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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Minutes of the North Carolina Council of Safety
North Carolina. Council of Safety
September 27, 1776 - October 25, 1776
Volume 10, Pages 873-881

[From MS. Records in Office of Secretary State.]
JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF SAFETY OF NORTH CAROLINA, BEGUN AND HELD AT HALIFAX TOWN, ON 27th SEPTEMBER, 1776.


Halifax, September 27th, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

The Council proceeded to make choice of a president in the room of Samuel Ashe Esquire who has leave of absence, when Willie Jones Esquire was unanimously chosen and placed in the Chair accordingly.

James Walker who was imprisoned by Order of this Board for acting inimical to the Liberties of America was brought before the Council and discharged on taking and subscribing to an Oath of Allegiance to the State.

Whereas it appears from the Oath of William Alston that Hance Hamilton of Granville County is a person inimical to the Liberties of America,

Resolved, therefore, That his Honor the president issue a warrant to bring the said Hamilton before the Congress to be examined concerning the Premises.

It appearing that James Walker who was imprisoned on suspicion of his being an Enemy to the State is a pauper,

Resolved, That the Expences and Fees attending the Conveyance and imprisonment of the said James Walker be paid by the public.

Resolved, That the several Sheriffs and Collectors of duties in this State do attend the next Congress to be held at Halifax on the tenth day of November next then and there to settle their Accounts of Taxes and Duties received and prepare themselves to pay at that time all sums of Money which may be due from them to this State.

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Resolved, That it be recommended to the Officers of the Continental Forces in this State and the Officers of the Provincials not to suffer any Soldiers to be or appear at the ensuing Elections of delegates for the various Counties and Towns in this State such only excepted who have a right to vote upon the occasion.

Adjourned till Tomorrow Morning 8 Clock.


Saturday, September 28th, 1776.

Met according to Adjournment.

Resolved, That the Treasurers or either of them pay to Philip Perry the sum of three pounds for apprehending Elijah King a Deserter from Captain Brinkleys Company in the third Regiment of Continental Troops in this Province.

Adjourned till Monday morning 8 o'clock.


Monday, September 30th, 1776.

Met according to Adjournment.

Resolved, That the Treasurers or either of them pay to John Daves Quarter Master to the second Regiment of Continental Troops in this State two hundred pounds to enable him to procure Forage &ca for the Horses in the said Regiment and be allowed in their Accounts with the public.

Resolved, That John Daves be appointed Ensign in Captain Crawford's Company in the second Regiment of Continental Troops in this State.

Adjourned till tomorrow morning 8 o'clock.


Tuesday, October 1st, 1776.

Met according to Adjournment.

Resolved, That John Plummer Messenger and door-keeper to this Board be allowed twenty seven pounds twelve shillings and two pence for his services, and that Richard Caswell Esquire Treasurer of the Southern district in this State pay the same and be allowed in his Accounts with the Public.

Resolved, That the Horses now in possession of sundry persons in Bute and Granville Counties the property of Josiah Martin late Governor, be brought to the next Congress in as good Order as they received them of the Committee of Bute County.

William Stuart a prisoner who was committed on suspicion of being a confidential Emissary and Spy of Josiah Martin was brought

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before this Board, and on examination the said Allegations not appearing the said William Stuart was discharged on taking the State Oath, without payment of fees; it [appearing] that the said William Stuart is very poor,

Resolved, That the prison fees due from said Stuart be paid by the public.

Resolved, That the Commissary of Stores or his deputy or Captain Forster at Wilmington do deliver to the Commissioners at Edenton appointed to fit out the Armed Vessel King Tammany out of the Public Stores at Wilmington such Materials as the said Commissioners may apply for taking a Receipt for the same.

Resolved, That Sylvanus Pendleton Esquire Commander of the Armed Brigg King Tammany fitted out by this State do with all possible Expedition proceed to Occacock Bar and there lay for the protection of the Trade until the return of the Pennsylvania Farmer from her intended Cruize; and then that the said Sylvanus Pendleton shall immediately proceed to sea on a Cruize for the Term of one month against the Enemies of the United States of America, and to take as many of the merchant Ships, the property of the subjects of Great Britain, as may be in his power, and for that purpose to Cruize between the Latitudes of thirty two and thirty five and ten and to keep within the distance of eighty leagues of the American shore and that after the Expiration of the One Months Cruize the said Sylvanus Pendleton shall return to Occacock Bar and should he take any prizes the same must be sent to Occacock or some other port.

Resolved, That Joshua Hempstead Esquire, Commander of the Armed Vessel Pennsylvania Farmer, fitted out by this State, do immediately proceed to Sea and Cruize the Term of one Month against the Enemies of the United States of America and to take as many of the British Ships, the property of the Subjects of Great Britain, as may be in his power and for that purpose to Cruize between the Latitudes of 32° and 35° 10' and to keep within the distance of eighty Leagues of the American Shore, and that after the Expiration of the one Month's cruize the said Joshua Hempstead shall return to Occacock, and should he take any prizes the same must be sent to Occacock or some other Convenient port.

