* * * * * _Ordered_, That the Resolutions of the Committee of the whole House, Yesterday reported to the House, and by them agreed to, be printed in the _Virginia Gazette_. * * * * * [Mr. _Blair_, previously appointed to draft an address to the King, read the address, as follows.] When we consider, that by the established Laws and Constitution of this Colony, the most ample Provision is made for apprehending and punishing all those who shall dare to engage in any treasonable Practices against your Majesty, or disturb the Tranquility of Government, we cannot, without Horror, think of the new, unusual, and permit us, with all Humility, to add, unconstitutional and illegal Mode, recommended to your Majesty, of seizing and carrying beyond the Sea, the Inhabitants of America, suspected of any Crime; and of trying such Persons in any other Manner than by the ancient and long established Course of Proceeding: For how truly deplorable must be the Case of a wretched American, who, having incurred the Displeasure of any one in Power, is dragged from his native Home, and his dearest domestick Connections, thrown into Prison, not to await his Trial before a Court, Jury, or Judges, from a Knowledge of whom he is encouraged to hope for speedy Justice; but to exchange his Imprisonment in his own Country, for Fetters amongst Strangers? Conveyed to a distant Land, where no Friend, no Relation, will alleviate his Distresses, or minister to his Necessities; and where no Witness can be found to testify his Innocence; shunned by the reputable and honest, and consigned to the Society and Converse of the wretched and the abandoned; he can only pray that he may soon end his Misery with his Life.... The said _Address_ being read a second Time; _Resolved, Nemine Contradicente_, That the House doth agree with the Committee, in the said Address, to be presented to his Majesty. _Ordered_, That Mr. _Speaker_ do transmit the said Address to the Agent for this Colony, with Directions to cause the same to be presented to his Most Excellent Majesty; and afterwards to be printed and published in the _English_ Papers. * * * * * A Message from the Governor, by Mr. _Walthoe_: "Mr. Speaker, the Governor commands the immediate Attendance of your House in the Council Chamber." Accordingly, Mr. _Speaker_, with the House, went up to attend the Governor in the Council Chamber; where his Excellency was pleased to say to them: "Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses, I have heard of your Resolves and augur ill of their Effect: You have made it my Duty to dissolve you; and you are dissolved accordingly." _b. Association of the Ex-Burgesses, May 18, 1769_ _Journals of House of Burgesses, 1766-1769_, xxxix ff.