formed in that County about September, and its design was to protect the Colony in general, and the County in particular; and that he has heard it observed, this institution would aid the execution of the resolutions of the Committee. That he believes few, if any persons in the Colony, wish an independence of Great Britain; but, on the contrary, is of opinion that a redress of grievances would establish tranquillity here, and a perfect reconciliation with the Mother Country, as he thinks they entertain not a desire but of dependance on the Mother Country, on constitutional principles.

It appears by the testimony of Archibald Govan, Thomas Evans, John Johnson, and George Braikenridge, of the County of Hanover, that proceedings in criminal cases went on as usual. That all civil law proceedings (except motions against Sheriffs and other publick officers) were stopped in June, 1774. In November, a Committee, in conformity to a regulation of the Congress, was chosen, to carry into execution the American Association, and an Independent Company enlisted, but not embodied. That, for the interruption of suits in civil cases, they assign the expiration of the Fee-Bill as the principal cause, and do not attribute that measure to the adoption of the commercial opposition, as this political measure took place some months after the Courts had stopped their proceedings. That as to the commotions, they say none have occurred, except in one instance, which proceeded from the Governour’s seizing the powder, which was heightened and increased by his threatening to enfranchise the slaves. That those causes induced the Independent Company to choose their officers, and march out about twenty miles towards Williamsburgh; but how they conducted themselves on their march, they can give no information. That they think the independent companies were formed to put the Country into a state of defence; yet they suppose they would have aided the Committee. That the Colony, in their opinion, desires not an independence of Great Britain; and that a redress of the present grievances would re-establish tranquillity, and produce a reconciliation with the Parent State.

It appears to your Committee, from the testimony of Andrew Sprowle, Archibald Campbell, and James Ingram, of the County of Norfolk, and Samuel Donaldson, of the County of Nansemond, that in these Counties the Courts, as usual, proceed in criminal cases. For the causes of stopping the proceedings in civil suits, they assign the expiration of the Fee Bill as the primary one; but, as a secondary cause, they think this measure was adopted to carry the purposes of the Association more effectually into execution, which, by distressing the mercantile part of the British Nation, was intended to interest them in favour of the Colony, and to produce in the end an accommodation. That the Town of Norfolk, as yet, has no independent company, but one formed before the existence of Committees, with the approbation of the Governour, and under his commission. In Nansemond County, an independent company was formed in May last; not for the avowed purpose of protecting Committees, but in conformity to the direction of the last Convention. That before the seizure of the powder, a general acquiescence under the resolutions of the General and Provincial Congress marked the political character of this Colony; and, in the above mentioned Counties, no commotions were excited by this conduct of the Governour, since in neither did the report that an insurrection was intended by the slaves, produce that effect. That they think it the universal wish to have a constitutional dependance on Great Britain; and that a redress of grievances will immediately establish tranquillity, and be productive of a reconciliation with the Parent State.

Ordered, That said Report do lie upon the table, to be perused by the Members of this House.

The Order of the Day being read, for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House upon the Bill for appointing Commissioners to settle the Accounts of the Militia lately drawn out into actual service, and for making provision for paying the same:

Resolved, That this House will to-morrow resolve itself into the said Committee.

The other Order of the Day being read,

Resolved, That this House will to-morrow resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to take into consideration the Governour’s Answer to the joint Address of the Council and this House.

Thursday, June 15, 15 Geo. III, 1775.

A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair:

MR. SPEAKER: I am commanded by the Council to acquaint this House, that the Council do desire a present free conference with this House in the Conference Chamber, on the subject of your Message relative to the securing the publick Arms.

And then the Messenger withdrew.

Resolved, That the House doth agree to the free conference desired by the Council.

Ordered, That Mr. Bland do go to the Council, and acquaint them that the House doth agree to the conference desired by them.

A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair:

MR. SPEAKER: The Council have appointed three of their Members to manage the conference desired with this House, who are now in the Conference Chamber.

And then the Messenger withdrew.

Resolved, That Mr. Bland, Mr. Treasurer, Mr. Cary, Mr. Jones, Mr. Nelson, and Mr. Digges, do manage the conference desired by the Council.

And they went to the conference.

And being returned,

Mr. Bland reported, that the Managers had attended the conference, and that it was managed, on the part of the Council, by Mr. Carter, who acquainted them that the Council are of opinion the publick Arms are not secure, and think it would be proper that an inventory of them be taken; and that an Address be presented to the Governour to desire that he will consent to the removal of them to a more secure place.

Resolved, That a free conference be desired with the Council upon the subject-matter of the last conference.

Ordered, That Mr. Bland do go to the Council and desire the said conference.

A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair:

MR. SPEAKER: The Council do agree to the free conference desired by this House, and have appointed three of their Members to manage the same, who are now in the Conference Chamber.

And then the Messenger withdrew.

Resolved, That the gentlemen who managed the last conference do manage this conference.

Ordered, That it be an instruction to them, that they acquaint the Managers for the Council that this House will agree to join with the Council in an Address to be presented to the Governour, to desire that he will consent to the removal of the publick Arms to a more secure place; and, moreover, that they propose to the Managers for the Council that some measure may be taken to secure the Arms in the mean time.

And the Managers went to the conference; and being returned,

Mr. Bland reported that the Managers had attended the conference, and had acquainted the Managers for the Council that this House would agree to join with the Council in an Address to be presented to the Governour, and had proposed to them that some measure may be taken to secure the Arms in the mean time.

A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair:

Mr. SPEAKER: The Council desire a present free conference with this House in the Conference Chamber, on the subject-matter of the last conference.

And then the Messenger withdrew.

Resolved, That this House doth agree to the present free conference desired by the Council.

Ordered, That Mr. Bland do go to the Council, and acquaint them that the House doth agree to the conference desired by the Council.

A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair:

Mr. SPEAKER: The Council have appointed two of their Members to manage the conference desired by this House, who are now ready in the Conference Chamber. And then the Messenger withdrew.

Resolved, That the gentlemen who managed the last conference, do manage this conference.