bell is referred; and they are to report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

Ordered, That Doctor Archibald Campbell, Edward Hack Moseley, Edward Hack Moseley, jun., Matthew Phripp, John Willoughby, and Cary Mitchell, be admitted to their parole, to continue in the City of Williamsburg, till the further order of this Convention.

Mr. Cary, from the Commissioners appointed to settle the Accounts of the Militia lately drawn out into actual service, laid before the Convention the Report of the said Commissioners; which was ordered to be referred to the Committee to whom the Petition of Sampson and George Matthews was referred, and that they make a reasonable allowance to the Clerk employed by the said Commissioners.

Mr. Thomas Walker, from the Committee to whom the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Counties of Augusta, Botetourt, Fincastle, Bedford, and Culpepper, was referred, reported that they had accordingly had the same under their consideration, 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 by the Convention:

Resolved, That each of the Horses, employed on the said occasion, be paid for after the rate of one Shilling and three Pence per day; and that the Commissioners appointed to settle the accounts do make the said allowance.

Mr. King, from the Committee appointed, reported that the Committee had, according to order, had under their consideration the Petition of John Chew, John Hews, and Ambrose Rains, 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 by the Convention:

Resolved, That the said Petition is reasonable, and that John Chew ought to be allowed the sum of 4l. 0s. 6d., John Hews the sum of 8l. 11s. 9d., and Ambrose Rains the sum of 2l. 0s. 6d.

Resolved unanimously, That the Thanks of this Convention are justly due to the brave Officers, gentlemen Volunteers, and Soldiers of North-Carolina, as well as our brethren of that Province in general, for their prompt and generous aid in defence of our common rights against the enemies of America and of the British Constitution; and that the President be desired to transmit a copy of this Resolution to Col. Howe.

The Convention then, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee on the 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;" 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 said Ordinance, and had made some progress therein, 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 into their further consideration the said Ordinance.

The Convention, 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 slate of the Colony, and had come to the following Resolutions thereupon; which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same were again twice read, and agreed to by the Convention:

Resolved, That the Committee for the County of Elizabeth City be directed to deliver to Mr. Maximilian Calvert, or his order, the Vessel and Cargo belonging to him, and lately brought into Hampton Creek.

Resolved, That the Committee for the County of Elizabeth City be directed to cause the Salt, and other articles, lately brought into Hampton, to be landed and placed in some secure repository; and that all the vessels, except Mr. Calvert's, be detained till further orders.

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

Ordered, That the Reverend Mr. Thruston, Mr. Benjamin Watkins, Mr. Reade, and Mr. Clarke, be added to the Committee to whom the Petition of Alexander Ross is referred.

A Petition of sundry persons of the County of Cumberland, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the Convention, and read, setting forth, that many disorders were occasioned in their Militia by an improper appointment of Officers, and by the indulgence granted to Foreigners by this Convention at their last meeting, which they pray may be recalled, and in lieu thereof a Test established for all suspected persons.

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

A Petition of Alexander Sniggers was presented to the Convention, and read, setting forth, that the Commissioners appointed to settle the accounts of the Militia, lately drawn out into actual service, had refused to allow him more than eight Shillings a day for each Wagon employed by him in the service, although the usual price had always been ten Shillings; and that they had also refused to allow him for sundry other articles, an account whereof he begs to lay before the Convention; and praying that he may be made such further allowance as shall be thought reasonable.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee to whom the Petition of sundry Inhabitants of the County of Frederick was referred; and they are to report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

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

Saturday, December 23, 1775.

The President laid before the Convention two Letters, just received from the Delegates appointed to represent this Colony in General Congress; which were read, and ordered to be referred to the Committee on the state of the Colony.

Ordered, That Mr. Cary Mitchell be permitted to visit his family at Hampton, upon his parole, to appear in the City of Williamsburgh on Saturday next.

A Petition of James Wood, of the County of Frederick, was presented to the Convention, and read, setting forth, that he was appointed to the command of a Company in the late expedition against the Shawanese Towns; that, in order to arm his company for the service, he was under the necessity of impressing a number of Guns, for which he passed his receipt to the proprietors, many of which guns were carried away by deserters; and others, by different accidents, were never returned to their owners; for all which the Commissioners have made your Petitioner liable, and have deducted the amount thereof out of his pay; and praying that the premises may be inquired into, and such further allowance made him as shall be thought just and reasonable.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee to whom the petition of the Inhabitants of the County of Frederick was referred; and they are to report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

A Petition of Stephen Pierce was presented to the Convention and read, setting forth, that he is master of the sloop Industry, lately brought into Hampton, and praying that he may be allowed to proceed to St. Mary's, in Maryland, with the said Vessel and her Cargo, if the same can be done with safety.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to Mr. Blackburn, Mr. Henry Lee, and Mr. Carrington; and they are to report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

Ordered, That the Leggings allowed to the Soldiers in the regular service do not exceed the price of four Shillings for each pair.

Ordered, That Mr. Harrison have leave to be absent from the service of this Convention till Thursday next.

The Orders of the Day, for the Convention to resolve itself into a Committee on the state of the Colony, and on the Ordinance "For raising an additional number of Forces