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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Minutes of the New Bern Committee of Safety
New Bern (N.C.). Committee of Safety
February 15, 1776
Volume 10, Pages 456-457

[From MS. Records in Office of Secretary of State]
Proceedings of the Safety Committee at New Bern.

North Carolina,
New Bern District. } Ss.

In the Committee of Safety for the District of New Bern, 15th Feby 1776.

Present: Col. Richard Cogdell, President; Doctor Alexr Gaston, Mr William Tisdale & Richard Ellis Esqr.

The Members present taking under Consideration the defenceless State of the Town and Neighbourhood of New Bern, and having received Intelligence from Cape Fear that a Vessel has been lately fitted out by the Ships of War on that Station, drawing but eight and a half feet water, and being under some Apprehensions that

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such armed Vessel may be destined to attack the Town, therefore thought it necessary & expedient for the Safety and Protection of both, that one hundred Men exclusive of Officers, of the Militia of Craven County be stationed at New Bern.

Resolved therefore that Col. John Bryan embody or cause to be embodied, under the Command of Major John Tillman, one hundred effective men instead of two hundred mentioned in a Resolve of the Committee the tenth Instant, from such Companies of the Militia as he shall think proper, and that Capt. Levy Dawson, Capt. Thomas Shine, Lieutenants William Dawson and Jesse Bryan, and Ensigns Gideon Carraway & Daniel West, officers of said Militia be employed in the said Service, or such others as Col. Bryan may appoint, and that they repair to New Bern as soon as possible.

Resolved also that said Officers and Men, so long as they are upon Service, be entitled to the same pay and Provisions as is directed by the Provincial Congress, untill discharged by the Provincial Council or Committee of Safety, from the said Service.

Resolved that Col. John Bryan supply the Militia embodied as aforesaid, with Fire Wood and Candles, during the Time they are in Service, and be allowed for the same by the Public.

Resolved that Mr Robert Turner be appointed Commissary for the Purpose of supplying Provisions, and that he be allowed for the same, as other Commissaries are allowed to be paid by the Public.