Read a letter from the Committee of Prince William's Parish, dated 22nd Dec., 1775.
In the Council of Safety,
Dec. 25th, 1775.
Gentlemen ー We have duly considered the contents of your letter of the 22nd instant, and applaud your attention to public concerns in the instance of Mr. Platt's sloops. If that gentleman has cleared out his vessels at the custom-house in Savannah, he ought to surrender his clearances, and other documents, into your hands, and enter into bond to you, with one known sufficient surety, in the penalty of £1,000 sterling for each vessel, to be cancelled upon return of a certificate of the due landing of the cargoes at New York, or at some other of the United Colonies. From the character of Mr. Platt, we have no doubt of the uprightness of his intentions. But if he has cleared out at the custom-house in Savannah, he has certainly erred, and in so far acted contrary to the resolutions of the Continental Congress of the 1st of November, copy of which you will find inclosed. The congress at Philadelphia have expressly forbidden applications to the custom-houses, even for vessels which they have employed to import the means of defence.
We do not know what obligations are taken from shippers to and from the privileged ports, New York and Georgia. But we know the ordinary bonds at the naval office, commonly called Plantation Bonds, would enable avaricious men, and all the enemies of America, and in pretence of going to either of those ports, to act directly contrary to our association, by supplying all the West Indies, and even Great Britain, with the produce of New York, Georgia, and all the neighbouring colonies. From a due consideration of these circumstances, you will perceive the necessity for using the greatest precaution; and Mr. Platt, as a friend to American liberty, will cheerfully comply with the terms required.
If the bonds for the delivery of the cargoes in question were given to the [Provincial] Congress, Council of Safety, or any authorized cominitteeat Savannah, we see no objection against Mr. Platt's loading his vessels, and proceeding according to the tenor of such bond ー of the authenticity of which you are to be first satisfied.
By order of the Council of Safety.
Henry Laurens, President.
The Committee at Prince William.
The following order was issued, upon an application by the Hon. Capt. Drayton.
Sir ー Supply the Hon. Wm. Henry Drayton, esq., such empty cartridges and cartridge-papers as he shall require, for the use of the ship Prosper.
Henry Laurens,
President of the Council of Safety.
25th Dec. 1775
To Capt. Robt. Cochran, Public Ordnance Store Keeper.
