1777-1789 Georgia. Executive council.
Minutes of the Executive council, from January 14, 1778, to January 6, 1785, and January of the Land court, from April 6 to May 26, 1784 (Volume 2) online
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Online Library → 1777-1789 Georgia. Executive council → Minutes of the Executive council, from January 14, 1778, to January 6, 1785, and January of the Land court, from April 6 to May 26, 1784 (Volume 2) → online text (page 1 of 52)
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1 i
REESE LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.
Class
THE
Revolutionary Records
OF THE
STATE OF QBORGIA
VOLUME II
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, FROM JAN
UARY 14, 1778, TO JANUARY 6, 1785, AND
JOURNAL OF THE LAND COURT, FROM
APRIL 6 TO MAY 26, 1784
COMPILED AND PUBLISHED UNDER AUTHORITY
OF
THE LEGISLATURE
BY
ALLEN E>. CANDLKR
ATLANTA, GA.
THE FRANKLIN-TURNER COMPANY
PRINTERS, PUBLISHERS, BINDERS
1908
(From State Archives.)
ORDERED That his honor the Governor be requested to give
directions that the Minutes of the proceedings of the former Gov
ernor and Council be laid before this Board.
ORDERED. That his honor the Governor be requested to cause
this house to be furnished as soon as possible with a return of
the Continental Marines and land forces doing duty within this
State And also of the several Minute Battalions and Troops of
Horse and where they are respectively Stationed.
Extract from the Minutes
J s WOOD Jun. Clerk
The said Committee (to wit) John Milledge & Arthur Fort
Esquires also acquainted the Governor that they had in Charge
from their house, a request that his honor would be pleased to
Station the Land forces paid by this State, at such places as may
prevent our enemies from Committing depredations in the Same.
The Board taking the foregoing resolves and Message into
consideration do order,
First, That the Clerk of this Board do attend the honorable
house of Assembly with the Minutes of the proceedings of the
former Governor and Council.
Second, That Letters be wrote to the respective Officers of
the Land and Naval department in order to obtain the informa
tion required by the house, and that the same when received be
laid before them.
The following Message was sent by his honor the Governor,
to the Honorable house of Assembly
The Governor & Council taking into Consideration your re
solves and message of this day have Ordered As to the first-
Thai the Clerk of this Board, do attend your honourable house
with the Minutes of the proceedings of the former Governor and
Council Second That Letters be wrote to the respective
Officers of the Land and Naval Department in order to obtain
the information required by your house, and that the same when
received be laid before you And as to the third That a Com
mittee of this board be appointed to confer with a Committee of
your honorable house on the best place and the most advan
tageous posts to station the land Forces paid by this State, so as
to promise the greatest probability of preventing our enemies
from Committing depredations in the Same, and have accord
ingly appointed Charles Kent and John Lindsay Esq rs of that
Committee The Board ever desirous of promoting the interest
of the State and the greatest harmony between the different
branches of the Same do request that your honorable house will
appoint a Committee for that purpose, it appearing to be a mat-
ler of great & general Concern and as such ought to* be agree
able to the people.
JOHN HOUSTOUN
Council Chamber )
Jan y 14, 1778 ]
Application being made to the Board; setting forth that the
inhabitants of Richmond, Burke & Wilkes County were in great
want of Salt And the Commissary General being sent for and
examined touching the quantity of Salt in his possession, as
well as the quantity by him delivered out for the use and to be
disposed of to the inhabitants of those Counties he reported,
That since the time of his having received the salt belonging to
the public (to wit) since the month of July last past there had
been delivered out by him in order to be sent up the Country the
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. 5
following quantities to wit To John Colman for the use of
Wilkes County one hundred bushels.
To Benjamin Fulsom for said County one hundred Bushels.
To Jacob Cronberger for Effingham County two hundred
Bushels besides what he delivered out in Small quantities to such
persons throughout the State at large as applied to him in Sa
vannah according to the number of heads in their family at the
rate of a peck for each, agreeable to a resolve o<f the honorable
the Assembly But the said Commissary acquainted the Board
that he was certain a large quantity had been delivered out by
M r Wood, prior to his taking charge of the said Salt but to
whom, or in what quantities he could not say It is therefore
Ordered that the said Commissary General do deliver out the
following quantities of Salt to the following Commissioners for
the use of the Said Counties to wit.
i
To Chesley Bostick & Cha 8 Crawford Esq r for the inhabitants
of Richmond County, two hundred and fifty five Bushels
To Edward Telfair Esquire for the inhabitants of Burke
County, two hundred bushels
To John Lindsay and Holman Freeman Esq rs for the inhabi
tants of Wilkes County, one hundred and four Bushels for said
County They the said Commissioners either paying for the
Said Salt or giving their Notes respectively to do so, within
three Months at and after the rate of Seven and Six pence per
Bushel, and also giving a Receipt for the said Salt, and therein
engaging that the same shall be fairly (as far as it will extend)
distributed and Sold amongst the Inhabitants o>f the said Coun
ties respectively at the rate of a peck a head for each person in
family & that they will not exact more for the same, than will
reimburse them in Cost and Charges.
And be it Further Ordered, That it be an instruction to the
said Commissioners to require an oath before a Magistrate from
6 THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
each person, before he obtain any of the said Salt, that he hath
not already received his rights out of the Said public Salt in or
der that the same may be fairly distributed according to the inten
tion of the said resolve of the Assembly And further that they
keep a Book and therein insert the name of, and quantities de
livered out to such persons, applying for and obtaining Salt.
