Thursday, April 22d, 1756.

Ordered  THAT the Petition of Richard Paris Yesterday presented to the House, and ordered to lie on the Table, be refer'd to Mr. Cary, Mr. Cocke, and Mr. Adams; That they do examine into the Allegations thereof, and report the same, with their Opinions thereupon, to the House.

Mr. Landon Carter reported, that the Committee appointed, had, according to Order, examined into the Allegations of the Petition of Samuel Overton and James Gunn, and also the Petition of John Allen to them referr'd; and had agreed upon a Report, and come to several Resolutions thereupon, which he read in his Place, and then delivered in at the Table, where they were again twice read, and agreed to by the House, as follow:

It appears to us, from the Information of Major Lewis, that there were not Arms enough provided by the Public for the People that went on the Expedition; That Mr. Overton carried two Guns, that he borrowed, one of which, of the Value of five Pistoles, was lost by a Canoe's oversetting in crossing a River, and the other, of the Value of two Pistoles and an Half, was, by the Direction of Major Lewis, given to an Indian Warrior. And it further appeared to us, that Mr. Overton left his Horse, Saddle and Bridle, with a sick Man, who hath not been heard of since, and the Horse was then tired.

It also appeared to us, from the same Information, that Mr. Gunn carried with him a valuable Gun, which was lost in the same Manner, and that his Horse tired, and was left behind.

Resolved, That the said Samuel Overton ought to be allowed the Sum of 8£. If. 3d. for his two Guns, and the Sum of £.13 for his Horse, Saddle and Bridle.

Resolved, That the said James Gunn ought to be allowed the Sum of 5£. 7f. 6d. for his Gun, and the Sum of £.8 for his Horse.

It appears to us, that the said John Allen, by the Governor's Direction, accompanied Capt. Paris to the Cherokee Nation; That he bought a Horse here, and brought him to Fort Frederick, where he left him, when he went on the Expedition against the Shawnese, and could not find him on his Return; That at the Time the Canoe overset, in which he was with Capt. Overton, be left a Pair of Pistols.

Resolved, That the said John Allen ought not to be paid for the said Horse.

Resolved, That he ought to be paid forty Shillings for the said Pistols.

Ordered, That it be an Instruction to the Committee appointed by the Act of Assembly for railing £40,000, to make an Allowance to the said Samuel Overton, James Gunn and John Allen pursuant to the first, second and fourth Resolutions.

SOURCE: The Journal of the House of Burgesses