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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Minutes of the North Carolina Senate
North Carolina. General Assembly
November 19, 1785 - December 29, 1785
Volume 20, Pages 1-117

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JOURNAL OF THE SENATE COMMENCING THE 19TH NOVEMBER, 1785.


State of North Carolina, In the Senate, 19 November, 1785.

At a General Assembly begun and held at New Bern on the nineteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five, and of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America the Tenth, it being the first session of this Assembly.

The returning officers for several of the Counties within the State certified that the following persons were duly elected to represent such Counties in the Senate, vizt.:

For Anson,
Beaufort,
Bertie,
Brunswick,
Bladen,
Burke,
Craven, James Coor;
Chowan,
Currituck, Willis Etheridge;
Carteret, John Easton;
Chatham, Ambrose Ramsey;
Cumberland, Thomas Armstrong;
Camden, Isaac Gregory;
Caswell, Dempsey Moore;
Dobbs, John Herritage;
Duplin, James Gillespie;
Davidson, Anthony Bledsoe;
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Edgecombe,
Franklin,
Guilford, Alexander Martin;
Granville, Howell Lewis;
Gates, Joseph Riddick;
Greene,
Halifax,
Hertford,
Hyde, Abram Jones;
Johnston, Arthur Bryan;
Jones, Frederick Hargett;
Lincoln, Robert Alexander;
Mecklenburgh,
Martin,
Montgomery, Samuel Parsons;
Moore,
Northampton,
New Hanover,
Nash, Hardy Griffin;
Onslow,
Orange, William McCawley;
Pasquotank, Thomas Relfe;
Perquimans,
Pitt, John Williams;
Rowan,
Randolph, Edward Sharpe;
Richmond,
Rutherford, James Miller;
Surry, John Armstrong;
Sullivan,
Sampson, Richard Clinton;
Tyrrell, John Warrington;
Wake,
Warren,
Wilkes, Benjamin Herndon;
Washington,
Wayne, Burwell Moring.

Pursuant to which the following gentlemen, to-wit: The Honourable

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Alexander Martin, Esquire, James Coor, John Warrington, John Herritage, James Miller, Frederick Hargett, Isaac Gregory, Joseph Riddick, Hardy Griffin, John Williams, Burwell Moring, John Easton, Thomas Relfe, Abraham Jones, Benjamin Herndon, Willis Etheridge, John Armstrong, William McCawley, Demsey Moore, Ambrose Ramsey, Howell Lewis, Thomas Armstrong, Richard Clinton, Anthony Bledsoe, James Gillispie, and Edward Sharpe, Esquires, appeared, qualified agreeably to Law, and took their seats.

Mr. Coor proposed for Speaker the Honourable Alexander Martin, Esquire; who was unanimously chosen and conducted to the chair.

On motion, John Haywood was appointed Clerk, and Sherwood Haywood Assistant.

William Murphy and Nicholas Murphy Door-Keepers.

On motion of Mr. Gillispie, seconded by Mr. Harget, Ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

The Senate being now formed are ready to proceed on the public business.

On motion, agreed that General Gregory, Mr. Williams, Mr. Easton, Mr. Hargett, Mr. Miller, Mr. McCawley, and Mr. Herndon be a Committee of Privileges and Elections.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following Message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We have received the Message of your House acquainting us you are ready to proceed on the public business, in answer to which we inform you that we are also ready to proceed on the same business.

On motion of Mr. Coor, seconded by Mr. Harget, Resolved, That the following message be sent to his Excellency the Governor, first being approved of by the House of Commons, vizt.:

To His Excellency Richard Caswell, Esquire, Governor, Captain General and Commander-in-Chief in and over the State of North Carolina:
Sir:

The General Assembly being now convened inform your Excellency they are ready to receive such dispatches and other communications you may have to lay before them.

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Ordered that the foregoing, together with the foregoing message, be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We propose that the message herewith sent you be presented his Excellency the Governor; Should it meet your approbation Mr. Herritage and Mr. Harget will, on the part of this House, attend him with the same.

Adjourned until Monday Morning next, 10 o’clock.


Monday, 21 November, 1785.

The House met.

Mr. John Macon, the member for the County of Warren; Mr. Elisha Battle, the member for the County of Edgecombe; General McDowell, the member for the County of Burke; Mr. John A. Campell, the member for the County of New Hanover; Mr. Benjamin McCullock, the member for the County of Halifax; Mr. Thomas Hines, the member for the County of Wake, and General William Skinner, the member for the County of Perquimans, appeared and presented their respective certificates, which being read, they were qualified agreeably to Law and took their seats.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following Message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

This House propose that a joint Committee be appointed to consider of and report the best and most expeditious mode by which the laws and Journals may be printed, and have for that purpose on their part, appointed Mr. Williamson, Mr. Nash, Mr. P. Hawkins, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Blount.

This message being read, Resolved, That General Skinner, Mr. Campbell and Mr. Gillispie act on this Committee; Whereupon,

Ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

General Skinner, Mr. Campbell and Mr. Gillispie will, on the part of this House, act with the Gentlemen by you appointed to consider of and report the best mode by which the Laws and Journals may be printed.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill to enable the several

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religious Denominations in this State to appoint Trustees, who shall be a body corporate for the purposes therein mentioned. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Mr. Samuel Lockhart, the member for the County of Northampton, appeared and presented his certificate, which being read, he was qualified agreeably to law and took his seat.

On motion of Mr. Gillispie, seconded by Mr. Campbell, Resolved, That Mr. Macon, Mr. Gillispie, Genl. Skinner, Mr. Battle and Mr. Clinton be a Committee of Propositions and Grievances.

Whereupon, ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

The Senate have appointed Mr. Macon, Mr. Gillispie, General Skinner, Mr. Battle and Mr. Clinton on their part, a Committee of Propositions and Grievances, who will act jointly with such Gentlemen as you may think proper to appoint for that purpose.

On motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. Coor, Resolved, That a Committee of Claims be appointed consisting of members from each District in the State, and that on the part of this House the said Committee be composed of the following members, vizt.: Mr. Harget from the District of New Bern, Mr. Macon from the District of Halifax, General Ramsey from the District of Hillsborough, Mr. Armstrong from the District of Salisbury, General Gregory from the District of Edenton, Mr. Clinton from the District of Wilmington and General McDowell from the District of Morgan. Whereupon,

Ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We propose that a Committee of Claims be appointed consisting of members from each District in the State, and have on our part for that purpose appointed Mr. Harget from the District of New Bern, Mr. Macon from the District of Halifax, General Ramsey from the District of Hillsborough, Mr. Armstrong from the District of Salisbury, General Gregory from the District of Edenton, Mr.

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Clinton from the District of Wilmington, and General McDowell from the District of Morgan, who will act jointly with such of your body as may be appointed for that purpose.

Mr. Macon presented the Claims of Edison Harris and Thomas Turner of Warren County, for Certificates lost, which being read were referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances and sent to the House of Commons for their Concurrence in such reference.

Mr. McCawley presented the Memorial and Petition of John Allison of the County of Orange, which being read, was referred to the Committee of Claims and sent to the House of Commons.

Adjourned till To-morrow morning 10 o’clock.


Tuesday, 22 November, 1785.

The House met.

Mr. Thomas Brown, the member for the County of Bladen, appeared, presented his certificate, qualified agreeably to law and took his seat.

Recd from the House of Commons the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

You will herewith receive an address from His Excellency the Governor, to the General Assembly, together with the Letters, Papers, &c., therein referred to; which we propose referring to a joint Committee, and have for that purpose on our part appointed Mr. Williamson, Mr. Nash, Mr. Blount, Mr. Avery, Mr. Maclaine, Mr. P. Hawkins, Mr. Person, Mr. Hay and Mr. Ashe.

The Address from His Excellency the Governor, alluded to in the foregoing Message, together with the papers accompanying it, being read;

Resolved, That General Skinner, Mr. Bledsoe, Mr. Brown, Mr. McCullock, Mr. Coor, Mr. Herndon, and Mr. Macon be a Committee, on the part of this House, to consider of and report on the same; Whereupon,

Ordered that the following Message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

It is likewise the sense of this House that the Message from His

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Excellency the Governor, to the General Assembly, together with the Papers accompanying it, should be committed.

We have for this purpose appointed on our part, General Skinner, Mr. Bledsoe, Mr. Brown, Mr. McCullock, Mr. Coor, Mr. Herndon, and Mr. Macon, who will act jointly with the Gentlemen named in your message on this head.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Resolution of that body of this day, relative to such unadjusted claims for Militia service supplies furnished the public, &c., as may yet be in the hands of individuals against the State, which being read, were concurred with and returned.

Recd. likewise a Resolution of the House of Commons requiring the Comptroller of the public accounts to lay before this Assembly a statement of the Accounts of this State with the Continent, so far as he may be able to do so; and likewise requiring the public Treasurer to lay before the Assembly a statement of his accounts as therein mentioned; which being read, was concurred with and returned.

Mr. Dennis Hawkins, the member for the County of Brunswick, appeared, presented his certificate, qualified agreeably to Law and took his seat.

Received from the House of Commons the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

This House have nominated as a Committee of Propositions and Grievances on their part, Mr. McDowell, Mr. Moore, Mr. P. Hawkins Mr. Ashe, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Smaw and Mr. Dodd.

This House have nominated as a Committee of Claims, on their part, Mr. Neale, Mr. H. Bryan, Mr. Courtney, Mr. Dickens, Mr. Martin, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Williamson, Mr. Cabarrus, Mr. Hay, Mr. Bloodworth, Mr. Avery, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Whitaker and Mr. Wyatt Hawkins.

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We have appointed Mr. Polk, Mr. Avery, Mr. Williamson, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Martin and Mr. Jordan a Committee, who will act with such Gentlemen as may be appointed by the Senate to examine the model of a Boat invented by Doctor McClure which is represent

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ed to be calculated to improve the inland navigation of this State, and make report thereof.

Ordered that Mr. Easton, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Jones and General Skinner act on this Committee and that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

Mr. Easton, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Jones and General Skinner will, on the part of this House, act with the Gentlemen by you appointed to examine the model of a Boat invented by Doctor McClure, and make report.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

This House propose that a joint Committee be appointed to examine the proceedings of the late Commissioners for settling officers and soldiers accounts, and have for that purpose on their part, appointed Mr. Person, Mr. Dickens, Mr. P. Hawkins, Mr. Blount, and Mr. Skinner.

Ordered that Mr. Harget, Mr. Gillispie, and Mr. Brown act on this Committee, and that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

Mr. Harget, Mr. Gillispie and Mr. Brown will act with the Gentlemen by you appointed to examine the proceedings of the late Commissioners for settling the accounts of the officers and Soldiers of the late Continental line of this State.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Memorial and Petition of John Allison, together with the Claims of Edwin Harris and Thomas Turner. Respectively endorsed, read and referred as by the Senate.

Recd. by way of the House of Commons the proceedings of a Court called in the County of Halifax for the Tryal of a Negro man slave named Arthur, late the property of John Jones, Esquire, of said County.

The Proceedings of a Court called in the County of Montgomery for the Tryal of Simon, late the property of Benjamin Hicks, of the State of South Carolina.

The Proceedings of a Court called in the County of Guilford for

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the Tryal of Bob, late the property of Samuel Scott, of said County; and,

The Proceedings of a Court called in the County of Chowan for the Tryal of Hercules, late the property of Miss Worley, and for the Tryal of Cæsar, late the property of McCullen Pollock. Respectively endorsed in the House of Commons, referred to the Committee of Claims; which being read, were by this House referred to the said Committee and returned.

Recd. likewise the Petition of Messrs. Martin & Co., Printers in New Bern. Endorsed, referred to the Committee appointed to report of the most expeditious mode of having the Laws & Journals printed, which being read, was referred as by the House of Commons

Recd. also the discharges of John Sikes and Sion Young from the service of the late State Regiment. Endorsed, in the House of Commons, referred to the Committee of Claims, which being read, were referred as by the House of Commons and returned.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following Bills, vizt.:

A Bill empowering the Commissioners of the Town of Edenton to convey part of the Town Common to the Trustees of Smith’s Academy, and

A Bill for securing literary property. Respectively endorsed, read the first time and passed.

On motion of Mr. Gillispie, seconded by Mr. Battle, ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were passed the first time and returned.

Mr. Lewis presented the Petition of Robert Harris, Esquire, of Granville County, relative to certain lands by him purchased of Henry Eustace McCulloch, Esquire, which being read, was referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances and ordered to be sent to the House of Commons.

General McDowell presented the Petition of David Vance of Burke County, late Commissioner of Specific Supplies, which being read was, on motion of Mr Battle, ordered to lie for consideration.

Mr. Lewis presented the Petition and affidavit of Mr. Reuben Searcey of the County of Granville, relative to certain lost certificates, which being read, was referred to the Committee of Claims and sent to the House of Commons.

Adjourned till To-morrow Morning 9 o’clock.

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Wednesday, 23 November, 1785.

The House met.

Mr. Henry Hill, the member for the County of Franklin, appeared, presented his certificate, qualified agreeably to law and took his seat.

On motion of Mr. Gillispie, seconded by Mr. Battle, Resolved, That the Rules adopted by the last General Assembly for the reading and Engrossing Bills be adhered to and observed during the present session; whereupon,

Ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We propose that the rules adopted by the last General Assembly for the reading and Engrossing Bills be observed during the present session.

Mr. Herritage presented the Petition of Major Croom of Dobbs County, which being read was, on motion of Mr. Herritage, seconded by Mr. Coor, referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances and ordered to be sent to the House of Commons for their concurrence in such reference.

The Honourable the Speaker, laid before the House the Petition of William Field, together with the proceedings and recommendation of the Court of Randolph County relative to and in favour of said Field, which being read were, on motion of Mr. Battle, seconded by Mr. Gillispie, referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances and sent to the House of Commons for their concurrence in such reference.

The Honourable the Speaker, likewise laid before the House the Petition of the Honourable Richard Dobbs Spaight, Esquire, relaative to the representation of Craven County in this House, which being read was, on motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. McCullock, referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections.

The Honourable the Speaker, also laid before the House the Petition of Ann Field, Wife of Robert Field late of Guilford County, which being read, was referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances and ordered to be sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. James Harris, the member for the County of Mecklenburg,

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appeared, presented his certificate, qualified agreeably to Law and took his seat.

On motion of Mr. Gillispie, seconded by Mr. Macon, Resolved, That the following Rules of Decorum be observed by the Senate during the present session of Assembly, vizt.:

1st. When the Speaker is in his Chair every member may sit in his place with his head covered.

2nd. Every member shall come into the House with his head uncovered and shall continue so at all times but when he sits in his place.

3rd. No member in coming into the House or removing from his place, shall pass between the Speaker and any member speaking, nor shall any member go across the House or from any part thereof to the other, whilst another is speaking.

4th. When a member intends to speak he shall stand in his place uncovered, and address himself to the Speaker, but shall not proceed to speak until permitted to do so by the Speaker, which permission shall be signified by naming the member.

5th. When any member is speaking no other shall stand, or interrupt him, but when he has done speaking and taken his seat, any other member may rise, observing the rules.

6th. When the Speaker desires to address himself to the House he shall rise and be heard without interruption and the member then speaking shall take his seat.

7th. If more than one member attempt to speak at any time, the Speaker shall determine which was first up.

8th. When any question shall be before the House and not perfectly understood the Speaker may explain, but shall not attempt to sway the House by argument or debate.

9th. No member speaking to be disturbed by coughing, spitting, conversation or otherwise, and whoever by speaking, hissing or in any other manner wilfully or carelessly disturbeth or interrupteth any member on the floor, he shall answer it at the Bar, and be liable to be censured by the Speaker.

10th. He that digresseth from the subject to fall on the person of any member shall be suppressed by the Speaker.

11th. Exception taken to offensive words, to be taken the same

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day they shall be spoken, and before the member who spoke them shall go out of the House.

12th. Whatever is spoken in the House may be subject to the censure of the House.

13th. Whenever any matter is in debate before the House, it shall be determined or postponed before any new business shall be introduced.

14th. No Bill shall be read twice in the same day, unless upon some pressing emergency when the good and safety of the State shall make it necessary.

15th. No heats or animosities shall be permitted in this House.

16th. No member shall speak more than twice without leave on the same question, unless it be in a Committee of the whole House.

17th. No question shall be put on any motion unless seconded.

18th. Every member making any motion which is not of course, shall before making such motion reduce the same to writing.

19th. If there should be an equality of votes for and against any question the Speaker shall declare whether he be a yea or a nay but shall in no other case give his vote.

20th. No member shall depart the service of the House without leave first obtained and signified by the Speaker, nor having leave shall stay longer than the time limited, under the pealty of forfeiting his pay as a member and being sent for to undergo the further censure of the House.

21st. Upon motion for an adjournment no member shall presume to move until the Speaker arises and goes before.

Adjourned till To-morrow Morning 9 o’clock.


Thursday, 24 November, 1785.

The House met.

Mr. Macon presented the Record of a Court called in Gates County for the Tryal of a negro man slave, the property of Thomas Garrett of said County, which being read was, on motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. John Armstrong, referred to the Committee of Claims and ordered to be sent to the House of Commons for their concurrence in such reference.

Mr. Brown presented sundry writings from Mr. Henry Emanuel Lutterloh, addressed to the General Assembly, which being read

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were, on motion of Mr. Gillispie, seconded by Mr. Macon, ordered to be sent to the House of Commons.

Received from the House of Commons the Petition of Messrs. Arnett and Hodge, Printers of the Town of New Bern. Endorsed in the House of Commons, read and referred to the Committee appointed to consider and report the best and most expeditious mode by which the Laws and Journals may be printed, which being read, was referred as by the House of Commons and returned.

Recd. likewise the account of Mr. John Devane as Lieutenant of Fort Johnston. Endorsed, read and referred to the Committee of Claims, which being read, was referred in like manner and returned.

Recd. also the Petition and affidavit of Reuben Searcey. The Petition of Major Croom, The Memorial and Petition of William Field, The Petition of Ann Field, and the Petition of Robert Harris. Respectively endorsed, read and referred as by the Senate.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following Message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We agree that the rules adopted by the last Assembly for the reading and Engrossing Bills be adhered to during the present session.

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We propose that the consideration of a more expeditious and substantial administration of the laws and Equity of the State be submitted to the Committee to which the Governor’s message & public Papers have been referred.

This proposition being read, Ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We agree that the consideration of a more expeditious and subtantial administration of the Laws and Equity of the State be submitted to the Committee to whom the Governor’s message, and the public papers accompanying it, have been referred.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Petition of James Knox and David Wilson. Endorsed, referred to the Committee of Claims, which being read was, on motion of Mr. Coor, seconded by Mr. Hill, referred in like manner and returned.

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Recd. likewise the Petition of Mrs. Margaret Balfour, and the Memorial of Mrs. Ann Field. Respectively endorsed, read and referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances, which being read, were referred in like manner and returned.

Recd. also the Petition of John Brady, Robert Dunlap, and William Dunlap. Endorsed, read and referred to a special Committee, the members chosen on the part of the House of Commons are Mr. Maclaine, Mr. Williamson, Mr. Person, Mr. Hay and Mr. Blount, the Petition being read was, on the part of this House, referred to General Skinner, Mr. Relfe, Mr. McCullock, and Mr. Coor and returned.

Mr. McCawley presented the Petition of James Hogg, Esquire, Executor of the last Will and Testament of the late Thomas Burke, Esquire, which being read was, on motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. Gillispie, referred to the Committee appointed to consider of the Petition of John Brady, Robert Dunlap and William Dunlap, and ordered to be sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the resignation of Elijah Isaacs and John Barton as Justices of the Peace for Wilkes County. Endorsed, read and accepted, which being read, were likewise accepted by this House.

The resignation of John Bell as Justice of the Peace for Brunswick County was read and accepted and sent to the House of Commons.

General McDowell moved for leave and presented a Bill to impower David Vance, late Commissioner of Burke County, to collect the specific supplies assessed upon the Inhabitants of the said County for the years 1780 and 1781, which have not been already collected, which was read for the information of the House.

Adjourned until To-morrow 10 o’clock.


Friday, 25 November, 1785.

The House met.

General Rutherford, the member for the County of Rowan appeared, presented the Certificate of his Election, qualified agreeably to Law and took his seat.

On motion of General McDowell, seconded by Mr. Macon, ordered that the Bill to impower David Vance, late Commissioner of Burke County, to collect the Specific Supplies assessed upon the Inhabitants

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of said County for the years 1780 and 1781, which have not been already collected, be read; which being read, was on motion of Mr. Harget, seconded by Mr. Gillispie, ordered to be withdrawn for amendment; the Members made choice of for this purpose were Mr. Coor and Mr. McCullock.

Mr. Speaker laid before the House the Petition of Abram Barnes and John Wilkes of Bladen County, relative to the suggested illegality of the late Election for said County; which being read was, on motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. Battle, referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections.

Mr. Brown presented the resignation of William Kirkpatrick as one of the Justice of the Peace for Bladen County, which being read, was accepted and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill for the dividing of the County of Guilford. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read for the Information of the House, the same being read was, on motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. Miller, again read for passage, when it was amended, passed the first time and returned.

Recd. likewise a Bill for establishing a Town on the lands of Mial Scurlock, decd., in Chatham County. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read for information, which being accordingly read, was again read for passage, when it was passed the first time and returned.

On motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. Battle, Resolved, That General Rutherford be added to the Committee to whom were referred the Message from His Excellency the Governor, together with the State papers accompanying it laid before the General Assembly at the opening of the present session, and that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

The Senate have added General Rutherford to the Committee to whom were referred the Message from His Excellency the Governor, & the public papers accompanying it.

