Petition

v6:1537

Monday, May 27, 1776.

The President laid before the Convention a Letter from the Delegates appointed to represent this Colony in General Congress; also, a Letter from Colonel Stephen, of the Fourth Regiment, and a Letter from Colonel Preston; which were read, and ordered to be referred to the Committee on the state of the Colony.

A Petition of the Inhabitants of Hanover County was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that in the present state of the country, they are apprehensive it will not be in their power to pay the taxes so necessarily assessed for the defence of their rights and liberties; and praying that the Convention will take into consideration the expediency of each County' s furnishing its proportion of provision for the Army, having regard to what kind of provisions each County should furnish; that such a scheme would afford the country in general the greatest relief, and be a means of preventing a few from engrossing the very profitable business of supplying the Army with provisions.

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

A Petition of Bennett Tompkins was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that sometime in November last, four of his best Negroes endeavoured to make their escape to Lord Dunmore, but were apprehended and delivered to justice, two of whom were found guilty of theft, and ordered by the Convention to remain in prison till they could be tried according to law; that one of the said Negroes soon after died in prison; and praying such compensation for his loss as should be thought just and reasonable.

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