[Extract]

Sundry Matters referred by the Governor with the Advice of the Council to the Consideration of the General Assembly

[Williamsburg, 13 May 1778.]

. . . 5^th. Many great Losses have been sustained by the Traders of this State & those of foreign countries, on the coast for want of proper pilots. In order to stimulate Men of that profession, by Advice of Council, an additional Encouragement of four Shillings per Ton, besides their daily pay, was promised by the Governor to the Pilots for every Foreign or State Vessel safely brought into port.—

6^th. For the Further Security of Trade four Small Batteries are ordered to be erected on the Eastern Shore. These seemed absolutely necessary as the Enemy are closely blocking up the Channels through which our Vessels formerly passed into North Carolina, and our Trade must in future be principally carried on by the way of that Shore.—

. . . 14^h. Sundry Ship Carpenters employed in the public Yards were drafted to serve in the Continental Army under the Act of the last Session of Assembly, and on the earnest Sollicitation of the Navy Board & the Superintendants of the Ships Yards, the Governor by Advice of the Council did desire the Officer commanding the Continental Troops here to permit the said Carpenters to continue in their Yards. It was said great Detriment would ensue from the Loss of these Carpenters, as others could not be got to supply their places. An Exemption of these Workmen from Militia Duty in future it is supposed would tend to promote the public Good. . . .