Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/245

 That committee was immediately formed; but not hav- ing time to go through the subject, had leave to sit again. On the next day the house again resolved itself into a committee of the whole, and after some time spent there- in, the speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Carter re- ported on the subject of Philips, as follows:

" Information being received, that a certain Philips, with divers others his associates and confede- rates, have levied war against this commonwealth, within the counties of Norfolk and Princess Anne, com- mitting murders, burning houses, wasting farms, and doing other acts of enormity, in defiance of the officers of justice,

^' Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, that if the said Philips, his associates and con-

federates, do not render themselves to some officer, civil or military, within this commonwealth, on or be- fore day of June in this present year, such of them as fail so to do, ought to be attainted of high treason; and that in the mean time, and before such render, it shall be lawful for any person, with or without orders, to pursue and slay, or otherwise to take and deliver to justice the said Philips, his associates and con-

federates/^

Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Tyler, were the committee appointed to prepare and bring in a bill, pursuant to this resolution, which was reported on the same day, and read the first time. On tJie two succeed- ingdays, it was read a second sxid third time; and, thus, regularly passed through the forms of the lower house. It was communicated to the senate by Mr. Jefferson on the 30th day of the month, and returned, passed b}

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