By order— Evan Williams, Clerk.
132. Virginia County "Conventions" become De Facto Governments
Force, American Archives, Fourth Series, I, 1145.
For the occasion for the "second conventions" in the various colonies in the winter of 1774-5, cf. American History and Government, § 143.
The Virginia Convention of August 1-6, 1774, had appointed delegates to the Continental Congress to be held in September at Philadelphia, and adjourned after authorizing its chairman to call another convention when necessary. It was only an informal conference.
In December, a Second Maryland Convention virtually became a de facto government, arming the province for defense against England. This example was followed promptly in single counties in Virginia,—first in George Washington's County.
[Extracts from the Proceedings of the Committee of Fairfax County, on the 17th of January 1775.]
- George Washington, Esquire, Chairman,
- Robert H. Harrison, Clerk:
Resolved, That the defenceless state of this County renders it indispensably neccessary that a quantity of Ammunition should be immediately provided; and as the same will be for the common benefit, protection, and defence of the inhabitants thereof, it is but just and reasonable that the expenses incurred in procuring the same should be defrayed by a general and equal contribution. It is therefore recommended that the sum of three Shillings per poll, for the purpose aforesaid, be paid by and for every tithable person in this County, to the Sheriff, or such other Collector as may be appointed, who is to render the same to this Committee, with a list of the names of such persons as shall refuse to pay the same, if any such there be.