At a Council held at Newbern, 4 July 1744
His Excellency acquainting the Council that he had Convened them at this time to take their Advice how to put His Majesty's Province into the best posture of Defence on the Late Declaration of War made by His Majesty against France
The Council were of Opinion That it would be proper to Issue Writs for Electing Members of Assembly, to sit at such time and place as his Excellency shall judge convenient
That as Cape Fear River is most likely of any Place in this Province to be attacked by the Enemy. That His Excellency would be pleased to appoint Proper Persons to view Cape Fear River and to discover the most convenient places to Erect Fortifications and Batterys for the defence of that river And that the same be Erected and built with all convenient expedition
That his Excellency be desired to use his Interest to have Cannon and Warlike Stores to be sent from Britain for such Forts and Batteries. And that in the mean time his Excellency would be pleased to use his Interest with the Governour of South Carolina that Cannon may be had from thence for the said Forts and Batteries
Whereupon his Excellency was pleased to declare in Council that he would Issue Writs for Electing Members of Assembly to be chosen the 24th day of August next Ensuing to meet at Newbern the most Central Town in the Province.
His Excellency was also pleased to appoint the Members of His Majesty's Council, or the Major Part of them to view the most convenient places on Cape Fear River for Erecting Fortifications and Batteries for the Defence of that River and to build or cause the same to be built in the most Expeditious and frugal manner.
It is further Ordered by his Excellency That the Major part of the Members of His Majesty's Council, residing at and near Cape Fear River shall have Power, and they are hereby Impowered by his Excellency in Council to take all proper Methods for the Defence and Security of those Parts of his Majestys Province when the Governour shall be absent therefrom; they giving the most early accounts to his Excellency of all their Proceedings, and that this Order shall have Retrospect to such steps as have been already taken for the Defence and Security of those parts. This Order being absolutely necessary for the Security of those defenceless Parts of this his Majestys Province
His Excellency John Tinker Esqr His Majesty's Governor of the Bahama Islands having made application to His Excellency the Governour of this Province for leave to Raise forty Men in this Province for the better Defence of the Bahama Islands,
His Excellency was Pleased to declare in Council that he hath given Leave, And he doth hereby give Leave to the Agents of his Excellency John Tinker Esqr to Raise for His Majestys Service forty men (not being Masters of families) in any Part of this Province to the Norward of Onslow.
Read the following Petitions for
Edward Griffith 4000 acres Bladen, Do 4000 Do, Nathaniel Rice 4000 Do, Robert Halton 4000 Do, Eleazer Allen 4000 Do, Mathew Rowan 4000 Do, Edward Moseley 4000 Do, Roger Moore 4000 Do, William Forbes 4000 Do, George Gould 4000 Do, George Moore 4000 Do
At a Council held at Brunswick the 13th day of July 1744. In Pursuance of His Excellency's Order in Council Dated at Newbern the 4th day of July 1744, Giving Power to the Members of Council on Cape Fear River to meet and Concert measures for the Security of the said River against any Invasion by our Enemies
The Council took under their consideration the most Proper place on Cape Fear River for Erecting a Battery for the defence of the lower part of the said river, and agreed that the place most convenient for that purpose, is one of the small Islands of Oyster banks fronting and to the Norward of Oak Island, Provided a Foundation can be found sufficient for their work, But in Order to be better assured of the scituation and Ground thereabouts have agreed and appointed Fryday the 20th Instant to go down to the said Islands and Survey the same, and that the Several Masters of Vessels in the Port of Brunswick be desired to assist, as far as they are able in the said Survey.
His Excellency the Governor having communicated to the Council a Letter to his Excellency James Glen Esqr Governor of South Carolina desiring a Supply of not less than Twelve cannon for the use of this River, and desired it may be forwarded from hence
Ordered that an Express be Immediately sent with the said Letter and that the Publick be charged with the Expence of the same