Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-11-16

Of the rtgnlar troops, aud fort. was
entrlstedto CD. John BAflenger.
Pie F&chsa,expedit against the
tories, had returned and all the disaf-
fected, that had not previously been
made prisoners, except one, WIN.
Cooper, a member of the Convention,
and notorious in North Carolina du-
ring the American war for his cruelty
towards the whigs} had surrendered
and taken the oath of fidelity TO the
new government. It was supposed
that all the prisoners, confined for po-
iitical offences, would shortly be lib.
Grated, as the convention is. averse to
IF shtdding of blood, except in ca
seSof the utmost extremity. All was
QUIT in the new republic, and the ut
most confidence prevailed of their be-
ing able to repel any force that could
be bro's against them.
In the Convention of the State of Florida, At the
Town of Baton Rouge assembled,
October, 5sh, 1910.
On motion, Resolved, That so much
of the ordinance ofthis convention, oil
the ed of August last, as relates to
the tax. on slaves imported into this
commonwealth be repealed, and thes
same is hereby repealed accordinelv.
And all persons residing within this
commonwealth, or allowed BY the said
ordinance to. obtain permission Of re-
sidepce within the same, shall be al
lowedt 70 import aud bring into this
comnonweal:h all slaves belongipg 10
them, orwhich they MAJ have in charge
without paying any tax Or duty there.
FOR, whatever, any thing contained
in the said ordinance to the contrary
Notwithstanding.
On motion, Resolved That so much
of the ordinance of thi. convention, of
the 22d of August last, as rel.tes TO
the tax on lands, be amended in such
manner that all lands within this COM
monwealth, being reduced to three
classes /; those of the first quality. be
subject to tax of six rails per hundred
arPents; those of the second quality
four rails and those of the third quail
ity, two rails per hundred arpents.-
And it shall be the duty Of the sever
al Alcaldes, each for the division in
Which he resides, to estimate TIE quail.
ity of the lands subject to taxation
within his division, both of residents
and non-residents, aud to express the
quality of each tract. on the return
made byAhim of taxable property to
the comrnandant of the district. who
shall make his return /, the same
manner to the Clerk of the Superior
Court. And it shall be the duty oil
the. Alcaldes aforesaid, each for the
division in which he resides, TO make
a return Of the lands Of non-residents,
at the same times, and in the same
manner, chasing them according to
quality, as the lands of the inhabitant:
Of the country.
BY order Of the Convention.
JOHN RHEA, President.
BY the Representatives of the PEOPLE of he
Commonwealth of Florida, in Conve ntion a
sembled,
A PROCLAMATION.
The several districts of West Flor.
ida having been declared free ant
independent state by a solemn act O
this Convention, made and published
this day, we hasten to congratulate
our fellow citizens on this fortuna,.
event, and to assure them that no
thing shall be wanting on our part, ii
order to secure, to our constituents
our country, the blessings of liber,,
and equal rights, and to establish thos
rights on the most permanent foun
datiouI In the mean time the law
heretofore observed in the admins
tra,ion of justice, and the determining
the right of property, remain in ful
force, as far as the situation of tn
country will permit. The ordinance
and resolutions adopted by the cor
vention with the concurrence of tn
Governor, on the 22d day of Angus
LAST are considered as law, agreeabl
to the proclamation Of that date, es
. ceptilg only that the powers veste
IN the Governor, by that ordinance
will re exercised by this convention
for the time being, and until SON
. permanent regulations be made fC
the better government of this common
wealth.