in our regulars can no
way be supplied so properly as by enlisting volunteers.
There is reason to believe a considerable number of these
may be got to serve six or eight months.... I believe you
can receive no assistance by drafts from the militia. From
the battalions of the Commonwealth none can be drawn as yet,
because they are not half full.... Virginia will find some
apology with you for this deficiency in her quota of
regulars, when the difficulties lately thrown in our way are
considered. The Georgians and Carolinians have enlisted [in
Virginia] probably two battalions at least. A regiment of
artillery is in great forwardness. Besides these, Colonels
Baylor and Grayson are collecting regiments; and three
others are forming for this State. Add to all this our
Indian wars and marine service, almost total want of
necessaries, the false accounts of deserters,--many of whom
lurk here,--the terrors of the smallpox and the many deaths
occasioned by it, and the deficient enlistments are
accounted for in the best manner I can. As no time can be
spared, I wish to be honored with your answer as soon as
possible, in order to promote the volunteer scheme, if it
meets your approbation. I should be glad of any improvements
on it that may occur to you. I believe about four of the six
battalions may be enlisted, but have seen no regular
[return] of their state. Their scattered situation, and
being many of them in broken quotas, is a reason for their
slow movement. I have issued repeated orders for their march
long since."[282]

The General Assembly of Virginia, at its session in the spring of
1777, was required to elect a governor, to serve for one year from the
day on which that session should end. As no candidate was named in
opposition to Patrick Henry, the Senate proposed to the House of
Delegates that he should be reappointed without ballot. This,
accordingly, was done, by resolution of the latter body on the 29th of
May, and by that of the Senate on the 1st of June. On the 5th of June,
the committee appointed to inform the governor of this action laid
before the House his answer:--

GENTLEMEN,--The signal honor conferred on me by the General
Assembly, in their choice of me to be governor of this
Commonwealth, demands my best acknowledgments, which I beg
the favor of y