Samuel Andrews and Thomas Kersey, who were committed to the Gaol in Halifax, were brought before this Board and discharged

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on taking the State Oath and entering into recognizance for their appearance at next Congress.

The Council adjourned, to meet at this Town of Halifax on the seventeenth October instant.


Thursday, October 17th, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

Adjourned till Tomorrow Morning 8 oClock.


Friday, October 18th, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

Adjourned till Tomorrow Morning 8 oClock.


Saturday, October 19th, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

Resolved, That General Moore be desired to lay before this Board on Monday morning a state of the Continental Forces in this State.

Resolved, That Ambrose Knox and Company, William Brown, John Chase and Daniel Cartwright be permitted to send to sea the Sloop Polly, taken into Possession by Andrew Little and Robert Hardy in consequence of a Resolve of this Board, on the said Ambrose Knox and Company, William Brown and John Chase's giving Bond and Security to the president of the Congress of this State and his Successor in the Sum of one hundred and thirty-five pounds, being the value of Daniel Cartwright's part of said Sloop, and on leaving one-third part of the Debts left in the Hands of William Skinner subject to the payment of such demands as may be due this State from the said Daniel Cartwright, on account of a Cargo shipped by this State on Board the said Sloop commanded by the said Daniel Cartwright.

Resolved, That Andrew Little and Robert Hardy be directed to Attend the Execution of the above Resolve and on the said Resolves being complied with to grant a certificate thereof to the Commissioner of the port of Edenton.

Adjourned till Monday Morning 8 oClock.


Monday, October 21st, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

Mr John Chase made application for Letters of Marque and Reprisal for the Sloop Polly belonging to Ambrose Knox and Company,

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William Brown, John Chase and Daniel Cartwright of this State, and hath also delivered in a Schedule of the number of Guns, the names of the Officers, the Provisions and Warlike Stores on Board, and hath given Bond and Security agreeable to the Resolutions of the Continental Congress,

Resolved, That Commissions issue for the said Sloop Polly accordingly.

Resolved, That the Treasurers or either of them pay to Henry Giffard, Commissary to the detachments of Militia in service under Colonel Folesome, the sum of five hundred pounds to enable him to pay (in part) for the provisions purchased for said Companies.

Whereas, it hath been represented that the Armed Brig Pennsylvania Farmer, ordered by this Board on a Cruize, is not at this time fit to proceed to Sea, and that the Jamaica Fleet, the object in view, may pass our Latitudes before the said Brig can be in readiness and thereby defeat the purpose of said Cruize,

Resolved, That Sylvanus Pendleton Esqr., commander of the Armed Vessel King Tammany, fitted out by this State, do immediately proceed to Sea and Cruize the Term of Six weeks against the Enemies of the United States of America and to take as many of the British Ships as may be in his power, sending the same as soon as possible into some of the ports of this State for Tryal and Condemnation, and for that purpose to Cruize between the Latitudes of thirty and thirty-six, and that after the Expiration of the said Term of Six weeks the said Sylvanus Pendleton shall return with the said Vessel to Occacock or some other convenient port within the Limits of this State.

The Armed Vessels King Tammany and Pennsylvania Farmer being ordered on a Cruize against the Enemies of the United States of America,

Resolved, That Captain John Forster, commander of the Armed Brig, the General Washington, now lying at Washington, do proceed with all possible dispatch to Occacock Bar and to remain within the said Bar in Order to protect the Trading Vessels which may be coming into or going out of that port, until one of the aforesaid Armed Vessels shall return there or he shall be otherwise Ordered.

Whereas, it is represented by the Commissioners for establishing a Manufactory of Guns in the District of Hillsborough that proper Iron for that purpose cannot be obtained in this State and that our Currency will not purchase it in any other,

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Resolved, therefore, That Samuel Johnston Esquire be directed and impowered to draw on the Continental Treasury in favour of the said Commissioners or either of them or their Order, for one hundred pounds, to be considered as part of the sum of one thousand pounds voted by Congress for the above mentioned purpose.

Adjourned till tomorrow morning 8 o'clock.


Tuesday, October 22nd, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

Adjourned till Tomorrow Morning 8 oClock.


Wednesday, October 23rd, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

Whereas, by Resolve of this Board of the thirtieth of September last Joshua Hampstead Esquire, commander of the Armed Brig, Pennsylvania Farmer, was directed to proceed to Sea and Cruize for the Term of one Month within eighty leagues of the American shore, and whereas, the time and distance prescribed in the aforesaid Resolve may, in a measure, frustate the Intentions of the said Voyage,

Resolved, That the said Joshua Hampstead be permitted to Cruize for the Term of Six Weeks between the Latitudes of thirty and thirty-six for the purpose aforesaid.

