In the Council of Safety,
[Charleston] Tuesday, Jan 2nd, 1776.
Stephen Drayton and William Ewen, esqs., the delegates from the Council of Safety in Georgia, attended, and received the answer of this board to their memorial or representation of the 30th ult., and also a copy of the following letter to the Council of Safety in Georgia:
In the Council of Safety,
Charles-Town, Jan. 2nd, 1776.
Gentlemen ー We had the honour of your dispatch of the 19th past, presented to us by Stephen Drayton and William Ewen, esqs., with whom, as delegates from your board, we have conferred freely and fully upon the very momentous subject of preserving friendship and harmony between the other United Colonies and Georgia.
We have delivered to those gentlemen, in answer to their memorial or representation, our sentiments in writing, which we have desired them to lay before you; and we strongly confide in your inclination to co-operate with us, and your zeal for promoting the important interests of America, as to assure ourselves, that all ground for jealously will be speedily removed.
By order of the Council of Safety.
Henry Laurens, President.
Council of Savannah, Savannah.
Information being given to the board, that the ships of war now in our road, intend for Georgia, the following letters were written, and ordered to be sent by express:
Charles-Town, Jan. 2nd, 1776.
Sir ー The inclosed paper had been sealed up and directed to you in form of a letter, which was opened for the perusal of the Council of Safety, who had some thoughts of writing in form to your board, but upon reflection, they determined to let it, with this addition, go to yourself, confiding in you and a few other friends to do all that shall appear needful with dispatch, and without alarming opposition. I am sir [&c.]
Henry Laurens, President
of the Council of Safety.
Charles-Town, South-Carolina,
Jan. 2nd, 1776.
Sir ー I had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 25th December, by the hands of Mr. Sheftal, and immediately laid it before the Council of Safety. We had before heard too much of the deplorable state of affairs in your colony, particularly of the falling off of one whom I always believed to have been as sincere as he was zealous, and who I hope may still, by proper means, be brought back to his duty.
Our Council of Safety has written such a letter to yours by the hands of Mr. Drayton and Mr. Ewen, as I hope will animate all the friends of liberty on your side, to oppose face to face, those open, and to ferret out the secret enemies of whom you spe::tk. Arduous struggles are before you, but not insuperable. Resolution and steadiness, without unnecessary violence, will carry you through, and I believe you may depend upon all the aid that we, in our weakness, can afford. We indeed have nothing to boast of, beyond the hearty endeavours of a few to saye from slavery many very lukewarm, and many who even fight against us, some daringly, and many more under the covert of good wishes and affected neutrality.
But, sir, my principal business at present, for otherwise I should not have troubled you before Mr. Drayton's return, is to inform you that the Tamar, Cherokee, Sandwich packet, and an armed scooner made sail this morning in Rebellion Road, and attempted to go over the bar, but the wind failing, they all came to an anchor again. From undoubted intelligence, we learn they are intended for your river, in order to obtain provisions (of bread particularly) which since the practice of harbouring and protecting our negroes on board the Cherokee, we have refused to supply them with. Perhaps, too, there may be a concerted plan between the two great men, for covering the loading of all the ships which now are, and which may come into your river, for overawing the friends of liberty, and for giving energy to the projects of our enemies; in a word, for every mischievous, and no good purpose towards the former. These will receive the warning ー enquire what quantity of bread and flour, beef and pork, is in the town, and act a part that we hope will do them honour. I have the honour to be, with great regard, Sir [&c.]
Archd. Bulloch, esq.