The President laid before the Council the following letters, written by him:

Gentlemen ー Although I have it not in order, I take the liberty of recommending the written resolve to your attention, and that you will as much as in you lies, hinder the exportation of the produce of this colony to Georgia by any and every person, who will not give you satisfactory security that such produce shall not be exported contrary to the resolve of the Continental Congress. To this effect, I have this evening written to Col. [Stephen] Bull by order, who will shew you the particulars, to which I beg leave to refer, and remain with great respect, gentlemen, [&c.]

Henry Laurens, President. Of the Council of Safety.

The Committee for St. Helena.

Mr. [John] Rutledge from the committee to prepare proper instructions for procuring seamen, from the Northern Colonies for the service of this colony, reported the following draught, which being read was agreed to:

Charles-Town, Dec. 31st, 1775.

To Capt. Robert Cochran:

Sir ー Herewith you will receive three hundred and fifty pounds currency, a draught in your favour on the Continental Treasurers at Philadelphia, for a sum not exceeding ten thousand dollars, and a letter of advice to them respecting it. We desire that you will immediately repair to George-Town, and proceed in a vessel now there, bound for Salem in the Massachusetts bay, if you find her fit for the purpose. Having received the money on our draught, as occasions may require, proceed with the utmost dispatch to inlist, for the service and defence of this colony, on the water, or as matrosses in the forts, which are or may be erected here, any number of able-bodied seamen you can procure in any of the New-England Colonies, not exceeding five hundred in the whole. We would prefer those who have been employed in privateers or the fishery, the former of whom may be most dextrous in the use of cannon. The terms are as follows:

Bounty money, not exceeding ten pounds currency, which is more than equal to six dollars.

Pay, not exceeding twenty-one pounds currency, nearly equal to thirteen dollars per calendar month, to commence on the day of embarkation and provisions.

It would not be prudent to pay the bounty money on the men's inlisting, lest they should afterwards refuse to come and the money be lost. But you may advance on account of bounty and pay any reasonable sums which the men may have occasion for to such as you think may be trusted; and indeed we could wish to have nothing to do with any others. You will send the men with proper credentials as fast as one hundred can be procured. They may perhaps expect to be under the immediate command of officers from their own country. Should this be the case, and not yielding the point would impede the service, if you can get proper men for officers, engage them also, in the following proportion, that is a captain and two lieutenants to every hundred men, their pay as follows: Captain three pounds currency, nearly two dollars per day; first Lieutenants not exceeding fifty pounds currency, nearly equal to thirty-one dollars per calender month, each; second Lieutenants forty pounds currency, nearly equal to twenty-five dollars per calender month, each. They must be inlisted to serve until the first day of May, 1777, liable to be sooner disbanded by the [Provincial] Congress, or Council of Safety of this province, on receiving one month's additional pay. They must be subject to similar rules and orders, and will be intitled to the same share of prizes, as the officers and men employed by the Continent in the sea or land service. The charge of bringing them hither, will be paid by us. You will lay in provisions for their voyage and transport them on the best terms. Remember that vessels bringing these men will be allowed to load produce here, on bringing proper certificates, and giving bond and security here, to carry it (according to resolutions of Continental Congress) to some of the other colonies. Provision will be made by the colony for_ the support of such of the men as may be maimed or disabled, and for the families of any who may be killed in our service. You will therefore prefer single men, or those who have small families. If amongst the men whom you procure, some are ship carpenters, they might be very useful.

Though we have been as particular as we think necessary, yet having great confidence in your zeal, judgment and integrity, if you shall find a variation from any of these instructions absolutely necessary, we mean not to confine you to a strict observance of them, but give you leave to deviate in such instances as your own prudence shall suggest. And upon any extraordinary occasion, if the delegates from this colony are at Philadelphia, consult them, and follow their advice. Keep an account of your expences, to lay before us on your return, when ample satisfaction shall be made to you for your trouble. Let us hear from you as often as safe opportunities offer.

As we find the vessel for Salem is sailed from George-Town, you are to proceed in the Hawke pilot boat to the capes of Delaware, or any port in Virginia. or the Jersies, where you can most safely land; and you may detain the boat a few days, if you find the Continental Congress are sitting, in order to bring any letters from them; otherwise, dispatch her immediately, and transmit to us all the intelligence of American affairs you can collect.

By order of the Council of Safety.

Henry Laurens, President.
In the Council of Safety,
Charles-Town, December 31st, 1775.

Gentlemen ー The Congress, by a resolution of 12th July last, impowered the Commissioners of Indian affairs in the southern department, to receive from the Continental treasury ten thousand dollars for defraying the expences of treaties and presents to Indians. The commissioners met at Salisbury on the 13th ult., and amongst other proceedings (copies of all which they transmitted to the Congress) with the Creek and Cherokee Indians, impowered three of their members to purchase goods for presents to the Indians, and to draw on us for ten thousand dollars, and required us to advance them, and draw on you for the like sum. We have accordingly agreed to do so, acquainted them therewith, and shall pay their draughts when presented, which we expect will be soon. As we have occasion to send a gentleman, Capt. Robert Cochran, to the Massachusetts bay, on some particular business of this colony, in the execution of which, he will require money, we have thought proper to draw ー on you, in his favour, for the above sum, to be paid as he may have occasion. We request, and doubt not, that you will honour the draught, which will be delivered herewith. We should have procured an order from the commissioners, which would have been a more formal and proper way of doing the business; but the service on which this gentleman goes requires dispatch ー money for him will be absolutely necessary; the only commissioner in this colony lives at a very great distance, another is in Georgia, a third in the Cherokee country, another in NorthCarolina, and the fifth in Virginia, so that waiting for a draught from them, or a majority of them would have occasioned much delay. We have therefore only to repeat, that we hope Mr. Cochran will meet with no disappointment, as it would frustrate our scheme, and be very detrimental to th1s colony in particular, and perhaps to America in general. We presume the Congress is adjourned, or should have wrote to them on the subject. If they are, and have any doubt about the propriety of paying this money, be pleased to mention them to the delegates of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Chas. Thomson, ² whq we think will remove them.

By order of the Council of Safety.

Henry Laurens, President.

To George Clymer and Michael Hillegas, esqs., Continental Treasurers at Philadelphia.

In the Council of Safety,
Charles-Town, December 31st, 1775.

Gentlemen ー The bearer, Capt. Robert Cochran, being sent by us to procure seamen in your colony for the defence of this, we take the liberty of requesting, that you will afford him every assistance in your power, which he may want in this business.

From your zeal in the common cause of America, we doubt not that he will meet with your support and countenance. Be assured, that we shall think ourselves happy in rendering any service to our brethern in the Massachusetts bay, and testify, upon every occasion the esteem and respect which we have for your honorable board.

By order of the Council of Safety.

Henry Laurens, President.

The President and Members of the Provincial Council, Massachusetts bay.

Like letters were written to Gov. Cooke of Rhode Island, Gov. Trumbull of Connecticut, and the Provincial Congress or Council of Safety of New-Hampshire.

The application of Lady William Campbell of the 28th, for permission to be supplied with certain sea stores mentioned in a list given in, being taken into consideration,

Resolved, That her Ladyship may be supplied with such articles, under proper inspection.

Read a letter from Mr. James Leckie, of this date. Whereupon it was

Resolved, That it is improper at this time to give a permit for Mr. Leckie's brigt Amphitrite to pass Fort Johnson, in danger of being detained by the men of war.

Mr. Rutledge was desired to draw a proper answer, to be delivered to the delegates from the Council of Safety in Georgia.