The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-07-01
PROCEEDINGS
OF A
MEETING OF FREEHOLDERS,
Augusta County, Virginia,

| Augusta county, Virginia,
Held at ,Stauaton, February, 22d, I775.
After due notice given to the Freeho::a .ars G
Augusta County, to meet in Staunton for tn
purpose of electing Delegates to represen
them in Colony Convention, at the town Q
Richmond, on the Goth day of March, the Free
holders of said county thought proper to refe
the choice of their Delegates to the judgmen
of the Committee, who, thus authorized by tn,
general voice OF the people, met at the Cour
House on the 22d Of February, AMI unanimous
! ly chose Mr.. Thomas Lewis and Captain Sam
uel Mcdowell, to represent them in the ens,1
ing Convention.
Instructions were then ordered to be drawn
up by Rev. Alexander Balmaier, Mr. Sampson
Mathews, Captain Alexander AcClannahan
Mr. Michael Bower, Mr.. William Lewis, an(
Captain George Mathews, or any three O
them, and delivered to the Delegates thu
chosen which are as follows
To M. Thomas Leacis and
| Capt. Samuel McDoweU:
The Committee Of Augusta County, pursr-
! ant to the trust reposed in them by the Free
| holders of the same, have chosen you to rep
resent them in Colony Convention proposed
| to be heldin Richmond, OH the goth Of March
instant. They desire that you may consider
the people Of Augusta County rs impressed
| with just sentiments Of loyalty and allegiance
| Imperial Crown of Great Britain, rests on nc
other foundation than the liberty, and whose
glory is inseparabe from the happiness OF all
his subjects. We have also a respect for the
Parent State, which respect is founded on re-
ligion, on law, and the genuine principles of
the Constitution. On these principles do we
earnestly desire harmony and goodLunder-
! standing restored between Great Britain and
America. Many OF lis and our forefathers left
their native land and explored this once savage
wilderness, to enjoy the free exercise of the
rights Of conscience and Of human NATURE.
These rights we are fully determined with our
lives and fortunes, inviolable to preserve, nor
will we surrender such inestimable blessings
the purchase of toll and danger. to any Minis
try, to any Parliament, or any body of men on
earth by whom we are not represented, and in
whose decisions, therefore, we, have. no voice.
We desire you to tender, in tile most respect
fnl terms, our grateful acknowledgements to
the late worthy Delegates OF the Colony, for
their wise, spirited, and, patriotic exertions in
the General Congress and to assure them, that
we will uniformly and religionsly adhere to
their Resolutions, prudentfy and generously
formed for their countrys good.
Fully convinced that the safety and happi-
ness of America depend, next: to the blessing
of Almighty God. on the unanimity and wis
dom of her councils, we doubt not you will, on
your parts, comply with the Recommendation
Of the late Continental Congress, by appoin-
ting Delegates from this Colony to meet in
Philadelphia on the 10th OF May next, unless
American grievances be .redressed before that
time and as we are determined to maintain
unimpaired Liberty which is the gift of Heaven
to the subjects Of Brltain's Empire, we will
most cordially join cur countrynen in such
measures as may be; deemed wise and necessa-
ry to secure and perpetuate the ancient, just
and legal rights of this Colony and all British
America. ,,,
AS the state of this Colony greatly demands
that manufactures should be encouraged by ev-
cry possible means, we desire you to use your
endeavors that Bounties may be proposed by
the Convention for the making of salt, steel,
wool cards, paper, and guppowder, and that in
the meantime supply of ammunition be provi-
ly agree in opinion with the gentlemen. OF
Fairfax county, THAI a we'll regulated Militiais
the natural strength and stable security OF a
free Government, and Therefore wish it might
be recommended BY the Convention to the Off
GERS and men of each bounty i'll Virginia, to
make themselves masters of the Military exer-
cises, published by order Of his Majesty in the
year 1854. ..s
Placing our ultimate trust in the Supreme
Disposer OF every event, Without whose gracious
interposition the wisest schemes may fail of
success, we desire you 70 move the Convention
ffat some day, which may appear to them most
convenient, be set apart for implorng the
blessing Of Almighty God on such plans as hu-
man wisdom and integrity may think necessary
to adopt for preserving America, happy, ,irtu-
GUS, and free
To the Hon. Peyton Randolph, Esq.,, Presi-
dent. Richard Henry lee, George Washng-
ton, Patrick Henry; Richard Bland, Benja-
min Harrison, and Edmund Pe,adleton
Esqrs., Delegutes from this Colony to the
General Congress:
GENTLEAIEN We have it in command from
the Freeholders of Augusta county, by their
Committee held az the 22d February, to pre-
sent you with the grateful acknowledgements
Of thanks, for the prudent, virtuous and noble
eNertions Of the facgties with which Heaven
has endowed you, in the cause of liberty, and
every thing that men ought to hold sacred. at
the late General Congress, a conduct so nobly
interesting, that it must command the Tribute
OF applause, not only from this. but succeeding
ages. May that sacred flame Chat has hlunlina-
ted your minds and influenced your conduct
in projecting and concnrring in SO many salu-
tary determinations for the preservation of
American Liberty, ever continue to direct your
conduct, to the latest period of your lives =
May.Ihe bright example he fairly transcribed
OH the hearts and be reduced into practice by
every. Vlrginian, by every American. May
Your hearts be open, to receive and our arms
strong to defend that liberty and freedom, the
gilt OF Heaven. now banishing from its last re-
treat in Europe! Here let it be Hospitality en-
teftained in every breast Here let it take
deep root AND flourish In everlasting bloom !!
that under its benign influence, the virtuously
free may enjoy secure repose, and stand forth
the scour9e and terror of tyranny and tyrants
OF every order OF denomination, till time shall
be no more
BE pleased gentlemen, to accept Of their
grateful sense of Your importing service, and
OF their ardent prayers for the best interest OF
this once happy country, and youchsafe. GEN.
tiemen, to accept of the samefrom your most
humble servants.
THOMAS LEWIS.
SAMUEL McDQWKLL,
Delegates.
To Thamats Lei55its Gaisd SasMM;u,,ssl Mcdowell:
CENT? EnIEN !: BE pleased to transmit to the
fespectaple freehoitiers of the county of All
%llsta, or sincere thanks for their alfectionate
address. approving our conduct in the late Con
tinental Congress 1t gives us the greatest
pleasure TO find that our honest endeavols TO
serve our country on this artlnous and impof-
tant occasion, have met their APPROPRIATION;
reward ~ adequate to our warlnesI WISHES,
lniis lle assurances from the brave apt szApileo
!.