Samuel Miller Esq r a member of this Board having left to\vn
and been absent for several days without leave,
ORDERED That a Letter be wrote to the said Samuel Miller
requiring his immediate attendance, and that the same be sent
off by express at the expence of the said Samuel Miller
Thursday Jan y 15, 17/8.
The Board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly Charles Kent
David Lewis Jenkin Davis
Hollman Freeman Will" 1 Maxwell
John Fulton John Lindsay
Chesly Bostick John Keebler
The following resolves were Sent up from the honorable house
of Assembly
House of Assembly Wednesday Jan y 14 : 1778
WHEREAS Budd Cade & Howell Sharp, have been confined on
board the Row-Gallies as persons highly inimical to this State
And whereas the Said Budd Cade and Howell Sharp have ap-
MINUTES OK THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. 7
plied for a Writ of Habeas Corpus in order to obtain Bail and
be discharged from Such confinement and it is apprehended that
for want of Sufficient evidence, that the Said Budd Cade and
Howell Sharp may be permitted to go at large, which will be
attended with dangerous consequences to the Inhabitants of the
Said State,
ORDERED, That his honor the Governor be requested to give
directions, that the Said Budd Cade & Howell Sharp may be
Secured on Board the Said Gallies, until the danger which is
apprehended from their being enlarged may be removed.
Extract from the Minutes.
J s WOOD, Jun r Clerk.
In consequence of the above Resolves the Chief Justice (who
had been already furnished with a Copy of the Same from the
Governor and had also Seen a further Affidavit) was Sent for,
and attending the board, acquainted them, that he had already
remanded the Said Budd Cade and Howell Sharp to Such Secure
place as the Officer having them in custody think proper. And
that in consequence thereof they had been carried back on Board
the Gallies.
ORDERED, That a copy of the Said resolves be Sent to Com
modore Bowen, and that he required not to let the Said persons
depart or to be taken from the Said Gallies, but by order of this
board.
ORDERED, That a Committee be appointed to enquire what
quantity of Salt has been purchased by the State, and at what
time & upon what Terms, And also how the Same has been dis
posed of, And what quantity now remains in Store And that
Rich d Wylly & Chesley Bostick Esq rs be that committee, who
are required to make their report as Soon as possible.
The Board appointed Robert Gray Door keeper.
8 THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
Colonel Habersham attended the Board and laid before them
the Affidavit of Stephen Phillips Setting forth, that he had about
a Week ago apprehended one John Aarons formerly of the
Florida Scout and William Summons a Deserter from the first
Georgia Battalion, and that in bringing the prisoners to Savan
nah he was met at the house of one Hudson by Cap 1 Harding
of Colonel Jacks Regiment of Minute Men who inlisted the Said
Aarons and asked the Said Phillips for his authority in detain
ing them^, and that if he chose he would release the other pris
oner, drew his Sw.ord and threat ned the Said Phillips to make
Sun and Moon Shine thro him, or Words to that Effect.
ORDERED, That a copy of the Said Affidavit be delivered to
Colonel Jack and that he be required to cause a Court Martial
to be held upon the Said William Harding and proceeded against
in the military line, and that the original Affidavit be delivered
to the Attorney General and that he be directed to carry on Such
prosecution (for resque or otherwise) as the Said Charge will
bear.
The following Message was Sent to the honorable house of
Assembly.
M r Speaker and Gentlemen/
We begf leave to acquaint your Honorable house That we
have appointed a Clerk, a Messenger & a Door keeper to this
Board and to request your Honorable house will be pleased to
provide Such Sallaries for them as Shall appear adequate and
Sufficient to engage them to give constant attendance on us.
JOHN HOUSTOUN
Council Chamber
Jan y 15 th 1778
Th following Resolve was sent up from the house of As
sembly.
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. 9
House of Assembly Thursday Jan y 15, 1/78.
ORDERED, That his honor the Governor be requested to order
a return of the number of Militia belonging to this State to be
laid before this House
Extract from the minutes
J s WOOD, Jim. Clerk.
ORDERED, That letters be wrote by the Clerk to the Several
Colonels or other commanding Officers of Militia throughout
the State to obtain the information required, and that the Same
when received be laid before the honorable House of Assembly
ORDERED, That Letters be wrote to the Lieu 1 Colonels or other
commanding Officers of the Militia of the Counties of Effingham
& Richmond requiring them to proceed to the election of Officers
so as to fill up all vacancies in their respective Battalions without
delay and make a report of the Officers chosen, that Commis
sions mav issue.
Friday January 16, I//8
The board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard \Yylly Will Maxwell
Charles Kent John Fulton
David Lewis Chesley Bostick
John Lindsay Jenkin Davis
Holman Freeman John Keebler
Robert Cochran & Jonathan Cotes waited on the board and
qualified as Deputy Surveyors for the Counties of Richmond &
Wilkes.
10 THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
Monday 19 th 1778
The board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly Chesley Bostick
Holman Freeman . John Lindsay
John Fulton David Lewis
The following message was Sent to the honorable house of
Assembly.
