The President informed the Board, that in consequence of information received from the secret committee, informing that two ships of war and one transport had sailed from Rebellion Road, ² which, there was good reason to believe, was destined to this Province in order perhaps to plunder it of life stock, &c., or to support the merchants in the exportation of produce contrary to the Continental restraints. That in consequence of this information, he looked over the list of names of members of the Council of Safety and found there would be difficulty getting a Board, and fearing the public safety would be endangered by a delay, and therefore issued the follpwing orders.

Orders to David Zubly, John Stirk, &c., &c.

It is deemed necessary for the public safety, that a part of the militia should be draughted to do duty at and about the Town of Savannah. You are therefore ordered and required immediately to draught one third of the men in your company and to march them to Savannah by 12o'clock to-morrow, with their arms and accoutrements and lodging apparel; for which. the officers and. men will be paid agreeable to a resolve of Congress.

Geo. Walton,
President of the Council of Safety.

The Board, highly approving of the conduct of the President, do resolve that the foregoing orders be valid, as if particularly directed by the Board.

Mr.[Stephen] Drayton represented that he was ready to make the report of his deputation to Charlestown, when the Board thought it proper to defer it till to-morrow morning.

A motion was made and seconded that officers be appointed to command the militia ordered upon duty by the President.

Resolved, That Samuel Elbert, Esquire, be Colonel and Chief in Command, Stephen Drayton, Esquire, Lieutenant Colonel and Second in Command, and Joseph Habersham, Esquire, Major and Third in Command, and that the President be empowered to issue and sign commissions for them.

Resolved, That sufficient number of small craft be forthwith sent down to Cockspur to lighten the Ship Inverny, McKenzie, Master, now riding in the road there, in order that the ship may be brought up to Savannah.

Resolved, That it be given in charge to the commanding officer at Cockspur, to use his utmost endeavours to effect this purpose, and in case he shall find it impracticable and that the vessel and cargo must otherwise fall into the hands of our enemies, that then and not till then, in order to prevent the same, he shall have power to scuttle her.

Resolved, also, That it be further given in charge to the said officer to put the ship as soon under way as possible, and that he uses the utmost dispatch in bringing her and her cargo up to Savannah.

Resolved, That the President do commissionate Peter Bard and William O'Bryan, Gentlemen, for this purpose.

Resolved, That the commanding officer at Savannah, for the time being, have power to restrain any Crown officer from going without the limits of Savannah, if he should deem it expedient.