[Williamsburg] Thursday November 21st 1776
His Excellency the Governor having by an Express received Intelligence that upwards of one hundred Sail of the Enemy's Ships have moved from New York and are Steering Southwardly It is the Opinion therefore of this Board that a sufficient For_ce should be collected for the protection of this State. For which purpose a circular Letter was written to the County Leiutenants of Princess Ann Norfolk, Nansemon and Isle of Wight Counties directing them immediately to embody one half of such part of the Militia in their respective Counties that are furnished with Arms and to March such Militia to Portsmouth there to act under the commanding Officer of that Station. Also a Letter to the said commanding Officer communicating this Intelligence to him that he may be upon his Guard. A circular Letter was also written to the County Leiutenants of the following Counties to embody and march to Williamsburg the part of their respective Militia's as following James City fifty Men besides a Minute Company Charles City fifty, New Kent one hundred and fifty King William one hundred, Henrico one hundred King and Queen fifty besides a Minute Company and Surry fifty. And a Letter was also written to Capt. James Barron requiring him immediately to keep a strict Lookout and make known to this Board the Manoeuvers of the Enemy.
1. McIlwaine, ed., Journals of the Virginia Council, I, 246-47.