Mr. Speaker & Gentlemen/
Colonel White who has lately brought upwards of three hun
dred men into this State, has made application to this board for
the repayment of a Sum of money which has been advanced to
him in North Carolina for the necessary expences of his Regi
ment in their march hither We beg leave to refer him to your
honorable house and would recommend that a mode be adopted
to reimburse the person who has advanced this Sum, as we con
ceive the faith of the State to be in Some measure engaged The
Colonel informs us that he cannot for some days get the whole
of his accounts ready to lay before you, but is desirous that this
Sum be immediately paid by a draft upon the Continental Treas
ury, or in Such other way, as to your honorable house Shall ap
pear most elegible.
JOHN HOUSTOUN.
Council Chamber {
Jan y 19. 1778. ]
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. 11
Tuesday 20 January 1778
The board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly Samuel Miller
Chesley Bostick Holman Ereeman
John Lindsay John Eulton
David Lewis Jenkin Davis
William Maxwell John Keebler
A Committee from the house of Assembly brought up the fol
lowing- resolve from their house
o
House of Assembly Jan y 2O th 1778
ORDERED, That a Committee be appointed to wait on his honor
the Governor to request that he will enquire of General Howe
whether he has received any recommendation from those in au
thority to the Northward respecting any Military operations in
or concerning this State Committed to M r Stone, M r Davies
and Habersham
Extract from the minutes
J s WOOD, Jun. Clk.
ORDERED, That a Copy of the above be sent to General Howe
inclosed in a Letter from the Governor requiring the information
desired And that his answer when received be sent to the house
of Assembly.
Colonel s Jack and Stewart of the minute Battalion s having
made their return of the number and Stations of their men re
spectively, and Commodore Bowen having made return of the
number and vacancies in the Gallies.
12 THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
ORDERED, That the Same be Sent to the house of Assembly.
The Court Martial appointed to Sit upon Captain Harding
of the minute men having made their return whereby it appears
they have Sentenced him to be discharged from the Service.
ORDERED, That the Said Sentence be confirmed, and that no
tice thereof be sent to Colonel Jack in order, that the Said Cap
tain Harding may be immediately deprived of his Commission
a id Cashiered.
Application being made to the Board by Cap 1 Pettygrew of
Colonel Jacks Battalion, Setting forth that under the terms of
his Service, he was entitled to the first Commission as Captain
in the Said Service, but that the Same had been by Some means
delivered out to Captain Dixon.
ORDERED, That Colonel Jack be directed to Summon a Court
of enquiry, and Settle this difference as the Said Court Shall
find to be right and just.
ORDERED, That the Commissary General do furnish John
Wereat Esquire a Commissioner of Trade with twelve Gallons
of rum, for the Use of the people at work on board the public
v essels.
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, 13
Friday January 23, 1778
The board met
Present
His honor the Governor
William Maxwell Chesley Bostick
Jenkin Davis John Fulton
Samuel Miller David Lewis
John Keebler John Lindsay
Holman Freeman
The Chief Justice having acquainted the Governor that the
Office of Clerk of the Court for the County of Chatham was
vacant by the resignation of M r Ja s Jackson, and at the same
time recommended M r W m Stewart to fill that Office.
ORDERED, That the Said William Stewart be accordingly ap
pointed Clerk of the Court for the Said County in the room of
the Said James Jackson until the next General Election.
The following message was Sent to the House of Assembly.
M r Speaker & Gentlemen
Application has been made to this board by M r Wereat the
Commissioner of trade Setting forth that the Brigantine Recovery
belonging to the State is now nearly ready for Sea, and that
there is only a quantity of Rice provided for her Cargo, and
Submitting to our consideration whether it would not be of ad
vantage to the State to put on board also a few Casks of In
digo. We beg leave to recommend this matter to your honor
able House & must observe that the addition of a few Casks of
Indigo will add considerably to the value of the cargo & conse
quently produce larger returns in Goods, which at the present
time especially becomes very necessary, and will add nothing
14 THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
to the outfit and voyage of the Vessel If the matter Strikes
your honorable house in the Same point of view you will be
pleased to order a quantity of Indigo to be purchased & put on
board this Vessel at the public Cost and for the public, benefit.
And we further beg leave to Send you herewith a Letter from
Commodore Bowen recommending Several matters which ap
pear to us of high utility to the State
JOHN HOUSTOUN
Council Chamber )
January 23 d 1778 j
ORDERED, That the Commissary General of this State and
also the Commissioners of Trade for the ports of Savannah and
Sunbury, be Severally directed to collect all the Salt belonging
to the public and in their hands respectively into a few Store
houses as the quantity and conveniency thereof will admit of
That they have the quantity of the Same as nearly ascertained
as possible, and that they respectively make return of their pro
ceedings herein to this board without loss of time. And it is
Further Ordered that neither of the persons having in charge
public Salt do dispose of or deliver out any more thereof with
out an order for that purpose from the Governor.
The representatives in Assembly of Burke County acquainted
the Governor that William MNorrel was elected Sheriff of the
County of Burke, but that he does not intend to qualify for the
Said Office, and at the Same time recommended Lamuel Lanier
to fill that vacancy.
ORDERED, That the Said Lamuel Lanier be accordingly, upon
his qualifying and giving Security appointed Sheriff for the Said
County in the room of the Said William MNorrel until the next
General Election.
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL,
T l-sday 27 January 1778
The board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly Charles Kent
Chesley Bo Stick Jenkin Davis
John Keebler Holman Freeman
David Lewis John Lindsay
John Fullon.
