will pay a proper attention thereto and afford them every protection in their power. resolved, that Mr. Mercer Mr. Cary Mr. Fitzhugh Mr. Page Mr. R. Carter Mr. John Walker Mr. Harrison Mr. Rutherford Mr. Harvie Mr. Gray Mr. Perkins Mr. Lankford and Mr. Poythress be a committee to prepare an Ordinance pursuant to the first of the said Resolutions and that the Committee formerly appointed to prepare and bring in an Ordinance pursuant to the Resolutions for recruiting the regular Forces now in the pay of this Colony to ten Companies and for raising six other Battalions

do receive a Clause or Clauses pursuant to the second Resolution.

Mr Treasurer from the Committee appointed to draw up a declaration offering pardon to such slaves as should return to their duty reported that the Committee had accordingly prepared the following Declaration which he read in his place and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table where the same was again twice read and unanimously agreed to.

By the Representatives of the people of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia assembled in General Convention.

A Declaration

Whereas &c (see printed copy.) A memorial from the vestry of the Parish of Henrico in the County of Henrico was presented to the Convention and read setting forth that they are at a loss to know in what manner their ministers salary ought to be levied and collected. The same being directed by an Act of Assembly to be paid to the Minister in Tobacco if required by him an praying the Convention would take the same into