information to them referred, 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; and that it appeared to them that the said William Aylett, since his election, had accepted a commission appointing him Deputy Commissary-General to the Continental forces in Virginia; 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 William Aylett, by accepting the Commission aforesaid, hath vacated his seat in this Convention.

Ordered, That the President be desired to issue his Warrant for the election of a Delegate for the County of King William, in the room of the said William Aylett.

Resolved, That in order to facilitate the inlistment and bringing down Indian auxiliaries to the assistance of this country, and for securing the persons and properties of such Indians from injury and insult, the Committee of Safety be desired to furnish the requisite sum or sums of money to John Gibson, Esq., and to give him such credentials and furtherance in the said business, as is necessary to give speedy success.

Resolved, That Richard Morris be appointed Paymaster and Commissary of Provisions to the two Battalions ordered by this Convention to the assistance of North- Carolina; and that he be allowed 12s. 6d. per day for his service in those offices, exclusive of his necessary expenses, and wages paid to Assistants.

Mr. Cary, from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, reported that the Committee had, according to order, had under their consideration the information to them referred: That Gabriel Penn, Esq., who is returned a Delegate for the County of Amherst, is at present Under-Sheriff in the said County, and is rendered incapable of sitting or voting in this Convention; whereupon it appeared to them that at a Court continued and held for the said County of Am-herst, on the 6th day of February last, the said Gabriel Penn, on the motion of Hugh Rose, Gentleman, was admitted and sworn his Under-Sheriff, agreeably to the Ordinance of the Convention; that it further appeared that the said Hugh Rose, on the application of the said Gabriel Penn, did, on the 8th day of March last, near a month before the election, discharge him from the office of Under-Sheriff; 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 Gabriel Penn is duly elected a Delegate for the County of Amherst.

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.

Adjourned till to-morrow, ten o’clock.

Thursday, May 23, 1776.

Ordered, That Mr. Fleming be added to the Committee of Publick Claims.

It being represented to the Convention that many of the Minute-men and Militia who are to be employed for the assistance of North- Carolina, are without Tents, Blankets, &c.,

Resolved, That it be an instruction to the Committee of Safety to give such orders, in that respect, as to them shall seem proper.

A Representation from the Inhabitants of some late purchases on the Rivers Wattaugah and Holstein, setting forth that; they are deeply impressed with a sense of the distresses of their American brethren, and will, when called upon, with their lives and fortunes, lend them every assistance in their power; that they beg to be considered as a part of this Colony, and will readily embrace every opportunity of obeying any instructions or commands they may receive from the Convention.

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

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 Saturday next.

Ordered, That an Ordinance be brought in pursuant to the Resolutions for augmenting the Ninth Regiment of Regular forces raised for the defence and protection of this Colony, for raising four Troops of Horse, and for raising men for the defence of the frontier Counties in this Colony; and that Mr. Henry, the Members for Augusta, Botetourt, Fincastle, West-Augusta, Hampshire, Frederick, Berkeley, Dunmore, Accomack, and Northampton, be a Committee to prepare and bring in the same.

Ordered, That Mr. Henry Lee be added to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances.

Adjourned till to-morrow, ten o’clock.

Friday, May 24,1776.

Ordered, That Mr. Harvie and Mr. Wood be added to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances, Mr. Simms to the Committee of Publick Claims, Mr. Simpson to the Committee of Privileges and Elections, and Mr. Harvie to the Committee appointed to prepare a Declaration of Rights and such a form of Government as will be most likely to maintain peace and order in this Colony, and secure substantial and equal liberty to the people.

Adjourned till to-morrow, ten o’clock.

Saturday, May 25, 1776.

Resolved, That the Committee of Safety be desired to far-ward the Salt Works intended to be erected, in such manner as to them shall seem most likely to produce an adequate supply of that necessary article.

The President laid before the Convention two Letters received from a Committee of the General Congress, and Mr. Harvie a Letter received by him from the same persons, on the subject of Indian affairs; which were read, and ordered to lie on the table.

Resolved, That Richard. Adams, Nathaniel Wilkinson, and Turner Southall, Esquires, be, and they are hereby, constituted and appointed Commissioners for erecting a Foundry for the casting of Ordnance, pursuant to a Resolution of this Convention of the 22d instant; and that the said Commissioners, or any two of them, be empowered to engage proper workmen, and all things necessary to perfect and work the same in the most expeditious manner, and to draw on the Treasurer of this Colony, from time to time, for such sums of money as they shall judge necessary.

A Petition of the Inhabitants of the County of Hanover was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth that, determined to oppose the tyrannical measures of the British Ministry, they did, agreeably to the directions of the General Congress and Convention, proceed to the choice of a Committee for their said County; but that the Tellers of the ballots, after the election was over, took upon themselves to exclude some who were chosen by the voice of the people, and admit others who were not, greatly to the injury of that harmony and concord which has ever prevailed among them; and praying that the said Committee may be dissolved and a new one chosen, and that an Ordinance may pass incapacitating any person from holding any place of trust in the Government, after a breach of publick faith, or a manifest abuse of power.

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.

Mr. Bowyer, from the Committee appointed, presented to the Convention, according to order, an Ordinance for augmenting the Ninth Regiment of Regular forces, providing for the better defence of the frontiers of this Colony, and for raising four Troops of Horse; which was read the first time, and ordered to be read a second time.

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 Monday next.

An Ordinance for augmenting the Ninth Regiment of Regular forces, providing for the better defence of the frontiers of this Colony, and for raising four Troops of Horse, was read a second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the whole Convention.

Resolved, That this Convention will, on Monday next, resolve itself into a Committee on the said Ordinance.