Lamuel Lanier waited on the Board and qualified as Sheriff
for the County of Burke and also gave Security in the Sum of
two thousand pounds for the due performance of the Said
Office-
Joseph Dunlap waited on the Board and qualified as Keeper
of the Arsenal & powder receiver for the town of Savannah
ORDERED, That the powder Receivers for the ports of Savan
nah & Sunbury and also the Commissary General for the State
do immediately Survey & inspect all the powder & other amuni-
tion in their respective custodies and make report of the quantity
and Condition of the Same to the Governor, particularly Specify
ing the part which is Continental, that which is State & that
which is Private property.
The following message was Sent to the honorable House of
Assembly.
M r Speaker & Gentlemen,
Herewith I send your honorable house a letter from the Presi
dent of Congress inclosing a resolve which fell into my hands
yesterday the late Governor has lodged in my Custody, Con
tinental Loan Office Certificates to the amount of one hundred
16 THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
and Sixty thousand four hundred Dollars your honorable house
will be pleased to make Some order or determination respecting
them.
He has also delivered over to me Some papers which I shall
take due care of but declined parting with the Letter which ac
companied these Loan Office Certificates, apprehending it neces
sary (as he said) for himself to retain the Same I have not as
yet received any other papers either from the Representatives of
the late M r Bulloch or M r Gwinnett I conceive from the in
formation received from the Executors few papers of conse
quence remained in their hands at the time of their respective
deaths.
JOHN HOUSTOUN
Council Chamber )
January 28 th 1778)
Thursday 29 January 1778
The board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly Chesley Bostick
William Maxwell Charles Kent
Jenkin Davis John Lindsay
John Fulton John Keebler
Holman Freeman David Lewis
The following resolves were received from the House of As
sembly.
House of Assembly Saturday Jan y 24 1778
ORDERED That all Bonds of a public nature which are already
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. 17
or which shall hereafter be taken, by, or made payable to the
Governor and his Successors in Office be applied in the Secre
tary s Office of this State, and that the said Secretary do imme
diately upon receipt of the Same, cause them to be recorded.
Wednesday January 28 : 1778
ORDERED,, That the several persons appointed to Offices with
in this State by this House attend his Honor the Governor in
Council or obtain a Dedimus in order to qualify themselves for
their respective appointments within one month from this day
otherwise their appointments will be deemed void unless a Suffi
cient excuse is made before his Honor the Governor in Council
for their neglect therein.
Thursday January 19, 1778
RESOLVED, That his Honor the Governor be requested to di
rect the Commissary to enquire for such houses without the
Town of Savannah may be suitable for Hospitals for the use of
the Continental Naval & Land forces doing duty with State, and
in case Such can be found that this House be acquainted there
with.
Extract f.rom the minutes
J s WOOD, Jun r Clerk.
William Stewart waited on the board and qualified as Clerk
of the Superior Court for the County of Chatham.
James Anderson qualified as Clerk of the Market of the Town
of Savannah.
House of Assembly Wednesday Jan y 29 1778
RESOLVED, That his honor the Governor be requested to Issue
his Proclamation forbidding the exportation of Salt from this
State for one month without permission from him & to continue
2 r r vol 2
18 THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
the said prohibition if he shall find the same absolutely necessary
for the benefit of this State
Extract from the minutes
J s WOOD, Jun r Clerk.
The following orders were made upon the foregoing 1 Resolves
As to the first That a Copy of this resolve be served upon
the Secretary as to the Second That the resolve be duly pub
lished in the Gazette three times as to the third that such
orders do accordingly issue to the Commissary as to the fourth
that a Proclamation be accordingly made out by the Attorney
General & published in the Gazette
ORDERED, That one hundred \Yeight of Iron be delivered out
of the Arsenal to Major Romand for public use.
The following Message was sent to the House of Assembly.
M r Speaker & Gentlemen,
The Colonels of the minute Battalions inform me their men
are in a very uneasy situation for want of provisions & other
necessaries, the Commissary having declined acting any longer
Give me leave to recommend this matter to your consideration
and to suggest that it be an order of your honorable house that
Commissaries in future give good security and take their ap
pointments for a limited time.
The Comissary of the Continental Troops in this State also
informs me that his Store of provisions is nearly exhausted and
that he has no fund out of which he can purchase; Give me
leave to recommend that you will be pleased to pass a Vote,
granting him a loan of one thousand pounds out of the State
Treasury upon the Certificate of the Commanding Officer that
the Same is necessary: that Sum to be charged to the Conti
nent and the Comissary to be accountable to them for the ex-
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. 19
penditure of the Same. M r Hornby having informed me, that
he has in his hands a sum of Continental money (about ten
thousand Dollars) for the use of this State: I have directed
him to lodge the same in the Treasury subject to the order or
disposal of your honorable house
JOHN HOUSTOUN
Council Chamber 1
January 3<D th 1778)
Thomas Corns having informed the Board of Treasonable
practices in Aaron Fryer a prisoner in the Guard House, the
said Thomas Corn s, Affidavit, & examination, respecting this
matter, were taken & read.
ORDERED, That the same be immediately delivered to the Chief
Justice, that the said Thomas Corns do attend the said Chief
Justice in Company with the Sheriff and that the said Chief
Justice be required to take such immediate Steps in this matter
as may appear to him necessary.
