himself in promoting the expedition, and often did the duty of a contractor, as well as that of an officer; that Arthur Campbell, Esq., was the oldest Captain on Holston's River and Clinch, which constitutes about one half of the County, and of course spent much of his time in the service, from the breaking out of the war until some time in the month of August; that, from his situation and usefulness as an Officer, he did all these matters with care and ability, until some time in November; and your Me morialist is conscious that his extraordinary exertions produced the most beneficial effects to the country. And desiring, as well on behalf of the said William Preston and Arthur Campbell, as himself, that this Convention will take their services into consideration, and grant them such compensation as they shall be found to deserve.

Ordered, That the consideration of the said Memorial be referred to the next Convention.

Mr. Banister, from the Committee to whom the Petition of Archibald Govan, was referred, reported, that they had, according to order, had the same under their consideration, and had come to the following Resolutions there upon; 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 said Petition, so far as it relates to the cargo of his Vessel, is reasonable; and that all the Wheat on board the said Vessel, which may be sound and merchantable, be taken on account of the country, at the price of four Shillings per bushel, being the original cost, and manufactured for the use of the Troops stationed at Hampton.

Resolved, That the said Petitioner may dispose of his Vessel as he thinks proper.

Ordered, That Mr. Holt, Mr. Dandridge, Mr. Peyton, and Mr. Langhorne, be added to the Committee to whom the Memorial of Sampson Matthews was referred.

Mr. Banister, from the Committee to whom the Petition of Richard Hopper was referred, reported, that they had, according to order, had the same under their consideration, and 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 allegations of the said Petition are true, and it is reasonable that the Vessel therein mentioned be permitted to proceed on her voyage, in ballast, and with passengers, but not with her cargo of Naval Stores.

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 a further 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 he said Ordinance.

Mr. Blackburn, from the Committee to whom the Petition of Stephen Pierce was referred, reported, that it appeared to the said Committee, that the Sloop whereof the Petitioner was master, cleared out at the Port of North Potomac, in the Province of Maryland, for Antigua, on the 25th day of September last, with three hundred barrels of Flour, two hundred bushels of Corn, and some live stock; that she arrived at Antigua, the 16th of November following, and on the 28th, cleared out from Turk's Island with eight hundred bushels of Salt, for the County of St. Mary's, in Maryland; that, by means of the late storm, she was driven into Hampton, and taken by Captain Barron; that the said Stephen Pierce alledges, in his justification for exporting the Flour and other articles after the 10th of September, that the gust on the 6th of that month retarded his sailing, and he was permitted to sail at the same time, he did; but no evidence of those facts appears to your Committee, nor can any be procured at this time. And that they had come to the following Resolution there upon; which he read in his place, and then delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same was again twice read, and agreed to:

Resolved, That there is probable cause to suspect that the said Stephen Pierce hath, in the first instance, been guilty of a breach of the Continental Association; but, as our friends in Maryland may be in want of the Salt, it is the opinion of this Committee that the said Vessel be permitted to proceed on her voyage, and that the Committee of the said County of St. Mary's ought to be informed of that transaction, that they may take such measures as to them may appear necessary.

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 continuing; and amending an Ordinance appointing a Committee of Safety; for establishing a General Test; 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 oilier purposes therein mentioned; and 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.

Mr. Holt, from the Committee to whom the Petition of Edward Hack Moseley and Edward Hack Moseley, Jun., was referred, reported, that it appeared to the Committee, from the testimony of Lemuel Newton, Matthew Phripp, Alexander Mosely, and John Ramsay, that the said Mosely took the oath prescribed by Lord Dunmore; that Jacob Elligood came to their house with the parchment and oath, which they there took and subscribed; and that they did not repair to the standard erected by Lord Dunmore, nor in any respect aid or assist him with money or provisions, and that they in general endeavoured to keep out of the way of Lord Dunmore and his adherents. And that they 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:

Resolved, That the said Edward Hack Moseley and Edward Hack Moseley, Jun., did not appear inimical to American liberty before Lord Dunmore had erected his standard; and that whatever they did afterwards proceed ed from their great fear of Lord Dunmore, and his adherents.

Resolved, That the said Edward Hack Moseley and Edward Hack Moseley, Jun., be discharged on their pa role not to give intelligence or assistance to the enemies of America.

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

Thursday, January 4, 1776.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to inquire into the security offered by John Bowyer, gentleman, be discharged from proceeding therein

Mr. Holt, from the Committee to whom the Petition of Matthew Phripp was referred, reported, that it appeared from the testimony of Daniel Hutchings, that the said Phripp was extremely active in encouraging the people of Norfolk to make themselves acquainted with military discipline, and to prepare for defending their country; that the said Phripp was chosen Colonel of that Borough, and was twice elected Chairman of the Committee; that the said Phripp took up arms against Lord Dunmore, on his taking the type from the printer in Norfolk, but that, on the people refusing to join him, he declined to act any longer as their Colonel; that it appeared, from the depositions of Paul Loyal and Christopher Culvert, that the said Matthew Phripp, during Lord Dunmore's stay in and about Norfolk, demeaned himself as a friend to his country; and it does not appear that the said Phripp hath assisted Lord Dunmore, with either money, provisions, or vessels, or advised or persuaded any person lo join him or take his oath; that it appears to them that the said Phripp, being deserted by the people in that part of the country, in danger of being delivered up to, and having much of his property in, the power of Lord Dunmore, was compelled, by his situation, to take the oath prescribed by his Lordship; and that