On motion of Mr. Gillispie, seconded by Mr. Macon, ordered that Mr. Herritage have leave to absent himself from the service of this House for a few days.

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Recd. from the House of Commons the Petition of William Jones and the Memorial of George Laine Moore. Endorsed, read and referred to a special Committee to be composed of members from each House, vizt.: Mr. Person, Mr. P. Hawkins, Mr. Maclaine, and Mr. Hay; which being read was, on the part of the Senate, referred to General Rutherford, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Hill and returned.

Mr. Coor and Mr. McCulloch, according to order, presented the Bill to impower David Vance, late Commissioner of Burke County, to collect the Specific supplies assessed upon the Inhabitants of the said County for the years 1780 and 1781, which have not been already collected, as by them amended, which being read was, on motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. Campbell, recommitted to General Rutherford, Mr. Gillispie, Mr. McCulloch, General McDowell, Mr. Campbell and Mr Hill.

Received from the House of Commons the Petition of Mrs. Martha Dixon, Relict of Lt. Col. Henry Dixon. Endorsed, read and referred to the Committee on the Governor’s Message, &c.; which being read, was referred as by the House of Commons and returned.

Recd. likewise the Petition of James Hogg, Esquire. Endorsed, read and referred as by the Senate.

Received also an account of Doctor Hugh Boyd against the public. Endorsed, referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances; this reference being rejected, on motion of Mr. Gillispie, seconded by Mr. Macon,

Resolved, That the adjustment of this Account properly comes before the Committee of Claims and that therefore it be referred to the said Committee by this House and that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

It is the opinion of this House that the adjustment of the account of Dr. Hugh Boyd by you referred to the Committee of Propositons and Grievances properly comes before the Committee of Claims, we therefore propose that the consideration thereof be referred to the Committee last mentioned.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Petition of General Ramsey. Endorsed, referred to the Committee of Propositions and

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Grievances, which being read, was referred as by the House of Commons and returned.

Adjourned till Monday morning 10 o’clock.


Monday, 28 November, 1785.

The House met.

Mr. Michael Payne, the member for the County of Chowan, and John Spicer, the Member for the County of Onslow, appeared, presented their Certificates, qualified agreeably to Law and took their seats.

Mr. Macon presented a Resolution of the General Assembly in favour of Robert Hightower bearing the date the 12th July, 1781, which being read, on motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. Brown,

Resolved, That Mr. Robert Hightower be allowed the sum of Fourteen pounds three shillings & nine pence current money in lieu of a Draft on the late Board of Trade for 660lbs of Tobacco; that the Treasurer pay him the same and be allowed in the settlement of his public accounts.

Mr. Gillispie, from the joint Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Ann Fields in behalf of her husband Robert Fields, reported as followeth, vizt.:

Your Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Ann Fields in behalf of her husband Robert Fields, report,

That after considering the premises we are of opinion that the same be rejected. All which is submitted.

JAMES GILLISPIE, Ch.

Mr. Gillispie likewise delivered in the following report, vizt.:

Your Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Margaret Balfour, administratrix of Andrew Balfour, decd., report,

That after considering the premises we are of opinion that she be allowed a sum equal to what was contained in the former certificate, agreeable to the scale of depreciation. All which is submitted.

JAMES GILLISPIE, Ch.

The House taking the foregoing reports into consideration resolved, that they do concur therewith, and ordered that they be sent to the House of Commons.

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Mr. Gillispie, from the Committee, also delivered in a Report on the Petition of Mrs. Fields, which being read and debated was rejected, whereupon,

On motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. Hill, ordered that a Bill be introduced in conformity to the recommendation of Randolph County Court granting the Petition of the said Fields.

Received from the House of Commons a Bill for dividing Bladen County. Endorsed, read the first time and passed. Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read & debated was, on motion of General Rutherford, seconded by Mr. Brown, rejected.

Mr. Sharpe, pursuant to the order of this day, moved for leave and presented a Bill for vesting certain lands and other Estates in Randolph County in Ann Fields, Wife of William Fields, and the Heirs of said William and Ann Fields in fee simple, which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Gillispie presented the Memorial of Andrew Bass, which being read, together with the proceedings of a Committee of the last General Assembly relative to the subject matter of the said Memorial was, on motion of Mr. Gillispie, seconded by Mr. Armstrong, referred to a special Committee, the members chosen on the part of this House were Mr. McCullock, Mr. Lewis, General Skinner and Mr. Clinton.

General Gregory, from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, delivered in the following report, vizt.:

The Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Richard Dobbs Spaight, Esquire, against the legality of Mr. James Coor holding a seat in the Senate, do report:

That they duly considered the same and find that Mr. Coor is a Naval Officer for Port Beaufort, that he formerly did receive Stakeage or Tonnage Duty for which it appears that he hath settled according to Law; that he acted as Warden of the Poor for Craven County and hath settled for and paid the Monies by him received for that purpose, for both of which he produced his accounts and vouchers, and further it is the opinion of your Committee that there is no just cause against Mr. Coor to deprive him of his seat in the Senate as a member for the County of Craven, there being no law in force to the contrary. All which is submitted.

ISAAC GREGORY, Ch.
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The House taking the said report into consideration, Resolved unanimously, that they do concur therewith.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Petition of Mr. John Walker. Endorsed, read and referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances, which being read, was referred in like manner and returned.

Received likewise the Petiton of Mr. Benjamin Jones. Endorsed, read and referred to a joint Committee, the members chosen by the Commons are Mr. Starkey, Mr. Williamson, Mr. Person, Mr. Ashe and Mr. Ferebee. This Petition being read was, on the part of the Senate, referred to General Rutherford, Mr. McCulloch and Mr. Coor and returned.

Recd. also the Petition of Mr. William Linton. Endorsed, read and referred to the Committee appointed to consider of Benj. Jones’ Petition; which being read, was referred in like manner and returned.

Recd. from the House of Commons the resignation of John Bell and William Kirkpatrick the former as one of the Justices of the Peace for Brunswick County, and the latter as one of the Justices of the Peace for Bladen County. Each endorsed, read and accepted.

Recd. also the Petition of Mr. John Walker. Endorsed, read and referred to the Committee of Claims; which being read, was referred in like manner and returned.

Received from the House of Commons the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We agree that the account of Dr. Boyd be referred to the Committee of Claims as by you proposed.

Rec. likewise the Petition of Jacob Richards. Endorsed, read and referred to the Committee on the Memorial of Mr. Benj. Jones; which being read, was referred in like manner and returned.

Recd. also the Petition of James Britain. Endorsed, referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances; which being read, was referred to the said Committee and returned.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We herewith send you a message this day received from his Excellency

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the Governor, together with the papers therein referred to, which we propose referring to the Committee appointed to consider of the public dispatches, &c.

The Message and papers alluded to in the foregoing being read, were referred as proposed by the House of Commons; whereupon,

Ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We agree that the message and Papers from his Excellency the Governor, this day laid before the General Assembly, be referred to the Committee to whom were referred his other message and the public dispatches accompanying it.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill for granting further Indulgence to Surveyors for surveying lands. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Received likewise a Bill for erecting a Town on the lands of Whitmill Hill in Martin County. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

On motion of Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Macon, Resolved, That Mr. Hill, Mr. Macon, Genl. McDowell and Mr. Brown be a Committee on the part of this House, to receive from the late District Treasurers, Collectors and others, and cause to be burnt, all the old Dollar Bills belonging to the public which may be delivered to them and make report thereof, and that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We propose that a joint Committee be appointed to receive from the late District Treasurers, Collectors and others, and cause to be destroyed all such old Dollar Bills belonging to the public as shall be delivered to them, and that they make report of their proceedings herein, for which purpose Mr. Hill, Mr. Macon, General McDowell and Mr. Brown are appointed on the part of this House.

Mr. Campbell moved for leave and presented a Bill to alter the

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place of holding the annual elections for members of the General Assembly in and for the County of New Hanover, which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons:

Recd. from the House of Commons the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

This House added to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances Mr. D. Hall, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Hinton, Mr Hays and Mr. Oliver.

This message being read, on motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. Lewis, Resolved, That Mr. Spicer, Mr. Hill and Mr. Lewis be added to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances on the part of this House, and that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

The Senate have added to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances Mr. Spicer, Mr. Hill and Mr. Lewis, and propose that these gentlmen, in conjunction with those this day appointed on the part of the House of Commons, compose a second Committee of Propositions and Grievances.

Received from the House of Commons the Petition of James Taylor White. Endorsed, read and referred specially to a joint Committee; the members appointed by the Commons are Mr. P. Hawkins, Mr. Williamson, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Grant and Mr. Bonds. This Petition being read was, on the part of the Senate, referred to General Skinner, Mr. Battle, Mr. Macon and Mr. Easton and returned.

General Rutherford presented a Petition from Sundry of the Inhabitants of Richmond County relative to the representation of said County in the Senate, which being read was, on motion of General Rutherford, seconded by Mr. Macon, referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections.

On motion, agreed that General Rutherford and Mr. Lightfoot be added to the Committee of Privileges and Elections.

Mr. Gillispie, from the Committee of Propositions and Grievances, delivered in the following report, vizt.:

The Committee of Propositions and Grievances to whom was referred the Claims of John Bartholomew and Edwin Harris, report,

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That the General Assembly direct the Committee of Claims to make due allowance for said claims.

JAMES GILLISPIE, Ch.

The House taking the said report into consideration resolved, That they do concur therewith and ordered that it be sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the proceedings of a Court called in the County of Gates for the Tryal of a Negro slave, the property of Thomas Garrett. Endorsed, read and referred as by the Senate.

Mr. Miller presented the Memorial of William Walker, which being read was, on motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. Campbell, referred to the Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Mr. Benjamin Jones, and ordered to be sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Harris presented the representation of a Committee of Mecklenburg County, touching the settlement of the Sheriff of said County with the Treasurer, which being read was, on motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by General Rutherford referred to the Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Mr. Benjamin Jones and ordered to be sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Miller presented the Petition of Sundry of the Justices of he Peace & Militia Officers of the County of Rutherford in favour of Lodowick Wray of said County, which being read was, on motion of Mr. Miller, seconded by General McDowell, referred to the Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Benjamin Jones and ordered to be sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Miller likewise presented the Petition of Mercy Bedford of Rutherford County, which being read was, on motion of Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Macon, referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances and ordered to be sent to the House of Commons.

General Rutherford presented a Paper containing the resignation of himself and of William Cathey, John Johnston and James Brandon as Justices of the Peace for Rowan County, which resignations being read, were accepted and ordered to be sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Brown presented the resignation of William Gray McDonnell

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as one of the Justices of the Peace for Bladen County, which being read, was accepted and ordered to be sent to the House of Commons.

Received from the House of Commons the Petition of Abraham Markoe. Endorsed, referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances; which being read, were referred in like manner and returned.

Recd. likewise the Petition of George Laine Moore. Endorsed, referred to the Committee to whom his other Petition was referred; which being read, was referred in like manner and returned.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill for securing literary property. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read for the second time in this House To-morrow.

Adjourned till To-morrow morning 9 o’clock.


Tuesday, 29 November, 1785.

The House met.

Mr. Macon presented the resignation of Thomas Turner as one of the Justices of the Peace for Warren County, which being read, was accepted and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Resolution of this House in favour of Robert Hightower. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Recd. likewise the Memorial of Andrew Bass. Endorsed in the House of Commons, referred on the part of this House to Mr. Phifer, Mr. Oliver, Mr. Pasteur, Mr. Dodd and Mr. Williamson.

Recd. also the report of the Committee on the Petition of Mrs. Margaret Balfour. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

On motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. Armstrong, Resolved, That the House proceed in the order of the day; pursuant to which,

The Bill for securing literary property was read the second time, amended by consent of the House of Commons, passed and ordered to be engrossed.

Mr. Brown presented the record of a Court called in the County of Bladen for the Tryal of a negro man slave, belonging to the estate of George Gibbs, deceased, which being read was, on motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. Brown, referred to the Committee of Claims and ordered to be sent to the House of Commons.

-------------------- page 24 --------------------

Mr. Lightfoot, agreeably to order, presented the Bill to empower the Wardens of the Poor of Northampton County to build a House or Houses in the said County for the reception of the Poor and other purposes, as by him amended; which being read, was passed the first time and sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Gillispie, according to order, presented the Bill to impower David Vance, late Commissioner of Burke County, to collect the specific supplies assessed upon the Inhabitants of the said County for the years 1780 and 1781, which have not been already collected, as amended by the Committee; which being read with the amendments, was passed the first time and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the representation of Mr. Hezekiah Alexander. Endorsed, read and referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances; which being read, were referred in like manner and returned.

Recd. likewise the Memorial of William Walker; the Petition of Justices and Militia Officers of Rutherford County in favour of Lodowick Wray; The Petition of Mercy Bendford; the Representation of a Committee of Mecklenburgh County relative to the settlement of the Sheriff of said County with the Treasurer; and and the resignation of William Gray McDonnell. Respectively endorsed, read and referred as by the Senate; except the one last mentioned which was endorsed, read and accepted.

Mr. McCullock presented the Claim of Captain Robert Fenner against the public, which being read, on motion of Mr. McCulloch, seconded by Mr. Hill,

Resolved, That Captain Robert Fenner, of the late North Carolina Line, be allowed the sum of thirty-five pounds four shillings current money of the State, in full for that sum by him expended in Board and Wages when he had the charge of the State Cloathing; that the Treasurer pay him the same and be allowed therefor in the settlement of his public accounts.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for their Concurrence.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following messages:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We decline for the present a concurrence with your message as to the appointment of a Committee for burning the old emission of

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Bills as we conceive those Bills ought regularly to pass into the Treasurer’s or Comptroller’s office, and a state of their amount laid by those officers respectively before the General Assembly when, in the opinion of this House, the appointment of such Committee may be extremely proper.

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We have received your message proposing a second Committee of Propositions and Grievances with which we do not concur, from a supposition that the business which properly comes before such a Committee can be timely compleated by that already appointed.

General Rutherford presented a Record of the Superior Court of Hillsborough District, relative to a suit in the said Court wherein Mr. Absalom Tatom was Plaintiff and John Armstrong, Esquire, Defendant; which being read was, on motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. Hill, referred to a special Committee; the members chosen on the part of this House were Mr. Coor, Mr. Lightfoot, General Gregory and Mr. Macon; whereupon the Record was sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Macon moved for leave and presented a Bill for levying a Tax for the support of Government and to continue the redemption of Continental money, old paper currency, Specie and other Certificates, which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Easton presented the resignation of George Bell as one of the Justices of the Peace for Carteret County, which being read, was accepted and sent to the House of Commons.

General McDowell moved for leave and presented a Bill empowering the Court of Randolph County to adjourn to the place which they shall think most convenient for holding the same; which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

On motion of Mr. Gillispie, seconded by Mr. Armstrong, Resolved, That the Committee to whom were referred the messages from His Excellency the Governor, and the public dispatches accompanying them, be directed to make report of the progress they have made in the business committed to their consideration, and that they bring in such Bills as they have already prepared relative to the subject matter of such dispatches, to-morrow morning.

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Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for their concurrence.

Mr. Clinton presented the Petition of James Kenan which being read was, on motion of Mr. Clinton, seconded by Mr. Gillispie, referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances & ordered to be sent to the House of Commons.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning 9 o’clock.

(The record of several days seems to have been lost.)


Monday, 5 December, 1785.

The House met.

Sundry papers being read relative to the Accounts of Mr. Drury Gee, late Sheriff of Northampton County,

Resolved, That the Treasurer of this State be and he is hereby directed to settle the Accounts of Drury Gee, late Sheriff of Northampton County, agreeably to Law, giving him, the said Gee, all just credits; notwithstanding any proceedings which may heretofore have been had on this head by any former Assembly.

Ordered that this resolve be sent to the House of Commons for Concurrence.

On motion of Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Hill, ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

The Senate have appointed Mr. Hill, Mr. Macon, General McDowell, and Mr. Brown a Committee, who will act jointly with such of your body as may be appointed, to receive from the public Treasurer and from the late District Treasurers all such old Dollar Money as may be handed them together with such of the Bills of the late emission as may be too much worn for further circulation and cause that the same be destroyed, and make report of their proceedings herein.

General Gregory, from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, to whom were referred such papers laid before this House by General Harrington, as were relative to Mr. Samuel Parsons, a Member of the Senate, delivered in a Report, which being read and debated was rejected.

Recd. by way of the House of Commons a Message of the 3rd Inst. from His Excellency the Governor, addressed to the General Assembly

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together with sundry papers enclosed. Endorsed, in the House of Commons, read and referred with its enclosures to the Committee to whom was referred His Excellency’s former message and State papers, which being read was, together with its enclosures, referred as by the House of Commons and returned.

Mr. McCawley moved for leave and presented a Bill for establishing a Town on the lands of Thomas Relf, which was read the first time and passed.

General Rutherford moved for leave and presented a Bill to establish a Town on the Lands of Thomas Dougan in the County of Randolph, which was read the first time, passed and together with the Bill last mentioned, sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Mooring moved for leave and presented a Bill for altering the place for holding Court and other public meetings in the County of Wayne and for removing the Court House and Prison from West Point to where John Fleetwood now lives; which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Herritage moved for leave and presented a Bill for adding part of Craven County to Dobbs County, which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Macon moved for leave and presented a Bill to impower the several County Courts within this State to establish and lay off Towns at their discretion; which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

General Rutherford moved for leave and presented a Bill to preclude certain foreigners therein mentioned from holding any office of profit or trust in this State, unless for meritorious services; which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

On motion of Mr. Gillispie, seconded by General Gregory, Resolved, That Mr. Gillispie, General Rutherford, General Gregory and General Harrington be a Committee on the part of this House to prepare and bring in a Bill for establishing a Militia in this State; Whereupon,

Ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

The Senate have appointed Mr. Gillispie, General Gregory, General

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Rutherford and General Harrington a Committee, who will act jointly with such of your body as may be appointed, to prepare and bring in a Bill for establishing a Militia in this State.

Adjourned till To-morrow morning 9 o’clock.


Tuesday, 6 December, 1785.

The House met.

On motion of General Rutherford, seconded by Mr. Payne, Resolved, that Mr. Coor and Mr. McCullock on the part of this House, be a Committee to examine with such Gentlemen of the House of Commons as may be appointed for that purpose, the engrossed copies of such Bills as may be twice read in each House during the present Session; Whereupon,

Ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We have appointed Mr. Coor and Mr. McCulloch a Committee on the part of this House to examine, with such of your Body as may be appointed, the Engrossed Copies of such Bills as may pass two readings in each House during the present Session.

Recd. fom the House of Commons the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We cannot agree to proceed to the Election of public officers on Tuesday next, but propose entering upon that business on Saturday, at 3 of the Clock in the Evening, at which time shall be ballotted for an additional delegate for the present year in order that this State may be represented by three until the time of those now to be elected shall commence; also the place of holding the next General Assembly. We have added to your nomination for Governor William Richardson Davie, Esquire; for Delegates John Sitgreaves, William Cumming and John Baptist Ashe, Esquires; for the Council of State John Spicer, John Wright Stanley and James Armstrong, Esquires. We think it improper to elect a Council of State until after the Choice of a Governor, because the Assembly will probably consult his situation in electing them; we therefore propose this last business be done after the election of a Governor, on the same day. We nominate for the place of holding the next

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Assembly the Towns of Hillsborough, New Bern, Tarborough, Halifax and Fayetteville.

This Message being read ordered that the following be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

It is the wish of this House that the General Assembly should ballot for a Governor of the State, public Secretary, Delegate to represent this State in Congress & a Treasurer on Friday Evening next at 3 of the Clock and have put in nomination for Governor his Excellency Richard Caswell, Esquire, and the Honourable John Williams, Esquire; for public Secretary, James Glasgow, Esquire; for Delegate, William Blount, Abner Nash, Charles Johnson, Timothy Bloodworth, Nathaniel Macon, Green Hill, John Kinchen and Robert Burton, Esquires; and for a Treasurer Memucan Hunt, Esquire; and that on the following day at three of the Clock in the afternoon a Council of State and the place where the next Assembly shall be held be ballotted for. Should this proposition meet your approbation you will signify the same by message. The name of Samuel Johnson, Esquire, is withdrawn from the nomination for Governor; as is likewise the Town of Tarborough from the nomination of places where the next Assembly shall be held, and the name of Jacob Blount, Esquire, from the nomination for Councillors. Mr. Coor and Mr. Macon will, on the part of this House, superintend the balloting.

Recd. from the House of Commons the report of the joint Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of James Flemming of Wilmington, Merchant. Endorsed, read and concurred with; which being read, ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We do not concur with the report of the joint Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of Mr. James Flemming, Merchant, of Wilmington, as it now stands, but propose that it be amended by expunging that part thereof oposite to which in the Margin is the letter “A.” Should you think proper to make this amendment the Senate will then concur with the Report.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following Bills, to-wit:

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The Bill for the Inspection of Tobacco in the County of Surry, and

The Bill impowering the Commissioner impowered to settle the Accounts between the United States & North Carolina or the Creditors of the United States within the same, to call witnesses and examine the same upon Oath or Affirmation, touching the said Accounts. Respectively endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read; which being read, were passed the first time and returned.

Recd. likewise the Bill to establish the Town laid off at Guilford Court House by the name of Martinville. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read; which being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Received also a Bill to amend an act to establish the Town of Morgan and direct the building a Court House and Prison in the same for the District of Morgan. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read; which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Recd. by way of the House of Commons a message from His Excellency the Governor, addressed to the General Assembly, enclosing the Memorial of Mr. John Burgwin, Merchant of Wilmington, and other papers. Endorsed in the House of Commons, read and referred with its enclosures to the Committee to whom was referred a former message and the State papers; which being read, were referred in like manner.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill for permitting the Emancipation of Slaves under certain Restrictions, when the owners thereof are conscientiously scrupulous of continuing them in perpetual servitude. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was rejected.

