106 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION [1776.

or private, a forfeiture of his pay for one month, or a fine to the
value thereof, close imprisonment not exceeding ten days, or whip-
ping with thirty-nine lashes on the bare back, and drumming out
of the company.

63. No sentence of death shall be executed on any offender be-
fore the proceedings shall be certified to and approved by the coun-
cil of safety, who may in their discretion pardon the offender; nor
shall any sentence of a general or inferior court-martial for whip-
ping, be executed before the same shall be made known to and ap-
proved by the commanding officer of the battalion, corps, garrison,
or station to which the offender belongs, and such commanding
officer may in his discretion remit such punishment.

64. All fines shall be paid into the hands of such persons as
shall be directed by the court-martial that set the same, and shall
be applied to the relief of the sick of the company to which the
offender belongs.

65. That these rules shall be openly and distinctly read at the
head of every corps, garrison, company, or part of a company,
stationed at any one place, once at least in every month, under the
penalty of twenty pounds on the officer commanding such corps,
garrison, company, or part of a company.

Convention adjourns till to-morrow morning half after 9 o'clock.

MONDAY, January 15, 1776.

Convention met. All members present as on yesterday. The
proceedings of yesterday were read.

Ordered, That Mr. Richard Ridgely qualify himself as clerk as-
sistant to the convention, by taking the oath of office and secrecy
as directed to be taken by the clerk.

A certificate of said Ridgely's qualification was produced and
filed.

Resolved, That this convention is willing and desirous to con-
tribute all the assistance in their power to the relief of their sister
colonies; and as this convention is informed that the counties
of Accomack and Northampton are in need of assistance,

Resolved, That the minute company in Dorchester county com-
manded by captain Joseph Robson, and the minute company in
Queen Anne's county commanded by captain James Kent, and the
minute company in Kent county commanded by captain William
Henry, immediately march to Accomack and Northampton coun-
ties in Virginia, to the assistance of the inhabitants there; and
that if any of the men belonging to either of the said companies