Northampton County Virginia 20th March 1776.
In Committee. Capt Thomas Kell commander of the schooner Dolphin having put into Charriton Harbour being chased by one of the Tenders who have made several attempts to take possession of her since and the said Capt Kell having appeared for the committee and desired their opinion what part to act, and there appearing no probability of getting safe out, and thinking it would be attended with fatal consequences to suffer such a valuable cargo to fall into the hands of the enemy, Recommend to the captain to unload her without loss of time and run her up the creek, and wait the farther direction of the owners. Drury Stith C. Com.
1. Correspondence of Council of Safety, Md. Arch.