On motion of Mr. McCulloch, ordered that he have leave to absent himself from the service of this House a few days.

Mr. Hill moved for leave and presented a Bill to amend an act intitled “an Act for the better observation and keeping of the Lord’s Day commonly called Sunday, and for the more effectual suppression

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of vice and immorality,” which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the report of the joint Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Jacob Richards. Endorsed, read and concurred with; which being read, was concurred with and returned.

Mr. Spicer presented the resignation of Stephen Williams as one of the Justices of the Peace for Onslow County, which was read, accepted and sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We have concurred with the Report of the Committee on His Excellency the Governor’s Message, with respect to the proposed alterations in the Court of Law, except the third section as it now stands in the Report; That part of the Report relating to the appointment of a Commissioner of the loan-office in this State we propose to lie for consideration, all the rest we concur with.

We have in conformity to this report appointed Mr. Hay and Mr. Maclaine to prepare and bring in a Bill for altering the Courts of Law.

This Message being read on motion of Mr. Battle, seconded by Mr. Brown, Ordered that Mr. Coor, General Harrington and Mr. Lightfoot on the part of this House, act on this Committee, and that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We concur with the report of the joint Committee to whom were referred the several messages from his Excellency the Governor, addressed to the General Assembly and the State Papers accompanying them, in every respect as it was concurred with by your House, and have appointed Mr. Coor, General Harrington and Mr. Lightfoot a Committee, who will act jointly with the Gentlemen by you appointed to prepare and bring in a Bill for altering the Courts of Law.

On motion of General Rutherford, seconded by Mr. Lewis, Resolved, That the Committee of Privileges and Elections be directed to report on the legality of the Return of a Member of this House for the County of Northampton.

Mr. Macon presented the Memorial and Petition of Mr. James Miller, setting forth that he had through theft or other accidental

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cause been unfortunately deprived of a certificate of allowance granted him for his attendance as a member of this House at the Fall session of 1784, Whereupon,

Resolved, That James Miller, Esquire, be allowed the sum of Forty-two pounds, in lieu of a certificate granted him in November, 1784, for his attendance at the General Assembly as a member of the Senate, which Certificate appears to be lost, and that the Treasurer have notice hereof in order that he may guard against any person holding the aforesaid Certificate.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for Concurrence.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Petition of Hannah Davis; the Petition of Jane Spurgin; the Affidavit of Catharine Shaver; the Claim of Robert Brevard; and the Petition of John Bradley. Respectively endorsed, read and referred as by the Senate.

Mr. Campbell presented the Memorial of Lewis McPherson, Merchant of the Town of Wilmington, together with a Paper accompanying it signed by a number of Gentlemen from that Town and elsewhere, suggesting that the granting of a Drawback of the Duty on Molasses used in distillation would be beneficial to the Commerce of this State; these papers being read were, on motion of Mr. Battle, seconded by Mr. Coor, ordered to lie on the Table.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Report of the Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of Andrew Bass. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Recd. also a Bill for the promotion of Learning in the County of Davidson. Endorsed in the House of Commons, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Mr. Herndon presented the representation and Petition of Robert Alexander and Daniel McKissick, Esquires, setting forth that a Bill of Indictment for Bribery and Corruption had been found against Mr. Thomas Espy, a Justice of the Peace for Lincoln County, at the last Superior Court of Law and Equity for the District of Morgan; Whereupon,

Resolved, That Thomas Espy, of Lincoln County, be suspended from the execution of his office as one of the Justices of the Peace

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for the said County, until he shall be acquitted of the charge against him.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for Concurrence.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following messages:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We have on our part appointed Mr. Skinner, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Dickens, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Ashe, Mr. D. Hall, Mr. Cain, Mr. Neale, Mr. Tisdale, and Mr. Ben. Williams a Committee, who will act with the Gentlemen by you appointed, to receive of the Public Treasurer the old Dollar Money, &c.

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We herewith return the resolve of your House directing the Comptroller to issue a certificate to John Parks as therein mentioned, Concurred with; We further propose in addition to that Resolve that the Comptroller note in the checks the issuing such Certificate.

This message being read it was ordered that the Resolve alluded to be made conformable to the Proposition of the House of Commons and that this order should be signified by the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

This House approve of the Proposition of yours for amending the Resolution of the General Assembly in favour of John Parks, and have inserted the amendment accordingly.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Resolve of this House of the 3rd Inst. directing the Treasurer to settle with the Sheriff of Salisbury District for the year 1783; and likewise the Resolve of this House of the same date in favour of Isaac McHenry. Respectively Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning 9 o’clock.


Wednesday, 7 December, 1785.

The House met.

Mr. Spicer presented a Petition of a number of the Inhabitants of Onslow County praying that a Town be established in the said County, which being read,

Mr. Spicer moved for leave and presented, conformably to the

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prayer of the said Petition, a Bill for appointing and laying out a Town on New River, at or near Onslow Court House, on the lands of William Maitland, deceased, which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill to empower the Wardens of the poor for the Counties therein mentioned to build Houses for their reception and maintenance and other purposes. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended by consent of the House of Commons, passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

General Rutherford moved for leave and presented a Bill to secure and quiet in their possessions all such persons, their Heirs and Assigns, who have purchased or may hereafter purchase lands and Tenements, Goods and Chattels, which have been sold or may hereafter be sold, by Commissioners of forfeited Estates legally appointed for that purpose; which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

An attested Copy of the Record of a Suit in Franklin County Court (the State against Robert Norris) was read; whereupon,

Resolved, That Robert Norris, late a Justice of the Peace for the County of Franklin be, and he is hereby declared to be disqualified from holding or exercising the Office aforesaid, in consequence of his having been convicted in the Court of said County of the misdemeanor of being in company with people playing cards on the Sabbath day and making no attempt to suppress such vice and immorality; and in consequence also, of its having been made appear to this General Assembly, that the said Robert Norris hath been guilty of being in partnership with a certain James Massey in playing cards with a negro slave.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for Concurrence.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Petition of Mr. James Williams. Endorsed, referred on the part of the Commons to Mr. Nash, Mr. Person, Mr. Williamson, Mr. Leek, Mr. J. Blount and Mr. Polk; which being read was referred to Mr. Lightfoot, General Rutherford, Mr. Macon and Mr. Coor and returned.

Recd. likewise the Resolve of this House of Yesterday in favour

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of Mr. James Miller. Endorsed in the House of Commons, read and concurred with.

Recd. also the following messages:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We have appointed Mr. Skinner & Mr. S. Riddick to examine, with the Gentlemen by you appointed, the Engrossed Bills.

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We have on our part appointed Mr. Berger, Mr. Williamson, Mr. P. Williams, Mr. Ashe and Mr. C. Hall a Committee, who will act jointly with the Gentlemen by you appointed, to prepare and bring in a Bill for establishing a Militia in this State.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill for appointing a Treasurer in the District of Edenton for the purpose of calling to account the Commissioners for building a public Gaol in the District aforesaid. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill to amend an act passed at Hillsborough the—day of—, 1784, intitled, “an act for appointing Collectors of the Imposts at the several ports of this State, and for regulating the duty of Naval Officers, the Officers of the Customs and Masters of Vessels.” Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read was, on motion, withdrawn for amendment; the members chosen for this purpose were Mr. Lightfoot and General Harrington.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following messages:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We agree to ballot as by you proposed for the several officers of State, and the place at which the next Assembly shall be held; Mr. Skinner and Mr. Polk will conduct the balloting.

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We agree to the amendment by you proposed to be made in the Report of the Committee on the Petition of Mr. Flemming and have made the Report conformable.

The report alluded to in the foregoing message was read, concurred with as amended and returned to the House of Commons.

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Recd. from the House of Commons the Memorial of Isles Simmons, the Memorial of John Eaton, and the Petition of Ann Howard. The first of which was endorsed, referred to the Committee of Claims; the second, referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances, and the third Endorsed, read and referred to the Committee to take under consideration the State Papers, &c; which being read, were severally referred as by the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill for altering the times of holding the County Court of Bertie. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Recd. from the House of Commons the resignation of Stephen Williams as one of the Justices of the Peace for Onslow County. Endorsed, read and accepted.

Mr. Gillispie moved for leave and presented a Bill to erect and establish a public school in the County of Duplin, which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Gillispie presented the Petition of a number of the Inhabitants of Duplin County praying that a Town be established in said County, which being read,

Mr. Gillispie moved for leave and presented in conformity to the prayer of the said Petition, a Bill for establishing a Town in Duplin County on the lands of William Houston, Senior; which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd from the House of Commons a Bill for the Inspection of Tobacco in the Town of Windsor. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Recd. likewise the Bill for annexing part of the County of Pitt to Beaufort County. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Recd. also a Bill to amend an act to impower the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the several Counties in this State to order the laying out Public Roads, and to establish and settle

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Ferries, and to appoint where bridges shall be built, and to clear inland Rivers and Creeks. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Mr. Bledsoe moved for leave and presented a Bill to prevent the distillation of spiritous liquors from Grain in the County of Davidson for a limited time; which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Bill for the relief of the Officers, Soldiers and Seamen who have been disabled in the service of the United States during the late War. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Adjourned till To-morrow morning 9 o’clock.


Thursday, 8 December, 1785.

The House met.

General Gregory, from the Committee of Privileges and Elections delivered in the following report, vizt.:

The Committee of Privileges and Elections to whom was referred the Complaint against Samuel Lockhart, Esquire, one of the sitting members in the Senate, report:

That they have taken the same under consideration, and it appears from Mr. Lockhart’s confession that on the day of his Election he was sheriff of the County of Northampton; it also appears that at that day he had not accounted for the public tax for 1784, and further that the returning officer was Mr. Lockhart’s Deputy. Your Committee are therefore of opinion that Mr. Lockhart ought not to hold a seat in the Senate. All which is submitted.

ISAAC GREGORY, Ch.

The House taking this report into consideration, resolved that they do concur therewith; whereupon,

Ordered that a writ of Election issue to the Sheriff of the County of Northampton for the Electing a Senator for the said County, and that this Election be made on the last Friday & Saturday in December, Instant.

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Mr. Stephen Miller, the Member for the County of Anson, appeared, presented his certificate, qualified agreeably to Law and took his seat.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Petition of Robert Simms. Endorsed, read and referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances; which being read, was referred in like manner and returned.

Recd. likewise the Memorial of George Alston. Endorsed, referred on the part of the House of Commons of Mr. P. Hawkins, Mr. Williamson, and Mr. Skinner; which being read was, on the part of this House, referred to Mr. Lewis, Mr. Hill, Mr. Moore and General Rutherford.

Recd. also the Petition of sundry persons in favour of Thomas Garrett. Endorsed in the House of Commons, read and referred to a joint Committee; the members appointed on the part of this House are Mr. Maclaine, Mr. Avery, and Mr. Hay; which being read was, on the part of the Senate, referred to General Skinner and Mr. Riddick.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Report of the Committee of Propositions and Grievances on the Petition of Ambrose Remsey, Esquire. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Recd. likewise the following Resolutions, vizt.:

The Resolve recommending to the Grand Committee to sit from day to day, &c., and

A Resolve for the Non-admission of Bills of a Private Nature after Saturday next; which being read, were concurred with and returned.

Recd. also the Bill to preclude certain foreigners therein mentioned from holding Office of profit or trust in this State, unless for meritorious services. Endorsed in the House of Commons, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and returned.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following Resolutions, to-wit:

The resolve of this House of the 3rd Inst., requesting his Excellency the Governor, to grant Warrants in favour of the late Auditors as therein mentioned.

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The Resolve of this House of yesterday declaring Robert Norris of Franklin County, no longer a Justice of the Peace for the said County, and

The Resolve of this House for suspending Thomas Espy of Lincoln County, from the Execution of the Office of a Justice of the Peace for said County. Each and every of them endorsed in the House of Commons, concurred with.

Recd. likewise the Bill to impower the several County Courts within this State to establish and lay off towns at their discretion. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, the same being read, was rejected.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Resolution of that Body requiring the late Governors of this State (who have not as yet rendered their accounts) and others, to lay them before this Assembly for their Inspection; which being read, was concurred with and returned

Recd. likewise the Bill for altering the place for holding Courts and other public meetings in the County of Wayne, and for removing the Court House and Prison from West Point to where John Fleetwood now lives. Endorsed in the House of Commons, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was rejected; Whereupon,

On motion of Mr. Mooring, seconded by Mr. Battle, ordered that the yeas and nays be taken on the question, which were as follows, vizt.:

For the passage of this Bill—Mr. Warrington, Mr. Easton, Mr. Relf, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Williams, Mr. Mooring, Mr. McCawley, Mr. Moore, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Payne, Mr. J. Armstrong, Mr. Bledsoe, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Hill, General McDowell and Mr. Lightfoot.—16.

Against the passage of this Bill and for rejecting it—Mr. Coor, Mr. Herritage, Mr. Miller, Mr. Harget, General Gregory, Mr. Riddick, Mr. Herndon, Mr. Etheridge, General Ramsey, Mr. Clinton, Mr. Gillispie, Mr. Harris, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Parsons, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Battle, Mr. Macon, Mr. Hines, General Skinner, Mr. Hawkins, General Rutherford, Mr. Spicer, Mr. T. Armstrong, Mr. Wynns, General Harrington and Mr. S. Miller.—27.

So this Bill was rejected.

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Mr. Lightfoot and General Harrington, according to order, presented the Bill to amend an act passed at Hillsborough the 27th of October, 1784, Entitled “an Act for appointing Collectors of the Imposts at the several Ports of the State, and for regulating the duty of Naval Officers, the Officers of the Customs and Masters of Vessels as by them amended,” which being read with the amendments, was passed the first time and returned to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons an additional Bill to an Act entitled “an act for raising a public revenue for the support of Government;” and to repeal an act entitled “an Act to suppress excessive gaming. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended, passed the second time and returned.

Recd. likewise the report of the joint Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Mr. William Linton. Endorsed in the House of Commons, read and concurred with; which being read was concurred with and returned.

Received also a Bill for levying a Tax for the support of Government, and to continue the redemption of Continental Money, old paper Currency, Specie and other Certificates. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill lie on the Table till Saturday next and that it be then read for the second time in this House.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill for the Inspection of Tobacco in the Town of Nashville. Endorsed in the House of Commons, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Mr. Lewis presented the Claims of William Webb and Conyers White, which being read were, on the part of this House, referred to General Harrington, Genl. Rutherford, Mr. Bryan and Mr. Macon and sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Riddick moved for leave and presented a Bill to amend an act for making provision for the poor; which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Petition of Doctor Robert T. Hornby of South Carolina. Endorsed, read and referred to

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the Committee on his Excellency the Governor’s message, and State Papers; which being read was referred in like manner and returned.

Mr. Gillispie moved for leave and presented the Petition of William King of Sampson County, which being read, was on motion of Mr. Gillispie, seconded by Mr. Lightfoot, referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Bill to impower the Justices of Tyrrell and Hertford Counties to establish Free Ferries in the said County and lay a tax for defraying the charges thereof. Endorsed, read the second time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read was amended by consent of the House of Commons, passed the second time and ordered to be Engrossed.

Recd. by way of the House of Commons a Message from His Excellency the Governor, addressed to the General Assembly, covering a letter from the Honourable John Sitgreaves, Esquire, one of the Delegates of this State in Congress, informing the Governor he will endeavour to serve a tour as such in the course of the present year and requesting that he would cause his name to be withdrawn from the nomination of Delegates to represent this State in Congress the next year, as his serving longer than one tour would interfere and injure too much his domestic concerns.

The message and letter above mentioned being read were ordered to be filed.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Bill for adding part of Craven County to Dobbs County. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and returned.

Recd. likewise the Bill impowering the Commissioner appointed to settle the Accounts between the United States and the State of North Carolina, or the Creditors of the United States within the same, to call Witnesses and examine the same upon oath or affirmation touching the said Accounts. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

On motion, ordered that General Harrington have leave to take out this Bill for amendment.

Mr. Lightfoot presented the Petition of Mr. Curtis Ivey relative

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to certain lands in Duplin County which being read, it was ordered that Mr. Lightfoot have leave to prepare and bring in a Bill granting the prayer of the said Petition.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill for incorporating the protestant Presbyterian Church of Wilmington. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Recd. likewise a Resolve of the House of Commons requesting His Excellency the Governor, to lay before the General Assembly a List of Warrants by him granted on the Treasury; which being read was concurred with and returned.

Recd. also the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We propose that both Houses of the Legislature adjourn till to-morrow at 3 of the Clock in the Evening, in order to make way for the Committee who have the public papers under their consideration, to prepare such business as arises out of them for the consideration of the Assembly.

This Message being read this House adjourned till to-morrow 3 of the Clock, P. M.


Friday, 9 December, 1785.

The House met.

When, agreeably to the Proposition of this House of the sixth Inst. concurred in by the House of Commons, they proceeded to the Conference Room where the ballots of both Houses were taken by the Gentlemen for that purpose appointed; which being done, Mr. Coor and Mr. Macon returned and reported as follows, to-wit:

That His Excellency Richard Caswell, Esquire, was elected Governor of the State for the ensuing year by a large majority of the votes of the General Assembly.

That James Glasgow, Esquire, was elected Secretary of the State.

That the Honourable Abner Nash, William Blount, Robert Burton, Charles Johnson, Timothy Bloodworth, and Nathaniel Macon, Esquires, were chosen Delegates, and

That Memucan Hunt, Esquire, was appointed public Treasurer for the State.

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The House taking this report into consideration resolved, That they do concur therewith.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning 9 o’clock.


Saturday, 10 December, 1785.

The House met.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill to appoint and enable————to collect and publish in one or more volumes all the Acts of the General Assembly which are now in force in this State. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Mr. Lightfoot moved for leave and presented a Bill to ratify and confirm a judgment of Duplin County Court in favour of John Sampson Young, which being read, was passed the first time and sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Williams moved for leave and presented a Bill to amend an act for establishing a town on the lands of Richard Evans, by the name of Martinborough, passed at New Bern in November, 1771; also one other act to amend the before recited act passed at New Bern in March, 1774; which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Herndon moved for leave and presented a Bill to impower Commissioners to build a Court House, Prison and Stocks in the County of Wilkes, and other purposes; which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Bill for levying a Tax in the District of Halifax to discharge a Balance due for repairing the Court House & Jail of said District. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and returned.

Mr. Lightfoot moved for leave and presented a Bill to erect a District Court of Law and Equity at Fayetteville, and other purposes; which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Clinton moved for leave and presented a Bill for laying out a Town on the lands of Jesse Peacock, in the County of Sampson,

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which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Herritage moved for leave and presented a Bill to vest the Estate of Richard Caswell, Junior, in Trustees for the benefit of his Creditors, which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Bledsoe moved for leave and presented a Bill for appointing a Register for registering Grants for lands lying west of the Cumberland Mountain, entered in the land office, with John Armstrong, Esquire, and for other purposes; which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Herritage moved for leave and presented a Bill for establishing an Academy at Kinston, in the County of Dobbs, which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following Bills, to-wit:

A Bill to prevent the stoppage of Fish from running up Cape Fear River, Deep River, Haw River and Rock River.

A Bill for the inspection of Tobacco in certain of the Western Counties, and

A Bill to establish a Town in the Fork of Cumberland and Red River, on the east side of Red River in Davidson County. Respectively Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were passed the first time and returned.

Recd. likewise a Bill to amend an act to impower the County Courts of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the several Counties in this State, to order the laying out of public roads and to establish and settle ferries, and to appoint where bridges shall be built, and to clear Inland Rivers and Creeks. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Recd. likewise a Bill to amend the several Acts heretofore passed for regulating the Town of Wilmington. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

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Recd. from the House a Bill for the regulation of Commerce. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read for the information of the House, which being accordingly read, was ordered to lie on the Table.

Recd. likewise a Bill to impower the County Courts of Johnston and Duplin, to levy a further tax on the Inhabitants of the said Counties for defraying the Expence of building the Court Houses, Prisons and Stocks of the same. Endorsed, read the second time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended by consent of the House of Commons, passed the second time and ordered to be Engrossed.

Mr. Sharpe moved for leave and presented a Bill to alter the times of holding several County Courts of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in this State, which was ordered to lie on the Table till Monday next.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Bill for altering the time of holding the County Court of Bertie. Endorsed, read the second time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Mr. Macon from the joint Committee appointed to receive from the public Treasurer and from the late District Treasurers such old Dollar Bills, together with such of the present Currency too much worn for circulation as might be handed them, and cause the same to be destroyed; delivered in the following report, vizt.:

That the Committe pursuant to their appointment had received from Memucan Hunt, Esquire, Public Treasurer, in old Dollar Bills the sum of one million one hundred and two thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight Dollars and an half; equal to four hundred and forty-one thousand one hundred and thirty-five pounds eight shillings; which by scale of depreciation is equal to five hundred and fifty-one pounds eight shillings and four pence specie, (£551 8 4), and in Bills of the present circulating currency which were too much worn for further use, the sum of eight hundred and twelve pounds two shillings (£812 2 0).

That they had likewise received of Green Hill, Esquire, formerly Treasurer of Halifax District, in old Dollar Bills the sum of four hundred and sixty-seven thousand three hundred and fifty-nine dollars

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and an half; being one hundred and eighty-seven thousand and thirty-seven pounds fourteen shillings; which by the scale of depreciation is equal to two hundred and thirty-three pounds thirteen shillings and six pence (£233 13 6); and

That they had received of Joseph Cain, Esquire, formerly Treasurer of Wilmington District, in old Dollar Bills, the sum of one hundred and five thousand nine hundred and fifty-one Dollars, amounting to forty-two thousand three hundred and eighty pounds twelve shillings, which by the scale of depreciation is equal to twenty-one pounds three shillings and nine pence specie (£21 3 9), which several sums, amounting in the whole to one thousand six hundred and eighteen pounds seven shillings and seven pence, they had caused to be burned.

