Wednesday May the 15th 1776
Mr Cary from the Committee of Privileges and Elections reported that the Committee had according to order had under their Consideration the Petition of Ralph Wormeley junr 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.
Resolved that the said Ralph Wormeley having discovered in his letter to John Grymes a disposition unfriendly and dangerous to the rights of this Country ought to be confined to the County of Berkeley and that part of his fathers Estate which lies in the County of Fredrick that he be allowed twenty days from this time to remove himself to the said place and that he give Bond and Security in the sum of ten thousand Pounds not to depart without those limits until he shall be permitted so to do on his sincere contrition and future good behavior by the Convention or others having executive powers of Government during
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their recess nor give intelligence to or in any manner aid or assist the Enemy and in all things conduct himself conformable to the measures and Ordinances of the Convention and that Brigadier General Lewis be requested to send a Subaltern Officer with the said Wormeley to the County of Berkeley at his expence and the Committee are induced to agree to this Resolution because the said Wormeley hath asked pardon and shewn great contrition for his unworthy Conduct. Ordered that the said Ralph Wormeley be discharged from his confinement on entering into Bond aforesaid.
Ordered that all publick Claims be delivered of course to the Clerk of the Committee of Claims who are to report the same together with their opinion thereupon to the Convention.
Resolved that it be recommended to the commanding officer of the Troops to seize and Secure any Slaves which may be sent by Lord Dunmore or any of the Navy with flags of Truce and that he make them acquainted with his determination on this subject.
The Convention then according to the Order
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of the day resolved itself into a Committee on the State of the Colony and after some time spent therein Mr. President resumed the Chair and Mr. Cary reported that the Committee had according to order had under their Consideration the State of the Colony and had come to several Resolutions thereupon which he read in his place and afterwards delivered in at the Clerks Table where the same were again twice read and unanimously agreed to one hundred and twelve Members being present.
Foreasmuch as all endeavours of the United Colonies by the most decent representations and petitions to the king and parliament of Great Britain to restore peace and Security to America under the British government and a re-union with that people upon just and liberal terms instead of a Redress of grievances have produced from an impervious and vindictive administration increased insult oppression and a vigorous attempt to effect our total destruction. By a late act all these colonies are declared to
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be in rebellion and out of the protection of the British crown our properties subjected to confiscation our people when captivated compelled to join in the murder and plunder of their relations and countrymen and all former rapine and oppression of Americans declared legal and just. Fleets and armies are raised and the aid of foreign troops engaged to assist these destructive purposes: The kings representative in this Colony hath not only withheld all the powers of government from operating for our safety but having retired on board an armed ship is carrying on a piratical and savage war against us tempting our Slaves by every artifice to resort to him and training and employing them against their masters. In this state of extreme danger we have no alternative left but an abject submission to the will of those over-bearing tyrants, or a total separation from the crown and government of Great Britain uniting and exerting the strength of all America for defence and forming alliances with foreign
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powers for commerce and aid in War: Wherefore appealing to the Searcher of Hearts for the sincerity of former declarations, expressing our desire to preserve the connection with that nation and that we are driven from that inclination by their wicked councils and the eternal laws of self-preservation.
Resolved unanimously that the delegates appointed to represent this colony in General Congress be instructed to propose to that respectable body to declare the United Colonies free and independent states absolved from all allegiance to or dependence upon the crown or parliament of Great Britain and that they give the assent of this Colony to such declaration and to whatever measures may be thought proper and necessary by the Congress for forming foreign alliances and a confederation of the Colonies at such time and in the manner as to them shall seem best: Provided that the
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power of forming government for and the regulations of the internal concerns of each colony be left to the respective colonial legislatures.
Resolved unanimously that a Committee ought to prepare a DECLARATION OF RIGHTS and such a plan of government as will be most likely to maintain peace and order in this colony and secure substantial and equal liberty to the people.
And a Committee was appointed of the following gentlemen Mr Archibald Cary, Mr Meriwether Smith Mr Mercer Mr Henry Lee Mr Treasurer Mr Henry Mr Dandridge Mr Randolph Mr. Gilmer Mr Bland Mr Digges Mr Carrington Mr. Thomas Ludwell Lee Mr Cabell Mr Jones Mr. Blair Mr Fleming Mr Tazewell Mr Richard Cary Mr Bullitt Mr Watts Mr Banister Mr Page Mr. Starke Mr David Mr Mason Mr Adams Mr Reade Mr Thomas Lewis.
Ordered that Mr Williams and Mr Goode have leave to be absent from the service of this Convention for
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the remainder of this Session.
Resolved that this Convention will tomorrow again resolve itself into a committee to take into their further Consideration the state of the Colony. Adjourned till Tomorrow ten oClock.
