Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Minutes of the North Carolina Council of State
North Carolina. Council of State
January 04, 1779 - January 13, 1779
Volume 22, Pages 944-947


State of North Carolina.
At a meeting of the Council at Halifax, the 4th day of January, 1779.

Present—The Honorables Joseph Leech, President; Edward Starkey, Robert Bignall and John Simpson, Esquires.

His Excellency the Governor informed the Board that his Honor the Speaker of the House of Commons acquainted him a sufficient number of members to constitute the General Assembly had not appeared agreeable to their last adjournment.

Resolved, The Governor be advised to issue a proclamation proroguing the said Assembly until Tuesday, the 5th instant, then to meet at the town of Halifax for the dispatch of public business.

Adjourned till to-morrow.


Tuesday, 5th January, 1779.

Met according to adjournment. A sufficient number of members not appearing;

Resolved, The Governor be advised to prorogue the Assembly until Wednesday, the 6th instant, then to meet at the town of Halifax for the dispatch of public business.

Adjourned till to-morrow.


Wednesday, 6th January, 1779.

Met according to adjournment. A sufficient number of members of the General Assembly to constitute the same not appearing;

Resolved, The Governor be advised to prorogue the said Assembly until Thursday, the 7th instant, then to meet at the town of Halifax for the dispatch of public business.

Adjourned till to-morrow.


Thursday, January 7th, 1779.

Met according to adjournment. A sufficient number of members to constitute the General Assembly not appearing;

Resolved, The Governor be advised to prorogue the said Assembly

-------------------- page 945 --------------------
until Friday, the 8th instant, then to meet at Halifax town for the dispatch of public business.

Adjourned till to-morrow.


Friday, 8th January, 1779.

Met according to adjournment. A sufficient number of members to constitute the General Assembly not appearing;

Resolved, The Governor be advised to prorogue the said Assembly until Saturday, the 9th instant, then to meet at Halifax town for the dispatch of public business.

Adjourned till to-morrow.


Saturday, 9th January, 1779.

Met according to adjournment. A sufficient number of members to constitute the General Assembly not appearing;

Resolved, The Governor be advised to prorogue the said Assembly until the 10th instant, then to meet at the town of Halifax for the dispatch of public business.

Adjourned till the 10th instant.

Met according to adjournment.

The Governor laid before the Board letters from the Governor of South Carolina and Georgia, General Lincoln, whereby it appears that the enemy have actually invaded the State of Georgia and taken possession of the Capitol of that State with a force much superior to the troops belonging to the United States in that quarter. The Governor also informed the Board that by the returns he has received from the officers commanding the troops from this State on the Southern expedition the number of militia who have marched on that service are far short of the number ordered, and those very deficient in arms.

Resolved, That the Governor be advised to direct the commanding officer of the respective regiments in this State to order on such of the drafts who have not joined their respective detachments without delay, and that they furnish them with sufficient arms agreeable to the militia law.

A sufficient number of members not appearing;

Resolved, The Governor be advised to prorogue the General Assembly until Monday, the 11th instant, then to meet at Halifax for the dispatch of public business.

Adjourned till to-morrow.

-------------------- page 946 --------------------


Monday, the 11th January, 1779.

Met according to adjournment. A sufficient number of members not appearing;

Resolved, The Governor be advised to prorogue the General Assembly until Tuesday, the 12th instant, then to meet at Halifax for the dispatch of public business.

Here enter Thompson Resolves.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning.


Tuesday, 12th January, 1779.

Met according to adjournment.

Resolved, That the Governor be advised to direct the officers of the several regiments that where any person who hath been drafted is incapable of marching or hath been discharged to supply the place of such person by a draft from the company to which such company belonged, so that the whole number directed be marched to the aid of the said States.

Resolved, The Governor be advised to grant Mr. Peter Mallett a warrant on the Treasury for the sum of £7,500 to enable him to purchase provisions for the use of the public, he accounting with the General Assembly for the same.

Resolved, That the Governor be advised to grant Captain Samuel Caswell a warrant on the Treasury for £5,000 to enable him to discharge his contracts for provisions purchased for the troops marched to the aid of South Carolina and Georgia, and for provisions furnished to the guard at Kinston, he giving bond and security to account for the same with the General Assembly.

The Rev. Mr. Taylor came into Council and informed the Board that he was drafted a soldier to march to the aid of South Carolina and Georgia, and prayed to be discharged from said service. The Board taking the same into consideration, are of opinion that he may be more useful in the State as a clergyman; therefore, advise the Governor to discharge him.

A sufficient number of members not appearing;

Resolved, The Governor be advised to prorogue the General Assembly until Wednesday, the 13th instant, then to meet at Halifax for the dispatch of public business.

Adjourned till to-morrow.

-------------------- page 947 --------------------


Wednesday, 13th.

Met.

The Governor informed the Board that from the returns made by the officers it appears there are several of the Continental troops and nine levies in the District of Hillsboro and Salisbury.