A proclamation issued by lord Dunmore the 7th of November last, declaring martial law to be enforced throughout this colony, and requiring every person capable of bearing arms to resort to his majesty's standard by him erected in the town of Norfolk, or be considered as traitors to his majesty's crown and government, and farther declaring all negroes and indented servants capable of bearing arms, and appertaining to rebels, free; also a certificate of an oath taken by several of the inhabitants of the counties of Norfolk and Princess Anne, in consequence thereof; were presented to the Convention, and read.

Ordered, That the said proclamation and certificate be referred to Mr. Treasurer, Mr.[Carter] Braxton, Mr.[Robert] Rutherford, Mr.[Walter] Jones, Mr.[John] Banister, Mr.[Josiah] Parker, Mr.[Archibald] Cary, Mr.[Meriwether] Smith, the Rev. Mr.[Peter] Muhlenburg, and Mr.[Mann] Page; and they are to draw up a declaration in answer thereto, and make report.

Ordered, That the said committee do also select for publication such of the letters laid before this Convention as they shall think proper.