Tuesday the 3 d of February 1778
The board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly David Lewis
John Fulton Holman Freeman
Jenkin Davis John Keebler
John Lindsay Samu l Miller
The following resolve was received from the honorable House
of Assembly
20 THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
m^H
&HENHHJB1
1 i
REESE LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.
Class
THE
Revolutionary Records
OF THE
STATE OF QBORGIA
VOLUME II
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, FROM JAN
UARY 14, 1778, TO JANUARY 6, 1785, AND
JOURNAL OF THE LAND COURT, FROM
APRIL 6 TO MAY 26, 1784
COMPILED AND PUBLISHED UNDER AUTHORITY
OF
THE LEGISLATURE
BY
ALLEN E>. CANDLKR
ATLANTA, GA.
THE FRANKLIN-TURNER COMPANY
PRINTERS, PUBLISHERS, BINDERS
1908
(From State Archives.)
ORDERED That his honor the Governor be requested to give
directions that the Minutes of the proceedings of the former Gov
ernor and Council be laid before this Board.
ORDERED. That his honor the Governor be requested to cause
this house to be furnished as soon as possible with a return of
the Continental Marines and land forces doing duty within this
State And also of the several Minute Battalions and Troops of
Horse and where they are respectively Stationed.
Extract from the Minutes
J s WOOD Jun. Clerk
The said Committee (to wit) John Milledge & Arthur Fort
Esquires also acquainted the Governor that they had in Charge
from their house, a request that his honor would be pleased to
Station the Land forces paid by this State, at such places as may
prevent our enemies from Committing depredations in the Same.
The Board taking the foregoing resolves and Message into
consideration do order,
First, That the Clerk of this Board do attend the honorable
house of Assembly with the Minutes of the proceedings of the
former Governor and Council.
Second, That Letters be wrote to the respective Officers of
the Land and Naval department in order to obtain the informa
tion required by the house, and that the same when received be
laid before them.
The following Message was sent by his honor the Governor,
to the Honorable house of Assembly
The Governor & Council taking into Consideration your re
solves and message of this day have Ordered As to the first-
Thai the Clerk of this Board, do attend your honourable house
with the Minutes of the proceedings of the former Governor and
Council Second That Letters be wrote to the respective
Officers of the Land and Naval Department in order to obtain
the information required by your house, and that the same when
received be laid before you And as to the third That a Com
mittee of this board be appointed to confer with a Committee of
your honorable house on the best place and the most advan
tageous posts to station the land Forces paid by this State, so as
to promise the greatest probability of preventing our enemies
from Committing depredations in the Same, and have accord
ingly appointed Charles Kent and John Lindsay Esq rs of that
Committee The Board ever desirous of promoting the interest
of the State and the greatest harmony between the different
branches of the Same do request that your honorable house will
appoint a Committee for that purpose, it appearing to be a mat-
ler of great & general Concern and as such ought to* be agree
able to the people.
JOHN HOUSTOUN
Council Chamber )
Jan y 14, 1778 ]
Application being made to the Board; setting forth that the
inhabitants of Richmond, Burke & Wilkes County were in great
want of Salt And the Commissary General being sent for and
examined touching the quantity of Salt in his possession, as
well as the quantity by him delivered out for the use and to be
disposed of to the inhabitants of those Counties he reported,
That since the time of his having received the salt belonging to
the public (to wit) since the month of July last past there had
been delivered out by him in order to be sent up the Country the
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. 5
following quantities to wit To John Colman for the use of
Wilkes County one hundred bushels.
To Benjamin Fulsom for said County one hundred Bushels.
To Jacob Cronberger for Effingham County two hundred
Bushels besides what he delivered out in Small quantities to such
persons throughout the State at large as applied to him in Sa
vannah according to the number of heads in their family at the
rate of a peck for each, agreeable to a resolve o<f the honorable
the Assembly But the said Commissary acquainted the Board
that he was certain a large quantity had been delivered out by
M r Wood, prior to his taking charge of the said Salt but to
whom, or in what quantities he could not say It is therefore
Ordered that the said Commissary General do deliver out the
following quantities of Salt to the following Commissioners for
the use of the Said Counties to wit.
i
To Chesley Bostick & Cha 8 Crawford Esq r for the inhabitants
of Richmond County, two hundred and fifty five Bushels
To Edward Telfair Esquire for the inhabitants of Burke
County, two hundred bushels
To John Lindsay and Holman Freeman Esq rs for the inhabi
tants of Wilkes County, one hundred and four Bushels for said
County They the said Commissioners either paying for the
Said Salt or giving their Notes respectively to do so, within
three Months at and after the rate of Seven and Six pence per
Bushel, and also giving a Receipt for the said Salt, and therein
engaging that the same shall be fairly (as far as it will extend)
distributed and Sold amongst the Inhabitants o>f the said Coun
ties respectively at the rate of a peck a head for each person in
family & that they will not exact more for the same, than will
reimburse them in Cost and Charges.
And be it Further Ordered, That it be an instruction to the
said Commissioners to require an oath before a Magistrate from
6 THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
each person, before he obtain any of the said Salt, that he hath
not already received his rights out of the Said public Salt in or
der that the same may be fairly distributed according to the inten
tion of the said resolve of the Assembly And further that they
keep a Book and therein insert the name of, and quantities de
livered out to such persons, applying for and obtaining Salt.
