Resolved, therefore, That the next meeting of this Convention be at the said Town of Richmond.

Mr. Banister, from the persons appointed to draw up and report the forms of proper Commissions to be granted to the Officers of the Regular Forces, Minute-Men, and Militia of this Colony, reporter the following forms of the said Commissions, which were read, and, on the question severally put thereon, agreed to by the Convention.

Form of a Commission for the Colonel of the First Regiment, and Commander-in-Chief of the Regular Forces.

“The Committee of Safety for the Colony of VIRGINIA, to PATRICK HENRY, Esq.

“Whereas, by a Resolution of the Delegates of this Colony, in Convention assembled, it was determined that you, the said Patrick Henry, Esq., should be Colonel of the First Regiment of Regulars, and Commander-in-Chief of all the Forces to be raised for the protection and defence of this Colony; and, by an Ordinance of the said Convention, it is provided that the Committee of Safety should issue all military commissions: Now, in pursuance to the said power to us granted, and in conformity to the appointment of the Convention, we, the said Committee of Safety, do constitute and commission you, the said Patrick Henry, Esq., Colonel of the First Regiment of Regulars, and Commander-in-Chief of all such other Forces as may, by order of the Convention or Committee of Safety, be directed to act in conjunction with them; and with the said Forces, or any of them, you are hereby empowered to resist and repel all hostile invasions, and quell and suppress any insurrections, which may be made or attempted, against the peace and safety of this His Majesty’s Colony and Dominion. And we do require you to exert your utmost efforts for the promotion of discipline and order among the Officers and Soldiers under your command, agreeably to such Ordinances, Rules, and Articles, which are now, or hereafter may be instituted, for the government and regulation of the Army, and that you pay due obedience to all orders and instructions which, from time to time, you may receive from the Convention or Committee of Safety; to hold, exercise, and enjoy, the said office of Colonel and Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, and to perform and execute the power and authority aforesaid, and all other things which are truly and of right incidental to your said office, during the pleasure of the Convention, and no longer. And we do hereby require and command all Officers and Soldiers, and every person whatsoever, in any way concerned, to be obedient and assisting to you in all things touching the due execution of this commission, according to the purport or intent thereof.

“Given under our hands at . . . . . . . . ., this . . day of . . . . . . ., Anno Domini 177.”

Commission to a Colonel of the Minute-Men.

“The Committee of Safety of the Colony of VIRGINIA to . . . . . . . . . . . ., Esq.

“Whereas it is provided by an Ordinance of the Convention, that a Battalion of Minute-Men should be enlisted, trained, and disciplined, in each of the Districts therein mentioned; and by the same authority it is ordained that all commissions for Officers to command the said Minute-Men should issue from the Committee of Safety: Now, in pursuance of the said power and authority to us given, we do by these presents constitute and commission you, the said . . . . . . . ., Colonel of the Battalion of Minute-Men in the District of . . . . . . . . . . You are therefore to act as Colonel, by duly exercising the Officers and Soldiers under your command, taking care that they be provided with arms and ammunition, agreeably to the Ordinances of the Convention; and you are to pay a ready obedience to all orders and instructions which from time to time you may receive from the Convention, Committee of Safety, or any of your superiour Officers, agreeably to the Rules and Articles ordained by the Convention. And we do require all Officers and Soldiers under your command to be obedient, and to aid you in the execution of this commission, according to the intent and purport thereof.

“Given under our hands at . . . . . . . . . ., this . . day of . . . . . ., Anno Domini 177.”

Commission to a County Lieutenant.

“The Committee of Safety for the Colony of VIRGINIA to . . . . . . . . . . .

“By virtue of the power and authority invested in us by the Delegates and Representatives of the several Counties and Corporations within this Colony, in General Convention assembled, we, reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, fidelity, courage, and good conduct, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you to be County Lieutenant of the Militia of the County of . . . . . . .; and you are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the trust reposed in you, by disciplining all Officers and Soldiers under your command; and we do hereby require them to obey you as their County Lieutenant. And you are to observe and follow all such orders and directions as you shall from time to time receive from the Convention, the Committee of Safety for the time being, or any superiour Officer, according to the Rules and Regulations established by the Convention.

“Given under our hands at . . . . . . . . ., this . . day of . . . . ., Anno Domini 177.”

The Convention, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee on the Ordinance to encourage the making Saltpetre, Gunpowder, Lead, the refining Sulphur, and providing Arms for the use of this Colony; and after some time spent therein, Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the Committee had, according to order, had under their consideration the said Ordinance, and had gone through the same, and made several amendments thereto, which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk’s table, where the same were again twice read, and on the question severally put thereon, agreed to by the Convention.

Ordered, That the said Ordinance, together with the several Amendments, be fairly transcribed, and read a third time.

Ordered, That the Publick Printer do send twenty-two copies of the Ordinances of this Convention to the Committees of the several Counties and Corporations within this Colony.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Committees of the several Counties and Corporations, where it is not already done, to complete the collection of the Money by them judged requisite for the purchase of Gunpowder, Lead, Flints, and Cartridge Paper, according to the Resolution of the Convention in March last, in order to place the whole Colony on an equal footing in that particular, and return a state of such collection to the next Convention.

Resolved, That in case the British Ministry shall attempt to enforce the Act of Parliament for preventing the erection of Plating and Slitting Mills in America, this Convention will recompense, to the proprietors of the two first of such Mills as shall be finished and set to work in this Colony, all losses they may respectively sustain in consequence of such endeavours of Administration.

An Ordinance to encourage the making Saltpetre, Gun-Powder, Lead, the refining Sulphur, and providing Arms for the use of this Colony, having been fairly transcribed, was read a third time, and the blanks therein filled up.

Resolved, That the said Ordinance do pass.

Ordered, That the title of the said Ordinance be, “An Ordinance for providing Arms and Ammunition for the use of this Colony.”

Resolved, That the several sums following be paid to the several Officers of this Convention, for their services during the present session: To the Rev. Miles Selden, Chaplain to the Convention, £40; to Mr. John Tazewell, Clerk of the Convention, £150; to Mr. William Dandridge, Jun., £25; to Mr. Thomas Claiborne, Messenger to the Convention, £50; to Robert Hyland, John Creagh, William Drinkard, William Hix, and Richard Williams, Doorkeepers to the Convention, £20 each.

It appearing to the Convention that Otway Byrd, Esq., had, on account of his attachment to American liberty, resigned his provision and prospects in the British Navy, and may be destitute of employment:

Resolved, That the said Otway Byrd, Esq., be strongly recommended to his Excellency General Washington, and