Letter from James Wood on the subject of Indian affairs

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Friday, July 21, 1775.

The President laid before the Convention a Letter from James Wood, Esq˙, on the subject of Indian affairs; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table, for the perusal of the Members.

The Proceedings at a Treaty lately concluded with the Indians at Pittsburgh, together with several Resolutions of the Committee for the County of Augusta, were laid before the Convention, and read.

Ordered, That the said Proceedings and Resolutions be referred to the Committee appointed to prepare and bring in an Ordinance for raising and embodying a sufficient Force for the defence and protection of this Colony.

A Petition of sundry persons, Freeholders of the County of Berkeley, complaining of an undue election and return of Mr˙ Adam Stephen to serve in this Convention for the County of Berkeley, and also the Proceedings of the Committee of the said County relating thereto, were presented to the Convention, and read.

Ordered, That the said Petition and Proceedings be referred to Mr˙ Digges, Mr˙ Robert Carter Nicholas, Mr˙ Bland, Mr˙ Cary, Mr˙ Jones, Mr˙ Braxton, Mr˙ Fitzhugh, Mr˙ Carter of Stafford, Mr˙ Carter of Lancaster, Mr˙ Carrington, Mr˙ Nelson, Mr˙ David Mason, Mr˙ Bassett, Mr˙ Dandridge, Mr˙ Holt, Mr˙ Henry Let, Mr˙ Richard Lee, Mr˙ Mercer, Mr˙ Fleming, Mr˙ Page, and Mr˙ McDowell; and they are to examine the matter thereof, and report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

Resolved, That eleven of the said Committee be a sufficient number to proceed on business.

Resolved, That it be an instruction to the Committee appointed to prepare and bring in an Ordinance for raising and embodying a sufficient Force for the defence and protection of this Colony, that they receive a clause, or clauses, for the pay and support of the Forces so to be raised.

Ordered, That Mr˙ Marshall, Mr˙ Dandridge, and Mr˙ Rutherford, be added to the said Committee.

Adjourned till to-morrow nine o' clock.