[Philadelphia] Monday, January 1, 1776
The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee appointed to consider on Captain Simeon Sellick's petition, which was agreed to, as follows:
That they have maturely considered the petition, and have examined Captain Sellick particularly thereon, and are of Opinion, that the petitioner be allowed, as a compensation for his expences, trouble, and risque in taking the goods at Turtle bay, for the use of the United Colonies, the sum of 333⅓ dollars, and that the committee of Fairfield be directed to take into their possession, for the use of the said colonies, all the goods taken by Captain Sellick, which are not already delivered by him, and to forward the two boxes of saltpetre now in Captain Sellick's custody, to the powder Mill in Ulster county, to be manufactured into powder for the continental service.
The committee to whom the letters from General Washington, and the intercepted letters, were referred, brought in their report, which being taken into consideration, the Congress came to the following resolutions:
Resolved, That the seizing and securing the barracks and castle of St. Augustine will greatly contribute to the safety of these colonies, therefore it is earnestly recommended to the colonies of South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia to undertake the reduction of St. Augustine, if it be thought practicable.
Resolved, That the president of the provincial council of North Carolina and Georgia, be requested to procure committees of their several bodies to repair immediately to Charleston, and there to confer with a committee of the council of safety of South Carolina, upon weighty and important matters relative to the defence and security of those colonies.
Resolved, That the first resolution together with copies or extracts of such of the intercepted letters as tend to shew the state of the forts and garrison at St. Augustine be transmitted by express to Henry Middleton and John Rutledge Esqrs members of Congress to be by them laid before the committees directed to meet [at Charleston] in consequence of the above resolution and in case the enterprize be judged practicable that immediate preparations be made by the joint force of the said colonies (viz South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia) and the expedition be undertaken without delay at the expence of the united colonies.
Resolved, That it appears the British ministry and their agents have meditated and are preparing to make attacks upon Charleston, in South Carolina and several places in Virginia, and probably in North Carolina; and that it be recommended to the conventions or committees of safety of the two former colonies, and to the provincial council of the other, by all possible means, to make a vigorous defence and opposition; and that it be farther recommended to the committee of safety of Virginia, and the provincial counc.il of North Carolina, to meet together and confer and conclude upon such operations as they may think most for their mutual interest.