Edward Clay was expelled for petty larceny.

According to "The Colonial Records of North Carolina," Volume XIX, (p.783) Clay allegedly stole money at a store run by a Mr. Haryon.

Haryon testified before an investigating committee:

Yesterday morning a Gentleman came to my store. I did not know his name. He asked the price of coffee and put his naked hand on the counter on the money lying on the Counter, he then drawed his hand up with the money in it; I then took hold of his hand opened it and took the money from him. I shewed him to Mr. Martin and told him I thought he was an Assembly man. I ordered him out of the store upon which he went off.

Haryon told the commitee he though Clay's "intention was thievish," in part because he had his left glove half on.

Another customer who saw the alleged theft testified that Clay beat him two or three times with a cane for saying he was a thief.