In the Council of Safety,
[Charleston] Thursday, Jan. 11th, 1776.
Read a letter from Capt. Edward Blake of this date.
Ordered, That the commander of the colony ship Prosper, do order two good and proper men to go on board the pilot boat under the command of Capt. Smith, for the purpose of bringing into Charles-Town harbour such ships as now appear off the bar.
Ordered, That Wm. Alex. Elsinore be permitted and required to go on board the pilot-boat under the command of Capt. Smith, and use his utmost endeavour to pilot in such vessels as are now on the coast, provided Capt. Smith shall judge it safe and proper to board them.
The following order was issued to Capt. Blake:
In the Council of Safety,
Jan. 11th, 1776.
Sir ー We have ordered payment of your amount, as you will find by an order thereon now returned to you.
By all means order a sufficient quantity of good flour to be baked into bread for public service, and lay in such quantity of provisions for the men expected from Bermuda, and in due time, as you shall judge will be necessary.
Orders for the schooner will be prepared and delivered to-morrow.
Capt. [Thomas] Smith, in the armed pilot-boat, is ordered to cruize as constantly as the weather will admit, off Charles-Town bar, for the benefit of friendly vessels inward bound, and to use great precautions against boarding or falling within the power of an enemy; and we desire you will give such orders to Capt. Smith.
By order of the Council of Safety.
Henry Laurens, President.
Consideration of the article of rum postponed.
Capt. Edward Blake.
Capt. [Simon] Tufts having informed the board, of a fit boat for the use of the scooner Defence, the following order was made:
In the Council of Safety,
Jan. 11th, 1776.
Sir ー Capt. Tufts informs us, that you have a boat which is much wanted for public service, and that you are willing to sell her. Please to deliver the said boat and furniture, and we will order payment of such sum as Capt. Tufts may agree for, or the value according to a fair appraisement, in case you and Capt. Tufts shall not agree in the first instance.
By order of the Council of Safety,
Henry Laurens, President.
Mr. Thomas Rose.
The following permit was given to Mr. John Scott, to load a scooner at Santee, in the public account:
In the Council of Safety,
Jan. 11th, 1776.
The scooner Polly, belonging to Mr. John (son of Jonathan) Scott, is permitted to be loaded with a cargo of rice, by the said Wm. [sic] Scott or his agent, but with no other commodity or produce, but not to depart until the cargo is reported, and a further order by this board.
By order of the Council of Safety.
Henry Laurens, President.
The committee of St. James, Santee.
The committee for George-Town.
The Council issued orders on the Treasury for payment of the following sums:
To Edward Blake, balance of his account for use of the several armed vessels
£2144 2 8
In the Council of Safety.
Jan. 11th, 1776.
Sir ー You are directed to order six good carpenters from the troops, who shall receive extra pay, with the detachment to Sullivan's Island; and that the commanding officers of the party give Doct. [David] Oliphant all necessary aid and assistance in erecting a temporary battery there.
By order of the Council of Safety.
Henry Laurens, President.
Col. [William] Moultrie.