A memorial of Wilson Miles Cary was presented to the Convention, and read; setting forth, that he received a letter from Lord Dunmore, ー then Governor of this colony,² dated Ship William, off Norfolk, the 14th of October last, requiring him, as naval officer of the lower district of James River, to repair to Norfolk or Portsmouth, and promising him protection; that, on his stating an objection to the said requisition, on account of captain [Matthew] Squire's ungenteel and rancorous behaviour, his lordship sent another letter, dated ten days after the former, renewing the requisition, and promise ing protection either to the memorialist or his deputy colonel Selden, if it should be more agreeable to send him; that, though his own opinion was rather against complying with his lordship's commands, yet on the advice of such of his friends as the time limited gave him an opportunity of consulting, and among them some of the officers of the army, and members of the county committee, he did send his deputy aforesaid, with the books of entry and clearance, and for that purpose hired a boat and two slaves of Mr. John Jones, who, suspicious of the event, insisted on an indemnification from him, which he readily agreed to, under faith in the assurances contained in the aforesaid letters; notwithstanding which, as soon as colonel Seldon had arrived at Norfolk, the said boat and hands were perfidiously seized and detained by his lordship, and have never since been returned; and praying that out of such effects of the said Lord Dunmore as are within this colony he may be allowed to receive an indemnity, in such manner as the Convention shall judge reasonable.

Ordered, That the said memorial, together with the exhibits, be referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances; that they inquire into the allegations thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.

Also a petition of Lucretia Pritchett, executrix, and William Churchill, executor of Joseph Pritchett deceased, setting forth, that in a late attack on a piratical tender in Rappahannock river, Minny, a negro man slave belonging to the estate of the said Joseph Pritchett, voluntarily entered himself on board a vessel commanded by Mr. Hugh Walker, and being used to the water, and a good pilot, bravely and successfully exerted himself against the enemy, until he was unfortunately killed, whereby the estate of the said Joseph Pritchett was deprived of a valuable slave; and praying that the Convention will take the matter into consideration, and, as the said slave was lost by means of a meritorious act, in defence of the country, that she may be allowed the value thereof.

Ordered, That the said several petitions be referred to the Committee of Public Claims; that they inquire into the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the Convention.