Memorial from Charles Duncan

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Thursday, August 10, 1775.

The Convention, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee on the Ordinance for raising and embodying a sufficient Force for the defence and protection of this Colony: and after some time spent therein, Mr˙ President resumed the chair, and Mr˙ Bland reported, that the Committee had, according to order, had under their consideration the state of the Colony, 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, resolve itself into the said Committee.

The Order of the Day for the Convention to resolve itself into a Committee on the state of the Colony, being read, the Convention accordingly resolved itself into the said Committee; and after some time spent therein, Mr˙ President resumed the chair, and Mr˙ Bland reported, that the Committee had, according to order, had under their consideration the state of the Colony, 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, resolve itself into a Committee to take into their further consideration the state of the Colony.

A Memorial of Charles Duncan, of the Town of Blandford, Merchant, was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that he had, for some years past, had a Store in the County of Brunswick, on account of himself and others, his partners, which had for some time past been under the care and management of Thomas Crawford, who had always been in the esteem of his customers and acquaintances, and has, ever since the unhappy dispute with Great Britain, endeavoured to conduct himself in such a manner as to avoid giving cause of offence to any of the inhabitants of this Colony, and has also endeavoured, as far as in him lay, to conform to the regulations of the General Congress and Convention of this Colony; that, under these circumstances, he hoped he should have been allowed to transact business, and conduct his own affairs in quiet and security, without being called upon or compelled to enlist as soldiers, or take part in any military regulations, other than such as were prescribed by the laws of the Colony or the recommendation of the Convention; but that such was the unhappy situation of himself, his partners, and servants, in the County of Brunswick, that they have been called upon, by the gentlemen who command the Volunteer Company in the said County, to enlist as soldiers therein, under pain of incurring the displeasure of the said Company, and of being treated as enemies to the Country, with no other alternative left them than either to desert the property and interest which they have in the said County, or remain therein to protect the same at the hazard of all that is dear and valuable to freemen and good citizens; and praying that this Convention would take the same into consideration, and do therein as should appear just and reasonable.

Ordered, That the President be desired to write to the Commanding Officers of the said Company, requiring them to desist from a further prosecution of the measures mentioned in the said Memorial.

On a motion made, Resolved, That the Powder purchased by Patrick Henry, Esq˙, for the use of this

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Mr˙ Henry Pendleton, a Member for the County of Culpepper, appeared in Convention, and took his seat.

Lewis Burwell, Esq˙, a Member for the County of Gloucester, appeared in Convention, and took his seat.

The Order of the Day, for the Convention to proceed to the appointment of Officers to command the Regular Forces to be raised for the defence and protection of this Colony, being read,

Resolved, That this Convention will, to-morrow, proceed to the said appointments.

Adjourned till to-morrow, nine o' clock.