In Congress. [Charleston] Thursday Evening, November 9, 1775.
Read a letter from Capt. Edward Blake, dated this day, relative to an armed scooner having arrived at St. Augustine from Boston,2 in order to cruize upon this coast.
Ordered, That the following letter be immediately sent to Capt. [Simon] Tufts:
Sir
Charles-Town, November 9, 1775.
You are hereby ordered immediately to repair with the scooner Defence, under your command, to the mouth of Wappoo-creek, where you are expected to arrive by day-light, and to give your personal attendance on the President directly after your arrival.
By order of Congress.
William-Henry Drayton, President.
Capt. Simon Tufts, of the Colony Scooner Defence.
Ordered, That a scooner be provided to enable the Colony scooner Defence, to pass through Wappoo-Cut; and that the Defence be, with all possible dispatch, properly victualled and supplied with all necessary stores.
Ordered, That Col. Moultrie do forthwith detach a Captain, with thirty-five able privates on board the scooner Defence, and that Mr. President do issue orders for that purpose.
The following order was accordingly drawn:
Sir,
Charles-Town, Nov. 9, 1775.
You are hereby ordered to detach a Captain and thirty-five able men of the regiments under your command, who are to act as marines, and are to embark to-morrow, on board the Colony Scooner Defence, commanded by Captain Simon Tufts, until further orders.
I have the honour to be, Sir [&c.]
By order of Congress
William-Henry Drayton, President.
To Colonel Moultrie.
On Motion, That orders be issued to the commanding officer at Fort Johnson, by every military operation, to endeavour to oppose the passage of any British naval armament that may attempt to pass that post.
A debate arose, And the question being put, resolved in the affirmative:
Whereupon the following order was immediately issued, signed by the President:
Sir,
Charlestown, November 9, 1775.
You are hereby commanded with the troops under your orders, by every military operation, to endeavour to oppose the passage of any British naval armament that may attempt to pass Fort Johnson, until further orders by Congress or Council of Safety.
I have the honour to be, Sir [&c.]
By Order of Congress.
William-Henry Drayton, President.
To Col. William Moultrie, or the Commanding Officer at Fort Johnson.
Ordered, That Mr. President be desired to write to Capt. Thornbrough, signifying to him the resolution the Congress have entered into this night, respecting ships of war passing Fort Johnson.
