Mr. President laid before the board, the following letters written by their direction:

Charles-Town, January 14th [sic 13th] 1776,
½ past 4 o'clock, P.M.

Sir ー The day before yesterday a ten-oared barge came into Rebellion-Road from sea, a lieutenant and fourteen armed men in her. The officer went on board the Spanish snow and asked many questions relative to the strength of the town. Afterwards went a boat from Fort Johnson, and conversed with the people on board, who passed upon him for fishermen ー to these he expressed some regret for the absence of the Tamar and Cherokee; said the force without was three men-of-war, the largest of 50 guns ー and lastly, the barge and our pilot-boat exchanged a few shot.

Yesterday the three sail came to an anchor close to the bar, and employed their boats in sounding. There had been a sloop with them, which we apprehend is detached to Georgia, to call in those vessels which lately left Rebellion-Road. We are well informed, by glasses, that the vessels at anchor are, a frigate of 36 guns, and two smaller ships-of-war ー if the present weather continues, they will not come within today.

You will have heard the alarm, which is to be fired at eight o'clock this morning, long before this reaches you, and will no doubt array your regiment and hold detachments in readiness to obey a call which we shall not give without further necessity ー but if a few hardy volunteers were immediately to advance and offer their service, it will not be unacceptable.

We have received good intelligence, that the mortar and some of the cannon which were at Frederica have been taken away by certain forces in that neighbourhood ー the intended voyage to that place may therefore be suspended.

By order of the Council of Safety.

Henry Laurens, President.

Colonel [Stephen] Bull.

Ordered, That two hundred weight more of cannon powder be delivered to the order of the Hon. Capt. [William Henry] Drayton, for the use of the ship Prosper.