Upon an information, that Mr. Morelli and five slaves belonging to some of the inhabitants are concealed on board the Spanish snow in the Road the following order was issued to Capt Tufts, commander of the Colony scooner Defence:

In the Council of Safety,
Jan. 18th, 1776.

Sir ー Besides repeated applications for leave to search the Spanish snow for the negroes which gave rise to strong suspicions, we have now received such information as appears to us to be well grounded that Morelli and at least five negroes are actually on board.

We therefore desire and order you to go on board the snow and demand Morelli, and all the negroes which are concealed in her: we have no doubt but that there are some, and declare in plain terms to the commander of that vessel, that unless the said Morelli and all the negroes are immediately delivered up to you, and also all the effects of Mr. Rilliet, the snow shall be brought up to Charles-Town. You will immediately inform this board of the event of our application, and we will give such further orders as shall appear necessary.

By order of the Council of Safety.
Henry Laurens, President.

Capt. Tufts.

Upon application of the Hon. Capt. [William Henry] Drayton.

Ordered, That all the seamen inlisted in Georgia, for the naval service of this colony, be shipped on board the colony ship Prosper.

On motion,

Resolved, That four 12-pounders be removed from the lines on Charles-Town neck to the battery at Haddrell's Point; and that the 18 pounders now at that battery be removed to the battery on Sullivan's Island.

Resolved, That the surface of the wall on the land-side of Fort Johnson be made smooth, and a draw bridge erected there; and that two 6-pounders be carried down to the said fort to be mounted on the land side.

Resolved, That the creek at the back of Fort Johnson be stopped up, so as effectually to prevent boats coming up to the said creek.

Resolved, That proper boats to contain about fifty men each be provided, to be stationed in the cove near Sullivan's Island ー near the battery at Haddrell's Point ー at Fort Johnson ー and at some wharf in Charles-Town, for conveying orders or intelligence and transporting troops.

In the Council of Safety,
Thursday evening, Jan. 18th, 1776.

Mr. President also reported, that Capt. Tufts, having, agreeable to the order of this board, searched the Spanish snow in the Road, he had brought up and delivered to the militia guard, Francisco Morelli, and the following negro slaves, viz: Daniel and Richard belonging to Mr. Justice Cosslett, Jack belonging to Mr. Brewton's Estate, Polydore belonging to Mr. Donoven, and Sambo belonging to Mr. John Gaillard, whom he found very artfully concealed on board the said Spanish vessel.

Ordered, That the five negroes taken out of the Spanish snow be brought before this board immediately.

Being brought accordingly, they were separately examined, and each declared, that he had been seduced from his owner ー secreted on board the said vessel promised £ 100 a month wages, good usage, clothing and living ー and on their arrival in Spain, freedom ー by Francisco Morelli ー who had been concealed with them, a whole week, in the same part of the vessel.

Francisco Morelli was then also ordered to be brought before the board, for examination: in the course of which, he acknowledged, that he knew all the negroes, that he had conversed with them, and that they were secreted with him on board the Spanish snow: but he pretended, their saying they would rather die than return to their owners, was the reason that he did not advise the Spanish captain to restore, or give notice where they were to the proper persons.

Ordered, That Mr. President do issue his warrant for the immediate commitment of said Morelli to Charles-Town jail.