Instructions to John Harvie and George Roote

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Mr˙ John Campbell reported, from the Select Committee for considering the grievances, as Instructions to the Delegates, which he read in his place, and handed it to the Clerk' s table, where it was again read, and is as follows:

To JOHN HARVIE and GEORGE ROOTES, Esquires.

GENTLEMEN: You being chosen to represent the people on the west side the Laurel Hill in the Colonial Congress for the ensuing year, we, the Committee for the people aforesaid, desire you will lay the grievances hereafter mentioned before the Congress at their first meeting, as we conceive it highly necessary they should be redressed, to put us on a footing with the rest of our brethren in the Colony.

1st. That many of the inhabitants in this part of the County have expended large sums of money, and supplied the soldiers in the last Indian war with provisions and other necessaries, many of whom have expended all they had; and though, at the same time, we bear a grateful remembrance of the good intentions of the late Colonial Congress, so feelingly and generously expressed in their Resolves, yet the unhappy situation we are reduced to by the payment, of those supplies being delayed, involves this new and flourishing country in extreme poverty.

2d. That the maintaining a garrison at this place, when there is no other method used for supplying them with provisions, but by impressing from the inhabitants of the country, ought to he considered.

3d. That this country, joining the Indian Territory and the Province of Quebeck, (which by its late change of Constitution is rendered inimical to liberty,) lies exposed to the inroads of the Savages and the Militia of that Province; and should the Ministry or their emissaries be able to stir up either of them against the Colonies, this country will be in need of support to enable them to provide against, and withstand any attempt that may be made on their civil or religious liberties.

4th. That for want of freeholders we cannot get legal Grand Jurors, which are necessary for the well government of the country.

5th. That the unsettled boundary between this Colony and the Province of Pennsylvania, is the occasion of many disputes.

6th. That the collecting the duty on skins and furs, for which a commission hath lately been sent up here, will banish the Indian Trade from this piece and Colony.

Which Report being agreed to,

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Resolved unanimously, That a fair copy be drawn off and delivered to our Delegates as their instructions.

Ordered, That the foregoing proceedings be certified by the Clerk of this Committee, and published in the Virginia Gazette.

By order of the Committee.

JAMES BERWICK, Clerk.