Samuel Miller Esq r a member of this Board having left to\vn
and been absent for several days without leave,
ORDERED That a Letter be wrote to the said Samuel Miller
requiring his immediate attendance, and that the same be sent
off by express at the expence of the said Samuel Miller
Thursday Jan y 15, 17/8.
The Board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly Charles Kent
David Lewis Jenkin Davis
Hollman Freeman Will" 1 Maxwell
John Fulton John Lindsay
Chesly Bostick John Keebler
The following resolves were Sent up from the honorable house
of Assembly
House of Assembly Wednesday Jan y 14 : 1778
WHEREAS Budd Cade & Howell Sharp, have been confined on
board the Row-Gallies as persons highly inimical to this State
And whereas the Said Budd Cade and Howell Sharp have ap-
MINUTES OK THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. 7
plied for a Writ of Habeas Corpus in order to obtain Bail and
be discharged from Such confinement and it is apprehended that
for want of Sufficient evidence, that the Said Budd Cade and
Howell Sharp may be permitted to go at large, which will be
attended with dangerous consequences to the Inhabitants of the
Said State,
ORDERED, That his honor the Governor be requested to give
directions, that the Said Budd Cade & Howell Sharp may be
Secured on Board the Said Gallies, until the danger which is
apprehended from their being enlarged may be removed.
Extract from the Minutes.
J s WOOD, Jun r Clerk.
In consequence of the above Resolves the Chief Justice (who
had been already furnished with a Copy of the Same from the
Governor and had also Seen a further Affidavit) was Sent for,
and attending the board, acquainted them, that he had already
remanded the Said Budd Cade and Howell Sharp to Such Secure
place as the Officer having them in custody think proper. And
that in consequence thereof they had been carried back on Board
the Gallies.
ORDERED, That a copy of the Said resolves be Sent to Com
modore Bowen, and that he required not to let the Said persons
depart or to be taken from the Said Gallies, but by order of this
board.
ORDERED, That a Committee be appointed to enquire what
quantity of Salt has been purchased by the State, and at what
time & upon what Terms, And also how the Same has been dis
posed of, And what quantity now remains in Store And that
Rich d Wylly & Chesley Bostick Esq rs be that committee, who
are required to make their report as Soon as possible.
The Board appointed Robert Gray Door keeper.
8 THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
Colonel Habersham attended the Board and laid before them
the Affidavit of Stephen Phillips Setting forth, that he had about
a Week ago apprehended one John Aarons formerly of the
Florida Scout and William Summons a Deserter from the first
Georgia Battalion, and that in bringing the prisoners to Savan
nah he was met at the house of one Hudson by Cap 1 Harding
of Colonel Jacks Regiment of Minute Men who inlisted the Said
Aarons and asked the Said Phillips for his authority in detain
ing them^, and that if he chose he would release the other pris
oner, drew his Sw.ord and threat ned the Said Phillips to make
Sun and Moon Shine thro him, or Words to that Effect.
ORDERED, That a copy of the Said Affidavit be delivered to
Colonel Jack and that he be required to cause a Court Martial
to be held upon the Said William Harding and proceeded against
in the military line, and that the original Affidavit be delivered
to the Attorney General and that he be directed to carry on Such
prosecution (for resque or otherwise) as the Said Charge will
bear.
The following Message was Sent to the honorable house of
Assembly.
M r Speaker and Gentlemen/
We begf leave to acquaint your Honorable house That we
have appointed a Clerk, a Messenger & a Door keeper to this
Board and to request your Honorable house will be pleased to
provide Such Sallaries for them as Shall appear adequate and
Sufficient to engage them to give constant attendance on us.
JOHN HOUSTOUN
Council Chamber
Jan y 15 th 1778
Th following Resolve was sent up from the house of As
sembly.
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. 9
House of Assembly Thursday Jan y 15, 1/78.
ORDERED, That his honor the Governor be requested to order
a return of the number of Militia belonging to this State to be
laid before this House
Extract from the minutes
J s WOOD, Jim. Clerk.
ORDERED, That letters be wrote by the Clerk to the Several
Colonels or other commanding Officers of Militia throughout
the State to obtain the information required, and that the Same
when received be laid before the honorable House of Assembly
ORDERED, That Letters be wrote to the Lieu 1 Colonels or other
commanding Officers of the Militia of the Counties of Effingham
& Richmond requiring them to proceed to the election of Officers
so as to fill up all vacancies in their respective Battalions without
delay and make a report of the Officers chosen, that Commis
sions mav issue.
Friday January 16, I//8
The board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard \Yylly Will Maxwell
Charles Kent John Fulton
David Lewis Chesley Bostick
John Lindsay Jenkin Davis
Holman Freeman John Keebler
Robert Cochran & Jonathan Cotes waited on the board and
qualified as Deputy Surveyors for the Counties of Richmond &
Wilkes.
10 THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
Monday 19 th 1778
The board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly Chesley Bostick
Holman Freeman . John Lindsay
John Fulton David Lewis
The following message was Sent to the honorable house of
Assembly.
Mr. Speaker & Gentlemen/
Colonel White who has lately brought upwards of three hun
dred men into this State, has made application to this board for
the repayment of a Sum of money which has been advanced to
him in North Carolina for the necessary expences of his Regi
ment in their march hither We beg leave to refer him to your
honorable house and would recommend that a mode be adopted
to reimburse the person who has advanced this Sum, as we con
ceive the faith of the State to be in Some measure engaged The
Colonel informs us that he cannot for some days get the whole
of his accounts ready to lay before you, but is desirous that this
Sum be immediately paid by a draft upon the Continental Treas
ury, or in Such other way, as to your honorable house Shall ap
pear most elegible.