J. MACON, Ch.

The House taking this report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith and ordered that it be sent to the House of Commons.

The additional Bill to an act intitled “an Act for raising a public Revenue for the support of Government,” and to repeal an act entitled “an Act to suppress excessive gaming,” was read the third time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill to amend an act intitled “an Act for raising a public Revenue for the support of Government.” Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was rejected; whereupon,

On motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. Hill, ordered that the yeas and nays be taken on this question, which were as follows, vizt.:

For the passage of this Bill—Mr. J. Miller, Mr. Etheridge, Mr. T. Armstrong, Mr. I. Armstrong, Mr. Parsons, Mr. Hill, Mr. Macon, General McDowell, Mr. Harris, Mr. Lighfoot, General Harrington and Mr. S. Miller.—12.

Against the passage of this Bill and for rejecting it—Mr. Coor, Mr. Warrington, Mr. Herritage, Mr. Harget, General Gregory, Mr. Easton, Mr. Relf, Mr. Williams, Mr. Mooring, Mr. McCawley, Mr. Payne, Mr. Clinton, Mr. Gillispie, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Harris, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Battle, Mr. McCullock, Mr. Brown, Mr. Haskins, General Rutherford, Mr. Spicer.—24.

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So this Bill was rejected.

On motion of Mr. Lightfoot, ordered that he have leave to prepare and present on Monday next, a Bill for establishing an inspection for Tobacco at Spring Bank, in Wayne County.

Recd. from the House of Commons the claims of William Webb and Conyers White. Endorsed, referred to Mr. Neale, Mr. Martin and Mr. R. Riddick.

Recd. by way of the House of Commons a Message from His Excellency the Governor, addressed to the General Assembly, together with sundry public leters enclosed. Endorsed in the House of Commons, read and referred to the Committee on His Excellency the Governor’s former message, &c., which being read, were referred as by the House of Commons and returned.

Recd. likewise the copy of a letter from the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to the Secretary of the Congress of the United States, accompanied by a letter from the Secretary of Congress addressed to His Excellency the Governor, of North Carolina. Each indorsed in the House of Commons, read and referred to the Committee on Mr. Bloodworth’s letter, which being read, were referred as by the House of Commons.

Recd. also the Petition of William King, of Sampson County. Endorsed in the House of Commons, referred as by the Senate.

Mr. Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Honourable Richard Dobbs Spaight, Esquire, enclosing his account as late Delegate from this State in Congress, which being read, were referred to a special Committee; the members chosen on the part of this House were General Harrington and Mr. Lightfoot.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Resolution of this House of the 2nd Inst., in favour of George Lambkin. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Recd. likewise the Memorial of James Lockhart of Johnston County. Endorsed in the House of Commons, read and referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances, which being read, was referred in like manner.

On motion of Mr. Harget ordered that he have leave to absent himself from the service of this House until Tuesday next.

On motion agreed that James Gillispie and Guilford Dudley be added to the nomination for a Council of State.

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On motion of Mr. Hill, ordered that he have leave to absent himself from the service of this House after Thursday next.

On motion of Mr. Spicer, ordered that he have leave of absence for a few days.

On motion of Mr. Lightfoot, seconded by Mr. Macon, Resolved,

That the following message be sent to his late Excellency Richard Caswell, Esquire.

Sir:

Yesterday the General Assembly proceeded to the choice of a Governor when you, Sir, was elected to that high and important station and have appointed Monday next, at the State House, for your qualification in the usual form.

Ordered that the following with the foregoing message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We propose that the message sent you herewith be presented to the Honourable Richard Caswell, Esquire. Should it meet your approbation General Harrington and Mr. Lightfoot will, on the part of this House, attend him with the same; We have added Mr. James Gillispie and Mr. Guilford Dudley in the nomination for a Council of State.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill for the Inspection of Tobacco in the County of Surry. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, the same being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Recd. likewise a Bill for appointing a Treasurer in the District of Edenton for the purpose of calling to account the Commissioners for building a public Gaol in the District aforesaid. Endorsed, read the second time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended by consent of the House of Commons, passed the second time and ordered to be Engrossed.

Adjourned till 3 of the Clock p. m.

The House met according to adjournment.

Then pursuant to a former vote of both Houses on that head, they proceeded to a balloting for a Council of State, and for the place

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where the next General Assembly shall be held; which being closed Mr. Macon and Mr. Coor, appointed on the part of this House to superintend the same, returned and delivered in the following report:

That on closing the balloting it appeared that James Gillispie, Joseph Leech, John Hawks, John Spicer and Doctor William McClure were elected members of the Council of State. That no place had a majority of the votes of both Houses of the General Assembly for their next session. That there remains yet two members of the Council of State to be elected and that James Armstrong, Esquire, and Joseph Green, Esquire, had the greatest number of votes of any gentlemen in nomination for members of the Council of State who were not elected.

The House taking the foregoing report into consideration, Resolved, that they do concur therewith. The other matter to this day referred being postponed the House adjourned till Monday morning 9 o’clock.


Monday, 12 December, 1783.

The House met.

On motion of General Rutherford, seconded by Mr. Brown, ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

The Senate propose if agreeable to the House of Commons to proceed immediately to the election of two Delegates to represent this State in Congress the present year, the two Councillors of State yet to be chosen and the place at which the next Assembly shall be held; and put in nomination for Delegates William Cumming and John Baptist Ashe, Esquires; for Councillors Spyers Singleton, Green Hill, Joseph Green, Guilford Dudley, Doctor King and Abram Shepperd, Esquires, and for the place at which the next Assembly shall be held the Towns of New Bern and Fayetteville.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following Message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We agree to ballot immediately for two delegates to serve for the remainder of the present year in the Room and stead of Mr. Spaight and Mr. Osborne, who have declined serving; for the place of holding the next Assembly and two Councillors. Mr. Ashe has

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directed his name to be withdrawn from the nomination of Delegates. We add to your nomination for Delegates James White and William Walters, Esquires.

The Message being read the House proceeded to the Conference Room in order to ballot, which being ended Mr. Macon and Mr. Coor, appointed on the part of this House to superintend the same, returned and reported as followeth, vizt.:

That William Cumming and James White, Esquires, were elected Delegates in addition to those heretofore appointed to represent this State in Congress the present year.

That Green Hill, Esquire, was chosen one of the members of the Council of State.

That the Town of Fayetteville was made choice of as the place at which the next Assembly shall be held, and

That there yet remains one member of the Council of State to be ballotted for.

The House taking this report into consideration resolved that they do concur therewith.

Pursuant to the vote of the General Assembly of Saturday last General Harrington and Mr. Lightfoot, appointed on the part of this House, accompanied by Mr. Ashe and Mr. Neale, appointed on the part of the House of Commons, now proceeded to the lodgings of his Excellency Richard Caswell, Esquire, in order to conduct him into the presence of the General Assembly which having done (both Houses being previously assembled in the Conference Room) His Excellency Richard Caswell, Esquire, was qualified, by repeating and subscribing the State Oath of Office in presence of the General Assembly.

Adjourned till 4 o’clock P. M.

The House met according to adjournment.

General Rutherford moved for leave and presented a Bill for the more speedy determining of disputes that hath arisen, or hereafter may arise from erecting Mill-dams, and to prevent persons from building as herein described; which being read, was passed the first time and sent to the House of Commons:

Recd. from the House of Commons the following Bills, to-wit:

A Bill to impower the Wardens of the Poor to call to account all former sheriffs. Clerks of County Courts, and other persons who

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have not accounted for taxes and fines by them received which are appropriated or intended for the support of the poor, and

A Bill to alter the manner of holding the Elections for members of the General Assembly for New Hanover County. Respectively endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were passed the first time and returned.

Pursuant to the order of the Day the Bill to alter the times of holding several County Courts of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in this State was read, passed the first time and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Bill to allow a further time for saving Lotts in the Several Towns in this State. Endorsed, read the second time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Agreeably to the order of Saturday last the House resumed the consideration of the Bill for the regulation of Commerce; which being read, was passed the first time and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the report of the joint Committee appointed to consider of the best and most expeditious mode by which the laws and Journals of the State may be printed, together with a Resolution of the House of Commons consequent thereon, which being read was rejected; whereupon,

Ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

This House cannot concur with your Resolution for accepting the proposals of Messrs. Arnett and Hodge, relative to the printing the public Acts of the State, but propose that Martin and Co., be employed to perform the public printing, and that they be allowed the sum of three hundred pounds for such service; on giving Bond to His Excellency the Governor in the sum of ten thousand pounds with Security to be approved of by him, for the faithful performance of such duties as shall be herafter enjoined them in the premises; they having made the following proposals, to-wit: That they will print twelve hundred copies of the Acts and forward a proportionable

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part of them to the several Districts, vizt.: To Edenton, to New Bern, to Wilmington, to Salisbury, to Halifax, to Hillsborough, to Morgan, and to Washington District; together with sixteen copies of the Journals of the General Assembly which are to be forwarded to each member; also, to print all Proclamations and Resolutions of Assembly which may be ordered in Hand-Bills, and to find paper to compleat the business of the public printing, and tender as Securities for the performance of all and every of the above Contracts John W. Stanly and Isaac Guion, Esquires.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Letter and Account of the Honourable Richard Dobbs Spaight, Esquire, as late Delegate from this State to Congress. Endorsed, referred to Mr. Polk, Mr. Dickens, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Montfort.

Recd. likewise a Resolution of the House of Commons relative to the Claim of Waightstill Avery, Esquire, on the public for services performed when acting as Attorney General for the State; which being read, was concurred with and returned.

Adjourned till To-morrow morning 9 o’clock.


Tuesday, 13 December, 1785.

The House met.

On motion of Mr. Wynns, seconded by Mr. Armstrong, Resolved, That John Armistead be allowed the sum of seventy-eight pounds twelve shillings current money, being the sum contained in a warrant drawn on the Treasury of His Excellency Governor Martin, for articles furnished the Army, bearing the date the 27th day of October, 1783, which Warrant together with this Resolve shall be a sufficient voucher to the Treasurer for paying the same in the settlement of his accounts with the public.

Ordered that this resolve be sent to the House of Commons for concurrence.

Mr. Gillispie from the Committee of Propositions and Grievances to whom was referred the Memorial of Robert Harris, and the Bond of Mr. Henry McCullock relative to the subject matter of the said Memorial, delivered in the following report, vizt.:

That after considering the premises the Committee are of opinion that a title be made in fee to James Cash for the lands mentioned in the Bond and Memorial.

JAMES GILLISPIE, Ch.
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The House taking this Report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith; Whereupon,

Mr. Gillispie moved for leave and presented a Bill to vest a Piece or parcel of land lying in Granville County, in James Cash and his Heirs in Fee Simple; which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

On motion of General Rutherford, seconded by Mr. McCawley, Resolved, That General Harrington, Mr. Lightfoot, Mr. Coor, Mr. McCullock, and Mr. Brown, be a Committee on the part of this House to prepare and bring in a Bill to amend and explain the ambiguities in the confiscation Laws, respecting the sales of property made under them; and that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We propose that a joint Committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a Bill to amend and explain the ambiguities in the confiscation Laws, respecting the sales of property made under them; and have for that purpose on our part appointed General Harrington, Mr. Lightfoot, Mr. Coor, Mr. McCullock and Mr. Brown a Committee.

On motion of Mr. Macon, it was ordered that pursuant to the order of the day of Thursday last, the Bill for levying a Tax for the support of Government and to continue the redemption of Continental money, old Paper, Currency, Specie and other certificates, be read, which being accordingly read was amended, passed the second time and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Report of the Comptroller of the public accounts of the State, addressed to the General Assembly pursuant to their resolve on that head, accompanied by his statement of the accounts of this State against the Continent. Endorsed, read and referred to the Committee appointed to report on the Treasurer’s accounts; which being read, was referred as by the House of Commons.

General Harrington to whom was committed for amendment, the Bill impowering the Commissioners appointed to settle the accounts between the United States and the State of North Carolina, or the Creditors of the United States with the same; to call witnesses and to examine the same upon Oath or affirmation touching the same

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accounts, delivered in the said Bill; which being read as by him amended, was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

General Harrington presented the Memorial and account of General Rutherford, setting forth that on the Books of the Comptroller of the public accounts, there appeared to be a balance due from him to the public, for which he had in truth heretofore accounted, which Memorial and account being read were referred to a special Committee; the members chosen on the part of this House were General Harrington, Mr. McCawley and Mr. Gillispie; which being done this Memorial and account were sent to the House of Commons.

Whereas, it hath been made appear to the General Assembly that sundry Waggons and Teams were sent to or with the Continental line of this State to South Carolina, which were not fit for service and which were ordered to be sold by the Commanding Officer of the said line for Army settlements; Be it therefore,

Resolved, That the Treasurer be required and impowered to receive Army settlement Certificates in payment of the Bonds given for the Waggons and Teams sold by order of the Commanding Officer as aforesaid.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for Concurrence.

Mr. Bledsoe moved for leave and presented a Bill to establish a Superior Court of Law and Equity in the County of Davidson, which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Memorial and Account of General Rutherford. Endorsed, read and referred to Mr. Skinner, Mr. Lock, Mr. McKissick and Mr. Person.

Recd. likewise the Bill for altering the place of holding the County Court of Beaufort County from Bath to the Town of Washington in said County, and to erect a Court House, Prison, Stocks and Pillory in said County. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

General Rutherford moved for leave and presented a Bill to enable the Public Treasurer more effectually to recover public monies that are now due, or hereafter may become due, which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

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Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill for the relief of the Widows and Children of Officers who have died in the service of the United States. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Recd. likewise the Memorial of Doctor Charles Pasteur. Endorsed, read and referred to a joint Committee; the members appointed on the part of the House of Commons are Doctor Williamson, Mr. P. Hawkins and Mr. Ben Williams; which being read, was on the part of this House, referred to Mr. Payne, Mr. Alexander and Mr. Hill.

Recd. also a Bill for appointing Commissioners in the County of Rutherford, for building a Court House, Prison and Stocks in the said County, and for levying a tax for defraying the expence thereof. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and returned.

Mr. Coor presented the Petition of Edward McNeal, which was read and referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances, and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following Bills, to-wit:

A Bill for recovering part of the Artillery belonging to this State, and

The Bill to prevent the distillation from Spirituous Liquors from Grain, in the County of Davidson. Each endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read were, passed, the former the first and the latter the second time and returned.

Mr. Easton moved for leave and presented a Bill to encourage the Destruction of Bears, Wolves and other Wild and destructive Creatures in the several Counties within this State, which was read the first time and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd from the House of Commons a Bill for confirming Titles to Lands therein Described. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Recd. likewise the following Bills, vizt.:

The Bill for erecting a Town on the lands of Whitmill Hill, Esquire, in Martin County.

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The Bill to amend an act to establish the Town of Morgan and to direct the building a Court House and Prison in the same, for the District of Morgan; and

The Bill to establish a Town in the Fork of Cumberland and Red River, on the East side of Red River, in Davidson County. Respectively endorsed, read the second time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were passed the second time and ordered to be Engrossed.

Mr. Gillispie, from the Committee of Propositions and Grievances to whom was referred the Petition of Mercy Bedford, reported as followeth, vizt.:

That after mature deliberation on the premises the Committee are of opinion that she be impowered to dispose of the personal Estate, or so much thereof as she may think most expedient for the support of herself and children; also to collect the debts due to her Husband, Jonas Bedford, and that the landed Estate of said Jonas be vested in the Heirs, Male and Female, of the said Jonas and Mercy Bedford.

JAMES GILLISPIE, Ch. Ch.

The House taking this Report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith and ordered that it be sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Gillispie, from the Committee of Propositions and Grievances, to whom was referred the Petition of William King, delivered in the following Report, vizt.:

That on considering the different matters alluded to in the said Petition, your Committee find that the Petitioner in the Month of November, 1780, did furnish Mr. Dodd, Commissioner of Specific Supplies for the County of Duplin, Fifty-five head of Good Beef Cattle, worth four pounds Specie per head, for which Mr. Dodd was to pay him Cash in a short time. That it appears also to your Committee that the greater part of the said Cattle were purchased on credit by Mr. King, for the payment of which sums he is much embarrassed.

That it also appears to your Committee that the sum of two hundred and twenty pounds is a balance which still remains unpaid to your Petitioner, and will add much to his inconveniences, being a man of small property. All which is submitted.

JAMES GILLISPIE, Ch. Ch.
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The House taking this Report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith.

Mr. Gillispie, from the Committee of Propositions and Grievances, likewise delivered in the following report on the Petition of Mr. John Walker, vizt.:

That it appears to your Committee that Mr. Walker put five negro men slaves into the public service under the Command of Florence McCarthy, acting Deputy Quarter Master at Wilmington, to be employed in conveying public Stores from the Town, on the approach of part of the British army under the command of Major Craig; that after the said slaves continued in the service some time Mr. Walker sent a certain Wm. Sharpless to demand the said slaves and was refused by the said McCarthy; and it appears form the certificates of the said Florence McCarthy that said Negroes were lost in the service; for which five negroes Mr. Walker charges seven hundred and fifty pounds. All which is submitted.

JAMES GILLISPIE, Ch. Ch.

The House taking this report into consideration, Resolved, That it is the opinion of this House, that no allowance be made for the negroes above mentioned.

Mr. Hill moved for leave and presented a Bill to impower the Commissioners therein mentioned, to sell the palace and public Lotts to the same, belonging in the Town of New Bern; which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following Bills, to-wit:

The Bill to establish the town laid off at Guilford Court House by the name of Martinville.

The Bill for dividing the County of Guilford, and

The Bill for establishing a town on the lands of Mial Scurlock, decd., in Chatham County. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were passed the third and last time in this House.

General Harrington presented the Claim of George Hicks against the public, which being read, was referred to the Committee of Claims and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Bill for the promotion of

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learning in the County of Davidson. Endorsed, read the second time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be Engrossed.

Recd. likewise a Bill for laying out a town on the lands of Jesse Peacock in the County of Sampson. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended, passed the second time and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. also a Bill for the Inspection of Tobacco in the Town of Windsor. Endorsed, read the second time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be Engrossed.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill for establishing a Town in Duplin County on the lands of William Houston, Senior. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended, passed the second time and returned.

Recd. likewise the Bill to impower Robertson Mumford and James Porterfield to receive storage for Tobacco inspected and deposited in their Ware House or Houses at Fayetteville. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and returned.

Mr. Gillispie, from the Committee of Propositions and Grievances, to whom was referred the Memorial of Robert Symms, reported as followeth, vizt.:

That after mature delieration on the premises, your Committee are of opinion that the Public Treasurer allow him the sum of one hundred and Eighty pounds two shillings and seven pence currency; and the sum of five hundred and thirty-two pounds fourteen shillings & six pence in Certificates in the settlement of his public accounts, in consequence of his being robbed as appears to this Committee on the fifteenth day of April, 1784.

JAMES GILLISPIE, Ch. Ch.

The House taking this report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith, and ordered that it be sent to the House of Commons.

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Mr. Gillispie, from the Committee of Propositions and Grievances, likewise delivered in the following report, vizt.:

That after having maturely considered the Petition of Hezekiah Alexander the Committee are of opinion that it be rejected.

That having also considered of the Petitions of James Maxwell, Major Croom, Abraham Markhoe, Jane Spurgin and James Britain the Committee are of opinion that they respectively be rejected.

JAMES GILLISPIE, Ch. Ch.

The House taking this report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith, and ordered that it be sent to the House of Commons.

General Rutherford, from the Committee to whom was referred the Petition of George Alston, reported as followeth, vizt.:

It appearing to your Committee that Doubt may in future arise with respect to Mr. Alston’s being entitled to the privileges of a free Citizen; they recommend his case as a singular one and that he be restored to the rights of Citizenship.

That it also appears to your Committee the said George Alston did before his departure to Europe give unto a certain Mary Alston Bell a Tract or Parcel of land lying in Granville County, containing about two hundred and seventy Acres, which the said George purchased of Malachi Reeves and Ann Hopkins; also a negro boy named Cæsar; on which your Committee recommend that a Bill be brought in to vest in the said Mary Alston Bell the title of the said Lands and Negro.

GRIFFITH RUTHERFORD, Ch.

The House taking this report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith and ordered that it be sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Gillispie, from the Committee of Propositions and Grievances, to whom was referred the Petition of Hannah Davis, reported as followeth, vizt.:

That after mature deliberation on the premises your Committee are of opinion that the County Court make provision for the same agreeable to law.

JAMES GILLISPIE, Ch. Ch.
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The House taking this report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith and ordered that it be sent to the House of Commons.

General Harrington, from the Committee to whom was referred the Letter from the Honourable Timothy Bloodworth, Esquire, delivered in the following report, vizt.:

That it is the opinion of your Committee that the Treasurer pay to Mr. Bloodworth immediately one hundred and twenty pounds now in his hands, and that the Collector of Port Brunswick be directed to pay Mr. Bloodworth’s draft with the first money that shall come to his hands, in preference to any other.

HENRY W. HARRINGTON, Ch.

The House taking this report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith, and ordered that it be sent to the House of Commons.

Adjourned till To-morrow Morning 9 o’clock.


Wednesday, 14 December, 1785.

The House met.

