Thanks to the Deputies of this Colony in the late Continental Congress

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Friday, August 11, 1775.

Ordered, That Mr˙ Thomas Walker and Mr˙ John Walker have leave to be absent from the service of this Convention for the remainder of the session.

Mr˙ Richard Henry Lee appeared in Convention, and took his seat; as a Member for the County of Westmoreland.

A Letter from the Officers of the Volunteer Companies in Williamsburgh was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that they had seized a Vessel outward bound, laden with Bread and Flour; that the Captain informed them that the Convention had come to a Resolution posterior to that by which the exportation of Grain and Provision was stopped after the fifth instant, and had allowed a free export till the time limited by the General Congress; that, under these circumstances, they applied themselves to the Convention for information, and requested certain directions by which they might regulate their conduct on similar occasions.

Resolved, That the President be desired to write to the Officers of the said Volunteer Companies, informing them that the Convention is well pleased with the zeal they have shown on this occasion to carry into execution their Resolutions; that it is true, as the Captain had informed them, that the Convention had rescinded their former Resolution, in consequence of a Letter from Maryland, by which they Were informed that that Province could not come into a similar one.

On a motion made, Ordered, That the Commissioners appointed by the House of Burgesses to examine, state, and settle the Accounts of the Militia lately drawn out into actual service, do also state and report the case of such wounded Soldiers and poor Widows and Orphans as may have suffered by the late expedition against the Indians.

The Convention being about to proceed to the choice of Deputies to represent this Colony in General Congress, Edmund Pendleton, Esq˙, expressed his most grateful acknowledgments for the honour done him in two former appointments to that important trust, but, on account of the declining state of his health, entreated to be excused from the present nomination; which excuse being accepted,

Resolved unanimously, That the Thanks of this Convention are justly due to his Excellency George Washington, Esq˙, Patrick Henry, and Edmund Pendleton, Esquires, three of the worthy Deputies who represented this Colony in the late Continental Congress, for their faithful discharge of that important trust; and this body are only induced to dispense with their future services, of the like nature, by the appointment of the two former to other offices in the publick service, incompatible with their attendance on this, and the infirm state of health of the latter,

Mr˙ President accordingly delivered the Thanks of this Convention to Mr˙ Henry and Mr˙ Pendleton in their places, who expressed the great pleasure they received from this distinguished testimony of their Country' s approbation of their services.

Resolved, That the President be desired to transmit the Thanks of this Convention, by Letter, to his Excellency General Washington.

The Convention then proceeded, according to the Order

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Resolved, That the said Peyton Randolph, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Richard Bland, and George Wythe, Esquires, be appointed Deputies to represent this Colony in General Congress for one year; and that they have power to meet and adjourn for such time, and to such place or places, as may be thought most proper.

Resolved, That the said Deputies, or any four of them, be a sufficient number to represent this Colony.

Ordered, That Mr˙ George Mason and Mr˙ Harvie be added to the Committee appointed to inquire into the Petitions of William Preston, Gentleman, and the Committee of the County of Fincastle.

The Orders of the Day, for the Committee to proceed to the appointment of Officers to command the Regular Forces to be raised for the defence and protection of this Colony, for the Convention to resolve itself into a Committee on the state of the Colony, and for a call of the Convention, being read,

Resolved, That the call of the Convention be postponed till to-morrow; and that the Convention will then proceed to the appointment of the said Officers, and resolve itself into a Committee on the state of the Colony.

The Convention, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee on the Ordinance for raising 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 Ordinance for raising a sufficient Force for the defence and protection of this 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, to take into their further consideration the Ordinance for raising and embodying a sufficient Force for the defence and protection of this Colony.

Adjourned till to-morrow, nine o' clock.