JOHN HOUSTOUN.
Council Chamber {
Jan y 19. 1778. ]
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. 11
Tuesday 20 January 1778
The board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly Samuel Miller
Chesley Bostick Holman Ereeman
John Lindsay John Eulton
David Lewis Jenkin Davis
William Maxwell John Keebler
A Committee from the house of Assembly brought up the fol
lowing- resolve from their house
o
House of Assembly Jan y 2O th 1778
ORDERED, That a Committee be appointed to wait on his honor
the Governor to request that he will enquire of General Howe
whether he has received any recommendation from those in au
thority to the Northward respecting any Military operations in
or concerning this State Committed to M r Stone, M r Davies
and Habersham
Extract from the minutes
J s WOOD, Jun. Clk.
ORDERED, That a Copy of the above be sent to General Howe
inclosed in a Letter from the Governor requiring the information
desired And that his answer when received be sent to the house
of Assembly.
Colonel s Jack and Stewart of the minute Battalion s having
made their return of the number and Stations of their men re
spectively, and Commodore Bowen having made return of the
number and vacancies in the Gallies.
12 THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
ORDERED, That the Same be Sent to the house of Assembly.
The Court Martial appointed to Sit upon Captain Harding
of the minute men having made their return whereby it appears
they have Sentenced him to be discharged from the Service.
ORDERED, That the Said Sentence be confirmed, and that no
tice thereof be sent to Colonel Jack in order, that the Said Cap
tain Harding may be immediately deprived of his Commission
a id Cashiered.
Application being made to the Board by Cap 1 Pettygrew of
Colonel Jacks Battalion, Setting forth that under the terms of
his Service, he was entitled to the first Commission as Captain
in the Said Service, but that the Same had been by Some means
delivered out to Captain Dixon.
ORDERED, That Colonel Jack be directed to Summon a Court
of enquiry, and Settle this difference as the Said Court Shall
find to be right and just.
ORDERED, That the Commissary General do furnish John
Wereat Esquire a Commissioner of Trade with twelve Gallons
of rum, for the Use of the people at work on board the public
v essels.
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, 13
Friday January 23, 1778
The board met
Present
His honor the Governor
William Maxwell Chesley Bostick
Jenkin Davis John Fulton
Samuel Miller David Lewis
John Keebler John Lindsay
Holman Freeman
The Chief Justice having acquainted the Governor that the
Office of Clerk of the Court for the County of Chatham was
vacant by the resignation of M r Ja s Jackson, and at the same
time recommended M r W m Stewart to fill that Office.
ORDERED, That the Said William Stewart be accordingly ap
pointed Clerk of the Court for the Said County in the room of
the Said James Jackson until the next General Election.
The following message was Sent to the House of Assembly.
M r Speaker & Gentlemen
Application has been made to this board by M r Wereat the
Commissioner of trade Setting forth that the Brigantine Recovery
belonging to the State is now nearly ready for Sea, and that
there is only a quantity of Rice provided for her Cargo, and
Submitting to our consideration whether it would not be of ad
vantage to the State to put on board also a few Casks of In
digo. We beg leave to recommend this matter to your honor
able House & must observe that the addition of a few Casks of
Indigo will add considerably to the value of the cargo & conse
quently produce larger returns in Goods, which at the present
time especially becomes very necessary, and will add nothing
14 THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
to the outfit and voyage of the Vessel If the matter Strikes
your honorable house in the Same point of view you will be
pleased to order a quantity of Indigo to be purchased & put on
board this Vessel at the public Cost and for the public, benefit.
And we further beg leave to Send you herewith a Letter from
Commodore Bowen recommending Several matters which ap
pear to us of high utility to the State
JOHN HOUSTOUN
Council Chamber )
January 23 d 1778 j
ORDERED, That the Commissary General of this State and
also the Commissioners of Trade for the ports of Savannah and
Sunbury, be Severally directed to collect all the Salt belonging
to the public and in their hands respectively into a few Store
houses as the quantity and conveniency thereof will admit of
That they have the quantity of the Same as nearly ascertained
as possible, and that they respectively make return of their pro
ceedings herein to this board without loss of time. And it is
Further Ordered that neither of the persons having in charge
public Salt do dispose of or deliver out any more thereof with
out an order for that purpose from the Governor.
The representatives in Assembly of Burke County acquainted
the Governor that William MNorrel was elected Sheriff of the
County of Burke, but that he does not intend to qualify for the
Said Office, and at the Same time recommended Lamuel Lanier
to fill that vacancy.
ORDERED, That the Said Lamuel Lanier be accordingly, upon
his qualifying and giving Security appointed Sheriff for the Said
County in the room of the Said William MNorrel until the next
General Election.
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL,
T l-sday 27 January 1778
The board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly Charles Kent
Chesley Bo Stick Jenkin Davis
John Keebler Holman Freeman
David Lewis John Lindsay
John Fullon.