A Resolution of the Continental Congress of the sixteenth of September last leaving it to the Council of State to suspend or execute a former order of Congress dated the third of the said month directing Brigadier General Moore to march two North Carolina Continental Battalions to New York being read and considered, and it appearing from General Moore's return that the Continental Battalions in this State are far from being Compleat, that they are sickly and ill provided with Clothing and by no means prepared to march to a Northern Climate, and further that if two Battalions should march to New York the remainder would not be adequate to the defence of the State in case of an Attack,

Resolved, That the Execution be suspended.

Resolved also, That General Moore be required to station for the present the Continental Forces in this State in the districts of New Bern and Wilmington at such places as he may think best for the recovery of their health and to use every means in his power to have them immediately recruited to their full Complement.

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Resolved, That Nathaniel Rochester, Commissary of Stores, be, and he is hereby directed to deliver to General Moore's Order, as much Oznabrigs as may be necessary to make Tents for the Continental Battalions in this State, and Bell Tents for securing their Arms, one Bell Tent to every Company allowing thirty yards for a Tent for every eight men, and twenty yards for each Bell Tent, thirty five yards for a Tent for the Non Commissioned Officers of each Company, and one hundred yards for a Hospital Tent for each Battalion.

Whereas, Samuel Johnston Esquire on the Application of Mr Peter Mallet acting Commissary of the fourth, fifth and sixth Regiments and at the instance of Mr Willie Jones paid to the said Peter Mallet three thousand pounds during the recess of the Council,

Resolved, That the Council do approve of the said payment and that Mr Johnston be allowed for the same in his account against the State, in like manner as if a Warrant for the Money had issued previous to the payment thereof.

Resolved, That the Treasurers or either of them pay to Mr Peter Mallet Commissary to the sixth Regiment of Continental Forces in this State the sum of One thousand pounds and be allowed the same in their Accounts with the public.

Adjourned till tomorrow morning 8 o'clock.


Thursday, October 24th, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

Resolved, That Mr Nathanl Rochester Commissary of Stores send to Tarborough for sundry Woollens purchased of Colonel Irwin for the public and convey them to Wilmington, and that he employ Taylors to Cut out and make up the same and all other public Cloathes in his possession, such finer Cloaths as are intended for Officers excepted, into Short Coats and Breeches and dispose of them to the Soldiers, taking care that no one man have more than one Short Coat and one pair of Breeches.

Adjourned till tomorrow morning 8 o'clock.


Friday, October 25th, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

Resolved, That Richard Caswell Esquire public Treasurer of the Southern district pay into the hands of Colonel James Thackston the sum of two hundred and forty eight pounds for the purpose of

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recruiting men in this State according to the new System and that he debit the paymaster for the same.

Resolved further, That the said Colonel James Thackston account with the paymaster for the aforesaid sum.

Whereas, This Council are well informed that certain Officers in the service of the State of South Carolina have enlisted sundry Regulars of this State, out of the North Carolina Continental Troops now in Georgia,

Resolved, That this Board do utterly disapprove of such measure, that it is unjustifiable, and has an obvious Tendency to Obstruct the regular Service in this State, and to endanger the Common defence of North and South Carolina; and therefore that General Howe be and he is hereby directed to reclaim the Soldiers so as above mentioned enlisted by the South Carolina Officers, and he is also further directed to remand the whole of the North Carolina Troops now in Georgia immediately to this State.

Whereas the Council are informed That many things belonging to the State such as Tory Horses and Waggons, condemned by last Congress, and also horses which have been purchased by the Public and have strayed away are now dispersed about in different parts, so that they will probably be lost if longer unattended to,

Resolved, therefore, That Nicholas Long, Esquire, be and is hereby directed and impowered to take into his possession all such Waggons and Horses; and for the disposition thereof he is directed to employ in the service such of the Waggons and Horses as are fit for the same, and to sell such as are not rendering an Account of his proceedings to the Council or the Congress.

Thomas Erskine a prisoner on parole in Halifax County, having represented to the Council that his Constitution is so impaired by sickness and the Effects of the Climate, that death must probably be the Consequence unless he is allowed to remove out of this State, and that in leaving it he has no intentions adverse to the United States and having also made Oath he will not directly or indirectly communicate to the Enemies of the Free and Independent States of America any Intelligence whatever which may tend to their prejudice,

Resolved, That he be permitted to leave this State and that he immediately go to Edenton and depart from thence in the first Vessel that Sails for the West Indies.

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Resolved, That it is the Opinion of the Board that the Commissioners appointed in Cumberland County to Inventory the Effects of the Tories deliver to Mr Alexander Stewart's Order the Cloaths of the said Stewart taken out of the possession of Mr Gilless, upon the said Gilless's or some persons proving that the same was lodged with him as the property of the said Stewart.

Resolved, That Captain Dudley be directed to deliver to the Colonel of each Battalion of Continental Forces in this State Eleven Setts of Simms's Military Guide and two Setts of the new System of Military discipline, they giving a Receipt for the same.

WILLIE JONES, President.
By Order: J. Glasgow, Secretary.