Read a letter from Major [Charles] Pinckney, dated Fort Johnson, 11th January, 1776.

Resolved, That Mr. Daniel Cannon do forthwith provide all the materials, workmen and labourers, that shall be necessary for erecting and completing the intended works upon Sullivan's Island, under the direction of Col [Owen] Roberts, with the utmost expedition: That, if the said works should unavoidably be discontinued, the public will indemnify Mr. Cannon, for all the materials that shall have been purchased at the time of such discontinuance; and that the public will make good any loss that may be sustained in boats, or by negroes killed, maimed, or lost in this service, by means of the enemy.

Resolved, That the sum of four thousand pounds be advanced out of the colony treasury to Mr. Cannon, for the more expeditious carrying on the works intended upon Sullivan's Island ー to be accounted for by him.

An order for that sum was accordingly issued.

Upon an application by the Hon. Capt. [William Henry] Drayton, the following letter was written:

In the Council of Safety,
Jan. 12th, 1776.

Sir ー As several of the men which come into this colony on board your vessel have entered into the service of the United colonies of America, on board the ship Prosper, commanded by the Hon. Mr. Drayton, who have wages due to them: 'tis our order that you do immediately adjust and pay such wages; and also, that you will not attempt to controul or hinder such other men from entering into the same service, who are willing to do so of their owh voluntary disposition ー as you will answer the contrary at your peril.

By order of the Council of Safety.

Henry Laurens, President.

Capt. [Thomas] Smith of the snow [sic schooner] in Stono river.

The following orders were then issued:

In the Council of Safety,
Jan. 12th, 1776.

Sir ー We desire you will order the commanding officer of the detachment on Sullivan's Island, as soon as the temporary battery is in readiness, to fire upon any ships of war, boats, or other vessels belonging to the enemy, attempting to approach, pass, or land upon that island; and in the mean time to use all the force in his power to prevent the enemy's landing or passing by.

By order of the Council of Safety.

Henry Laurens, President.

Col. [William] Moultrie, or the commanding officer of the colony troops.

In the Council of Safety, Jan. 12th, 1776.

Sir ー You are to receive on board the scooner Defence a detachment from the troops under Col. Moultrie's command, and to conduct and land them on Sullivan's Island. You are to remain at anchor near the island, and to do every thing in your power to cover and protect the works intended to be carried on there, and to hinder and obstruct the approach, landing or passing by, any ships, boats, or other vessels belonging to the enemy.

By order of the Council of Safety

Henry Laurens, President

Capt [Simon] Tufts.

Read a second letter from Major Pinckney, sent express from Fort Johnson, with a further account of the vessels in the offing, and of a barge having come into the Road this morning.

Mr. John Coram, jun., attended the Council, and confirmed the account given in the agove letter.

Capt. Thomas Smith, of the armed pilot-boat, attended, and reported, that having reconnoitred the vessels in the offing, he judged one to be a frigate of 36 guns, another a smaller ship, or bark, which he imagined might be a transport, and the third was a large sloop, which he imagined might be a tender; that he was very near them, but the weather too foggy, to distinguish clearly what they were: and that he fell in with and engaged the barge of one of them, at eleven o'clock this forenoon, and had received several shot in his sails.

Read a third letter form Major Pinckney at Fort Johnson, sent by Sergeant Redman, to whom the Council was referred for more particular information.

Sergeant Redman being called in, and also a Mr. Ellis ー and examined ー they respectively declared, that having been ordered out by Major Pinckney, to reconnoitre the vessels in the Offing, in a fishing-boat, they fell in the man-of-war's barge, which had been on board the Spaniard in the road, returning to her ship ー that she lay along-side the fishing-boat near fifteen minutes, during which time some conversation passed between them (as fishermen) and the lieutenant, who asked several questions, concerning the fort ー why it had fired at the barge? ー threatening vengeance the first fair wind and tide ー where were the Tamar and Cherokee? &c. and told them, that there was a 50-gun ship in the offing, and a frigate of 28 guns; to the former of which the barge belonged, together with a sloop to lighten the large ship, that she might come in over the bar ー and that they had a black and six white pilots on board.

In the Council of Safety,
Jan. 12th, 1776, 5 o'clock, P.M.

Sir ー We have before us your several dispatches, one of last night, and two by W. Belin and Sergeant Redman ー your vigilance merits applause.

We desire you will as speedily as possible make a general return to this board, of your garison and camp ー the number of effectives, officers and men, stores of every kind, including provisions; with such further intelligence, of the ships in the offing as you may have learned; together with any hints or information, which you may judge will be necessary or serviceable in the present conjecture.

By order of the Council of Safety.

Major Pinckney.

Henry Laurens, President.

Capt. Smith is sensible of his mistake and will act with propriety upon that Occasion.

Ordered, That the detachment of one hundred men, ordered the 10th instant of Sullivan's Island, be ready to embark on board the scooner Defence, by dawn of day to-morrow morning ー to march to Champney's wharf.

In the Council of Safety, 12th Jan., 1776.

By order.

Henry Laurens, President.

Col. [William] Moultrie, or the commanding officer of the colony troops.