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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Minutes of the Wilmington Committee of Safety
Wilmington (N.C.). Committee of Safety
November 20, 1775
Volume 10, Pages 335-336

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

Monday, November 20th, 1775.

At an occasional meeting.

Present: John Ancrum, Chairman. Cornelius Harnett, Wm. Wilkinson, Henry Toomer, Wm. Ewins, John DuBois, John Forster, Jas. Geekie, John Kirkwood, John Dunbibin, Arch'd Maclaine.

On motion, Wm. Wilkinson chosen Deputy Chairman, in place of James Walker, who declined serving in committee.

A Letter was produced from Richard Quince, Sr., of Brunswick, informing that the committee of that town were of opinion that a battery might be raised to defend the town; and requested that the Cannon be sent from hence for that purpose.

Resolved, That the carriage guns be sent down, and delivered to Col. James Moore.

On application from Mr. Sam. Campbell, for leave to send down provisions to the Cruise Man of War, Resolved, That (as the Commander of the Sloop hath fired a number of times on the troops under the command of Col. Moore, without their giving any provocation for such conduct) no provisions of any kind be sent down to the Cruiser or any other Ship belonging to the Navy, till further orders.

This Committee taking into consideration the danger with which the inhabitants on Cape Fear River are threatened by the King's Ships now in the harbor; and the open and avowed contempt and

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violation of justice, in the conduct of Governor Martin, who, with the assistance of said Ships is endeavoring to carry off the artillery, the property of this Province, and the gift of his late Majesty of blessed memory, for our protection from foreign invasions, have

Resolved, That Messrs. John Forster, William Wilkinson and John Slingsby, or any one of them be impowered to procure necessary vessels, boats and chains to sink in such part of the channel as they or any of them may think proper; To agree for the purchase of such boats and other materials as may be wanted, and have them valued, that the owners may be reimbursed by the public. And it is further ordered that the said John Forster, &c., do consult the committee of Brunswick on this measure and request their concurrence.

Ordered, That the Committee of Intelligence write to Col. Howe, and the committee of Newbern, inform them of the dangerous situation of the inhabitants of Cape Fear, and request an immediate supply of gunpowder, to be sent by wagons or carts over land.