told him he should be paid as much as any drover in the station where he was to act, which was 7s. 6d. per day; that, at the time he engaged in that business, he was a Lieutenant in Captain McDowell’sCompany, and received pay as such; that he has been allowed by the Commissioners, as master-drover, 5s. per day for forty-eight days, and 6s. per day for fourteen days, which last-mentioned time he furnished his own Horse.

Resolved, That the said Petition is reasonable; and that the Petitioner ought to be allowed the further sum of £7 Is.for that service, exclusive of the allowance made him by the Commissioners.

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

Resolved, That this Convention will to-morrow resolve itself into a Committee on the said Ordinance.

A Petition of sundry Natives of Great Britainwas presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that they came into this Colony in the time of its peace and friendly union with Great Britain, to transact commercial affairs for themselves and their friends, in which business they have been employed ever since; that they acknowledge with gratitude the kind treatment they have received from the good people of this Colony, with whom they lived in the most pleasing harmony and confidence until the unhappy disputes between Great Britainand the Colonies convulsed the empire; since which unfortunate period, they are concerned to say, they have not in general met with that kindness and friendship they formerly experienced, but that jealousies and suspicions, altogether groundless, have prevailed to their prejudice, and have been carried so far as to have occasioned some of your Petitioners to be exiled to the City of Williams-burghwithout a hearing, and others to be treated with coolness, and even contempt, for no reason that they know of but their being foreigners, which has greatly distressed them; that though they cannot, as Britons, engage in arms against their friends and countrymen, yet do they most sincerely wish peace, freedom, and happiness to Americain general and this Colony in particular; and as their residence in this Colony creates so much uneasiness to some of the inhabitants, and as they cannot enjoy any degree of peace or tranquillity in their present situation, they pray they may be permitted to depart the Colony, and, for that purpose, to purchase and fit out a vessel, and to apply to the commander of the Britishfleet for a passport for the said vessel, that she may not be stopped or delayed on her passage; that they do most solemnly declare they never held or entertained any opinion inimical to America, or even had it in thought to say or do anything which might in any manner prejudice the just rights of the people, and therefore hope they will be permitted to return to receive and collect their debts and effects in this Colony as soon as peace is restored, which is an event they most ardently pray for; that these indulgences being granted, they pledge themselves to do everything in their power, as far as their little influence can extend, to promote the peace and happiness of this Colony.

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

The Convention proceeded to take into their consideration the Report and Resolution from the Committee of Pub-lick Claims, made on Mondaythe 3d instant, on the claims of Joseph Cabelland Thomas Bachelor, which were then ordered to lie on the table; and the same were again read, and agreed to, with an amendment, allowing the said Joseph Cabell£10 17s. 9d.instead of £21 15s. 6d. therein mentioned.

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, June 20, 1776.

Resolved, That Mr. William Hayward, an officer from South-Carolina, be permitted to recruit soldiers in this Colony, provided he does not inlist any of the Regulars, Marines, or Minute-men, already engaged here in the Continental or Colonial service; and that it be recommended to the several County Committees to afford him all possible assistance.

A Petition of sundry persons of the BaptistChurch, in the County of Prince William, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that at a time when this Colony, with the others, is contending for the civil rights of mankind against the enslaving schemes of a powerful enemy, they are persuaded the strictest unanimity is necessary among ourselves; and that every remaining cause of division may, if possible, be removed, they think it their duty to petition for the following religious privileges, which they have not yet been indulged with in this part of the world, to wit: That they be allowed to worship Godin their own way, without interruption; that they be permitted to maintain their own Ministers, and none others; that they may be married, buried, and the like, without paying the Clergy of other denominations; that, these things granted, they will gladly unite with their brethren, and, to the utmost of their ability, promote the common cause.

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

Resolved, That the Delegates to be appointed to represent this Colony in General Congress, consist of five in number.

The Convention then, according to the Order of the Day, proceeded to the appointment of Delegates to represent this Colony in General Congress; and the Members having prepared tickets, and put the same into the ballot-box, Mr. Treasurer, Mr. George Mason, Mr. Blair, Mr. Holt, and Mr. Henry Tazewell, were appointed a Committee to examine the same, and report upon whom the majority falls; and it appearing, from the report of the Committee, that the majority were in favour of George Wythe, Thomas Nelson, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, and Francis Light-foot Lee, Esquires;

Resolved, therefore, That the said George Wythe, Thomas Nelson, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, and Francis Lightfoot Lee, Esquires, be, and they are hereby, appointed Delegates to represent this Colony in General Congress for one year from the 11th of Augustnext.

Resolved, That any three of the said Delegates be a sufficient number to represent this Colony in the said General Congress.

Ordered, That leave be given to bring in an Ordinance to amend an Ordinance intituled An Ordinance to provide for paying the expenses of the Delegates from this Colony to the General Congress; and that Mr. Starke, Mr. Henry Lee, and Mr. Edmund Randolph, do prepare and bring in the same.

Ordered, That Mr. Simpsonand Mr. Tiptonhave leave to be absent from the service of this Convention for the remainder of the session.

Resolved, That there be a call of the Convention on Mondaynext.

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 amending an Ordinance intituled An Ordinance for augmenting the Ninth Regiment of Regular forces, providing for the better defence of the frontiers of this Colony, and for raising six Troops of Horse, being read,

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

A Representation from the Justices of the County Court of Isle-of-Wight, was presented to the Convention, and read; desiring to be informed whether they have power to commit and hold Courts for examination of persons who may be apprehended for criminal offences.

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

Adjourned till to-morrow, ten o’clock.

Friday, June 21, 1776.

Mr. Digges, from the Committee of Safety, to whom the case of John Goodrich, Jun., taken up and charged with conduct inimical to the rights of America, was referred, reported, that they had appointed several different days for his