upon him, as a person inimical to her rights and liberties; that for the prosperity and welfare of this his native country no one can be more anxious, nor has any American more, from principle, from the origin of the unhappy contest, disclaimed the right of taxation in the British Parliament over this Continent; but that it has been his greatest misfortune to differ in sentiments from the mode adopted to obtain a renunciation of that unconstitutional claim; that with respect to the letter, he begs to observe that it was not written with an intention to be published to the world, make proselytes, or influence the opinion of others; and, as he never hath opposed the publick measures, violated the Association, or transgressed the Ordinances of the Convention, he hopes, through the lenity and indulgence of it, to be released from his wretched state of confinement, and permitted to enjoy his liberty, the most desirable thing in life, but where and when, he entirely submits to the mercy of his country, promising, on the word of a gentleman, in future to conduct himself conformably to the measures and Ordinances of the Convention.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections; and that they report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

A Petition of Alexander Stewart was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that he was a volunteer in Captain George Moffatt’s Company, in the late campaign against the Indians, and was unfortunately shot by the enemy through both his thighs, in the engagement on the Ohio, by which he is rendered incapable of earning his living; that he has an aged father and mother who cannot help him, or scarcely themselves; that when the Commissioners for settling the affairs of the campaign were on that business, he was out on the River Holstein, unable to attend or get himself viewed; that the said Commissioners, from the best information they could obtain, allowed your Petitioner £20 only for present relief, and praying some annual allowance for his subsistence.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Publick Claims; that they inquire into the truth thereof, and report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

A Petition of William Lonsdale was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that he was a volunteer in Captain George Moffatt’s Company, in the late expedition against the Indians, and received a wound in his belly in the engagement with them, by which he is rendered incapable of obtaining a livelihood; that he has no kindred or relation in America, nor anybody to assist him; and praying to be allowed a sum of money annually for his subsistence.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Publick Claims; that they inquire into the truth thereof, and report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

Mr. Digges, from the Committee of Safety, laid before the Convention a proposition which had been laid before them by John Reveley, for erecting a Foundry for casting Cannon; which was ordered to be referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances, and they are to report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

A Petition of the Freeholders of the County of Henrico was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that in their private transactions they had experienced great inconveniences from the unequal circulation of our Paper-money, the only currency the necessary suppression of our trade hath left us; that they beg leave to express their apprehensions of the ill-consequences that may attend an immediate demand of their taxes, under their present incapacity to pay them; that the Army supply, though rendered as diffusive as possible, has hitherto been inadequate to the purpose of circulating generally our paper emissions, so small a proportion its consumption must bear to the gross produce of this country, that, cut off from those supplies hitherto rendered them by commerce in return for their produce, they now avail themselves of their numerous internal resources, and fabricate and manufacture not only what is necessary for their immediate wants, but everything which may be required for the subsistence of an army and the operations of war; and therefore humbly soliciting a present exemption from the payment of pecuniary taxes, and to suggest the great alleviation of the publick burdens that would result from some wise regulation enabling the people at large to supply, specifically, in lieu of so much of their taxes, their quota of whatever may be requisite for the Army, whether of arms, ammunition, clothing, or field-equipage.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances; and that they report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

Mr. Archibald Cary, from the Committee appointed to prepare an Ordinance to encourage the making of Salt, Saltpetre, and Gunpowder, reported, that the Committee had considered several proposals for the making Salt, and were of opinion that large quantities might be made by the operation of the sun, and that it is necessary proper persons should be immediately appointed to fix on convenient places and provide necessary materials for that work, in the Counties of York, Gloucester, Elizabeth-City, Accomack, Northampton, Northumberland, Lancaster, Nansemond, and Isle-of-Wight, and make report thereof to the Convention as soon as possible.

Resolved, That Edward Champion Travis, Wm. Hewitt, Joseph Davenport, and Henry Howard, be appointed Commissioners for the purposes aforesaid in the County of York; Sir John Peyton, Baronet, George Booth, Mann Page, and John Hobday, in the County of Gloucester; William Roscow Curie, Cary Selden, John Cary, and Miles King, in the County of Elizabeth-City; James Henry, James Arbuckle, Southy Simpson, and Charles Bagwell, in the County of Accomack; John Harmanson, John Kendall, James Tait, John Burton, and Littleton Savage, in the County of Northampton; Rodham Kenner, Thomas Jones, Spencer M. Ball, and Thomas Gaskins, in the County of Northumberland; James Ball, Thomas Bartram Griffin, Edward Conway, and Hugh Brent, in the County of Lancaster; Willis Riddick, Samuel Cohoon, John King, and Wills Cowper, in the County of Nansemond; Brewer Godwin, Tristram Narsworthy, Henry Pitt, and James Peding, in the County of Isle-of-Wight.

Ordered, That the Chaplain attend to read Prayers every morning, at seven o’clock.

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

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

Ordered, That Mr. David Mason, Mr. Rutherford, and Mr. Page, be added to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances.

Ordered, That Mr. Peyton, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Poythress, Mr. Hite, Mr. Lankford, and Mr. Meriwether, be added to the Committee of Publick Claims.

Mr. Cary, from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, reported that the Committee had, according to order, examined a Certificate for the election of Delegates for the County of Hampshire, 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:

Resolved, That the Certificate for the election of Delegates to serve in this Convention for the County of Hampshire is made in the form prescribed by the Ordinance.

Adjourned till to-morrow, ten o’clock.

Tuesday, May 14, 1776.

Ordered, That the Letter from Major-General Lee, together with the Resolution of the Officers, formerly laid before the Convention, be referred to the Committee on the state of the Colony.

The Convention then, 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. Archibald Cary reported that the Committee had, according to order, had under their consideration the state of the Colony, but, not having had time to go through the same, had directed him to move for leave to sit again.

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