Mr. Payne presented a letter from General Skinner informing the House of his having received and acepted a Commission from Congress appointing him Treasurer of the Continental Loan Office for this State, and observing that in consequence thereof, his seat became vacant; which being read,

Resolved, That a Writ of Election issue to the County of Pasquotank for the election of a member to represent the said County in the Senate in the stead of General William Skinner, whose seat hath become vacant in consequence of his having accepted the appointment above mentioned.

Read the Affidavit of Andrew Kennedy setting forth that he had lost a certificate of allowance made him by the Board of Auditors for Salisbury District; whereupon,

Resolved, That on application of Andrew Kennedy the Comptroller be directed to re-issue him a Certificate for one hundred and sixtyfour pounds four shillings, in lieu of one heretofore issued for the same sum and lost.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for concurrence.

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General Rutherford presented the Claim of Captain William Wilson, wounded in the service of the public, from which it appears he had paid of his private fortune considerable sums of money to Doctors and others for the cure of his wounds received when in the public service as aforesaid, whereupon,

Resolved, that the said Captain William Wilson be allowed the sum of six pounds fourteen shillings as a reimbursement for the expenditures aforesaid, that the Treasurer pay him the same and be allowed in the settlement of his public accounts.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for Concurrence.

Mr. Brown moved for leave and presented a Bill to impower Commissioners to liquidate the accounts of the Officers and Soldiers of the Continental line of this State; which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

General Rutherford presented the resignation of John Johnston as Major of the Rowan Regiment of Militia; which was read, accepted and sent to the House of Commons.

Resolved, That on account of the indigence of the late Andrew Bostian set forth by Petition that the administrators of the Estate be released from the payment of the Bonds given for four tracts of land by him purchased under the Confiscation Laws and that the said lands revert to the State and remain as if it had never been sold.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for concurrence.

General Harrington moved for leave and presented a Bill to amend an act passed at New Bern in 1784, entitled “an Act to describe and ascertain such persons who owed allegiance to this State”; which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Resolution of this House in favour of Captain William Wilson. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Recd. likewise the following Bills, vizt.:

The Bill for the Inspection of Tobacco in the Town of Nashville.

The Bill for the Inspection of Tobacco in certain Western Counties.

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The Bill for establishing a Town on the Lands of Luke Mizzle and William Mackay in Martin County; and

The Bill for the better regulation of the Town of Tarborough. Respectively endorsed, read the second time, amended and pass  

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were passed the second time and ordered to be Engrossed.

Recd. also the Bill to vest the Estate of Richard Caswell, Jun., in Trustees for the benefit of his Creditors. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended, passed the second time and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Bill to secure and quiet in their possessions, all such persons, their Heirs and Assigns, who have purchased or may hereafter purchase Lands, Tenements, Goods and Chattels which have been sold or may hereafter be sold by Commissioners of forfeited Estates legally appointed for that purpose. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and returned.

Recd. by way of the House of Commons a Message from His, Excellency the Governor, addressed to the General Assembly, accompanied by a list of Warrants issued on the Treasury since the Commencement of his administration; and likewise by sundry books relative to his proceedings during the time of his acting as Comptroller of the public accounts of this State. Endorsed in the House of Commons, read and referred to the Committee appointed to report on the Treasurer’s accounts; which being read, were referred in like manner and returned.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill to amend an act passed at Hillsborough for regulating the Town of Halifax. Endorsed, read the second time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was laid over till next Assembly.

Adjourned till 4 o’clock P. M.

Met according to adjournment.

Received from the House of Commons the Report of the joint Committee on that letter of the Honourable Timothy Bloodworth, Esquire,

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and the Resolve of this House in favour of Andrew Bostian, decd. Respectively endorsed, read and concurred with.

Mr. J. Armstrong presented the resignation of Salathiel Martin, as one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Surry, which was read, accepted and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. fom the House of Commons the resignation of John Johnston, as Major of the Rowan Regiment of Militia. Endorsed, read and accepted.

Recd. likewise the following message, to-wit:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

This House cannot concur with the reports of the Committees; the one on the Memorial of George Alston and the other on the Petition of Mercy Bedford as they stand, but propose that they be recommitted.

This proposition being read, ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We agree for the Petition of Mr. George Alston and the Memorial of Mercy Bedford to be again committed.

Recd. fom the House of Commons the Claim of George Hicks. Endorsed, read and referred as by the Senate.

Recd. likewise the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We do not concur with the report of the Committee of Propositions and Grievances on the Claim of John Bartholomew and Edwin Harris, but propose that they be recommitted.

This proposition being read, ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We agree that the Claims of John Bartholomew and Edwin Harris be again committed.

Recd. fom the House of Commons the Report of the Committee of Propositions and Grievances on the Petition of Mrs. Hannah Davis. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Mr. Clinton presented the resignation of Rice Blackman, as one of the Justice of the Peace for the County of Sampson, which was read, accepted and sent to the House of Commons.

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Mr. Sharpe presented the resignation of Windsor Peace, as one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Randolph, which was read, accepted and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following Bills, vizt.:

The Bill to impower the Commissioners of the Town of Edenton to convey part of the Town Common to the Trustees of Smith’s Academy.

The Bill for securing literary property.

The Bill to impower the County Wardens of the Poor for the Counties therein mentioned, to build Houses in their respective Counties for the reception of the Poor, and other purposes.

The Bill to amend an Act entitled “an Act for opening the land office, and other purposes.”

The Bill to amend “an Act to empower the County Courts of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the several Counties in this State to order the laying out of public roads, and to establish and settle ferries, and to appoint where bridges shall be built, and to clear inland Rivers and Creeks.”

The Bill for impowering the County Courts of Johnston and Duplin to levy a further tax on the Inhabitants of said Counties for defraying the expence of building the Court House, Prison and Stocks in the same.

The Bill to impower the Justices of Hertford and Tyrrell Counties to establish free ferries in the said Counties and to lay a tax for defaying the charges of the same; and

The Bill for the relief of the Officers, Soldiers and Seamen who have been disabled in the service of the United States during the late war. Each and every of them endorsed, read the third time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were passed the third and last time by this House.

Adjourned till To-morrow morning 9 o’clock.


Thursday, 25 December, 1785.

The House met.

On motion of Mr. Gillispie, seconded by Mr. Macon, ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

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Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We propose that the Councillor yet to be made choice of be ballotted for at 4 of the Clock this Evening, and nominate Dr. King and Spyers Singleton, Esquire.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill to direct the proceedings of proving Wills and granting letters of administration. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Recd. likewise the following Bills, to-wit:

A Bill increasing the jurisdiction of the County Courts of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, and of the Justices of the Peace out of Court, and directing the times of holding the several Courts in this State; and

A Bill for erecting the Counties of Richmond, Johnston, Cumberland, Sampson and Moore into one district, and appointing a Superior Court of Law and Equity to be held for the said Counties, and for altering the times for holding the Courts of the said Counties, within the said District, and for erecting a District Court House and Gaol. Respectively endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, the former passed the first time & returned and the latter was rejected.

Recd. also the Bill to appoint and enable Abner Nash, Esquire, to collect and publish in one or more volumes all the Acts of the General Assembly, which are now in force in this State. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be again read, which being read, was rejected.

On motion of Mr. John Armstrong, ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

It is the opinion of this House that a new Dedimus issue to the County of Surry for the qualification of the Gentlemen named in the list herewith sent you, as Justices of the Peace for the said County.

Adjourned till 4 of the Clock P. M.

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Met according to adjournment.

On motion of General Ramsey, seconded by Mr. Riddick, Resolved, That Mr. Coor, Mr. Moore, General Harrington, Mr. Macon, Mr. Spicer and Mr. Lewis be added to the Committee appointed to report on the Treasurer’s accounts, and that the House of Commons have notice hereof by the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We have added Mr. Coor, Mr. Moore, General Harrington, Mr. Macon, Mr. Spicer, and Mr. Lewis to the Committee appointed to consider of and report on the Public Treasurer’s Account.

Adjourned till To-morrow morning 9 o’clock.


Friday, 16 December, 1785.

The House met.

Pursuant to a former order on that head the Bill for increasing the number of Judges for dividing the Superior Courts into different Circuits for establishing a Court for the decision of appeals, Writs of Error, and matters of Law, and Causes in Equity, was read, amended, passed the first time and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. fom the House of Commons the following Bills, to-wit:

A Bill to impose certain taxes on Law Proceedings.

A Bill to extend the line between Burke and Rutherford Counties, and

A Bill directing that Marriage Settlements, Contracts, &c., shall be registered. Respectively endorsed, read the first time and passed

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were passed the first time and returned.

Recd. likewise the following Bills, vizt.:

The Bill for establishing an Academy at Kinston, in the County of Dobbs; and

The Bill to establish a Superior Court of Law and Equity in the County of Davidson. Each endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were amended, passed the second time and returned.

Mr. Macon presented the Memorial of Charles McDowell, Esquire, Brigadier General of the District of Morgan, setting forth that a large sum of money appears to have been drawn by Colonel Hugh Brevard and Colonel John Carter, for the purpose of paying Soldiers Bounties for which as Commanding Officer he stands charged on the

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Comptroller’s Books, which being read, was referred to the Committee appointed to report on the Treasurer’s accounts and sent to the House of Commons.

On motion, Resolved, That Mr. Herndon be added to the Committee last mentioned, and that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We have added to the Committee appointed to report on the Treasurer’s accounts, Mr. Herndon.

Recd. from the House of Commons the resignations of Rice Blackman and Salathiel Martin, as Justices of the Peace, the former for Sampson and the latter for Surry County. Endorsed, read and accepted.

General Rutherford, from the Committee to whom was recommitted the Memorial of George Alston, reported as followeth, vizt.:

It appearing to your Committee, that doubts may arise in future with respect to Mr. Alston being entitled to the privileges of a free Citizen, we recommend his case as a singular one, and that he be restored to all the rights of Citizenship; that it also appears to your Committee, the said George Alston did before his departure to Europe, give unto a certain Mary Alston Bell, a Tract or Parcel of Land lying in Granville County, containing about two hundred and seventy Acres, which the said George purchased of Malachi Reeves and Ann Hopkins, also a negro Boy named Cæsar; on which your Committee recommend that a Bill be brought in to vest in the said ary Alston Bell the title of the said Land and Negro; observing always that nothing herein is meant to restore the said Alston to any Estate or any part thereof forfeited to the public by any of the confiscation Laws. All which is submitted.

GRIFFITH RUTHERFORD, Ch.

The House taking this report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith, and ordered that it be sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill for emitting one hundred thousand pounds paper Currency for the purposes therein expressed. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

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Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned; whereupon,

On motion of Mr. Payne, seconded by Mr. Macon, ordered that the yeas and nays be taken on the passage of this Bill which were as follows, to-wit:

For the passage of the Bill—Mr. Warrington, Mr. Herritage, Mr. Miller, Mr. Harget, Mr. Easton, Mr. Relf, Mr. Jones, Mr. Herndon, Mr. Etheridge, Mr. Williams, Mr. Mooring, Mr. McCawley, Mr. Moore, General Ramsey, Mr. Lewis, Mr. T. Armstrong, Mr. Clinton, Mr. Bledsoe, Mr. Gillispie, Mr. Harris, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Parson, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Alexander, General McDowell, Mr. Hines, Mr. Brown, Mr. Hawkins, General Rutherford, Mr. Spicer, General Harrington, Mr. F. Miller, Mr. I. Armstrong, Mr. Coor and Mr. Griffin.—36.

Against the passage of this Bill and for rejecting it—General Gregory, Mr. Riddick, Mr. Payne, Mr. Macon, Mr. Battle, Mr. McCullock and Mr. Wynns.—7.

So the Bill was passed.

Recd. by way of the House of Commons a message from His Excellency the Governor, addressed to the General Assembly, submitting to the consideration of the two Houses certain amendments by him proposed to be made in such Grants for Lands, military and other Commissions as may hereafter be issued; which being read, Resolved, That this House do approve of the same; whereupon,

Ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

It is the opinion of this House that the amendments proposed by His Excellency the Governor, to be made in the style of Grants and Commissions hereafter to be issued, be adopted.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Memorial of Mr. Benjamin Seawell. Endorsed, read and referred as by the Senate.

Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill to amend the Acts passed for purchasing a Lott or Lotts in the Town of Wilmington for the purposes of building a Jail for the District of Wilmington & for repairing the Court House of said District. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

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Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning 9 o’clock.


Saturday, 17 December, 1785.

The House met.

General McDowell presented the Memorial of Philip Alston, of Moore County, praying that an act of pardon may be passed in his favour, freeing him from the consequences which may arise from his having put to death a certain Thomas Taylor, a person disaffected to the State, which being read, was referred to a Special Committee; the members chosen on the part of this House were Mr. McCawley, General Rutherford, General McDowell and General Harrington.

Mr. Payne, from the Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of Mr. Benjamin Seawell, reported as followeth, vizt.:

That after taking the premises under consideration, your Committee are of opinion that the Memoralist’s Claims do not come with propriety before the General Assembly and therefore no allowance ought to be made.

MICHAEL PAYNE, Ch.

The House taking this Report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith, and ordered that it be sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

This House cannot concur with the report of the Committee on the Memorial of Mr. Alston as it was agreed to by the Senate, but propose deleing all but the part thereof which recommends that a Bill be brought in to vest in Mary Alston Bell the Land and Negro therein mentioned; if the Senate will make the Report conformable to this Proposition the Commons will then concur with it.

This Proposition being read, ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We agree to your proposed amendment in the report of the Committee on the Memorial of George Alston, and have made the amendment accordingly.

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Recd. from the House of Commons a Memorial from the Treasurer of the State. Endorsed, read and referred to a joint Committee; the members chosen on the part of this House are Mr. Williamson, Mr. Person and Mr. Blount; which being read was, on the part of the Senate, referred to Mr. Coor and Mr. Macon.

Mr. Lewis moved for leave and presented a Bill vesting certain property lying in the County of Granville in Mary Alston Bell in fee simple; which being read, was passed the first time and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Bill to enable the Public Treasurer more effectually to recover public monies that are now due, or hereafter may become due. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended, passed the second time and returned.

Recd. likewise the Memorial of Messrs. Stanleys, of the Town of New Bern, Merchants. Endorsed, in the House of Commons, read and referred to a joint Committee; the members chosen on the part of this House are Mr. Williamson, Mr. Person and Mr. Blount; which being read was, on the part of the Senate, referred to General Harrington, Mr. Coor and Mr. Easton and returned.

General Harrington presented the Memorial of General Gregory, setting forth that he had formerly received money to a considerable amount for the purpose of paying bounties to Militia Soldiers, a part of which, owing to its rapid depreciation, he never expended and for which he now stood charged on the Comptroller’s Books; praying the Assembly to take order thereon; which being read, was referred to the Committee to whom was referred the accounts of General Rutherford, and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Memorial of Mr. Josiah Parker, of Virginia. Endorsed, read and referred to the Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of Messrs. Stanleys; which being read, was referred in like manner and returned.

Recd. likewise the following Bills, to-wit:

The Bill to amend an Act for establishing a Town on the lands of Richard Evans, by the name of Martinborough, passed at New Bern, 1771; also another act to amend the before recited Act passed at New Bern in 1774.

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A Bill to amend an Act for making provision for the poor, and

A Bill to amend an act entitled “an Act for the better observation of the Lord’s day commonly called Sunday.” Each endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, the first and second were passed the second time & returned, and the third was rejected.

Recd. likewise the Bill to impower Commissioners therein mentioned to sell the Palace and Public Lotts belonging to the same, in the Town of New Bern; which being read, ordered that Mr. Macon and Mr. Coor have leave to withdraw the Bill for amendment.

On motion agreed that Mr. Campbell have leave to absent himself from the service of this House after Wednesday next.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Bill to amend an act passed at New Bern in 1784, entitled “an Act to describe and ascertain such persons who owed allegiance to this State, and to impose certain disqualifications on certain persons therein described. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended, passed the second time and returned.

The following Clause of the said Bill to-wit:

“Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, that every person who at any time since the nineteenth day of April, 1775, attached himself to, or intentionally corresponded with or in any manner aided or abetted the enemies of this State in prosecuting the late War, shall be incapable of holding or exercising the Office of Governor, Councillor of State, Delegate in Congress, Judge, or Justice of the Peace, Member of the General Assembly, or any office of Honor, Profit or Trust in this State,” being read, a motion was made and seconded that the words nineteenth day of April, 1775, should be struck out of this clause and the words fourth day of July, 1776, inserted in the place thereof; this being objected to the question was put when the House being equally divided the Speaker decided in favour of the proposed amendment.

So the words nineteenth day of April, 1775, were deled and the words fourth day of July, 1776, inserted; whereupon,

On motion of General Rutherford, seconded by Mr. Brown, ordered

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that the yeas and nays be taken on this question which were as follows, vizt.:

In favour of the proposed amendment—Mr. Coor, Mr. Riddick, Mr. Harget, Mr. Easton, Mr. Williams, Mr. T. Armstrong, Mr. Bledsoe, Mr. Parsons, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Gillispie, Mr. Battle, Mr. Macon, Mr. McCullock, Mr. Hines, Mr. Wynns, Mr. Lewis and Mr. McCawley.—17.

Against the proposed amendment—Mr. Harrington, Mr. I. Miller, Mr. Jones, Mr. Herndon, Mr. Etheridge, Mr. Griffin, General Ramsey, Mr. Payne, Mr. Sharpe, General Rutherford, Mr. Harris, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Brown, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Spicer and General Harrington.—17.

Recd. likewise the Bill to amend the law relative to attachment of property. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was rejected.

On motion, agreed that Mr. Macon have leave to absent himself from the service of this House after Saturday next.

Adjourned till Monday morning 9 o’clock.


Monday, 19 December, 1785.

The House met.

Mr. Gillispie moved for leave and presented a Bill for establishing a Militia in this State, which was read, passed the first time and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Bill to vest the Title of a piece or parcel of land lying in Granville County in James Cash and his Heirs, in fee simple. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and returned.

The Bill for impowering the Court of Randolph County to adjourn to the place which they shall think most convenient for holding the same, was read the third time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Bill to alter the place of holding the County Court of Beaufort County from Bath to the Town of Washington in the said County and to erect a new Court House, Prison, Pillory and Stocks in said County. Endorsed, read the second time and passed.

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Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Mr. Macon and Mr. Coor who had leave to withdraw for amendment the Bill to impower the Commissioners therein named to sell the Palace and public Lotts belonging to the same, in the Town of New Bern, presented the said Bill as by them amended, which being read, was passed the second time and sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Payne, from the Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of Petition of Mr. John Geddy, late Sheriff of Halifax County, in behalf of himself and Doctor Charles Pasteur, delivered in the following Report, vizt.:

That after examining the premises find the sum of fifty-two pounds two shillings and seven pence due to John Geddy, and the sum of fifty-eight pounds nine shillings & four pence due to Charles Pasteur, Esq., which is recommended to be paid them by the Treasurer. All of which is humbly submitted.

MICHAEL PAYNE, Ch.

The House taking this report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith, and ordered that it be sent to the House of Commons.

General Rutherford, from the Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of Philip Alston, delivered in the following Report, vizt.:

That from the Testimony of John Carroll, Esq., and Mr. John Kendrick, taken on Oath before your Committee, it appears that Thomas Taylor had long been and continued to be an Enemy to this State, and was actually guilty of misprision of Treason a few minutes before, if not at the very instant he fell into the rencontre with Colonel Philip Alston, that the said Alston then commanded a corps of Militia in the service of this State for the express purpose of supporting the Tories; the situation of the County (General Greene being at that time under the necessity of retreating before the British Army) and every circumstance your Committee are of opinion that Colonel Philip Alston should not be brought to Tryal on account of the death of the said Thomas Taylor; and they beg leave to suggest that a Recommendation from the Honourable the General Assembly to His Excellency the Governor to issue a Pardon to the

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said Colonel Alston, would be the best method to close the enquiry. All which is submitted.

GRIFFITH RUTHERFORD, Ch.

The House taking this Report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith, and ordered that it be sent to the House of Commons.

The Bill to amend the several Acts heretofore passed for regulating the Town of Wilmington, was read the second time and rejected.

Received from the House of Commons the Petition of Thomas and Titus Ogden. Endorsed, read and referred to the Committee appointed to report on the Memorial of Josiah Parker; which being read, was referred to the House of Commons and returned.

Recd. likewise the following Bills, vizt.:

A Bill to amend an Act intitled “an Act directing the mode of proceedings against the Real Estates of deceased Debtors where the personal Estate is insufficient for the payment of Debts,”

The Bill to erect and establish an Academy in the County of Duplin. Each endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were passed, the former the first and the latter the second time and returned.

Mr. Coor presented the Memorial of John Tilghman, Esquire, setting forth that as Colonel of the County of Craven he had drawn considerable sums of money for the purpose of paying off the Bounties of Soldiers, the whole of which had been by him faithfully applied to the purpose aforesaid, notwithstanding which on account of the loss of sundry of his papers relative to the appropriation of his Money, he stood charged with a balance on the Comptroller’s Books, praying the Assembly take order thereon; whereupon,

Resolved, That the Comptroller be directed to give Colonel John Tilghman, of Craven County a Credit on his books for two hundred and six pounds specie, the amount of his account returned to the Treasurer, as it appears to the satisfaction of the General Assembly by the Memorial of Colonel Tilghman rendered on Oath, that he hath faithfully applied the said sum to public purposes for the use of the State.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for Concurrence.

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General Harrington, from the Committee to whom was referred the Letter and Account of the Honourable Richard Dobbs Spaight, Esquire, as late Delegate in Congress, delivered in the following Report, vizt.:

Your Committee are of opinion Mr. Spaight be allowed the difference of exchange between the current Money of the State and gold and Silver Coin, which difference they conceive to be twenty-five per cent., which amounts from the State of his Account to four hundred pounds.

HENRY W. HARRINGTON, Ch.