Lamuel Lanier waited on the Board and qualified as Sheriff
for the County of Burke and also gave Security in the Sum of
two thousand pounds for the due performance of the Said
Office-
Joseph Dunlap waited on the Board and qualified as Keeper
of the Arsenal & powder receiver for the town of Savannah
ORDERED, That the powder Receivers for the ports of Savan
nah & Sunbury and also the Commissary General for the State
do immediately Survey & inspect all the powder & other amuni-
tion in their respective custodies and make report of the quantity
and Condition of the Same to the Governor, particularly Specify
ing the part which is Continental, that which is State & that
which is Private property.
The following message was Sent to the honorable House of
Assembly.
M r Speaker & Gentlemen,
Herewith I send your honorable house a letter from the Presi
dent of Congress inclosing a resolve which fell into my hands
yesterday the late Governor has lodged in my Custody, Con
tinental Loan Office Certificates to the amount of one hundred
16 THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
and Sixty thousand four hundred Dollars your honorable house
will be pleased to make Some order or determination respecting
them.
He has also delivered over to me Some papers which I shall
take due care of but declined parting with the Letter which ac
companied these Loan Office Certificates, apprehending it neces
sary (as he said) for himself to retain the Same I have not as
yet received any other papers either from the Representatives of
the late M r Bulloch or M r Gwinnett I conceive from the in
formation received from the Executors few papers of conse
quence remained in their hands at the time of their respective
deaths.
JOHN HOUSTOUN
Council Chamber )
January 28 th 1778)
Thursday 29 January 1778
The board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly Chesley Bostick
William Maxwell Charles Kent
Jenkin Davis John Lindsay
John Fulton John Keebler
Holman Freeman David Lewis
The following resolves were received from the House of As
sembly.
House of Assembly Saturday Jan y 24 1778
ORDERED That all Bonds of a public nature which are already
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. 17
or which shall hereafter be taken, by, or made payable to the
Governor and his Successors in Office be applied in the Secre
tary s Office of this State, and that the said Secretary do imme
diately upon receipt of the Same, cause them to be recorded.
Wednesday January 28 : 1778
ORDERED,, That the several persons appointed to Offices with
in this State by this House attend his Honor the Governor in
Council or obtain a Dedimus in order to qualify themselves for
their respective appointments within one month from this day
otherwise their appointments will be deemed void unless a Suffi
cient excuse is made before his Honor the Governor in Council
for their neglect therein.
Thursday January 19, 1778
RESOLVED, That his Honor the Governor be requested to di
rect the Commissary to enquire for such houses without the
Town of Savannah may be suitable for Hospitals for the use of
the Continental Naval & Land forces doing duty with State, and
in case Such can be found that this House be acquainted there
with.
Extract f.rom the minutes
J s WOOD, Jun r Clerk.
William Stewart waited on the board and qualified as Clerk
of the Superior Court for the County of Chatham.
James Anderson qualified as Clerk of the Market of the Town
of Savannah.
House of Assembly Wednesday Jan y 29 1778
RESOLVED, That his honor the Governor be requested to Issue
his Proclamation forbidding the exportation of Salt from this
State for one month without permission from him & to continue
2 r r vol 2
18 THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
the said prohibition if he shall find the same absolutely necessary
for the benefit of this State
Extract from the minutes
J s WOOD, Jun r Clerk.
The following orders were made upon the foregoing 1 Resolves
As to the first That a Copy of this resolve be served upon
the Secretary as to the Second That the resolve be duly pub
lished in the Gazette three times as to the third that such
orders do accordingly issue to the Commissary as to the fourth
that a Proclamation be accordingly made out by the Attorney
General & published in the Gazette
ORDERED, That one hundred \Yeight of Iron be delivered out
of the Arsenal to Major Romand for public use.
The following Message was sent to the House of Assembly.
M r Speaker & Gentlemen,
The Colonels of the minute Battalions inform me their men
are in a very uneasy situation for want of provisions & other
necessaries, the Commissary having declined acting any longer
Give me leave to recommend this matter to your consideration
and to suggest that it be an order of your honorable house that
Commissaries in future give good security and take their ap
pointments for a limited time.
The Comissary of the Continental Troops in this State also
informs me that his Store of provisions is nearly exhausted and
that he has no fund out of which he can purchase; Give me
leave to recommend that you will be pleased to pass a Vote,
granting him a loan of one thousand pounds out of the State
Treasury upon the Certificate of the Commanding Officer that
the Same is necessary: that Sum to be charged to the Conti
nent and the Comissary to be accountable to them for the ex-
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. 19
penditure of the Same. M r Hornby having informed me, that
he has in his hands a sum of Continental money (about ten
thousand Dollars) for the use of this State: I have directed
him to lodge the same in the Treasury subject to the order or
disposal of your honorable house
JOHN HOUSTOUN
Council Chamber 1
January 3<D th 1778)
Thomas Corns having informed the Board of Treasonable
practices in Aaron Fryer a prisoner in the Guard House, the
said Thomas Corn s, Affidavit, & examination, respecting this
matter, were taken & read.
ORDERED, That the same be immediately delivered to the Chief
Justice, that the said Thomas Corns do attend the said Chief
Justice in Company with the Sheriff and that the said Chief
Justice be required to take such immediate Steps in this matter
as may appear to him necessary.
Tuesday the 3 d of February 1778
The board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly David Lewis
John Fulton Holman Freeman
Jenkin Davis John Keebler
John Lindsay Samu l Miller
The following resolve was received from the honorable House
of Assembly
20 THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
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