Proceedings of the House of Delegates of the Colony of Transylvania

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May 25, 1775.

Mr˙ Todd produced to the House an Answer (drawn up by the Committee) to the Proprietor' s Speech , and being approved of by the Committee,

Ordered, That Mr˙ Todd, Mr˙ Cocke, and Mr˙ Harrod, wait on the Proprietors with an answer to their Address, which is as follows:

Colonel Richard Henderson and Company:

GENTLEMEN: We received your speech with minds truly thankful for the care and attention you express towards the good people of this infant country, whom we represent. Well aware of the confusion which would ensue the want of rules for our conduct in life, and deeply impressed with a sense of the importance of the trust our constituents have reposed in us, though labouring under a thousand disadvantages, which attend prescribing remedies for disorders which already call for our assistance, as well as those that are lodged in the womb of futurity; yet the task, arduous as it is, we will attempt with vigour, not doubting but unanimity will ensure us success.

That we have an absolute right, as a political body, without giving umbrage to Great Britain or any of the Colonies, to frame rules for the government of our little society, cannot be doubted by any sensible, unbiased mind; and being without the jurisdiction of, and not answerable to, any of His Majesty' s courts, the constituting tribunals of justice shall be a matter of our first contemplation; and, as this will be a matter of the greatest importance, we will still keep in the genius and spirit of the English laws, which happy pattern it shall be our chief care to copy after.

Next to the restraint of immorality, our attention shall be directed towards the relief of the injured, as well as the

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Nor shall we neglect, by regulating a Militia, as well as the infancy of our couniry will permit, to guard against the hostilities and incursions of our savage enemies, and, at the same time, to be cautious to preserve the game of our country, so essentially necessary for the subsistence of the first adventurers.

Conscious, gentlemen, of your veracity, we cannot express the satisfaction we experience, that the Proprietors of this promising Colony are so ready to concur with us in any measure which may tend to promote its happiness and contribute to its grandeur.

THOMAS SLAUGHTER, Chairman.

To which Colonel Henderson returned the following Answer:

Mr˙ Chairman and Gentlemen of the Convention:

From the just sense of the nature and importance of the trust reposed in you by your constituents, and your laudable and truly patriotick resolution of exerting your abilities in the service of your country, we derive the most sanguine hopes.

Arduous as the task is, every difficulty must give way to perseverance, whilst your zeal for the publick good is tempered with that moderation and unanimity of opinion so apparent in your conduct.

We, gentlemen, look with infinite satisfaction on this happy presage of the future felicity of our infant country, and hope to merit a continuation of that confidence you are pleased to express in our veracity and good intentions.

While our transactions have credit for the integrity of our desires, we cannot fail uniting with the Delegates of the good people of this country, fully persuaded that the Proprietors are zealously inclined to contribute every thing in their power, which may tend to render it easy, prosperous, and flourishing.

RICHARD HENDERSON
For himself and the Company.

On motion made, Ordered, That Mr˙ Todd have leave to bring in a bill for the establishment of Courts of Judicature, and regulating the practice therein.

Ordered, That Mr˙ Todd, Mr˙ Dandridge, Mr˙ Galloway and Mr˙ Henderson, do bring in a bill for that purpose.

On motion of Mr˙ Douglass, leave is given to bring in a bill for Regulating a Militia.

Ordered, That Mr˙ Floyd, Mr˙ Harrod, Mr˙ Cocke, Mr˙ Douglass, and Mr˙ Hite, be a Committee for that purpose.

On motion of Mr˙ Daniel Boone, leave is given to bring in a bill for Preserving Game, &c.

Ordered, That Mr˙ Boone, Mr˙ Davis, Mr˙ Harmon, Mr˙ Hammond, and Mr˙ Moore, be a Committee for that purpose.

The Bill for establishing Courts of Judicature, and regulating the practice therein, brought in by the Committee, and read by Mr˙ Todd, and passed the first time; ordered to be referred for a second reading.

The Bill for establishing and Regulating a Militia, brought in by the Committee, read by Mr˙ Floyd, ordered to be read by the Clerk, passed the first time; ordered to be referred for a second reading.

The Bill for Preserving Game, brought in by the Committee, ordered to be read by the Clerk, read, and passed the first time, and ordered to be referred for a second reading.

Ordered, That the Convention be adjourned until tomorrow, six o' clock.