North Carolina—ss.
At a Council held at Wilmington the 1st of February 1753
The Honble Nathaniel Rice Esqr Late President and Commr in Chief in and Over this Province having departed this Life on the 29th of last month and the administration of the Government hereby devolving on the Honourable Mathew Rowan Esqr Eldest Councellor, pursuant to his Majestys Royall Instructions the said Mathew Rowan Esqr took and subscribed the Several Oaths by Law Appointed to be taken by publick Officers, made and subscribed the Declaration call'd the Test and took the Oath of Office and his seat at the Board as President
The several Members of Council now Present in like manner took and subscribed the said several Oaths made and subscribed the said Declaration and severally took the Oath of a Councellor and their seats at the board accordingly.
His Honr the President was pleased to appoint James Murray Esqr Secretary, Clerk of the Council and Clerk of the Crown in the Room of the late Nathaniel Rice Esqr Dec̄d Untill his Majestys Pleasure shall be
known of which appointment the Council approved a Commission was accordingly made out for the said James Murray who took and made the several Oaths & Declarations above Mentd as also the Oath for the due Execution of the said OfficesOrdered that a Proclamation Issue for continuing all Officers Civil and Military in their severall offices till further Orders
Ordered that a Proclamation issue to command the Meeting of the General Assembly at Newbern on Tuesday the 27th day of March next
His Honr the President was pleased to lay before the Board a Letter of this date from William Wilkins Commr of his Majestys Sloop Scorpion setting forth that haveing Received orders from the Lords of Admiralty to proceed immediately with the said Sloop to England and being directed by his Instructions to consult the Commr in Chief and His Majestys Council in all affairs of Importance tending to the welfare and security of this Province and taking his leaving the Province at this time to be of the utmost Importance, desires to be favoured with the sentiments of His Honr & the Council thereupon whether or not they concur with the Orders he has Received This Board taking the same into consideration is of Opinion that Notwithstanding several Good Reasons appear for continuing the said Sloop on this Station till relieved, they cannot Advise Capt Wilkins to Dispense with the late orders he has Received from the Lords of Admiralty for his Departure