Terms offered by Colonel Howe to the Inhabitants of Norfolk who had joined Lord Dunmore

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Tuesday, January 2, 1776.

The President laid before the Convention a Letter from Col˙ Howe, and also a Letter from Col˙ Woodford, informing the Convention they had received Petitions from several of the persons who had joined Lord Dunmore, and were on board the Vessels in the harbour at Norfolk, desiring they might have leave to return, as their wives and children were greatly distressed. That they had given for answer, the women and children were at liberty to come on shore, and should receive assistance and protection, but not to be at liberty to return or give intelligence to our enemies; that the men should have no other violence offered them than to remain prisoners till they could be fairly and impartially tried by their country for taking arms against it. Which being read,

Resolved, That this Convention will immediately resolve itself into a Committee on the said Letter.

The Convention accordingly resolved itself into the said Committee, and after some time spent therein, Mr˙ President resumed the chair, and Mr˙ Mercer reported, that the Committee had, according to order, had under their consideration the Letter from Col˙ Howe and Col˙ Woodford, and had come to the following Resolution thereupon; which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk' s table, where the same was again twice read, and agreed to by the Convention:

Resolved, That this Convention do highly approve of the offer made by Colonel Howe and his Officers to the distressed women and children now on board the vessels in the harbour at Norfolk, and the terms offered to those who have taken up arms against this country; and that Col˙ Howe be requested to repeat the same, in the name of the Delegates and Representatives of this Colony.

Ordered, That the Members for Berkeley be added to the Committee to whom the Ordinance for providing Arms and Ammunition for the use of this Colony was committed.