Resolved, That it be recommended to the Governor, with the advice of the Council, immediately to call into service such number of the militia from the most convenient counties as they may think necessary for the defence of the lower parts of the country, to check the operation of the enemy, and enable the inhabitants to make a stand, until a body of militia can be collected, from the more distant counties; and that the most expeditious means be used to lay in magazines of provisions and other necessaries, unless he shall receive such intelligence as may remove the apprehensions of the threatened invasion.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the Governor, with the advice of the Council, to take such measures as they shall judge most expedient for the defence of the town of York, and the ships of our good Allies in that port, if the same shall be adjudged practicable, and also for the defence of the most important passes in the counties of Norfolk, Princess Anne, or Nansemond, for the protection of that part of the country.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the Governor, with the advice of the Council, to issue immediate orders to the commanding officers of the different counties on the East side of the Alleghany mountains, to hold one-third part of their militia in readiness to march at the shortest warning, to such place as may be necessary, in case an invasion should take place.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the Governor, with the advice of the Council, in case an invasion should actually take place, to enlist, upon the best terms in his power, such number of men out of the militia as he may think necessary, to serve during the said invasion, to be formed into companies or regiments, and commanded by such officers as he, with the advice aforesaid, shall direct, and that the General Assembly will provide for the expenses thereof.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the Governour, with the advice of the Council, to apply to the State of North Carolina for aid in troops and provisions, if the same shall be necessary, more especially for the defence of Princess Anne, Norfolk, and the adjacent counties, and also to the State of Maryland, in case assistance should be necessary from thence.
Resolved, That the General Assembly will make good any sums of money which may be advanced by any of the good citizens of this state upon the present emergency, and that the same shall be repaid with interest out of the first money coming into the treasury, not appropriated to the payment of the requisitions from Congress.
Resolved, that it be recommended to the Governour, with the advice of the Council, to issue orders to a sufficient number of the militia in the counties adjacent to the barracks in Albemarle, to hold themselves in readiness to remove the British prisoners there to such parts as may be found expedient; and that in case an actual invasion should take place, the said prisoners be removed accordingly, and that they be either kept together, or at different places, as the executive, in their discretion, shall think best, and the officers separated from the privates.
Resolved, that the Governor, with the advice of the Council, be empowered to authorise the superiour officer of the troops upon the establishment of this commonwealth, to take the command of all the said troops in the Eastern department, and issue orders to them accordingly. Resolved, that the Governor, with advice of the Council, be desired to suspend the sale of the gallies till the apprehensions of an invasion shall be removed; that they be ordered into such of the rivers as he, with the advice aforesaid, shall judge are most exposed to the enemy; and that they be kept in readiness, to act in concert with any troops that may be embodied for the defence of the State.
Resolved, that the Governor be empowered, with the advice of the Council, in case of actual invasion, if necessity require, to cause provisions or other necessaries to be pressed by proper officers for the support of the militia and other troops, taking care to direct that proper receipts or certificates be given to the owners of such provisions or other necessaries, and that sufficient quantities of provision be left for the payment of the specific tax, and for the support of the respective families from whom they may be so pressed; and it is farther resolved and directed, that the receipts and certificates so to be given shall be laid before the next session of Assembly for payment.