for many years, during which they used their utmost diligence in discharging their duty; that, on delivering the tobacco out of the said warehouses, they discovered that six hogsheads, containing six thousand two hundred and twelve pounds, for which they have been obliged to pay twenty shillings per hundred; and praying, as the same was not lost through any fault or neglect of theirs, to be indemnified by the publick.

Also a Petition of Michael Coulter; setting forth, that he went on the late Indian expedition in Captain McDowells Company, stipulating at the time that if carpenters were employed, he should be one; that, on going to the levels of Greenbrier, he was employed by Colonel Charles Lewis in the carpenter’s business till the first of November, for which he was allowed only some few shillings more than soldier’s pay; and praying a further allowance.

Also a Petition of John Lyle; setting forth, that he was employed by Sampson Matthews as a master drover on the late Indian expedition, and purchased a number of cattle for the said expedition, and was assured that he should receive the same wages as others employed in the same business; that, on receiving his pay, he finds it to be less than several others received for the said purposes; and praying a further allowance.

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

The Convention then, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee on the 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; 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 some 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, again resolve itself into a Committee on the said Ordinance.

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.

Resolved, That all persons inimical or disaffected to the liberties or America ought to be disarmed, and deprived of their Ammunition.

And for more speedily and effectually carrying into execution this necessary work:

Resolved, That the Committees of all the Counties, Towns, and Corporations in Virginia, without loss of time, make diligent search and inquiry in their respective limits for discovering and detecting such enemies or disaffected persons; and it all cases where there is ground to suspect the fidelity and attachment of any person or persons to the American interest, the said Committees be empowered and directed to tender to such suspected person or persons, and to them only, the following Oath, or if such person, from religious principles, scruples taking an oath, an affirmation to the like effect:

“ I, A, B, in the presence of Almighty God, do solemnly swear that I will, to the utmost of my power, support, maintain, and defend, the Government and territory of Virginia, in the present just and necessary war, against all persons whatsoever who do or may levy or carry on any hostility or war against the same; and that I will not, in any manner, aid, assist, comfort, countenance, correspond with, or abet, any person whatsoever whom I shall know, or have any cause to suspect, have designs to further, aid, or assist, the tyrannical and cruel war which the British King and Parliament have levied against America; and that 1 will, from time to time, disclose and make known all traitorous conspiracies and attempts against the peace and safety of Virginia which shall come to my knowledge. So help me God.”

And that the Arms and Ammunition of the inimical and disaffected persons aforesaid, and of such as refuse to take and subscribe the aforesaid oath, be appraised and used, and applied, in the manner and for the purposes directed by the General Congress in their Resolution of March 14th, ultimo.

Adjourned till to-morrow, ten o’clock,

Tuesday, May 28, 1776.

A Petition of the Inspectors at Cabin Point was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that, agreeably to a Resolution of a former Convention, they sold the tobacco which had remained in their warehouses for one year and upwards, but there still remains a considerable quantity of tobacco, for which they have given receipts; that the warehouses are not in proper order for the safe-keeping thereof; and that, as they have complied with the law as far as lay in their power, they do not look upon themselves as answerable for any accidents that may happen to the said tobacco; and praying the Convention will give such directions concerning the same as they shall think proper.

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

The President, from the Committee of Safety, laid before the Convention, according to order, a list of the armed Ves-sels now fitting out for the defence of this Colony.

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

Ordered, That Charles, a Negro man slave, belonging to Robert Brent, and Kitt, a Negro man slave, the property of George Brent, and condemned by the judgment of Stafford County Court for felony, and also four Negro slaves belonging to Thomas Paramore and John Bowdoin, condemned by the judgment of the County Court of Northampton for felony, be reprieved, and sent to the Lead-Mines in the County of Fincastle, to be employed in working the same on account of the publick.

A Petition of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County of Norfolk was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that they have been informed a Resolution hath been passed by this Convention for the removal of the inhabitants of the said County, which Resolution, if carried into execution, will involve them in the greatest distress, as many of them have large families, and no places to retreat to; nor can they transport their provisions necessary to support them; nor have they money to buy them elsewhere; and that most of them had pitched their crops for the present year. That, by the burning of the Borough of Norfolk, the Court-House of the said County was destroyed, and the place where it stood in the power of the enemies of America, by which they were prevented from choosing Delegates to represent them in this Convention; that they humbly presume their situation and circumstances could not be properly represented by means of that unfortunate event; and praying that their case may again be taken into consideration and the Resolution aforesaid rescinded.

Ordered, That the said Petition 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. Cary reported that the Committee had, according to order, had under their consideration the Petition of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County of Norfolk, and that it appearing to them in full proof that Lord Dunmore and his whole fleet had removed from Norfolk, 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 former Resolution of Convention for the removal of the Inhabitants of Norfolk and Princess Anne Counties, with their stocks and other effects, excepting as to such persons as are inimical to the cause of America, be rescinded.

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

A Petition of John Smith was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that he has been an inhabitant of the Borough of Norfolk from his birth, and for many years possessed lands and houses in the said Borough; but that, on the 6th of February last, when the town was set on fire the second time, he had the misfortune to lose his dwelling-house and out-houses thereto belonging, with some household furniture, and hath also lost two valuable slaves, who ran away from him, and entered into the service of Lord Dunmore; that he conceives his whole loss amounts to