The House taking this report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following Bills, to-wit:

The Bill vesting certain property lying and being in the County of Granville, in Mary Alston Bond in fee simple; and

A Bill for the more speedy determining disputes that have risen or may hereafter rise in the Counties of Rowan, Mecklenburg, Rutherford, Guilford, Lincoln and Rockingham from erecting Mill Dams and to prevent persons from building Mills as herein described. Each endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were passed the second time and returned.

Recd. likewise the Bill to alter the manner of holding elections for members of the General Assembly for New Hanover County. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Recd also, the Bill for incorporating the Protestant Episcopal Church of Wilmington. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was rejected; Whereupon,

On motion of General Harrington, seconded by Mr. Gillispie, ordered that the yeas and nays be taken on the rejection of this Bill, which were as follows, vizt.:

For the passage of the Bill—Mr. Miller, Mr. Thomas Armstrong, Mr. Gillispie, Mr. McCullock, Mr. Brown, General Rutherford, Genral Harrington and Mr. Sullivan.—8.

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Against the passing of this Bill—Mr. Coor, Mr. Warrington, Mr. Herritage, Mr. Harget, General Gregory, Mr. Riddick, Mr. Easton, Mr. Relf, Mr. Jones, Mr. Herndon, Mr. Etheridge, Mr. Williams, Mr. Moore, General Ramsey, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Payne, Mr. John Armstrong, Mr. Bledsoe, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Parsons, Mr. Battle, General McDowell, Mr. Macon, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Hines, Mr. McCawley, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Spicer, Mr. Lightfoot and Mr. Wynns.—31.

So this Bill was rejected.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Report of the Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of Colonel Philip Alston. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning 9 o’clock.


Tuesday, 20 December, 1785.

The House met.

Received from the House of Commons a Bill for ascertaining the Duties and Salary of the Public Printer. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Mr. Gillispie moved for leave and presented a Bill to impower certain persons therein named to receive, sue for and recover all such bequests, donations, Benefactions and other things as have heretofore been bequeathed, given or made by any person or persons whatsoever, for the use of the congregation of the Society of the Presbyterian Communion at Wilmington, which being read, was passed the first time and sent to the House of Commons.

General Harrington presented the Claim of Richard Farr, for a Wagon and Team lost in the public service, which being read, was referred to the Committee of Claims and sent to the House of Commons.

A Certificate of Allowance granted by the General Assembly in the year 1781 in favour of the late Reverend Charles Couples was read; whereupon,

Resolved, That Mrs. Ann Couples, Relict of the Rev. Mr. Charles Couples, be allowed the sum of seventeen pounds fifteen shillings and five pence half penny, with Interest thereon from the 19th of February,

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1781, until paid; and that the Treasurer pay the same and be allowed in the settlement of his public accounts.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for their Concurrence.

Mr. Brown moved for leave and presented an additional Bill to amend the several Acts regulating the Town of Wilmington, and to regulate and restrain the conduct of slaves, and others in the said Town and the Towns of Washington, Edenton, and Fayetteville; which was read the first time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Resolve of this House of yesterday in favour of Colonel John Tilghman. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Recd. likewise the report of the Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of the Public Treasurer. Endorsed in the House of Commons, read and concurred with as to the two first sections, the last section being read for the future consideration of the House and have appointed Mr. Cain and Mr. Tisdale on our part, to carry into effect the Recommendation therein, this

(This paragraph here ends abruptly and the record for several days is much mixed).

On motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. McCawley, ordered that the Bill for increasing the Jurisdiction of the County Courts of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, and of the Justices of the Peace out of Court, and directing the time of holding the several Courts of this State, this day received from the House of Commons, lie on the Table until to-morrow morning and that it then be read for the second time in this House.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following Bills, to-wit:

The Bill impowering the Commissioners appointed to settle the accounts of the United States with the State of North Carolina, or the Creditors of the United States within the said State, to call witnesses and to examine them upon Oath or affirmation touching such accounts.

The Bill for the Inspection of Tobacco in the County of Surry.

The Bill impowering the Court of Randolph County to adjourn to the place which they shall think most convenient for holding the same.

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The Bill for appointing a Treasurer in the District of Edenton for the purpose of calling to account the Commissioners for building a public Jail in the District aforesaid.

The Bill for the Inspection of Tobacco in the County of Davidson, in the town of Nashville on Cumberland River.

The Bill for annexing part of the County of Pitt to Beaufort County, and

The Bill to allow further time for saving Lotts within this State. Respectively endorsed, read the third time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were passed the third time by this House.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning 9 o’clock.


Wednesday, 21 December, 1785.

The House met.

Received from the House of Commons a Bill to amend and explain an act for opening the land office, & for adding part of the Officers and Soldiers boundary to the County of Davidson. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

General Rutherford presented the Memorial and Petition of Paul Martin setting forth that he had apprehended and delivered to the Keeper of New Bern District Gaol two Felons, for which he wished an allowance and praying that some order might be taken thereon; Whereupon,

Resolved, That Paul Martin in consideration of his apprehending and delivering to the keeper of the District Gaol of New Bern, Rice Bass and Herman Bass, two capital offenders against the laws of this State, be allowed the sum of fifty pounds and that the Treasurer pay him the same and be allowed therefor in the settlement of his public accounts.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for concurrence.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Bill for emitting one hundred thousand pounds in paper currency for the purposes therein expressed. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

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Ordered that this Bill lie on the Table until To-morrow, and that it be then read the second time in this House.

Recd. likewise by way of the House of Commons the Report of the Committee to whom was referred the Memorial and the Petition of Mr. John Burgwin, Merchant. Endorsed, read and concurred with; which report was drawn up in the following words, to-wit:

Your Committee to whom was referred the Petition of John Burgwin, are of the opinion that it be referred to the decision of the Laws of the Land to which, they are informed, he has had recourse.

The House taking this report into consideration, Resolved, That they do not concur therewith; whereupon,

Ordered that the yeas and nays be taken on this question which were as follows, to-wit:

For concurring with the report—Mr. Coor, Mr. Easton, Mr. Herndon, Mr. Jones, Mr. Mooring, Mr. Thomas Armstrong, Mr. Gillispie, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Parsons, Mr. McCullock and Mr. Lightfoot.—11.

Against concurring and for rejecting this Report—Mr. Warrington, Mr. Herritage, Mr. J. Miller, Mr. Harget, General Gregory, Mr. Raddick, Mr. Relf, Mr. Etheridge, Mr. Williams, Mr. McCawley, General Ramsey, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Payne, Mr. I. Armstrong, Mr. Bledsoe, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Harris, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Battle, General McDowell, Mr. Macon, Mr. Brown and Mr. Hawkins.—24.

So this report was rejected.

We have rejected the Report of the Committee on the Petition of John Brady and others, and propose that the Resolve herewith sent you on that head be substituted in lieu thereof.

Received from the House of Commons the following Reports, vizt.:

The Report of the Committee to whom was referred the Letter from Captain Robert Fenner.

The Report of the Committee on Colonel Thomas Clark’s Letter.

The Report of the Committee on the Petition of Mrs. Elizabeth Miller.

The Report of the Committee on the Petition of Timothy de Munroe.

The Report of the Committee on the Petition of Doctor Robert Hornby, and

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The Report of the Committee on the Petition of Edward Hall, Esquire. Respectively endorsed, read and concurred with.

The House taking these several Reports into Consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith.

Received likewise the following Bills, to-wit:

A Bill to amend the several Acts heretofore passed for regulating the Town of Wilmington; and

A Bill for directing the mode of proceeding on impeachments. Each endorsed in the House of Commons, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were passed the former the second and the latter the first time and returned.

Mr. Macon, presented the Petition of James Miller, Esquire, setting forth that he had furnished the troops of this State with a number of Beef Cattle, &c., for which he had received no allowance; which being read, was referred to the Committee of Claims and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd., by way of the House of Commons, a Message from His Excellency the Governor, addressed to the General Assembly and accompanied by sundry papers purporting to be Resolutions of a body of men stiling themselves Representatives of the State of Franklin, which being read, were ordered to be referred to the consideration of the Committee appointed to report on the former messages & papers from his Excellency the Governor, it was likewise ordered that General McDowell and Mr. McCawley be added to this Committee.

Adjourned till 4 o’clock p.m.

Met according to adjournment.

Recd. from the House of Commons the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We propose that the report of the Committee on the representation of the Secretary be committed and that the Committee be directed to report the facts proved before them specially.

This Message being read it was ordered that the following be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We agree that the report of the Committee on the Representation of the public Secretary be committed as by you proposed.

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Recd. from the House of Commons a Bill to release Simon Terrell and Joseph Kirk from the Forfeiture of a Recognizance and from the Judgment which ensued thereon. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Mr. Herndon moved for leave and presented a Bill to impower Commissioners to build a Court House, Prison and Stocks in the County of Wilkes, and other purposes, which was read, passed the first time and sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Bill for ascertaining the Duties and Salary of the Public Printer. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

The several amendments agreed on were now inserted in the Bill for emitting one hundred thousand pounds in paper currency for the purposes therein expressed. Whereupon, the Bill was put on its passage when it was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

The Yeas and Nays being required on the passage of this Bill by Mr. Payne, seconded by Mr. Battle, were as follows, to-wit:

For the passage of this Bill—Mr. Coor, Mr. Herritage, Mr. J. Miller, Mr. Harget, Mr. Easton, Mr. Relf, Mr. Jones, Mr. Herndon, Mr. Williams, Mr. Etheridge, Mr. Mooring, Mr. Moore, General Ramsey, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Thomas Armstrong, Mr. I. Armstrong, Mr. Bledsoe, Mr. Gillispie, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Harris, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Parson, Mr. Campbell, General McDowell, Mr. Brown, Mr. Hawkins, General Rutherford, Mr. Spicer, Mr. Herritage, and Mr. Stephen Miller.—31.

Against the passage of this Bill—Mr. Warrington, General Gregory, Mr. Riddick, Mr. Payne, Mr. Battle, Mr. Macon, Mr. McCullock and Mr. Lightfoot.—8.

So this Bill was passed the second time.

On motion, agreed that Mr. Moore have leave to absent himself from the service of this House after Saturday next.

On motion, it was likewise agreed that Mr. Relf have leave to

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absent himself from the service of this House after Saturday next.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Petition of the Militia Officers of Wilkes County. Endorsed, read and referred to a joint Committee, the members chosen on the part of this House are Mr. Polk, Mr. Blount and Mr. Jno. P. Williams; which being read was, on the part of the Senate, referred to General Rutherford, General McDowell and General Harrington.

Recd. likewise the Report of the Committee to whom was referred the letter and account of General Rutherford. Endorsed, read and concurred with; which being read, was concurred with by this House and returned.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning 9 o’clock.


Thursday, 22 December, 1785.

The House met.

Pursuant to the order of the Day “the Bill for emitting one hundred thousand pounds in paper currency for the purposes therein expressed,” was read and sent to the House of Commons with sundry amendments proposed by this House.

On the reading of this Bill a motion was made and seconded that it be amended by deleing the words One Hundred Thousand and inserting in their place the words Eighty Thousand, this being objected to the question was put and carried in the negative; whereupon, on motion of Mr. Macon, seconded by Mr. Payne, it was ordered that the yeas and nays be taken which were as follows, vizt.:

For the amendment—Mr. Warrington, General Gregory, Mr. Riddick, Mr. Etheridge, Mr. Payne, Mr. Bledsoe, Mr. Battle, General McDowell, Mr. Macon, Mr. McCullock, Mr. Lightfoot and Mr. Wynns.—12.

Against the proposed amendment—Mr. Coor, Mr. Herritage, Mr. J. Miller, Mr. Harget, Mr. Easton, Mr. Relf, Mr. Jones, Mr. Herndon, Mr. Williams, Mr. Mooring, Mr. McCawley, Mr. Moore, General Ramsey, Mr. Lewis, Mr. T. Armstrong, Mr. Gillispie, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Parsons, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Hines, Mr. Brown, Mr. Hawkins, General Rutherford, Mr. Spicer, General Harrington and Mr. Stephen Miller.—28.

So the question was lost.

A motion was likewise made and seconded that this Bill be amended by deleing fifty shillings, the sum which the Commissioners for

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purchasing Tobacco for the use of the public are limited to the hundred weight, and by inserting in its place the Words the current price at the time of purchasing; this being objected to the question was put and carried in the negative; when the yeas and nays being called for by Mr. Macon, seconded by General Harrington, were as follows, to-wit:

For the proposed amendment—Mr. Herritage, Mr. Harget, Mr. Relf, Mr. Jones, Mr. Mooring, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Thos. Armstrong, Mr. Payne, Mr. Bledsoe, Mr. Gillispie, Mr. Parsons, Mr. Macon, Mr. Hines, Mr. Brown, Mr. Hawkins, General Rutherford and Mr. Miller.—17.

Against the amendment—Mr. Coor, Mr. Warrington, Mr. J. Miller, Mr. Riddick, Mr. Easton, Mr. Herndon, Mr. Etheridge, Mr. Williams, Mr. McCawley, Mr. Moore, General Gregory, General Ramsey, Mr. J. Armstrong, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Battle, General McDowell, Mr. McCullock, Mr. Spicer, Mr. Lightfoot and Mr. Myers.—23.

So this question was lost.

Pursuant to the order of yesterday “the Bill for increasing the Jurisdiction of the County Courts of Pleas and Quarter Sessions and of the Justices of the Peace out of Court, and directing the time of holding the several Courts of this State,” was read, amended by consent of the House of Commons, passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Report of the Committee to whom was referred the consideration of the Representation of the Secretary of the State. Endorsed, read, amended and concurred with.

The House taking this report into consideration, Resolved, That they do not concur with the same as it stands amended; whereupon,

Ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

This House do not concur with the report of the Committee appointed to consider of the Secretary’s Representation as it now stands but will concur with it, provided you will stet that part thereof which now stands deled.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Report of the Committee

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to whom was referred the Petitions of John Brady, Robert Dunlap, William Dunlap. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

The House taking this Report into consideration, Resolved, That it be rejected. Whereupon,

It was Resolved, That the Collector of Port Roanoke on the payment of all lawful duties and expences attending the seizure, deliver to Mr. John Brady, Robert Dunlap and William Dunlap all and singular their Goods seized by him for non-payment of the lawful duties.

Ordered that the foregoing resolution, with the following Resolution, be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

This Report being read was concurred with by the House of Commons and returned and Mr. Macon appointed on the part of this House, to carry into execution, jointly with the Gentlemen appointed by the House of Commons, the Recommendation contained in the said Report.

Adjourned till 4 o’clock P. M.

Met according to adjournment.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Resolution of this House in favour of Mrs. Ann Couples, Relict of the late Rev. Charles Couples. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Read the Petition of Captain John McCrohon in behalf of himself and Company, setting forth, that in the year 1780, they had a vessel impressed and destroyed when in public service for which they have received no satisfaction praying the General Assembly to take order thereon; whereupon,

Ordered that this Petition be referred to the Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of Messrs. John Wright and Wright Stanley, and sent to the House of Commons.

Mr. Gillispie, from the Committee of Propositions and Grievances to whom was referred the Petition of Mercy Bedford, reported as follows, to-wit:

That after mature deliberation on the premises your Committee are of opinion that the Estate of Jonas Bedford comes within the meaning of the Confiscation act, but as the case of the said Mercy Bedford is a singular and very distressed one your Committee recommend that she be impowered to dispose of the personal estate, or so

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much thereof as she may think expedient for the support of herself and children, also to collect the debts due to the said Jonas Bedford and after paying the debts due from the said Jonas, to apply the balance to the support of herself and children; and that the landed estate of the said Jonas Bedford be vested in the Heirs male, of the said Jonas and Mercy Bedford.

JAMES GILLISPIE, Ch. Ch.

The House taking this Report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith, and ordered that it be sent to the House of Commons:

Recd. from the House of Commons the Bill to amend an act passed at Hillsborough the 27th day of October, 1784, entitled “an Act for appointing Collectors of the Imposts at the several Ports of this State, and for regulating the duty of naval officers, the officers of the customs and masters of vessels.” Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended by consent of the House of Commons, passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Recd. likewise the Report of the Committee to whom was referred a letter from the Honourable Benjamin Franklin, Esquire, in favour of Mr. Edward Bridgen of the City of London. Endorsed in the House of Commons, read and concurred with; which being read, was concurred with and returned.

Mr. Lightfoot, pursuant to the aforesaid Report, moved for leave and presented a Bill to restore to Edward Bridgen his Estate, and to repeal so much of the Confiscation Laws which respect the same; which being read, was passed the first time and sent to the House of Commons.

Adjourned till To-morrow morning 9 o’clock.


Friday, 23 December, 1785.

The House met.

Received from the House of Commons the Bill for recovering part of the artillery belonging to this State. Endorsed, read the first time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

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Received likewise the Bill for the relief of Mercy Bedford and to vest in the Heirs of Jonas and Mercy Bedford the landed Estate of the said Jonas Bedford. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended, passed the second time and returned.

Received also the Report of the Committee to whom was referred the Petition of James Kenan, Esquire. Endorsed, read and concurred with; which being read was concurred with and returned.

Received from the House of Commons the following resolution, to-wit:

It having been represented to this House, that a vessel is arrived at New Bern from Nova Scotia with several Negroes on board, the property of the Citizens of the United States, and that there is danger that the said negroes may be secreted so that they may be lost to the owners; Resolved, That his Excellency the Governor, be requested to take such measures as may be necessary for securing the said negroes for the benefit of the respective owners.

The House taking this Resolve into consideration concurred therewith, and ordered that it be returned.

Received likewise the Report of the Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of Isaac Reid and Moses Griffin. Endorsed, read and concurred with; which being read, was concurred with and returned.

On motion of Mr. Gillispie, the House resolved as followeth, to-wit:

Whereas, it appears to this Assembly that a certain John Gilyard, late of the town of Wilmington, decd., did in his life-time furnish this State with sundry articles of valuable produce, and at different periods performed personal service in the defence of this State and of the United States, for which no payment hath been made, and it is also suggested that a sum of money is due from the Estate of the said John Gilyard for rent of a confiscated House in the said Town of Wilmington,

Resolved therefore, That the Treasurer be directed to forbear commencing any suit against the Administrators of John Gilyard for the above mentioned rent, until the end of the next General Assembly in order that justice may be done to the estates of the said deceased.

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Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for concurrence.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Bill to prevent the stoppage of Fish from running up Cape Fear River, Deep River, Haw River and Rocky River. Endorsed, read the second time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was rejected.

Received from the House of Commons a Resolve in favour of Thomas Malloy, which was read, concurred with and returned.

Received likewise the Bill for extending the line between Burke and Rutherford Counties. Endorsed, read the second time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended by consent of the House of Commons, passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Received also the Report of the Committee to whom was referred the Petition of John Armstead. Endorsed in the House of Commons, read and concurred with; which being read, was concurred with and returned.

Received from the House of Commons the Bill to impower the Wardens of the Poor to call to Account all former Sheriffs, Clerks of County Courts & other persons who have not accounted for taxes and fines by them received, which are appropriated or intended for the support of the Poor. Endorsed, read the second time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Received likewise the Bill directing that marriage settlements and other marriage contracts shall be registered and for preventing injury to creditors. Endorsed, read the second time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Received also, the Bill for confirming titles to lands therein described. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was rejected.

Mr. Coor presented the resignation of Jonathan Banks as Justice of the Peace for Pasquotank County, which was read, accepted and sent to the House of Commons.

Received from the House of Commons the Bill to restore to Edward

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Bridgen his estate and repeal so much of the confiscation laws as respects the same. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended, passed the second time and sent to the House of Commons.

Received likewise, the Bill to amend an Act entitled “an Act directing the mode of proceeding against the Real Estates of deceased debtors where the personal estate is insufficient for the payment of the debts.” Endorsed, read the second time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was rejected.

Received also the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We propose the Resolve herewith sent you for your concurrence, in favour of John Brady and Company, in lieu of the one by you entered into on the same subject.

The Resolve alluded to in the foregoing being read was concurred with; whereupon, ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We have concurred with and return the Resolve of your House in favour of John Brady and Co.

Received from the House of Commons the Bill for impowering Commissioners to liquidate the accounts of the officers and soldiers of the Continental Line of this State. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and returned.

Adjourned till 4 of the clock P. M.

Met according to adjournment.

On motion, agreed that General Harrington and Mr. Harget, on the part of this House, be appointed in addition to the Committee already appointed for examining the engrossed Bills, and that the House of Commons have notice hereof, by the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We have appointed General Harrington and Mr. Harget, in addition to the Gentlemen already appointed, to examine and compare the engrossed Bills.

Received from the House of Commons the Report of the Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of Messrs. Stanleys, the

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Surviving partners of Messrs. Stanleys and Green. Endorsed, read amended, and concurred with as amended; which being read, was concurred with as by the House of Commons and returned.

Received at the same time the following Resolve, consequent on the aforesaid report, to-wit:

Resolved, That the Treasurer pay to Messrs. Stanleys and Green one Thousand pounds, in part of their extraordinary supplies to this State during the late war; and that the Auditors for New Bern District take up and destroy the certificates which they issued to said Stanleys and Green for three thousand one hundred and five pounds six shillings, and issue others for the sum of two thousand one hundred & five pounds six shillings.

This Resolve being read, was likewise concurred with and returned.

Whereupon, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Campbell, seconded by General Ramsey, were as follows, to-wit:

For concurring with this Resolve—Mr. Coor, Mr. Warrington, Mr. Herritage, Mr. Harget, General Gregory, Mr. Riddick, Mr. Easton, Mr. Jones, Mr. McCawley, Mr. Williams, Mr. Payne, Mr. Bledsoe, Mr. Harris, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Parsons, General McDowell, Mr. Macon, Mr. McCullock, Mr. Hines, Mr. Lightfoot and General Harrington.—21.

