[Williamsburg] Tuesday, January 16, 1776.
Mr. [James] Mercer, from the committee to whom the petition of John Goodrich, for himself and partners, was referred, reported, that it appeared to the committee that the sloop Dorothy arrived in this colony from Antigua, and was taken by capt. [James] Barron on her way to Norfolk, an&carried into Hampton; that it appeared to them, that the contract made with the commissary of stores, for the purchase of sundry goods, hath been complied with on behalf of the petitioners, and that there is now due to them 1098l. current money; and that they 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:
Resolved, That the said sum of 1098l. ought to be retained until the money furnished the said John Goodrich by this colony for the purchase of gunpowder be fairly and fully accounted for; and that the said sloop Dorothy ought to be delivered to the owners.
A petition of John Goodrich was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that Robert Shedden, of the town of Portsmouth, merchant, with his wife, the daughter of the petitioner, and their two young children, are now on board a sloop in the harbour of Norfolk; that although he had appeared inimical, by sending for goods contrary to the association, yet he had assisted the petitioner in the importation of gunpowder, for the use of this colony; and praying that he may be allowed to come on shore, and reside under the protection of this colony.
Ordered, That the said petition be referred to Mr. [Josiah] Parker, Mr. [Archibald] Cary, Mr. Thomas Lee, Mr. [Merriwether] Smith, Mr. David Mason, Mr. Thomas Walker, Mr. [Thomas] Whiting, Mr. Walter Jones, and Mr. [Thomas] Newton [Jr.]; and they are to report the same, together with their opinion thereupon to the Convention.
A petition of John Goodrich, and John Goodrich, jun. was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that they had exposed themselves to great danger, had suffered many hardships and inconveniences, and had incurred considerable expense, in their endeavours to serve this colony, and praying that this Convention would take the same into consideration, and make them such reasonable compensation as shall be thought just.
Ordered, That the said petition be referred to [the same committee as above] and they are to report the same, together with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.