Wednesday, December 20, 1775.

Mr. Richard Lee, from the Committee appointed, presented to the Convention, according to order, an Ordinance for continuing and amending an Ordinance appointing a Committee of Safety; and the same was read the first time, and ordered to be read a second time.

Ordered, That leave be given to bring in an Ordinance for appointing Sheriffs, and that Mr. Bland and Mr. Poythress do prepare and bring in the same.

A Petition of sundry Freeholders, of the County of York, was presented to the Convention and read, complaining of an unfair and illegal election of a Sub-Delegate, chosen in the room of Thomas Nelson, Esq., and praying that an inquiry might be made into the same.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to Mr. Digges, Mr. Treasurer, Mr. Bland, Mr. Cary, Mr. Jones, Mr. Braxton, Mr. Fitzhugh, Mr. Carter of Lancaster, Mr. Carrington, Mr. Bassett, Mr. Dandridge, Mr. Holt, Mr. Henry Lee, Mr. Richard Lee, Mr. Mercer, Mr. Fleming, Mr. Page, and Mr. M'Dowell, and they are to report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

Resolved, That the said Committee, or any seven of them, be a sufficient number to proceed to business.

Mr. Bland, from the Committee appointed, presented to the Convention, according to order, an Ordinance for appointing Sheriffs; which was read the first time, and ordered to be read a second time.

Mr. Mercer, from the Committee appointed, presented to the Convention, according to order, an Ordinance for establishing a general Test; which was read the first time, and ordered to be read a second time.

A Petition of John Burroughs, of West Augusta, was presented to the Convention and read, setting forth that he was appointed, by Colonel Charles Lewis, a Lieutenant under Captain David Scott, in the expedition against the Indians, under Lord Dunmore, but was deprived of his commission by the said Scott, without any reasonable cause, and therefore praying that he might be allowed the expense he was at in raising men, and for the time he was out of service.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to Mr. Mercer, Mr. Neavill, Mr. Rootes, Mr. Harvie, Mr. Muhlenburg, Mr. Richard Lee, Mr. Henry Lee, Mr. Carrington, Mr. Peyton, Mr. Wm. Cabell, Mr. Thomas Walker, Mr. Andrew Lewis, Mr. Cary, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Taylor, and they are to report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

A Petition of sundry Inhabitants of the County of Augusta, was presented to the Convention and read, setting forth that on the last expedition against the Indians being resolved upon, it became necessary that a number of Packhorses should be employed for carrying out provisions and other necessaries for the Army; that they very cheerfully entered their horses into the said service, not doubting but they should receive allowances which had been usually made; but that they are sorry to inform the Convention that the Commissioners, appointed to settle the Accounts of the said expedition, have allowed your petitioners a recompense inadequate to the services afforded by them, especially when it is considered how long they have been prevented from receiving any satisfaction whatever for the same; and praying the Convention will take the premises into consideration, and grant them such relief as shall be judged just and reasonable.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to Mr. M'Dowell, Mr. Neavill, Mr. Rootes, Mr. Thos. Walker, Mr. Field, Mr. John Walker, Mr. Adams, Mr. Richard Randolph, Mr. Henry Pendleton, Mr. Bowyer, Mr. Barhour, Mr. Harrison, and Mr. Read, and they are to report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

A Representation from Lieutenant-Colonel Christian, of the First Regiment, was presented to the Convention and read, setting forth that a number of Soldiers, at the time of their enlistment, had been promised by their Officers that they should be supplied, at the publick expense, with Hunting-shirts and Leggings; that he has strongly recommended to the Soldiers to provide themselves with uniform clothing, such as Shirts, Leggings, and bound Hats, which they have generally done; and submitting it to the Convention whether the expense thereof should not be paid by the publick.

Resolved, That the Soldiers in the regular service be allowed Hunting-shirts, Leggings, and Bindings for their Hats, by the publick.

The President laid before the Convention the Proceedings of the Commissioners appointed to treat with the several different Tribes of Indians.

Ordered, That the same do lie on the table for the perusal of the Members.

Ordered, That the several County Lieutenants do cause double Patroles to be kept in their several Counties during the ensuing holidays.

Ordered, That Mr. Blackburn be added to the Committee to whom the Petition of Alexander Ross was referred.

Ordered, That Mr. Whiting be added to the Committee to whom the Letter and Resolution of the Committee for the County of Isle-of-Wight was referred.

Ordered, That leave be given to bring in an Ordinance for amending the Ordinance of the last Convention, directing the elections of Delegates and Committee-men, and that Mr. Holt, Mr. Meade, and Mr. Murdaugh, do prepare and bring in the same.

Ordered, That the Officers and Men directed to be raised by an Ordinance of the last Convention, in the County of Fincastle, and stationed at such posts as might, from time to time, be ordered and directed by the Committee of the said County, be now disbanded.

A Representation of William Finnie was presented to the Convention and read, setting forth that he had been appointed by the Committee of Safety Quartermaster-General to the Virginia Regiments; but as no such Officer had been directed by the Ordinances, he was referred to this Convention, as well for a confirmation of the said appointment, as for such allowance as his services should be thought to merit, and praying that he might be confirmed in the said office.

Ordered, That the said Representation do lie on the table.

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 the following Resolution thereupon, which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same was again twice read and agreed to, as follows:

Resolved, That the commanding Officer at Norfolk be directed to cause inquiry to be made, whether the Salt stopped from the Men-of-War, and mentioned in Colonel Woodford's letter, was imported agreeably to the terms of the Continental Association; and, if it shall appear to have been so, that he contract with the proprietor for the purchase thereof, at a reasonable price, on account of the publick, which will be paid by the Treasurer, upon his order. On the contrary, should it be found to have been imported against the Association, the Colony will pay for the same at two Shillings per bushel, the money to be divided amongst the Officers and Soldiers in that department, in proportion to their pay. And in either case, that he cause the Salt to be stored in a proper place, for the use of the publick, till further orders.

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

Adjourned till to-morrow, half after ten o'clock.

Thursday, December 21, 1775.

Mr. Cary, from the Committee appointed, presented to the Convention, according to order, "An Ordinance for raising an additional number of Forces for the defence and protection of this Colony, and for amending an Ordinance entitled 'An Ordinance for raising and embodying a sufficient force for the defence and protection of this Colony;'"