Tuesday, January 2, 1776.

The President laid before the Convention a Letter from Col. Howe, and also a Letter from Col. Woodford, in forming the Convention they had received Petitions from several of the persons who had joined Lord Dunmore, and were on board the Vessels in the harbour at Norfolk, desiring they might have leave to return, as their wives and children were greatly distressed. That they had given for answer, the women and children were at liberty to come on shore, and should receive assistance and protection, but not to be at liberty to return or give intelligence to our enemies; that the men should have no other violence offered them than to remain prisoners till they could be fairly and impartially tried by their country for taking arms against it. Which being read,

Resolved, That this Convention will immediately resolve itself into a, Committee on the said Letter.

The Convention accordingly resolved itself into the said Committee, and after some time spent therein, Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Mercer reported, that the Committee had, according to order, had under their consideration the Letter from Col. Howe and Col. Woodford, 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 this Convention do highly approve of the offer made by Colonel Howe and his Officers to the distressed women and children now on board the vessels in the harbour at Norfolk, and the terms offered to those who have taken up arms against this country; and that Col. Howe be requested to repeat the same, in the name of the Delegates and Representatives of this Colony.

Ordered, That the Members for Berkeley be added to the Committee to whom the Ordinance for providing Arms and Ammunition for the use of this Colony was com mitted.

A Memorial from Sampson Matthews, in behalf of him self and George Matthews, was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that they are apprehensive of being laid under great difficulties and disadvantages in con sequence of the appointment of John Bowyer, gentleman, to receive for and pay to the several claimants in the Southern District whatever may be due them on the account of the late expedition against the Indians, and praying that the Convention will again consider of the said appointment, and, if the same shall be found not to answer the purposes thereby intended, that it may be superseded.

Ordered, That the said Memorial be referred to Mr. Banister, Mr. Cary, Mr. Andrew Lewis, Mr. William Cabell, Mr. Carrington, Mr. Thomas Lewis, and Mr. Syme; and they are to report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

A Petition of Richard Hopper was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that in consequence of a Letter from Christopher Scott and Company, dated Hull, May 27th, 1775, Gibson, Donaldson, and Hamilton, of Suffolk, Merchants, did purchase a cargo of Naval Stores on account and risk of the said Christopher Scott and Company, and had it ready provided, when the Ship Buckingham, of which he is Master, arrived in this Colony, on the 28th of August last; that the said Ship was ready on the first of September to receive the cargo, great part of which was then afloat in crafts, and part on board the said Ship, when, by a violent storm, which happened on the 2d of September, the said Ship was driven on shore; that, as he was prevented by the hand of Providence from sailing before the time limited by the Continental Association, and as other Vessels in the same situation were al lowed to load after the 10th day of September, your Petitioner applied to the Committee of Nansemond County, who were of opinion he might load; that he has been at very considerable expense in refitting the said Vessel for sea, and that, as neither himself nor his owners have acted in the smallest degree unfriendly to America, he humbly prays that he may be permitted to proceed on his voyage.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to Mr. Banister, Mr. Parker, Mr. Fitzhugh, Mr. Cary, and Mr. Watkins; and they are to report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

Ordered, That Mr. Henry Lee, and Mr. Adams, do wait on the Reverend Mr. Griffiths, with the Resolution of yesterday, and present him the Thanks of this Convention agreeably thereto.

A Petition of Robert Karr was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that he served as an En sign in the Company commanded by Captain James Wood, in the late expedition against the Indians, and that he has only received the pay of a common soldier, and praying such further allowance as shall be thought reasonable.

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

A Petition of John Mohan and James Ross was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that they had been employed and served as Spies in the late expedition against the Indians, and praying that they may be allowed a satisfaction for the same.

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

Mr. Thomas Walker, from the Committee to whom the Petition of Joseph Simon and John Campbell was referred, reported, that the Committee had, according to order, had under their consideration the said Petition, and that it appeared to them that John Connolly, on the 8th day of June last, executed a bond to the Petitioners for the sum of 397l. 11s. 0d. Pennsylvania currency, the 1st of July, 1776, and that the said Connolly, on the 2d day of Au gust last, did assign unto the Petitioners his pay as a Captain or Major in the service of this Colony, and for sundry articles furnished the soldiers during that time, and also to settle such accounts with the Commissioners, and receive what should be found due to him, 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 the sum of 657l. 10s. 1d. ought to be allowed and paid to the said Petitioners by the publick; and that there appears to be due to the Petitioners on account of the pay of the said John Connolly, as an officer, and for other services, the sum of 286l. 13s, 9d., which ought to be allowed and paid to the said Petitioners, after deducting what may be due to the country from the said Connolly.

The Reverend Mr. Thruston, from the Committee to whom the Petition of Edward Snickers was referred, reported, that they had, according to order, had the same under their consideration, 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 so much of the said Petition as prays a further allowance of two Shillings per day for thirty-five Wagons, thirteen hundred and seventy-one days, and his expenses as a Commissary, is reasonable, and that the sum of 158l. 19s. 9d. halfpenny ought to be allowed and paid to the Petitioner by the publick.

Resolved, That so much of the said Petition as prays an allowance for expenses in attending the Commissioners, and employing a Clerk, be rejected.

The Reverend Mr. Thruston, from the Committee to whom the Petition of James Wood, was referred, reported, that they had, according to order, had the said Petition 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 the said Petition is reasonable, and that the Petitioner ought to be allowed the sum of 28l. 11s. 0d. by the publick.

The Reverend Mr. Thruston, from the Committee to whom the Petition of sundry Inhabitants of the Counties of Frederick and West Augusta was referred, reported,