Against concurring and for rejecting this Resolve—Mr. J. Miller, Mr. Relf, Mr. Herndon, Mr. Etheridge, Mr. Mooring, Mr. Moore, General Ramsey, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Thos. Armstrong, Mr. I. Armstrong, Mr. Gillispie, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Battle, Mr. Brown, Mr. Hawkins, General Rutherford and Mr. S. Miller.—19.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning 9 o’clock.


Saturday, 24 December, 1785.

The House met.

Received from the House of Commons the following Bills, to-wit:

The Bill to establish a Town in the Fork of the Cumberland and Red Rivers, on the East side of Red River, in Davidson County;

The Bill for erecting and establishing a Town in the County of Lincoln;

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The Bill for erecting a Town on the lands of Whitmill Hill, in Martin County, on Roanoke River;

The Bill for erecting a Town on the lands of Luke Mizzell and William Mackay, in Martin County;

The Bill for the better regulation of the Town of Tarborough;

The Bill to alter the manner of holding elections for members of the General Assembly for New Hanover County;

The Bill for the promotion of learning in the County of Davidson, and

The Bill for the relief of the Widows and Orphans of officers who have died in the service of the United States. Respectively Endorsed, read the third time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were each of them passed the third and last time in this House.

Received likewise a Bill directing the mode of levying Executions. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was rejected.

Received also the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We have on our part appointed Mr. Avery and Mr. McDowell to examine the engrossed Bills.

Received from the House of Commons a Bill to amend an act passed at Hillsborough on the 22nd of October, 1784, Entitled “an Act for appointing Collectors of the Imposts,” &c. Endorsed, read the third time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was rejected.

Received likewise the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

This House have rejected the Recommendation of Justices of the Peace for the County of Dobbs, but as it is represented the want of a Justice in Kinston is an inconvenience, we will agree that John Coart be added to the Commission of the Peace for that County.

Received also the Resolve of this House in favour of John Gilyard. Endorsed in the House of Commons, read and concurred with.

Mr. Spicer, from the Committee to whom was referred the accounts of the Comptroller and the list of warrants delivered the last year of His Excellency the Governor, delivered in the following report, to-wit:

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That after examining the accounts of His Excellency, Richard Caswell, Esq., while Comptroller from the 12th of May, 1782, to the 12th of May, 1785, the accounts as they stand stated are supported by the necessary vouchers as by law required, and that a balance is due said Comptroller of twenty pounds nine shillings nine pence, including all his clerks and other necessary expenditures therein.

Your Committee having also examined the list of warrants for the last year, are of opinion the same have been issued agreeable to the laws of this State. All which is submitted.

JOHN SPICER, Ch.

The House taking this report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith, and ordered that it be sent to the House of Commons.

Recd. from the House of Commons the Bill to amend an act to prevent persons holding offices of profit from enjoying seats in the General Assembly. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was rejected.

On motion of General McDowell, ordered that he have leave to withdraw for amendment the Bill to amend and explain an act for opening the land office, &c.

Received from the House of Commons the Bill for establishing a Militia in this State. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended, passed the second time & sent to the House of Commons.

Received likewise a Bill to exclude Naval Officers from holding seats in the General Assembly. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was rejected.

Received also the Bill for the regulation of Commerce. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended by consent of the House of Commons, passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Received from the House of Commons the Bill to prevent the sale of such of the lands of Ralph McNair, decd., as remain unsold in this State and to impower Edward Hall, of Edgecombe County, Executor of the last Will and Testament of the said Ralph, to collect the debts due from the inhabitants of this State to the said Ralph

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at the time of the confiscation of his property. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

Received likewise a Resolve of the House of Commons in favour of the Heirs of Richard Henderson, decd., which being read, was concurred with and returned.

Received also the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We agree that the members of Davidson be allowed twenty-four days each, that is to say twelve for coming and the same for returning, &c.

Received from the House of Commons the Resolve of this House allowing James Miller, Esquire, as therein mentioned, for Beef and Cattle, &c., furnished the public. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Adjourned till Monday morning next, 9 o’clock.


Monday, 26 December, 1785.

The House met.

Received from the House of Commons the Bill for destroying Wolves, Wild-Cats, Bears, Panthers, Crows and Squirrels in the several Counties therein mentioned. Endorsed, read the first time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended, passed the second time and returned.

Mr. Harget presented the Petition of William Orme, which being read, was referred to a special Committee; the members chosen on the part of this House were Mr. Campbell, Mr. Harget and General McDowell.

Received from the House of Commons a Resolve of that body in favour of the Heirs of Richard Henderson, Esquire, deceased, which being read was concurred with and returned.

Received likewise the Bill to impower Commissioners to build a Court House, Prison and Stocks in the County of Wilkes, and other purposes. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended, passed the second time and sent to the House of Commons.

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Received also, the Bill to release certain persons therein mentioned from Judgments on forfeited Recognizances and to impower the Judges to suspend Judgments hereafter to be given in like cases. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Received from the House of Commons the Bill to impower certain persons therein named to receive, sue for, and recover all such bequests, Donations Benefactions, and other things as have heretofore been bequeathed, given or made by any person or persons whatever for the use of the congregation or Society of the Presbyterian Communion at Wilmington. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended, passed the second time and returned.

Received likewise, the Petition of William Orme. Endorsed in the House of Commons, referred to Mr. Williams, Mr. Donald and Mr. Leonard.

Mr. Lightfoot presented the Petition of Nathan Smith of the Town of New Bern, Which being read, the House resolved as followeth, vizt.:

Resolved, That the Collector of Duties for Port Beaufort do allow Nathan Smith of the Town of New Bern, the sum of forty-two pounds, in his, the said Smith’s settlement for duties due the public, being the amount of two Hogsheads of Tobacco by him lent to this State in the year 1781, and that the Collector take up from said Smith an Auditor’s certificate for that sum which shall be allowed him in the settlement of his public accounts.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for concurrence.

Mr. Macon presented the Memorial of Lieutenant-Colonel Hardy Murfree of the late North Carolina line, which being read, the House resolved as followeth, to-wit:

Whereas, it is represented by Lieutenant Colonel Hardy Murfree of the late North Carolina line, that it now appears Two Entries or Locations of Lands, by him made within the bounds of the lands reserved for officers and soldiers of the Continental line of this State have been entered by others unknown to the said Murfree, previous to

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his having entered or located the same, and that of course the said Entries on his part are null and void; therefore,

Resolved, That Colonel Hardy Murfree be permitted to locate or enter the like number of Acres of Land in any other part of the lands reserved for the use of the Officers and Soldiers as aforesaid, as are contained in the two locations or entries above mentioned.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for concurrence.

Received from the House of Commons the Claims of Waightstill Avery, Esquire, on the public for services performed when Attorney for the State. Endorsed, read and referred to a joint Committee; the members chosen on the part of the Commons are Mr. Person, Mr. Williamson, and Mr. Polk; which being read, were ordered to lie till the next Assembly.

Received likewise the Bill to direct the proceedings in proving Wills and granting letters of Administration. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was rejected.

Received from the House of Commons the following Bills, to-wit:

The Bill for recovering part of the Artillery belonging to this State;

The Bill to alter the place of holding the County Court of Beaufort County from Bath to the Town of Washington in said County, and to erect a new Court House, Prison, Pillory and Stocks in said County;

The Bill for ascertaining the Salary of the Public Printer, and,

The Bill to prevent the Distillation of Spiritous Liquors for the time there mentioned in the County of Davidson.3 Each and every of them endorsed, read the third time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were passed the third and last time by this House.

On motion, Resolved, That the members of this General Assembly who attended in New Bern in June last, be allowed the like daily wages as those who attend on this present session, and that the Clerks in making the estimate govern themselves accordingly.

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Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for concurrence.

Received from the House of Commons the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

A Resolution in favour of Mr. Miller has been concurred with by this House, in which it is directed that a certain sum should be paid him by the Collectors of Rutherford and Burke Counties, which we are of opinion ought to be confined to Rutherford only; if the Resolve be so expressed we propose that the Senate reconsider the same and make the alteration according to the opinion of this House.

The House taking the proposition contained in the foregoing Message into consideration, Resolved, That it be rejected.

Received from the House of Commons the Bill for increasing the Jurisdiction of the County Courts of Pleas and Quarter Sessions and of the Justices of the Peace out of Court, and directing the time of holding the several Courts of this State. Endorsed, read the third time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the third and last time by this House.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning 9 o’clock.


Tuesday, 27 December, 1785.

The House met.

Mr. Macon laid before the House the Instructions of His Excellency the Governor, to John Hunt, Esquire, relative to the getting the Laws and Journals of the last Session of Assembly printed, together with Mr. Hunt’s representation of the Expence and Trouble he has subjected himself to, in consequence of such Instructions; Whereupon,

Resolved, That John Hunt be allowed the sum of thirty-five pounds current money, for going to Richmond, in Virginia to get the laws and Journals of the last Session of Assembly printed, exclusive of his Expences amounting to eleven pounds fourteen      and eight pence; which two sums, making in the whole forty-six pounds fourteen shillings and eight pence, the Treasurer is required to pay and for which this shall be his Warrant.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for Concurrence.

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Received from the House of Commons a Bill to empower the Freeholders and Freemen of the Counties of Washington, Sullivan and Greene4 to return their Representatives otherwise than is hitherto described. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be passed, which being read, was passed the first time and returned.

The resignation of Joseph Hines, as one of the Justices of the Peace for Richmond County, was read, accepted and sent to the House of Commons.

Received from the House of Commons the Bill to extend the line between the Counties of Burke and Rutherford. Endorsed, read the third time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was rejected.

Mr. Gillispie presented the resignation of Mr. John Wright, as one of the Justices of the Peace for Duplin County, which was read, accepted and sent to the House of Commons:

Received from the House of Commons the following Bills, vizt.:

The Bill to amend an Act for establishing a Town on the lands of Richard Evans, by the name of Martinborough, passed at New Bern, November, 1771; also to amend another act to amend that before recited passed at New Bern in March, 1774; and,

The Bill to vest the Estate of Richard Caswell, Jr., in Trustees for the benfit of his Creditors. Respectively endorsed, read the third time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were passed the third and last time by this House.

Received from the House of Commons the Resignation of John Alexander as one of the Justices of the Peace for Lincoln County. Endorsed, read and accepted; which being read was accepted and returned.

Received likewise the Resolutions of this House of yesterday in favour of Colonel Hardy Murfree. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Received also the Report of the Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Robert Simms. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Mr. Riddick, from the Committee to whom was referred the Petition

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in favour of Thomas Garrett of Chowan County, delivered in the following Report, to-wit:

The Committee to whom was referred the Petition in favour of Thomas Garrett of Chowan County, signed by upwards of one hundred Petitioners, Report:

That they have examined the same, together with the Certificate of Samuel Johnston, Esquire, annexed thereto, and are of opinion from the allegations set forth that it be recommended to the Judges of the Superior Courts of Law and Equity to enquire into the Truths thereof, and if they deem the case worthy of future inquiry to grant a new Trial to the said Thomas Garrett, and if a new Trial shall be consequently ordered, that on the surrender of the said Thomas Garrett he and his securities shall stand released from their former Recognizances. All which is submitted.

JOSEPH RIDDICK, Ch.

The House taking this Report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith and ordered that it be sent to the House of Commons.

On motion of Mr. Gillispie, the House resolved as followeth, vizt.:

Whereas, by an act of the last Session of Assembly the respective County Courts are vested with power to establish Toll Bridges and Causeways and it being evident that the said Act has on sundry instances been misconstrued; therefore,

Resolved, That it shall not be lawful for any person or persons to ask, demand or receive toll for any bridge so erected, until the same shall be finished with Hand-Rails, &c., and received by the Court of the County in which such Bridge may be, under the penalty of five pounds for each and every offence to be recovered by warrant from under the hand and seal of any Justice of the Peace.

Ordered that this Bill be sent to the House of Commons for their concurrence.

On motion of General Rutherford, seconded by Mr. Bledsoe,

Resolved, That no entry for lands made in or removed from either of the Counties of Burke, Rutherford, Washington, Sullivan or Greene with the Entry Takers of the said Counties shall hereafter be located on vacant or unappropriated Lands on the West side of the

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Cumberland Mountains or without the limits of the said Counties, respectively; and the surveyors of the middle and western Districts are hereby directed to conduct themselves accordingly.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for Concurrence.

Received from the House of Commons a Resolution of that body of this date containing Instructions to the Treasurer relative to the Interest which may become duty on Indented Auditors Certificates, and likewise relative to such monies as may be tendered them, which may be too much worn for circulation; which being read, was concurred with and returned.

Received likewise the Bill to prevent the sale of such of the lands of Ralph Macnair, decd., as remain unsold in this State, and to impower Edward Hall of Edgecombe County, Executor of the last Will and Testament of the said Ralph, to collect the debts due from the inhabitants of this State to the said Ralph which have become due to him since the passing of the law commonly called the expulsion Act. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended by consent of the House of Commons, passed the second time and ordered to be Engrossed.

The Bill to establish an Academy at Kinston in the County of Dobbs, and to amend the Act establishing the Academy in the District of Salisbury, was read the third and last time, passed and sent to the House of Commons.

Received from the House of Commons a Resolution of that Body of this date in favour of Robert Perkins of Chowan County, which being read, was rejected.

On motion, ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We have received a Recommendation, agreed to by your House, adding to the Commission of the Peace Thomas Hines and William Hayes for the County of Wake; with the latter we concur and will readily agree to the addition of the former, provided that you will consent that he stand on the list with respect to seniority in the same manner that he did previous to his removal from the said County.

Received from the House of Commons the Resolution of this

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House relative to the pay of the members who attended at New Bern in June last. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Received likewise the resignations of Joseph Hines and John Wright as Justices of the Peace. Endorsed, read and accepted.

General McDowell, from the Committee to whom was referred the Petition of William Orme, delivered in the following Report, to-wit:

The Committee to whom was referred the Petition of William Orme, Esquire, have taken the same under consideration, and are of opinion that he is justly entitled to the sum of nineteen pounds thirteen shillings (debt and Cost), which was recovered of him by Waightstill Avery, Esq., on account of his specific tax for the year 1781, collected from him by the said William Orme, then Commissioner for Jones County, from which Tax Mr. Avery was released by a Resolve of the General Assembly.

CHARLES McDOWELL, Ch.

The House taking this report into consideration concurred therewith; whereupon,

Resolved, That the Treasurer pay unto William Orme of the County of Jones, the sum of nineteen pounds thirteen shillings, in full for that sum recovered from him, the said Orme, by Waightstill Avery, Esquire, being the amount of the said Avery’s Specific Tax for the year 1781, Costs of suit included; from the payment of which tax in the County of Jones he was released by a Resolution of the General Assembly.

Ordered that the foregoing Report and Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for concurrence.

On motion of Mr. Brown, the House resolved as followeth, to-wit:

Whereas, it hath been made known unto this General Assembly that Nathan Stedman, the elder, and Duncan Ochiltree, have been fined fifty pounds each; Nathan Stedman, the younger, and James Dick, Twenty-five pounds each, and——        Rome in the sum of Ten Pounds, all on a conviction for a Riot in the Town of Fayetteville, for which the persons aforesaid were tried, convicted and fined as is set forth at the Superior Court of Law and Equity for the District of Wilmington at the last Term; and it having been suggested that the fines as aforesaid compared with the circumstances of the

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offenders and the nature of the crime whereof they stand convicted are excessive, therefore,

Resolved, That the persons as aforesaid shall stand discharged from the payment of such Fines respectively until the end of the next Session of Assembly, when the premises may have been more fully enquired into.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for Concurrence.

On motion, ordered that the following message be sent to the House of Commons:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We propose that the General Assembly ballot to-morrow morning at seven of the Clock for a Brigadier General of the Districts of Wilmington and New Bern, respectively; for a Judge of the Superior Court established in the County of Davidson; for one Councillor of State; for Superintendents of the press in printing the Money now to be emitted; for signers of the money; for Commissioners for purchasing Tobacco for the use of the public and for a public printer; and nominate for Brigadier General for the District of Wilmington Colonels Thomas Clark, James Kenan and John P. Williams; for Brigadier General for the District of New Bern Col. James Armstrong; for Justice of the Court of Law and Equity established in the County of Davidson John Haywood, Jun., Esquire; for a Councillor of State Doctor King and Spyers Singleton, Esquire; for Superintendent of the Press General Rutherford, William McCawley and James Gillispie, Esquires, and General Ramsey; for signers of the Money now to be emitted Mr. Absalom Tatom, Mr. John Macon and Mr. John Hunt; for Commissioners for purchasing Tobacco for public use John Haywood, Sen., for the town of Tarborough, John Whitaker, John Geddy and Thomas Christmas for the Town of Halifax and Robert Rowan for the Town of Fayetteville; and for Public Printers Messrs. Arnett and Hodge of the Town of New Bern.

Should you accede to this measure you will signify the same by Message. Mr. Payne and Mr. Brown will, on the part of this House superintend the balloting.

Received from the House of Commons a Resolution of that body

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in favour of John Eaton, Coroner of Halifax County; which being read, was concurred with and returned.

Received likewise the Bill to amend the Act passed for purchasing a Lott or Lotts in the Town of Wilmington, for the purpose of building a Jail for the District of Wilmington and for repairing the Court House of the said District. Endorsed, read the second time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was amended by consent of the House of Commons, passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Received likewise the Bill to impower the Freeholders and Freemen of the Counties of Washington, Sullivan and Greene to return their representatives otherwise than is hitherto directed. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Received also, the following Bills, to-wit:

The Bill for the more speedy determining disputes that have arisen or hereafter may arise in the Counties of Rowan, Mecklenburgh, Rutherford, Guilford, Lincoln and Rockingham from erecting Mill-Dams, and to prevent persons from building Mills as herein directed;

The Bill directing that Marriage settlements and other marriage contracts shall be registered, and for preventing injury to creditors;

The Bill vesting certain property lying and being in Granville County in Mary Alston Bell in fee simple;

The Bill to establish a Superior Court of law and Equity in the County of Davidson;

The Bill for the regulation of Commerce;

The Bill for levying a tax for the support of Government and to continue the redemption of Continental money, old paper Currency, Specie and other Certificates; and

The Bill to impower Robinson Mumford and James Porterfield to receive Storage for Tobacco inspected and deposited in such Ware House or Houses as they shall build at Fayetteville. Each and every of them endorsed in the House of Commons, read the third time and passed.

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Ordered that these Bills be read, which being severally read, were passed the third and last time by this House.

Received from the House of Commons the Bill for emitting one hundred thousand pounds in paper currency for the purposes therein expressed. Endorsed, read the third time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the third and last time by this House.

The passage of this Bill being objected to, on motion of Mr. Payne, seconded by Mr. Riddick, it was ordered that the yeas and nays be taken which were as follows, to-wit:

For passing of this Bill—Mr. Coor, Mr. Herritage, Mr. J. Miller, Mr. Harget, Mr. Easton, Mr. Jones, Mr. Herndon, Mr. Etheridge, Mr. Williams, Mr. McCawley, Mr. Moore, Mr. Lewis, General Ramsey, Mr. Thomas Armstrong, Mr. I. Armstrong, Mr. Bledsoe, Mr. Gillispie, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Harris, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Parsons, Mr. Campbell, General McDowell, Mr. Hines, General Harrington, Mr. Brown, Mr. Hawkins, General Rutherford, Mr. Spicer and Mr. Stephen Miller.—31.

Against passing and for rejecting this Bill—General Gregory, Mr. Riddick, Mr. Payne, Mr. Battle, Mr. McCullock, Mr. Macon and Mr. Warrington.—7.

So this Bill was passed.

Received from the House of Commons the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

This House propose that a joint Committee be appointed to examine and report what injury the State is likely to sustain by David Miller’s ante-dating land Warrants and entering Western Lands since the office was shut, and have for this purpose appointed Messrs. Phifer, Singleton, Alexander, McKissick, Phillips and Isler.

This mesage being read was ordered to lie on the Table.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning 9 o’clock.


Wednesday, 28 December, 1785.

The House met.

Received from the House of Commons the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We agree to ballot as by you proposed, and add to your nomination for Brigadier General for the District of Wilmington Thomas

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Brown, Esquire. Mr. John P. Williams desires that his name be withdrawn from the nomination for Brigadier General.

This House now proceeded agreeable to the message of yesterday, to ballot, which being ended, Mr. Payne and Mr. Brown, appointed on the part of this House to superintend the balloting, returned and reported as followeth, vizt.:

That James Kenan, Esquire, was elected Brigadier General of the District of Wilmington;

James Armstrong, Esquire, Brigadier General of the District of New Bern;

John Haywood, Jun., Esquire, Judge of the Superior Court of Davidson;

Doctor Miles King a member of the Council of State;

General Griffith Rutherford and James Gillispie, Esquire, Superintendants of the Press for printing the money now to be emitted;

John Hunt and Absalom Tatom, Esquires, signers of the money;

John Haywood for the Town of Tarborough, Robert Rowan for Fayetteville and John Whitaker for Halifax, Commissioners for purchasing Tobacco for the use of the Public; and

The Messrs. Arnett and Hodge were elected public printers.

The House taking this report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith.

On motion, Resolved, That James Coor, Frederick Harget and John Herritage, Esquires, be appointed Commissioners to examine and compare with the Checks all the Certificates, &c., now in the hands of the Comptroller, and cause the same to be punched through with a circular punch and make report to the next General Assembly.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for concurrence.

On motion, Resolved, That James Malloy be allowed the sum of twenty-five pounds twelve shillings for express riding, that the Treasurer pay him the same and be allowed therefor in the settlement of his accounts with the public.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for for their concurrence.

