the Colony into a state of defence, but believes it would assist their Committee, if called on. That no commotions have happened in the said County, but that the Governour’s declaration to give freedom to the slaves greatly inflamed the minds of those who believed it; but does not think that belief was general. That he does not think the Colony wish to be independent of Great Britain, and is satisfied a redress of the grievances complained of would restore tranquillity and reconciliation.

It appears, from the testimony of James Lyle and Robert Donald, of the County of Chesterfield, that the reason assigned for stopping the Courts in civil proceedings was the expiration of the Fee-Bill; and they are of opinion, that their refusing to proceed now is owing to the adopted mode of commercial opposition. That no independent company was formed in Chesterfield till a few weeks ago, and that they were intended for the general defence of the Country, and not, as they know, designed for the protection of the Committee, or to be under their direction; but they believe they would protect the Committee, if required. That the inhabitants were quiet and peaceable prior to the removal of the powder, and were greatly alarmed and exasperated at the Governour’s declaration of giving freedom to the slaves, since which uncommon diligence has been used in training the Independent Company and the Militia to arms; but the people have always behaved themselves orderly, paying the greatest regard to the prudent advice of their officers. That they have no reason to believe the people wish an independence of Great Britain, and firmly believe a redress of the present grievances would establish general tranquillity throughout this Colony, and a reconciliation with Great Britain.

It appears, from the testimony of Thomas Hodge and James Robison, of King George County, Charles Yates and Henry Mitchell, of Spottsylrania, and Robert Gilchrist and Patrick Kennan, of Caroline, that the expiration of the Fee-Bill was the immediate cause of stopping the Courts in civil causes. That it has been since considered as a political means of obtaining a redress of grievances, by interesting the British merchants, who have property here, in our behalf; and that, since it has been determined to discontinue the exports, it has been thought necessary; but the Courts proceed in criminal cases as usual. That Committees have been established to enforce the resolutions of the General Congress, and, independent companies formed to learn the use of arms, at different periods: in Spottsylvania some time last winter, in Caroline in February or March last, and in King George since the last Colony Convention in March. They do not know that they were established to protect the Committees, but believe the defence of the Colony was the first and principal motive. That some of the Independent Company of Spottsylvania have acted under the direction of their Committee, but the Caroline company refused to enlist, unless they were to he solely under the direction of officers of their own choosing. That there never were any commotions among the people till after the powder was removed from the magazine, when, in consequence of that transaction, there was a great assembly of armed men at Fredericksburgh, and adjacent places; but they were very orderly and peaceable, and upon advice of a Council they appointed, and some of the Delegates of this Colony, they all retired to their respective homes. That about this time they understood the Governour had made a declaration of freedom to the slaves, which was not generally believed; but as far as it gained credit, it tended greatly to inflame the people. That they do not believe any part of this Colony wish an independence of Great Britain, though they cannot undertake to judge of the views of individuals; and they hope and think, a redress of the present grievances would restore tranquillity here, and produce a reconciliation with the Parent State.

It appears, from the testimony of Archibald Ritchie, of the County of Essex, that the cause generally assigned for stopping the proceedings of the Courts in civil causes (the criminal proceedings going on as usual) was the expiration of the Fee-Bill; but that he believes the measure was politically adopted for carrying more effectually into execution the purposes of the Association. That the volunteer company in the County of Essex was formed about three weeks ago, not merely for protecting the Committees; but believes they would do so, if required. That previous to the seizure of the powder, the state of the Colony, as far as his observation extended, was a general acquiescence in the resolves of the Provincial and General Congress; and that in consequence thereof, no commotion happened in that County. That he does not know of any one that wishes independence of Great Britain; but, on his oath, cannot say there are none such. That he has not the least doubt, if the grievances complained of were redressed, perfect tranquillity would be established between Great Britain and the Colonies.

It appears, from the testimony of Charles Duncan, of the County of Chesterfield, near the Town of Petersburgh and Blanford, that the loss of the Fee-Bill, in his opinion, was the immediate cause of the stop to the proceedings in the Courts in civil causes, (the criminal going on as usual.) That a volunteer company in the said County was formed some time after the Convention at Richmond, and, in his opinion, solely for putting the Country into a posture of defence, without any regard to the protection of the Committee. That the state of the Colony, before the removal of the powder, was peaceable and orderly; and a strict compliance with the resolves of the Continental and Provincial Congress was, he thinks, the cause of maintaining that good order, so little to be expected in a country deprived of so essential a part of its laws. That the removal of the powder certainly occasioned the commotions complained of, and he believes, so far as the Governour’s declarations gained credit, they contributed to those disturbances; but there were none such in the neighbourhood where he lives. That he never heard any person wish an independence of Great Britain, and is clearly of opinion a redress of the present grievances would immediately produce a hearty reconciliation.

It appears, by the testimony of Archibald Bryce, of the County of Henrico, that the expiration of (he Fee-Bill was the reason assigned by the Court for stopping the proceedings in civil cases (the criminal going on as usual;) and he believes the commercial mode of opposition is the reason why the business of the Courts is not resumed. That the suspension in civil proceedings took place in June, 1774; and, some time in the fall, a Committee was chosen, agreeable to an article of the General Association. That the Independent Company of Henrico has not been formed above six weeks, and he believes the principal design of their institution was to put the Colony into a proper state of defence. That ho knew of no commotions in the Country before the seizure of the powder; and as very few took up arms upon that occasion, he was informed that at the request of one of the representatives of the County they returned to their habitations. That he thinks, as far as the Governour’s declaration gained credit with the people, it served to irritate their minds, and might possibly be a means of continuing the commotions in the Country. That he believes the Colony in general do not wish an independence, and that a redress of grievances would establish tranquillity, and produce a reconciliation.

It appears, by the testimony of Thomas Montgomery, of the County of Prince William, that, previous to the powder’s being seized, Committees of Correspondence and of Observation, to carry into effect the resolutions of the Congress, and volunteer companies, were formed; military discipline was taught, arms and ammunition were industriously procured. That upon the report of the Governour’s having seized the powder, many people marched to Fredericksburgh; where, upon a meeting of several Counties, it was determined, in consultation, they should return to their respective homes. That the Court proceeds in criminal cases. In civil cases, the proceedings are stopped; owing, as he thinks, to the expiration of the Fee-Bill, but not to the determination against imports and exports, which he thinks did not necessarily produce that effect. Having observed the same inclination in the people to do justice to their creditors as usual, he thinks the above steps do not proceed from any inclination to withhold justice. That no other commotions or disturbances have happened in the County but what were produced by the alarm of seizing the powder; and these subsided soon, and the people returned to their own habitations. That the political measures are adopted by all classes of men. That the Independent Company was