PRINCE EDWARD: Robert Lawson and William Bibb, Esqs.

PRINCE GEORGE: Richard Bland and Peter Poythress, Esquires.

PRINCESS ANNE: William Robinson, Esq.

PRINCE WILLIAM: Henry Lee and Thomas Blackburn, Esquires.

RICHMOND: Robert Wormeley Carter, Esq.

SOUTHAMPTON: Edwin Gray, Esq.

SPOTTSYLVANIA: George Stubblefield and Mann Page, Jun., Esquires.

STAFFORD: Charles Carter and Thomas Ludwell Lee, Esquires.

SURRY: Allen Cocke and Nicholas Faulcon, Esqs.

SUSSEX: David Mason and Henry Gee, Esquires.

WARWICK: William Langhorne, Esq.

WESTMORELAND: Richard Lee and John A. Washington, Esquires.

YORK: Dudley Digges and Thomas Nelson, Esqs.

JAMESTOWN: Champion Travis, Esq.

NORFOLK BOROUGH: Joseph Hutchings, Esq.

The Hon. Peyton Randolph, Esq., was unanimously elected President of this Convention, and Mr. John Tazewell, Clerk.

Resolved, That this Convention will observe, in their debates and proceedings, the same Rules and Orders as are established in the House of Burgesses of this Colony.

Resolved, That the Rev. Miles Selden be appointed Chaplain to this Convention, and that he be desired to read Prayers every morning at eight o’clock; and also to preach a Sermon on Thursday next, being the day recommended by the General Congress to be kept as a solemn Fast.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o’clock.

Tuesday, July 18, 1775.

On a motion made,

Resolved, That this Convention will immediately resolve itself into a Committee to take into consideration the state of the Colony.

The Convention accordingly resolved itself into the said Committee; and after some time spent therein, Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Bland reported, that the Committee had had under their consideration the state of the Colony, but not having time to go through the same, had directed him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Convention will to-morrow resolve itself into a Committee to take under their further consideration the state of the Colony.

A Petition of William Preston, Gentleman, Surveyor of Fincastle County, setting forth, that early in the month of April last he had received instructions from Lord Dunmore to survey Lands in the uninhabited parts of this Colony, agreeably to a Proclamation his Lordship had just then issued, and which was under the consideration of the late Convention; but as there was then no final determination respecting it, he apprehended the same was tacitly allowed, to prevent disputes among the first settlers of such Lands. That he gave directions to his assistants to survey a small district of Land each, until it could be known what report the Committee appointed by the late Convention would make. That he hath given the strongest assurances no survey should be returned, under the said instructions, without the approbation of the House of Burgesses, or this Convention; yet that many persons were displeased with his conduct, not knowing the motives on which he acted. And praying that this Convention will take the same under their most serious consideration, as nothing is further from his intentions than to carry into execution any ministerial instructions contrary to the chartered rights or real interest of his Country, let the consequence be what it will to his family or private emolument.

Also a Petition from the Committee of Fincastle County, complaining that surveys had been made in consequence of Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation and Instructions, contrary to the ancient usage of taking up Lands in this Colony, which were likely to be the occasion of much confusion and litigation; and praying the advice of this Convention in the premises, were severally presented to the Convention, and read.

Ordered, That the said Petitions be referred to Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Bland, Mr. Cary, Mr. Mercer, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Jones, Mr. Carrington, Mr. Rootes, and Mr. Thomas Walker; and that they inquire into the allegations thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

Adjourned till to-morrow, nine o’clock.

Wednesday, July 19, 1775.

Resolved, That the Rev. Charles Minn Thruston be desired to read prayers to this Convention, and to preach to-morrow, in the room of the Rev. Miles Selden, who is at present indisposed.

The Order of the Day being read, the Convention resolved itself into a Committee to take into their further consideration the state of the Colony; and after some time spent therein, Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Bland reported, that the Committee had had the same under their consideration, and had come to a Resolution thereon; which he read in his place, and then delivered it in at the Clerk’s table, where the same was again twice and agreed to, as follows:

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that a sufficient Armed Force be immediately raised and embodied, under proper Officers, for the defence and protection of this Colony.

Ordered, That Mr. Bland, Mr. Robert Carter Nicholas, Mr. Mercer, Mr. Jones, Mr. George Mason, Mr. Rootes, Mr. Stephen, Mr. Zane, Mr. Bannister, Mr. Blackburn, Mr. Thruston, Mr. Thomas Ludwell Lee, Mr. Braxton, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Woodford, Mr. Henry Lee, and Mr. Christian, do prepare and bring in an Ordinance pursuant to the said Resolution.

Resolved, That this Convention will again resolve itself into a Committee, on Friday next, to take into their further consideration the state of the Colony.

Adjourned till Friday, nine o’clock.

Friday, July 21, 1775.

The President laid before the Convention a Letter from James Wood, Esq., on the subject of Indian affairs; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table, for the perusal of the Members.

The Proceedings at a Treaty lately concluded with the Indians at Pittsburgh, together with several Resolutions of the Committee for the County of Augusta, were laid before the Convention, and read.

Ordered, That the said Proceedings and Resolutions be referred to the Committee appointed to prepare and bring in an Ordinance for raising and embodying a sufficient Force for the defence and protection of this Colony.

A Petition of sundry persons, Freeholders of the County of Berkeley, complaining of an undue election and return of Mr. Adam Stephen to serve in this Convention for the County of Berkeley, and also the Proceedings of the Committee of the said County relating thereto, were presented to the Convention, and read.

Ordered, That the said Petition and Proceedings be referred to Mr. Digges, Mr. Robert Carter Nicholas, Mr. Bland, Mr. Cary, Mr. Jones, Mr. Braxton, Mr. Fitzhugh, Mr. Carter of Stafford, Mr. Carter of Lancaster, Mr. Carrington, Mr. Nelson, Mr. David Mason, Mr. Bassett, Mr. Dandridge, Mr. Holt, Mr. Henry Lee, Mr. Richard Lee, Mr. Mercer, Mr. Fleming, Mr. Page, and Mr. McDowell; and they are to examine the matter thereof, and report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

Resolved, That eleven of the said Committee be a sufficient number to proceed on business.

Resolved, That it be an instruction to the Committee appointed to prepare and bring in an Ordinance for raising and embodying a sufficient Force for the defence and protection of this Colony, that they receive a clause, or clauses, for the pay and support of the Forces so to be raised.

Ordered, That Mr. Marshall, Mr. Dandridge, and Mr. Rutherford, be added to the said Committee.

Adjourned till to-morrow nine o’clock.