for the defence and protection of this Colony, and for amending an Ordinance, intituled An Ordinance for raising and embodying a sufficient Force for the defence and protection of this Colony; —being read,

Ordered, That the same be put off till Monday next.

Resolved unanimously, That the Thanks of this Convention are justly due to Colonel Elliott, and the Officers and Soldiers under his command, to Messrs. James and Richard Barron, and to the Inhabitants of Hampton, for their spirited and successful exertions in defeating the designs of our enemies; and that the President be desired to transmit the same, and to inform them the Convention will take an early opportunity of rewarding their merit.

Adjourned till Monday, half after ten o'clock.

Monday, December 25, 1775.

The Convention met, and adjourned till to-morrow, half after ten o'clock.

Tuesday, December 26, 1775.

The President laid before the Convention a Letter from Colonel Henry, of the First Regiment, informing the Convention that Col. Elliott, the Commanding Officer at Hampton, bad brought into that harbour a Vessel from Rhode-Island, and had enclosed to him the Papers found therein, which he took the liberty to lay before the Convention, and desiring their direction respecting the said Vessel.

Resolved, That the said Vessel be permitted to proceed on her voyage.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to inquire whether the Salt, and other goods, lately taken on board several vessels at Hampton, were imported agreeably to the terms of the Continental Association, and whether the same be the property of friends to America, or of those who have been in arms, or otherwise taken an active part against this Colony; and make a special report respecting each Vessel and Cargo, to this Convention; and that Mr. Cary, Mr. Mercer, Mr. Holt, Mr. Digges, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Langhorne, Mr. Harwood, Mr. King, Mr. Westwood, Mr. Murdaugh, and Mr. Meade, be of the said Committee.

Resolved, That the Commanding Officer at Hampton be directed to retain the Salt lately brought into that place, for the use of the publick; and that the Committee appointed to inquire whether the same was imported agreeably to the terms of the Continental Association do also consider of and report the most proper method for the distribution thereof.

Resolved, That John Bowyer, gentleman, be appointed a Commissioner to receive for, and pay to, the several claimants in the Counties of Pittsylvania, Augusta, Botetourt, Fincastle, and Bedford, whatever may be due to them from the publick, and not called for at the Treasury; and that he enter into bond, with sufficient security, for the due performance thereof, and return an account to the Treasurer within six months from the time he shall have received the money from the Treasury.

Ordered, That Charles Robertson, who hath been detained in this city on his parole, be discharged.

Resolved, That the Committee appointed to inquire whether the Salt, and other goods, lately brought into Hampton, were imported agreeably to the Continental Association, do also inquire into the several cases of the Prisoners now in the publick jail in this city, and report the same, as it shall appear to them, with their opinion, how each person, white or black, ought to be disposed of, to the Convention.

Resolved, That the Committee of Safety be directed to issue their Warrant to the Treasurer for the payment of such sum of Money as they shall think necessary, to Mr. John Harmanson, to be applied towards recruiting the Soldiers to be raised for the defence of the Counties of Northampton and Accomack; he giving bond and security for the due application thereof.

Ordered, That the Committee to whom the Petition of sundry Freeholders of the County of York was referred, be discharged from proceeding thereon, and that the Petitioners have leave to withdraw the same.

An Ordinance for establishing a mode of making Tobacco Payments during the discontinuance of the Inspection Law, was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the whole Convention.

Resolved, That this Convention will to-morrow resolve itself into a Committee on the said Ordinance.

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, intituled 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, 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 on the said Ordinance.

The Order of the Day, for the Convention to resolve itself into a Committee on the state of the Colony, being read,

Resolved, That the same be put off till to-morrow.

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

Wednesday, December 27, 1775.

The President laid before the Convention a Letter from Col. Howe, and also a Letter from Col. Woodford; which were read, and ordered to be referred to the Committee on the state of the Colony.

Mr. Holt, from the Committee appointed, presented, according to order, "An Ordinance to amend an Ordinance, intituled An Ordinance for regulating the election of Delegates and ascertaining their allowances, and also for regulating the election of Committee-men in the several Counties and Corporations within this Colony, and for other purposes therein mentioned," which was read the first time, and ordered to be read a second time.

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, intituled 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 again resolve itself into a Committee on the said Ordinance.

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 establishing a mode of making Tobacco Payments during the discontinuance of the Inspection Law;—being read,

Resolved, That the same be put off till to-morrow.

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

Thursday, December 28, 1775.

An Ordinance for continuing and amending an Ordinance appointing a Committee of Safety; also,

An Ordinance for establishing a General Test; also,

An Ordinance for appointing Sheriffs; and also,

An Ordinance for amending an Ordinance, intituled An Ordinance for regulating the election of Delegates and ascertaining their allowances, and also for regulating the election of Committee-men in the several Counties and Corporations within this Colony, and for other purposes therein mentioned; were severally read a second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the whole Convention.

Resolved, That this Convention will to-morrow resolve itself into a Committee on the Ordinances for continuing and amending an Ordinance appointing a Committee of Safety, and for appointing Sheriffs; and on Saturday next, on the Ordinances for establishing a General Test, and to amend an Ordinance, intituled An Ordinance for regulating the election of Delegates and ascertaining their allowances, and also for regulating the election of Committee-men in