. . . His Excellency¹ then laid before the board a letter which he had received from the Officers of His Majestys Sloop of War Sylph² now stationed in the River Mississippi praying for an Encouragement of Lands on which he desired their Advice. 

The Board advised that the Consideration of the said letter be postponed Untill the Sylphs Return from the Mississippi—

Thomas Meaton Master of Col. Stuarts³ Sloop Christianna who arrived here last Night from Mobille having brought Some Intelligence respecting the Rebel Batteaus being still on that Coast was called before the Board and gave the following Information Upon Oath— 

Information of Thomas Meaton Master of the Honorable
Colonel Stuarts Armed Sloop Christiana taken at Pensacola 
on Saturday the 6^th. day of June 1778 before His Excellency 
the Governor in Council—

This informant Saith that he left Mobille Point on Wednesday last the 3^rd. Instant and that on thursday the 4^th. at 10 O'Clock in the morning the Wind being Easterly and his Vessel bearing E.S.E. about four Leauges and a half from Mobille point he saw three Batteaus two of which were Schooner Rigged that they Appeared to be full of men were Rowing up due East with an intent (as he Supposed) of Getting to Windward of His said Sloop that he took them to be some of these Rebel Batteaus who have lately infested those parts—That these Batteaus were Scarcely more than half a Leauge to Windward of him—That they Continued in Sight till four OClock that afternoon—That he could see the men in the Batteaus rowing very Plain but cannot assertain their Numbers and farther saith not.—

Sworn in the Council Chamber this 6^th.

His Excellency then desired the Opinion of the Board What steps should be Pursued in Consequence of this Intelligance—The Board Recommended that the sloop John and Peter Charles Roberts Master Mounting Six Carriage Guns and Eight or ten Swivils be Immediately sent Off to look after these Batteaus and also to go into Mobille Bay and Bring Round to this place under her Convoy the two Merchants Briggs now lying in that Bay Whereupon M^r. Charles Roberts being sent for came into Council and Informed the Board that he was very Willing to go Upon the Service Provided he had the Permission of His owner at this place and also Represented that he had but four hands on Board his Sloop who Were all Sick the Board therefore advised that M^r. John Miller Merchant and Owner of the said Sloop be sent for to Know the Terms on which he will hire his said Sloop to Government in Case of need and that a letter be Wrote to Captain Williams of the Active Frigate⁵ by the Clerk of the Council Requesting the assistance of Such Seamen from his Ship as may be Necessary to Navigate the said Sloop John & Peter in which Case the Commanding Officer of the Troops is to be applyed to for a Serjeant Corporal and Eighteen Men from this Garrison to on Board the said Sloop and Assist in her Defence which being agreed to by his Excellency The following letter was Wrote by the Clerk of the Council to Captain Williams— . . .

And then the Board Adjourned to 6 o'clock in the Evening to Know Capt. Williams's Answer and to Determine what further steps may be Necessary to be adopted upon the Present Occasion—

At a Council held in the Council Chamber at Pensacola on Saturday the 6^th. day of June 1778 6 O'Clock PM 

His Excellency the Governor Informed the Board that he had received a Message from Captain Williams of the Active Frigate Acquainting him (in Answer to this mornings Application) that he had a Number of men Sick had sent Twelve onboard the Armed Schooner Florida and therefore could not Spare any more than twelve men whom he would Immediately Order on Board the Sloop John and Peter to go on the Service Required and farther desired to know what time they would be Absent that Provisions might be sent On Board Accordingly—The Board thereupon Recommended to his Excellency that Captain Williams be Informed that a Months Provisions it is thought will be Sufficient—M^r. John Miller Merchant owner of the said Sloop John and Peter who had been sent for to Attend the Board in the morning but chanced to be at that time from home now attending was called into Council and it being Demanded of him if he was Willing to hire his Sloop to Government for the Service required assured His Excellency and the Board that if the Service was but for a few Days he should make [no] charge at all for her but if they were desirous to take her into the Service for a length of time his Terms were Ninety pounds Sterling Per Month and then M^r. Miller Withdrew.—

His Excellency then Acquainted the Board that having Applied to the Commanding Officer of the Troops, L^t. Col. Stiell—⁶ this Gentleman had very chearfully promised that the Party Required Viz^t. a Serjeant Corporal and Eighteen men should be put on board the said Sloop with their Provisions Rum &c^a. that night or by day light the Next Morning—

M^r. Charles Roberts the Master of the John and Peter—being then sent for His Excellency gave him the following Instructions in Writing under his Hand and Seal at Arms—

Instructions to M^r. Charles Roberts Master of the Sloop John and Peter— 

It being found Necessary for the Defence and Security of the Province to take the Sloop John and Peter whereof you are Master into the Service of Government. You will Receive on Board your said Sloop Twelve Seamen from His Majestys Ship Active, lent to Navigate your Vessel and a Serjeant Corporal and Eighteen Men to assist in fighting your said Sloop, You are to proceed Immediately towards the point of Mobille and endeavor to Intercept take and Destroy the Rebel Boats that have lately infested that Coast or any other you can meet with and for so doing this shall be your Sufficient Warrant and Authority 

Should you find Upon your Arrival at Mobille point that the Rebel Boats have gone from the Coast and cannot be come up with you will then Remain within the point of Mobille to Guard that Bay and Coast not exceeding fourteen days and take under your Convoy the two Briggs or any other Vessels laying in that Bay coming to the Eastward if they are Ready to Seal and convoy them to the Bar of Pensacola and then Return with your Vessel to this Harbour to Receive further Orders— 

Given under my hand and Seal at Arms at Pensacola this 6^th. day of
June 1778 and in the Eighteenth year of His Majestys Reign—

And then the board adjourned.