At a meeting of the Committee.

Present: John Ancrum, Chairman; Wm Wilkinson, Deputy Chairman; A. Maclaine, John Forster, Wm Ewins, Jona. Dunbibin, Henry Toomer, John DuBois, James Geekie, John Kirkwood, H. Blackmore.

The trade of this port depending so much upon good Pilots, and the Ships of War in the Harbor having already one or more of the Branch Pilots in their custody, and the Captain of the Scorpion exacted from Thomas Bridges (another of the said Pilots) his Parole of Honor to return on board of the said ship, with an intention as it is conjectured, not only to deprive the good people of this Colony of all benefits of Trade, but to pilot our enemies up the River when it shall be thought expedient to destroy the property of the inhabitants, It is the opinion of this Committee that all the pilots of this river be immediately secured and that Col. Moore be requested to take them into his custody; and it is

Resolved, That as soon as the said pilots shall be safely secured, that notice be given to the Captain of the Scorpion, that the said Thomas Bridges is detained by order of this Committee.

Ordered, That two companies of Militia of this town, appear on the usual place of parading properly armed and accoutred on next Monday week, as well every other inhabitant that has not drawn in either of the said companies, and that they do draw before the above day, and that the Test prescribed by the Provincial Council be signed.

Ordered that Messrs. Wilkinson and Toomer provide a house in this town as an additional Barrack for the Regulars under the command of Col. Moore, to be appropriated to the use of an Hospital and that nurses be provided to take care of the sick.