In the Council of Safety, [Charleston]
Thursday, Dec. 21st, 1775.
Mr. [John] Rutledge moved, that it should be taken into consideration to send a proper person to New-England, to engage seamen there, to man the naval armament of this colony.
Ordered, That the said motion be taken into consideration tomorrow morning.
Ordered, That a vessel now lying at George-Town, belonging to Gloucester, in New-England, be stopped from proceeding on her return, until further orders; and that an express be sent thither for that purpose.
The following letter was accordingly written:
Charles-Town, Dec. 21st, 1775.
Gentlemen ー We wrote you the 19th by Vivien, who went from hence yesterday afternoon; since which, a plan of vast importance to the colony has been suggested to this board, which we shall take under consideration to-morrow. In the meantime, we think it necessary to detain the Gloucester New-England vessel in your port. We therefore desire you will prevent her sailing, until further direction. The bearer of this will present you with a good opportunity for sending that vessel's papers.
By order of the Council of Safety.
Henry Laurens, President.
Committee at George-Town
Ordered, That Capt. [Benjamin] Stone be desired to drive off all the live stock from Morris Island to James Island; to seize John Morgridge, if he should be found there, and any negroes not belonging to Mr. Morris; and that Mr. John Morris be desired to remove immediately to Charles-Town, with his own slaves.
In the Council of Safety, Dec. 21st, 1775.
Sir ー You are desired to employ proper persons immediately, and order all the live stock of every kind to be driven or brought from Morris' Island to James Island. An inventory to be made of numbers, quality, and whose property, to be transmitted to this board.
Mr. Morris, if on the island, to be ordered immediately to Charles-Town; and if John Morgridge is there, and can be taken, you are to send him under a guard to Charles-Town, or deliver him to the commanding officer at Fort Johnson, to be sent by the first opportunity. Take also any negroes not Mr. Morris's property, and order such as are to come away with him.
By order of the Council of Safety.
Henry Laurens, President.
Capt. Benjamin Stone
Ordered, That Capt. [Richard] Shubrick be desired to cause all the live stock to be driven off (his) Bull's Island.