Mr. Macon, from the Committee, delivered in the following Report, to-wit:

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The Committee appointed to receive, examine and punch the several species of certificates from the Public Treasurer, report:

That they have received and punched in Warrants and other drafts taken up, to the amount of twenty-five thousand three hundred and seventy-two pounds fourteen shillings four pence three farthings. In Auditors and other certificates to the amount of Fifty-three thousand two hundred and twenty-nine pounds eight shillings and ten pence. All which were delivered to the Comptroller.

JOHN MACON, Ch.

The House taking this Report into consideration, Resolved, That they do concur therewith, and ordered that it be sent to the House of Commons.

Received from the House of Commons the Bill to explain and amend an Act directing the sale of confiscated property. Endorsed, read the first time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the first time by this House and returned.

Received likewise the report of the Committee appointed to receive from the Treasurer, punch, &c., the several species of certificates. Endorsed in the House of Commons, read and concurred with.

On motion, Resolved, That the House and Lott in the Town of Hillsborough commonly called the Blue House, now confiscated and belonging to the State, be reserved for the use of the Public Treasurer and other public uses until the General Assembly shall otherwise direct.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for their concurrence.

Whereas, it hath been represented to the General Assembly that many of the Inhabitants of the Counties of Franklin, Bertie, Wilkes, Rutherford, Burke and Mecklenburg have not paid the specific pecuniary taxes for the years 1780 and 1781; therefore,

Resolved, That the Sheriffs, Collectors and former County Commissioners of the aforesaid Counties be, and they are hereby authorized and required to collect the arrears of the said taxes in the respective Counties.

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Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for Concurrence.

The General Assembly have examined the accounts and lists of Warrants issued and granted by the late and present Governor of this State, do approve their Conduct, and Resolve, That the said Accounts be lodged with the Comptroller who shall examine the same and carry the amount of the monies so granted, whether for Continental, State or private purposes, to their proper accounts.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for concurrence.

Received from the House of Commons the Bill for the relief of Mercy Bedford, and to vest in the Heirs of Jonas and Mercy Bedford the landed Estate of the said Jonas. Endorsed, read the third time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the third and last time by this House.

Resolved, That House of Commons be allowed the sum of Three pounds fourteen shillings in full of that sum by him expended for the use of the public, that the Treasurer pay him the same and be allowed.

Sent for concurrence.

Received from the House of Commons the Bill to amend an act passed at New Bern, November, 1784, entitled “an Act to describe and ascertain such persons who owed allegiance to this State, and to impose certain disqualifications on certain persons therein described.” Endorsed, read the third time and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the third and last time by this House.

Resolved, That John Lockhart be allowed the sum of thirty pounds for his Services as Clerk to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances & Engrossing Bills during the present session; that the Treasurer pay him the same and be allowed in the settlement of his public accounts.

Sent for concurrence.

Received from the House of Commons a Resolution of that body requesting the Speakers of the two Houses to present the thanks of the General Assembly to the Honorable Major General Howe, for the early and distinguished part he took in the late Revolution &

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for his long and faithful services to the United States during the late War; which being read, was unanimously concurred with and returned.

The Account of the public Treasurer against the State for sundries amounting to eighty-seven pounds thirteen shillings, was read, allowed and sent to the House of Commons.

Whereas, it hath been recommended to the present General Assembly to direct the different naval officers in this State to keep a State of all monies received in virute of their office and lay the same before the next General Assembly.

Resolved therefore, That the different Naval Officers of the several Ports in this State be and they are hereby directed and required to keep a State of all monies by them received in consequence of their office and lay the same before the next General Assembly.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for Concurrence.

Resolved, That Absalom Tatom be allowed the sum of five pounds for acting as Clerk to the Committee of Privileges and Elections; that the Treasurer pay him the same and be allowed.

Sent for concurrence.

Received from the House of Commons the Resolution of this House in favour of Mr. John Hunt. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Received likewise the following Bills, vizt.:

The Bill for appointing Commissioners in the County of Rutherford, for building a Court House, Prison and Stocks in the said County, and for levying a tax for defraying the expence thereof;

The Bill to amend an Act for making provision for the poor;

The additional Bill to amend the several Acts for regulating the Town of Wilmington, and to regulate and restrain the conduct of slaves and others in the said town, and in the Towns of Washington, Edenton and Fayetteville;

The Bill to erect and establish an Academy in the County of Duplin;

The Bill to prevent persons from stopping or obstructing Ways leading to Houses of public worship;

The Bill to impower certain persons therein named to receive, sue for and recover all such Bequests, Donations, Benefactions and

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other things as have heretofore been bequeathed, given or made by any person or persons whatsoever for the use of the Congregation or Society of the Presbyterian Communion at Wilmington;

The Bill to enable the Public Treasurer more effectually to recover public monies that are now due, or hereafter may become due;

The Bill to restore to Edward Bridgen, his Heirs and Assigns, all his property, real and personal, in this State; and,

The Bill to impower the Wardens of the Poor to call to Account all former Sheriffs, Clerks of County Courts and other persons, who have not accounted for taxes and fines by them received which are appropriated to, or intended for the support of the poor in the several Counties within this State. Severally endorsed, read the third time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were passed the third and last time by this House.

Whereas, it is very inconvenient and expensive for the Treasurer to transport the old State Dollar Bills paid into his office; therefore,

Resolved, That William McCawley, John Butler and Alexander Mebane, Esquires, be a Committee to receive the old State dollar Bills from the Treasurer and Destroy them, for which they shall give a receipt and make report thereof to the next General Assembly.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for concurence.

Received from the House of Commons a Resolve of that body exempting William Scott of Edgecombe County, from the payment of Poll taxes, which was read, concurred with and returned,

Received likewise the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We have received and considered of your Resolve respecting the appointment of certain gentlemen to punch through the Certificates, &c., in the hands of the Comptroller, with which we do not concur; but propose that the resolve herewith sent be adopted in lieu thereof. You will observe a blank for the name of one person in this Resolve, which we wish you to fill up.

The Resolve referred to being read and the blank filled with the name of Mr. James Coor, was concurred with and returned.

Received also a Resolve of the House of Commons directing that the last statement of the Accounts transmitted from the Board of

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Treasury of the United States be printed with the Journals of this Assembly, which was read, concurred with and returned.

Received from the House of Commons the Report of the Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of Colonel Charles Mc-Dwell. Endorsed, read and concurred with; which being read, was concurred with and returned.

Received likewise the Report of the Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of Doctor Charles Pasteur. Endorsed, read and concurred with as to the first Claim, and the others ordered to be referred to the District Auditors, which being read, was concurred with in like manner and returned.

Recd. also the Resolve of this House in favour of certain Rioters of Fayetteville. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Received from the House of Commons the Resolution of this House of the 27th Inst., relative to entries of Lands made in the Counties therein mentioned. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Received likewise the Resolution of this House of the 13th Inst., directing the Treasurer to receive Army settlement Certificates as therein mentioned. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Received also, the Report of the Committee in favour of Thomas Garrett, and the Report and Resolution in favour of William Orme. Respectively endorsed, read and concurred with.

On motion, Resolved, That Doctor Hugh Boyd be allowed the sum of two hundred pounds in part of his account against the public for services and medicines when acting as surgeon, and that his account be filed and lie for the further investigation of the next General Assembly; that the Treasurer pay the above mentioned sum for which this shall be his warrant.

Sent for concurrence.

On motion of Mr. Macon the House resolved as followeth, to-wit:

Whereas, it appears to this General Assembly that in the year 1780 Pinkithman Eaton (late a Major in the Continental Line of this State) was employed by Benjamin Hawkins, Esquire, Commercial Agent, to go twice to Richmond in Virginia to procure Arms for the use of this State and was entrusted with four thousand dollars for that purpose, which sum is yet unaccounted for, the said Eaton being now dead whose Heirs are likely to become sufferers thereby without the interposition of the General Assembly, Be it

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therefore Resolved, That the Treasurer be directed to suspend the issuing a Writ against the Estate or Heirs of said Eaton until the next meeting of the General Assembly.

Sent for concurrence.

Resolved, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and required to detain all warrants and grants for lands reserved for the Continental Officers & Soldiers that may appear to him to have been obtained by fraud, until the next session of the General Assembly.

Received from the House of Commons the Bill to amend and explain an act for opening the land office, and for adding a part of the officers and soldiers boundary to the County of Davidson. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read the second time, was laid over until the next session of Assembly.

Received likewise the Resolve in favour of Benjamin Leonard. Endorsed in the House of Commons, concurred with.

Received also the following, to-wit:

The Resolve relative to the House and Lott in Hillsborough commonly called the Blue House;

The account of the public Treasurer for sundry expenditures in office;

The Resolve relative to the accounts and lists of Warrants granted to the late and present Governor;

The Resolve in favour of Absalom Tatom; and

The Resolve for destroying the old State Dollar Bills in the hands of the Treasurer. Respectively endorsed in the House of Commons, concurred with.

Received from the House of Commons the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Genetlemen:

We have received and considered the resolve of your House in favour of Doctor Hugh Boyd, which we do not concur with, but propose that the one herewith sent you be adopted in lieu thereof.

The Resolve of the House of Commons alluded to in the foregoing message was read and concurred with.

Received likewise a Resolution of the House of Commons directing the Commissioners of confiscated property for the District of Hillsborough, relative to certain lands lying and being in the County

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of Granville claimed by George Laine Moore, William Jones and James Cash; which was read, concurred with and returned.

Received also, a Resolve for suspending a Judgment given on the forfeiture of a Recognizance in March Term, 1785, in the Superior Court of Morgan District against William Walker; which was read, concurred with and returned.

Received from the House of Commons the Bill to explain and amend an act directing the sale of confiscated property. Endorsed, read the second time, amended and passed.

Ordered that this Bill be read, which being read, was passed the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

Received likewise the following Bills, to-wit:

The Bill to impower Commisioners to liquidate the accounts of the Officers and Soldiers of the Continental Line of this State and to revive the late Boards of Auditors for a limited time; and,

The Bill to secure and quiet in their possessions all such persons, their Heirs and assigns, who have purchased or may hereafter purchase lands and tenements, goods and chattels, which have been sold or may hereafter be sold by Commissioners of forfeited estates, legally appointed for that purpose. Respectively endorsed, read the third time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were passed the third and last time by this House.

Resolved, That Hardy Jones of Edgecombe County, be allowed the sum of eight pounds for going express with the Journal of the Senate for the last session of the Assembly, from the County aforesaid to the Town of New Bern and delivering the same to the public printer, which sum the Treasurer is required to pay him and for which this shall be his warrant.

Sent for concurrence.

Resolved, That Henry Purss be allowed the sum of thirty pounds in full of his account against the State for sundries furnished by him to several Committees of the General Assembly to this day, and that the Treasurer pay the same, for which he shall be allowed in the settlement of his public accounts.

Sent for concurrence.

Resolved, That Mr. Curtis Ivey be allowed the sum of eighty pounds for his services as Clerk to the Grand Committee and for

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drawing and engrossing a number of Bills during the present session, which sum the Treasurer is required to pay him and for which this shall be his warrant.

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for concurrence.

Resolved, That Joshua Winston be allowed the sum of twenty pounds for his services in acting as Clerk to several Committees, Engrossing Bills, &c., that the Treasurer pay him the same and be allowed.

Sent for concurrence.

Mr. Macon moved for leave and delivered in the following protest against the passing of the Bill for emitting one hundred thousand pounds paper currency, &c., to-wit:

On the third and last reading of an Act for emitting one hundred thousand pounds paper currency, being carried in the affirmative We, the subscribing members, enter this our protest:

Dissentient,

Because, we conceive the Emission of a Paper Current money at best to be founded in mistaken policy, and more especially when there does not exist in our opinion, the most remote necessity for such an expedient.

First—Because, a Depreciation, being an inevitable consequence, will supply the dishonest debtor with an opportunity to impose on the impartial Creditor a mere nominal payment for a real and valuable consideration.

Secondly—Because, it will unavoidably subject the defenceless and unwary orphan to the melancholy loss of receiving a handsome patrimony in an insignificant something.

Thirdly—Because, an experiment heretofore lately made of one hundred thousand pounds, has convinced us that all paper money has a manifest tendency to operate against commerce, not being answerable to the purpose of foreign remittance.

Fourthly—Because, it is undeniably notorious that Virginia and South Carolina have been inflnitely benefitted by the erroneous policy of a paper medium in this State, and that our mercantile and other citizens have suffered inconceivably by having suits commenced against themselves or factors in other States by the citizens of this

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State for the express design of evading a paper payment, which game has been often played with various success.

And Fifthly—Because the only plausible pretence for the increase of such a political evil as a paper currency is evidently impracticable; the Commissioners being restricted to the price of fifty shillings per hundred for tobacco, which is to be applied to a purpose which alone could have induced an impartial advocate for so mischievous and ruinous a policy.

J. Macon, Mich. Payne, Henry Lightfoot, Isaac Gregory, Elisha Battle, Ben McCullock, John Warrington and Joseph Riddick.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning 7 o’clock.


Thursday, 29 December, 1785.

The House met.

Received from the House of Commons the following Bills, to-wit:

The Bill to amend the acts passed for purchasing a Lott or Lotts in the Town of Wilmington for the purpose of building a Jail for the District of Wilmington and for repairing the Court House of the said District;

The Bill for establishing a Militia in this State;

The Bill to empower the Freeholders and Freemen of the Counties of Washington, Sullivan and Greene to return their Representatives otherwise than is hitherto directed;

The Bill to release certain persons therein mentioned, from Judgments on Forfeited Recognizances, and to empower the Judges to suspend Judgments hereafter to be given in like cases;

The Bill to prevent the sale of such of the lands of Ralph McNair, decd., as remain unsold in this State, and to empower Edward Hall, of Edgecombe County, Executor of the last Will and Testament of the said Ralph, to collect the debts due from the Inhabitants of this State to the said Ralph, which have become due to him since the passing of the Law commonly called the Expulsion Act; and,

The Bill for destroying Wolves, Panthers, Bears, Wild Cats, Crows and Squirrels, in the several Counties therein mentioned. Severally endorsed, read the third time and passed.

Ordered that these Bills be read, which being read, were passed the third and last time by this House.

Received likewise the Resolution of this House of yesterday,

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directing the Secretary of the State to detain Warrants and Grants for lands as therein mentioned until the next General Assembly. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Received also, a Resolution of the House of Commons in favour of Henry Purss, proposed to be adopted instead of the one on that head yesterday entered into by this House; which being read, was concurred with and returned.

Whereas, it appears to the General Assembly that many frauds have been and are likely to be committed, by altering the location of lands in consequence of late Entries on all or part of lands previously located, to the Great Injury of prior Entries which have not been as yet surveyed; to prevent which abuses as much as possible,

Resolved, That the Secretary do not issue any grants for lands lying on the West side of the Cumberland Mountains until the next General Assembly shall take further measures thereon, (lands lying within the Bounds laid off for the Officers and Soldiers of the Continental Line excepted).

Ordered that this Resolve be sent to the House of Commons for concurrence.

Resolved, as the opinion of this General Assembly, That for the future no clerk shall be employed to conduct business in any Committee, or otherwise, out of Doors, until he shall be first approved of by the General Assembly.

Sent for concurrence.

Received from the House of Commons a Resolve of that body allowing Mr. Curtis Ivey Sixty pounds, instead of the sum voted him by this House; which being read, was rejected. Whereupon, it was Resolved, That Mr. Ivey be allowed the sum of seventy pounds; this Resolution being sent for concurrence produced the following Message, vizt.:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We cannot agree to allow Mr. Ivey more than sixty pounds and hope you will reconsider the resolve of this House allowing him that sum and concur with it.

This Message being read it was agreed that the Resolution of the House of Commons alluded to should be reconsidered, which being

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accordingly done, the said Resolution was concurred with and returned.

Received from the House of Commons the Resolution of this House of yesterday in favour of Hardy Jones. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Received likewise the Resolve directing the Secretary of the State not to issue Grants for lands lying West of the Cumberland Mountains. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Received also, the Resolution of this House in favour of the Heirs of Pinkethman Eaton, decd. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Received from the House of Commons the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

We will agree that James Logan, Shadrach Logan and Robert Erwin be added to the Committee of the Peace for Rutherford County, but cannot agree that the others be commissioned as by you proposed.

Received likewise, the Resolve of this House directing the manner of appointing Clerks of Committees in future. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Received also, the Resolution of the House of Commons allowing Anderson Hunt ten pounds for services in acting as Clerk to Committees, drawing and Engrossing Bills, &c., which was read, concurred with and returned.

Received from the House of Commons a Resolution of that Body directing that final settlement certificates issued by John Pearce, Esq., Auditors Certificates, &c., shall be taken in payment for confiscated property hereafter to be sold; which being read, was concurred with and returned.

Received likewise the following message:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

This House cannot agree to allow John Lockhart more than twenty pounds, Joshua Winslow fifteen pounds; if you will make the Resolves in their favour conformable we will concur.

This proposition being read the Resolves alluded to were entered accordingly and sent to the House of Commons.

Received also, a resolution of the House of Commons allowing

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Absalom Tatom fifteen pounds for drawing and Engrossing Bills; which was read, concurred with and returned.

Received from the House of Commons a Resolution of that body relative to the mode by which the Commissioners of confiscated property shall be paid their commissions, and containing likewise Instructions to the Treasurer as to the manner of his paying of such Drafts as the said Commissioners shall obtain on the Treasury. Which being read, was concurred with and returned.

Received likewise, the Resolve of the House of Commons allowing James Malloy, as therein mentioned, for Benches, &c.; which was read concurred with and returned.

Received also, a Resolution of the House of Commons empowering William Good to take possession of the palace in New Bern, &c.; which was read, concurred with and returned.

Received from the House of Commons the following, to-wit:

The General Assembly being desirous on all occasions to signify their approbation of the conduct of public officers, who have discharged their trust with Reputation, take this earliest opportunity of testifying their acknowledgments to the Honourable Alexander Martin, Esquire, late Governor of this State, for the Honour and that general satisfaction with which he discharged the duties of that high and important Trust.

The above being read, was unanimously concurred with and returned to the House of Commons.

Received likewise, a Resolution of the House of Commons of this day allowing Mr. Bazel Smith, as therein mentioned, for Fire Wood, &c., furnished this Assembly; which was read, concurred with and returned.

Received also, the Resolve of this House in favour of John Lockhart and Joshua Winslow. Endorsed, read and concurred with.

Mr. Macon, in behalf of himself and others, delivered in the following protest against the passing of the Resolution of this day, allowing Auditors, Comptrollers and County Commissioners Certificates to be received in payment of confiscated property, to-wit:

Dissentient:

Because, the Emission of one hundred thousand pounds was emitted in the year 1783 and funded only on the confiscated property.

And because, in some one or more of the Districts in this State

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the Commissioners have proceeded to sale, when Auditors, Comptrollers and County Commissioners Certificates were not received, which, in passing the resolve at this time in our opinion, is a partial one and ought not to be made. John Macon, Anthony Bledsoe, John Armstrong, Ambrose Ramsey.

Pursuant to the vote of the General Assembly the Honourable the Speakers of the two Houses caused General Howe to be presented with the following, to-wit:

To the Honourable Robert Howe, Esquire, late Major General in the Army of the United States of America:

Sir:

In pursuance of a Resolution of the Honourable the General Assembly of this State, which we do ourselves the honor to enclose you, be pleased to accept, through us, the Thanks of the Legislature, for the early and distinguished part you have taken in the late Revolution and for your long and faithful services to the United States in the late War. Be assured Sir, we feel a particular pleasure in the part assigned us in communicating to you this public testimonial of the approbation and gratitude of your Country.

We have the honour to be Sir,
Your most obedient humble servants,
ALEX. MARTIN, S. Sen.,
RICHARD DOBBS SPAIGHT, S. C.

In answer to which General Howe caused the following to be delivered to the Honourable the Speakers of the General Assembly, vizt.:

Honourable Gentlemen:

The Felicity I feel on reflecting that I have faithfully endeavoured to do my duty is greatly increased by the Honourable testimony transmitted to me, that my conduct has been thought worthy of the notice and has obtained the approbation of those honourable bodies in which you Gentlemen preside. Ever happy in serving my Country, and ever emulous of its applause, I cannot but rejoice at receiving this very pleasing confirmation that my efforts have not been wholly unsuccessful; devoted to the Common weal, I glory in the consciousness that duty with me ever did and ever shall precede all other considerations however interesting, endearing or

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heart-felt; but did my zeal in the service of America require a stimulus, or could possibly admit of addition, the high honors done me this day would most certainly effect it; permit me, Gentlemen, to request that you convey for me to the Legislature the high sense I have and the grateful remembrance I shall retain, of the marks of distinction shown me by my particular Country; and enhance the obligation by accepting my thanks for the manner in which you have been pleased to communicate the very favourable sentiments they entertain of my services.

I have the honor to be,
With great respect and esteem Gentlemen,
Your Humble Servant,
ROBERT HOWE.

New Bern, 29th December, 1785.

The Business of the Session being about to be closed, the several Bills passed by a final reading in each House were now called for and ratified, which being done the House resolved as followeth, to-wit:

Resolved, That the thanks of this House be given to the Honourable Alexander Martin, Esquire, Speaker thereof, for his indefatigable assiduity to public business, and that polite attention which gave general satisfaction.

The estimates of allowance being now agreed on by the two Houses, On motion, the House adjourned without day.

ALEXANDER MARTIN, S. S.
By order,
J. Haywood, Clk. Sen.


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3 Wherever the county of Davidson is mentioned in this Journal it means Davidson County, Tennessee, in which the City of Nashville now stands.—Ed.

4 These counties are in what is now Tennessee.—Ed.