A letter from the committee of the borough of Norfolk, informing the Convention of the arrival of troops from St. Augustine, about sixty in number, under the command of one captain and two lieutenants; that they had learned, from good authority, another vessel, with more forces, might be hourly expected; that at present they were under no apprehensions from the troops, but found exceeding bad effects among the slaves from the neighbourhood of the men of war, which they had reason to believe would be very much increased by the arrival of these troops.

Also, a letter from the officers of the volunteer companies in Williamsburg, requesting that some certain line for their conduct might be laid down, lest in their zeal to serve their country, they might precipitate their countrymen into unnecessary calamities; informing the Convention that the governor's cutter had carried off a number of slaves belonging to private gentlemen, and that they thought it high time to establish the doctrine of reprisal . . .

Resolved, That the said letters be referred to the committee appointed to take into consideration the state of the Colony.