[Extract]
At a Council, held at His Excellency the Governor's
House in Pensacola the 4th September 1776.
His Excellency Acquainted the Board that he had called them together in Consequence of different Intelligences Communicated to him by the Superintendant of Indian Affairs respecting the designs of the Rebels to attack this Colony and at this Critical Situation of Affairs he wished to have all the assistance and advice of His Majestys Servants....
It also appearing to the Board that there is reason to apprehend the Rebels have designs against Mobile ー They therefore recommend that the Engineer form an Estimate of the Expence Necessary to be incurred by temporary repairs to secure that Post in case of any Attack upon it and Report the same as soon as he can to this Board.
His Excellency also laid before the Board a Letter which [he] had received from Lieut Charles Cobb commanding His Majesty's Armed Sloop [West] Florida in this Harbour...
Upon which it was recommended by the board that His Excellency do request Lieut Cobb at this Critical Juncture of Affairs to give Orders that the West Florida armed Sloop (sent down with an intent to be of Service to the Prvince) may remain here untill the Arrival of Capt Davey in the Diligence ー who is hourly expected or some other of His Majestys Shipsー
And they farther recommend that His Excellency also apply to Lieut Cobb to give the proper Orders that the West Florida afford what assistance she can to the works to be carried on for the Security and defence of this place and more particularly in bringing up a quantity of timber now laying at the Red Cliffs Rose Island and Tartar point which will be wanted for that purpose
The Board also think it their indispensible duty to mention that as His Excellency is acquainted by a Letter from Lord George Germain ー that His Majesty has thought fit to give orders to Sir Basil Keith and Admiral Gayton for the protection and Security of this Province in any Event which may happen in the present State of Rebellion in North America ー
They therefore think it highly proper to recommend that His Excellency the Governor do desire Lieut Cobb to hold himself in readiness immediately to proceed to Jamaica in the Armed Sloop [West] Florida with dispatches from His Excellency to Sir Basil Keith and rear Admiral Gayton representing the alarming Situation we are at present in ー and require that all the assistance which they can afford us may be immediately sent down for the Relief and protection of this Province ー And then the Board were adjourned till tomorrow morningー
