exercise for two hours each time, under the direction of a commissioned
officer, sergeant, and corporal, who are accountable for any neglect of
duty in management of that squad; those captains who have any awkward
men, or men without arms, are to apply to the commanding officer for an
order for such arms in the magazine as will do to exercise with, and to
be answerable for their return when called for. Captain Cabell's company
to draw ammunition to-day for the trial of their rifles to-morrow,
between the hours of eight and ten in the forenoon. The men are to
provide a target to-day."

R. O. "All the gentlemen cadets[642:C] are desired to attend the parade
constantly; likewise a list of their names, to be given in to the
colonel to-morrow forenoon, specifying the time of their entering, and
with what captain. The colonel has thought proper to appoint Matthew
Snook as fife-major, and William Croker as drum-major; and they are to
be obeyed as such, and are to practice the young fifers and drummers
between the hours of ten and eleven o'clock every day, and take care
that they perform their several duties with as much exactness as
possible. The officers and cadets are to give in their names as is
directed in the foregoing orders. A regimental court-martial to sit at
twelve o'clock, for the trial of John Hogins, of Captain Massie's
company. Captain Johnston, president. Members, Lieutenant Hobson,
Lieutenant Burton, Ensign Stokes, Ensign Armistead. Officer for the day,
to-morrow, Captain Cabell. Officers for the guard to-morrow, Lieutenant
Jones, Lieutenant Garland, Ensign Catlett. Captain Ruffin to find one
cadet and fourteen privates." Extracted from MS. Orderly Book,
obligingly lent me by Mr. John M. West, of Petersburg.

[642:C] A cadet was a young man serving in the ranks without pay, in the
hope of obtaining a commission.

CHAPTER LXXXVII.

1776.

Patrick Henry, Delegate to Convention--Convention at
Williamsburg--Pendleton, President--Corbin's Petition--
Wormley's Petition--Nelson's Letter urging Independence--
Braxton's Pamphlet--Delegates in Congress instructed to
propose Independence--Declaration of Rights--Constitution--
Patrick Henry, Governor--George Mason--Miscellaneous.

IMMEDIATELY upon his return to Hanover, Mr. Henry was elected a delegate
to the convention which was soon to meet. In a letter, dated April
twentieth, Richard Henry Lee exhorted him to propose a sepa