Be it _resolved_, that a standing Committee of Correspondence and inquiry be appointed, to consist of eleven Persons, to wit, the Honourable _Peyton Randolph_, Esquire, _Robert Carter Nicholas_, _Richard Bland_, _Richard Henry Lee_, _Benjamin Harrison_, _Edmund Pendleton_, _Patrick Henry_, _Dudley Digges_, _Dabney Carr_, _Archibald Cary_, and _Thomas Jefferson_, Esquires, any six of whom to be a Committee, =whose business it shall be to obtain the most early and authentic intelligence of all such Acts and _Resolutions_ of the _British Parliament_, or proceedings of Administration, as may relate to or affect the British Colonies in America, and to keep up and maintain a Correspondence and Communication with our Sister Colonies, respecting these important Considerations; and the result of such their proceedings, from Time to Time, to lay before this House.= _Resolved_, that it be an instruction to the said Committee, that they do, without delay, inform themselves particularly of the principles and Authority, on which was constituted a _Court of Inquiry_, said to have been lately held in _Rhode Island_, with Powers to transmit Persons, accused of Offences committed in America, to places beyond the Seas, to be tried. The said _Resolutions_, being severally read a second Time, were upon the Question severally put thereupon agreed to by the House, _nemine contradicente_. =_Resolved_, that the Speaker of this House do transmit to the Speakers of the different Assemblys of the British Colonies, on the Continent, Copies of the said Resolutions, and desire that they will lay them before their respective Assemblies; and request them to appoint some Person or Persons, of their respective Bodies, to communicate, from Time to Time, with the said Committee.= _c. Letters received by the Virginia Committee of Correspondence, 1773_ _Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, 1773-1767_, 47-50. * * * * * (1) Rhode Island. New Port, May 15th, 1773. SIR: I had the Pleasure of receiving your Favour of the 19th of March with the Resolves of the House of Burgesses of Virginia; which with the Letter from your Committee of Correspondence I laid before the House of Deputies of this Colony at their meeting the last Week. The House thoroughly convinced that a firm Union of the Colonies is absolutely necessary for the Preservation of their ancient, legal and constitutional Rights, and that the Measures proposed by your House of Burgesses will greatly promote so desirable an End, came, Nemine contradicente, into the Resolutions of which I have the honor now to enclose you a Copy. I am desired to inform you that the Committee apointed by our House of Deputies, will, as soon as possible, transmit to the Committee of Correspondence of Virginia, the best Accounts they shall be able to obtain, respecting the Court of Inquiry lately held in this Colony.