Read a letter from the Committee at George-Town, dated 6th January 1776

The chairman of the committee of observation reported that the result of an inquiry, in consequence of an information laid before this board last Saturday, and referred to them, was, That one of the scooners informed against had passed through Wappoo last Tuesday, after having taken in some beef, butter, and other provisions here, and about fifty barrels of flour at Mr. Wm. Glen's landing at Wappoo, delivered by Mr. Glen's cooper there, to William Gickie, who went in the vessel. That this scooner is the same which, having gone to sea through Stono inlet, appeared on Friday morning among the ships-of-war in Rebellion-Road; and which, after delivering her cargo to them, had been dismissed, and stopt at Fort Johnson. And that the other scooner now lies at Mr. Champney's wharf, is bound to Georgia, to carry some furniture and flour, together with the owner, Mr. Wm. Wayne, who is also owner of the former scooner.

Upon an application by the Hon. Capt. W. H. Drayton,

Ordered, That eighteen cutlasses be delivered, for the use of the ship Prosper, out of the armory by Mr. Calvert.

Read a letter from Capt. Edward Blake, for permission to load a vessel for Bermuda, and another on the public account for the foreign islands.

Ordered, That Capt Blake have permission to load both vessels accordingly.

Ordered, That Mr. William Glen be summoned to attend this Council immediately

Mr. William Wayne made application for permission to send a scooner to Georgia, with some household goods and flour. Which was refused.

Ordered, That the flour laden on board said scooner be relanded. Mr. Wayne being questioned relative to the schooner wherein William Gickie had conveyed provisions to the men-of-war, he acknowledged that he owned the vessel, and that he had hired her to Mr. Gickie, at ten pounds a day, to go to Georgia; but declared that he was not only entirely ignorant of, but did not even suspect his intentions; and that he had received no part of the hire.

He also declared, that till this day he was ignorant of the necessity of applying for a permit to go to Georgia, whither he intended going for the recovery of a debt due him.

Mr. Glen attended, according to order, and being questioned if he had sold flour and butter, and delivered it at his landing in Wappoo creek, on board a scooner of Mr. Wayne's, to William Gickie, he declared that he had sold him sixteen kegs of butter and forty-seven barrels of flour, and that the latter were delivered from his plantation, whither he had removed many articles for safety; but that he did not imagine Gickie was going to the men-of-war, but to Georgia, and accordingly delivered to him a letter for his son at Savannah.

Whereas, the Continental Congress did, on the 1st day of November last, resolve, "That no produce of the United Colonies should be exported, except from colony to colony, under the direction of the committees of inspection and observation, and except from one part of the same colony," The more effectually to prevent any violation of the said resolve,

Ordered, That no committee do suffer the loading of any vessel in any creek, river, bay or harbour in this colony, for any other colony, without a permit first obtained from this Council.

Ordered, That the secretary do forthwith cause the above order to be printed and published in hand bills.

Mr. [John] Rutledge, from the committee to inquire and report what further measures are necessary to be pursued for the better securing and defending this port and harbour, reported that the said committee having viewed the battery erecting to the westward of Fort Johnson, they found that work went on very slowly. and that, having also viewed Sullivan's Island, they were of opinion that possession thereof ought to be taken, and a strong fort and battery erected thereon, ー and recommended that Col. [Owen] Roberts might be consulted on this occasion.

Ordered, That Col. Roberts be desired to attend this board to-morrow morning.