The Council having been informed that the Enemy had stripped the Island of Nawshan,¹ of the greater part of the Stock on the Same, and that they were hovering along the shores within the limits of your Brigade as though they had it in contemplation to land on the main; and mark their rout[e] with Ruin & Destruction—

The Council are of Opinion that a little attention of the good people in your Brigade to this matter, will with the Blessing of Providence be sufficient totally to Disappoint the Enemy in their inhuman attempts—therefore you are hereby directed without loss of time to take the most effectual measures to have your Brigade equipped agreeable to law, and hold themselves in readiness with three days provision to march at a moments warning to any place within the limits of the same on which the Enemy may attempt to make a Descent upon your or any of the field Officers in your Brigade, Receiving authentic intelligence of any such attempt, Will immediately give the Alarm and cause Orders to be issued for the marching of such and so many Men of the respective Regiments or the whole Brigade if you think it Necessary to effect a defeat of the Enemy in such an Attempt, and secure the good people in that Quarter of the State. 

You will place such Centries along shore as you may think Necessary with Orders to watch the motions of the Enemy and give intelligence thereof to such Officers as you shall direct if any attempt of the kind should take place you will give the earliest Notice thereof to the Board—In the Name & behalf of the Council.