appeared to them that the said Memorialists were concerned in trade, and may therefore be deeply interested in the disposition of the country's money, so far as may relate to the collection of their debts from persons concerned; that it further appeared to them, that the Memorialists were extremely active in the promotion of the service, as commissaries, and that they discharged their duty therein in an advantageous manner to the country; that it also appeared, that Col. John Bowyer, at the first marching of the forces, was averse to the war, and retarded the service; but, upon some attacks of the Savages on Greenbrier, he consented to Capt. Murray's drafting part of his company, in order to repel them; that Col. Bowyer is no otherwise concerned in the disposal of the publick money than as it may be in his power to favour his brothers, who have lately broke up their store, and had many debts to collect. 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 by the Convention:

Resolved, That some person, totally disinterested in the commercial way with the claimants, ought to be appointed to pay the publick money to the persons entitled thereto.

Resolved, That the Resolution appointing John Bowyer, gentleman, 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from the publick, and not called for at the Treasury, on account of the late expedition against the Indians, be now rescinded; and that Joseph Cabell, gentleman, be appointed a Commissioner in his stead, for the purposes aforesaid, and that he enter into bond, with sufficient security, for the due performance thereof; that he return an account to the Treasurer within six months from the time of receiving the money, and that he be allowed the sum of one hundred and fifty Pounds for his trouble and expenses in discharging the said trust.

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

Tuesday, January 9, 1776.

Mr. Neavill, from the Committee to whom the Petition of Robert Carr was referred, reported, that the Committee had, according to order, had the same under their consideration; and that it appeared to them, from the testimony of Mr. James Wood, that the Petitioner acted as ensign in his Company, without a commission, from the 12th of October till the 12th day of November following, by the express direction of Lord Dunmore, the two Lieutenants belonging to the Company being rendered incapable of duty by sickness; and that it also appeared, that the Petitioner had received pay as a private soldier only, during the time aforesaid. 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 Petition is reasonable, and that the Petitioner ought to be allowed the sum of 6l. 15s. 0d., being the difference of pay between that of an ensign and common soldier.

Ordered, That the Account of the money expended at the late Treaty with the Indians be referred to Mr. Carrington, Mr. Cabell, Mr. Cary, Mr. Fleming, Mr. Thomas Mann Randolph, and Mr. Watkins; who are to examine the said Accounts, and report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

Ordered, That leave be given to bring in an Ordinance for establishing a certain mode of Punishment for the enemies of America; and that Mr. Braxton, Mr. Banister, Mr. Cary, Mr. Dandridge, Mr. Mercer, Mr. Jones, Mr. Smith, Mr. Thruston, Mr. Walter Jones, and Mr. Kenner, do prepare and bring in the same.

A Petition of Richard Hopper, master of the Ship Rockingham, in behalf of Christopher Scott, and Company, merchants in Hull, was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that as he was prevented from proceeding to Great Britain with his cargo of Naval Stores, by order of this Convention, and as the same is of a perishable nature, he humbly prays that this Convention will take the same for the use of the publick, and grant him such relief as his case shall be found to deserve.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to Mr. Banister, Mr. Wills, Mr. Parker, Mr. David Mason, Mr. Gee, Mr. Faulcon, and Mr. Cocke; and they are, to report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

Mr. Cary, from the Committee of the whole Convention, reported, according to order, the several Amendments to 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; which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same were again twice read.

Ordered, That the consideration of the said Amendments be put off till to-morrow.

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 other purposes therein mentioned; for establishing a mode of making Tobacco Payments during the discontinuance of the Inspection Law; being read,

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

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

Wednesday, January 10, 1776.

A Petition of Joseph Bowman was presented to the Convention and read; setting forth that he commanded a Company of Militia under Lord Dunmore in the late expedition against the Indians, and furnished a number of his men with necessaries, to the amount of 44l. 18s. 3d. three farthings, who afterwards deserted, by which means he lost the sum of 2ll. 19s. 3d. three farthings, and praying the same may be repaid him.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to Mr. Muhlenburg, Mr. Clarice, Mr. Thruston, Mr. Harvie, and Mr. Rootes; and they are to report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

The President laid before the Convention several Letters from the Delegates appointed to represent this Colony in General Congress, and also a Letter from Col. Howe; which were read, and ordered to lie on the table.

The Convention took into consideration the amendments reported to 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 having gone through the same, and agreed thereto, the said Ordinance, together with the amendments, were ordered to be fairly transcribed, and read a third time.

The President laid before the Convention a Letter from the Council of Safety for the Province of North-Carolina, informing the Convention that they had sent orders to Col. Howe, commander of the Troops at Norfolk, to remain in this Colony with the Carolina Troops, as long as the publick service might require, or until it should be absolutely necessary to recall him for the defence of their Province, and had directed him to receive all his orders respecting his operations, whilst in this Colony, from the Convention or Committee of Safety.

Ordered, That the President be desired to write to the Council of Safety of North-Carolina, acknowledging the receipt of their very polite Letter, and thanking them for the assistance afforded this Colony against the enemies of America.

The Orders of the Day—for the Convention to resolve itself into a Committee on the state of the Colony, and on the Ordinances for continuing and amending an Ordinance appointing a Committee of Safety; for establishing a Gene-