and containing proposals for granting lands within the limits and territory of Virginia, was presented to the Convention, and read.

Ordered, That the said Advertisement be referred to the Committee on the state of the Colony.

The Convention being informed that William Aylett, Esq., a Delegate for the County of King William, had accepted a military post of profit in the Continental Army, by which his seat in this Convention is become vacated,

Ordered, That the said information be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections, and that they inquire into the truth thereof, and report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

A Petition of the Freeholders and other inhabitants of the County of Mecklenburgh was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that the exemption allowed to Overseers from attending musters, and being drafted as Militia, by an Ordinance of the last Convention, tended greatly to weaken the Militia, many persons having become Overseers in order to screen themselves from the service of their country, and praying that the said Ordinance, so far as it relates to the said exemption, may be repealed.

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

Ordered, That Mr. Kenner be added to the Committees of Propositions and Grievances and Privileges and Elections.

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. Cary reported, that the Committee had, according to order, had under their consideration the state of the Colony, 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:

It appearing to the Committee that proper Surgeons and Mates cannot be engaged for the Continental Troops in this Colony at the pay allowed by the General Congress, and that two Mates are necessary for each Regiment,

Resolved, therefore, That the expense of one Mate to each Regiment, and the additional pay of the Surgeon and Mate, so as to bring the Congress allowance to that established by this Convention, ought at present to be defrayed by this Colony.

Resolved, That four Troops of Horse be raised, for the better security and defence of this Colony; that the Officers and Troopers, at their own expense, provide their Horses, Arms, and Accoutrements, and be allowed a reasonable pay and proper subsistence, and be paid for such Horses as are killed or taken by the enemy.

A Petition of William Chapman and George Slaughter was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that in the year 1774 they were appointed to the command of two Companies of Militia which were drafted and ordered out on the Indian expedition, which Companies were at the draft complete, but were greatly reduced afterwards by desertion and otherwise before they arrived at the place of general rendezvous; that the Commissioners appointed to settle the several accounts relating to that expedition thought it reasonable when they met to allow them and their subaltern officers their full pay, according to the rank they held in the Army, notwithstanding the deficiency of their Companies; but when they came to receive their pay, they were surprised to find the first determination of the Commissioners had been altered, and the pay of the several officers reduced, and praying such relief as should appear to be just and reasonable.

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

Ordered, That Mr. David Mason and Mr. Scott be added to the Committee of Publick Claims.

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

Adjourned till to-morrow, ten o’clock.

Tuesday, May 21, 1776.

The Convention being informed that Gabriel Penn, Esq., who is returned a Delegate for the County of Amherst, at present holds the office of Deputy Sheriff of the said County, and is thereby rendered incapable of sitting and voting in this Convention:

Ordered, That the said information be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections, and that they inquire into the truth thereof, and report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

A Petition of William Preston was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that having the command of the Militia in the County of Fincastle, he received orders from Lord Dunmore, the 24th of May, 1774, to imbody the Militia of said County, and take every possible measure for the defence of the inhabitants, as a war with the Indians at that time seemed unavoidable; that, during the course of the summer, he not only received orders to send out the Militia on the frontiers, but to raise a number of men to send on an expedition against the Shawancse, which orders be executed with the greatest punctuality, and in the execution thereof employed his whole time and attention, from the 24th May to the 7th of November following, when he discharged the men upon duty on the frontiers; and praying such reasonable compensation for his trouble and services as they shall be found to deserve.

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

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. Cary reported, that the Committee had, according to order, had under their consideration the state of the Colony, 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:

Resolved, That such Indian Warriors of the neighbouring tribes as are willing be engaged in the service of this country, provided the number so to be engaged doth not exceed two hundred, to be marched down to the assistance of the Regular forces on the Eastern quarter.

Resolved, That John Gibson, Esq., be desired to negotiate with the Ohio or Western Indians, and inform them of the friendly sentiments of this country towards them, and of the purport of the foregoing Resolution for calling in their assistance, and that the same is warranted and directed by the Resolution of the General Congress of the 1st day of July last.

Resolved, That the neighbouring friendly Indians on the Ohio be assured that if any encroachments have been made by the people of this country upon their lands, beyond the boundary established by the Treaty held at Fort Stanwix, they have been without our concurrence, and shall be removed.

Resolved, That one hundred men, under the command of proper officers, be forthwith raised in the County of Fincastle, and so disposed or stationed, by the Committee of said County, as may best secure the inhabitants from the hostile attempts of the Indians.

Resolved, That one hundred and fifty men, under the command of proper officers, be forthwith raised in Augusta and Botetourt Counties, and that one hundred of such men be stationed at the mouth of the Great Kanawha, to augment the garrison already there, and fifty at the mouth of Wheeling, the whole of which to be under the command of a Major.

Resolved, That the Militias of all the frontier Counties ought to be got in readiness for action, without loss of time, and, for this purpose, the several Militia Officers ought to use their utmost exertions in their several departments, as there is too much reason to apprehend the wicked attempts of our enemies to excite an Indian war may involve us in calamities inseparable therefrom.

Resolved, That the foregoing Resolutions be transmitted to our Delegates in Congress, and to the Commanding Officers of the Militia of the Counties of Fincastle, Botetourt, Augusta, West-Augusta, Dunmore, Hampshire, Frederick, Berkeley, Pittsylvania, and Loudoun.