directly into them, and then they informed us that they would send an answer in writing; which they presently afterwards did, and signed by Lieutenant Roberts and Mr. Demere, purporting that if we would send two of the persons in whom the people most confided, they would treat with them. Capt. Screven, of the St. John Rangers, and Capt. Baker, of the St. John Riflemen, chagrined, no doubt, (the former particularly on account of his lieutenant,) by detention of our deputies, took about a dozen of the riflemen in a boat, and rowed directly under the stern of Captain Inglis, in whose vessel were a great part of the soldiery, and in peremptory terms demanded the deputies, and were informed, after one shot from Capt. Baker, by a discharge down directly upon them of near 200 shot, both from swivels and small arms, which were kept up while they were in reach; the captains and men in the boats not in the smallest degree confused, or even, perhaps, disappointed by the attack, fired three rifles, most of them three several times, as they say, not without execution; and wonderful to tell, not a man of them was killed-one man only received a slug in the fleshy part of his shoulder, which was immediately cut out, witnout the smallest inconvenience or danger. The spectators all declare, as we now do, that such a providential deliverance has not yet been known. The unmanly attack upon a few men in an open boat produced a general fire from our field-pieces and intrenchments, and as smart a return from two four-pounders and several swivels from the shipping, which lasted from about 12 o'clock to 4; and although they often fired langrage, which continually whistled about our men, not a single man was even touched, but we have no doubt a number of the enemy met with a worse fate, as they were seen frequently to fall. About 4 o'clock we called a council, and determined to have the vessels immediately burnt, and issued orders to Colonel McIntosh accordingly. Whereupon the Inverness, late Capt. McGillivray, loaded with rice and deer-skins, was set on fire and cut loose. Upon this, the soldiers, in the most laughable confusion, got ashore in the marsh, while our riflemen and field-pieces with grape-shot were incessantly galling them. The shipping were now also in confusion. Some got up the river, under cover of the armed schooner, while others caught the flame, and as night approached, exhibited a scene, as they passed and repassed with the tide, which at any but the present time would be truly horrible, but now a subject only of gratitude and applause. The ships of Captains Inglis and Wardell neither got up the river nor on fire; they were ordered on shore, and now are prisoners of Capt. Screven in the country, and their vessels brought down close into a wharf. They were permitted to write to Capt. Barclay in the evening, to inform them of their situation, and to request an exchange of prisoners, which the latter peremptorily refused. We have thus given you a particular detail of things as they really happened, to prevent the belief of any erroneous intelligence, and from which you will be competent to judge of our situation. you Col. McIntosh laid before the Board a resolution of your Congress, to aid us, accompanied by a letter from Mr. Lowndes; and we are very glad that have determined to afford us further assistance. We wish it may arrive in time. By order of the Council of Safety. WM. EWEN, President. IN THE COUNCIL OF SAFETY, Whereas, the resolution of the Hon. the Continental Congress, restraining the exportation of rice from the United Colonies for a time, having expired this day, without any further or additional restraint, as we know of, it now lies with the Council of Safety for this Province either farther to restrain the exportation, or to permit it. And whereas a formidable force, both by sea and land, having invaded this Province for several weeks past, and it appearing, by the arrival of such force, that the cause of the said Continental restriction is not removed: Resolved, therefore, That no ships loaded with rice, or any other article of produce, in this Province, shall be permitted to sail without leave of the Council of Safety or next Congress, except such vessels as are or shall be permitted to sail for the purpose of procuring the necessary means of defence. Resolved, That in case any loss shall be sustained by such detention, the delegates of this Province shall be instructed to apply to the Continental Congress to make the reimbursement for such loss a general charge. Ordered, That the rudders be unshipped, and the rigging and sails taken away and secured from the several vessels now riding in the port of Savannah. Orders to Col. LACHLAN MCINTOSH. SIR,-You will enforce and have executed the aforementioned re solutions and order, the resolution heretofore delivered to you as of the Council of Safety being erroneous; and any permit you may have given in consequence, you will please to recall. Whereas, many householders in the town of Savannah, and the hamlets thereunto belonging, have basely deserted their habitations. since the commencement of the present alarms; And whereas, some of them are associates in the great American Union, and by consequence, their lives and fortunes bound to support it; And whereas, there is a number of shipping in the port of Savannah belonging and appertaining to persons resident in this Province; And whereas, we deem it incumbent upon every person, more especially those who have associated, to defend their property with their lives: These are, therefore, to cite and admonish all persons holding any property in the town, or hamlets, or shipping aforesaid, forthwith to repair to head-quarters, in Savannah, to defend the same, on pain of suffering all the consequences contained in the foregoing resolutions. By order of the Council of Safety. Wм. EWEN, President. March 5, 1776. Mr. President of the Council of Safety laid before Congress several papers received this morning by express from Georgia, and addressed to their Board. Resolved, That the unanimous thanks of this Congress be returned. by Mr. President to the Council of Safety of Georgia, in terms of the highest approbation of their noble and spirited conduct. Letter of President DRAYTON to the Council of Safety in Georgia. GENTLEMEN,-Your letters of the 1st and 2d inst., and your resolutions, order, and proclamation of these dates, were to be laid before the Congress, transfusing a general and perfect joy. And the Congress, sensible of the vast importance which your exemplary conduct must be to the American cause, unanimously voted their thanks; and I have the honour thus to transmit them to you, for your having decisively taken the noble, politic, and vigorous resolution That the vessels in the port of Savannah, ready to sail, contrary to the interest of America, shall be forthwith unrigged and unruddered, and that rather than the enemy shall possess those vessels and your capital, all shall perish in a noble conflagration lighted by yourselves. An instance of heroic principle not exceeded by any, and unequalled but by few, in history. Your conduct in citing such of the inhabitants of Savannah as had abandoned their possessions in that town, to return to its defence, under penalty of being deemed to have deserted such property, and of being excluded from any support towards obtaining an indemnification for any loss they may sustain by a general conflagration, re ceived the highest applause, as being worthy of imitation. policy and justice of the measure are equally conspicuous. The In short, the Congress feel the greatest satisfaction from their having anticipated your called-for assistance. It is sufficient that we know our friends stand in need of our aid. We hope that our forces under Colonel Bull will fully accommodate your necessity; and you may rest assured that we shall continue to afford the friends of America in Georgia every support in our power. SIR,-My country having honoured me with the command of the Continental Battalion ordered to be raised by the General Congress for the protection and defence of this Colony, (though I fear too partial to my poor abilities,) it becomes my duty to inform your Excellency of the state of our Province, as far as it concerns the service, as well as of the troops to be immediately under my command. Our Province has a front along the sea-coast of above one hundred miles, covered by a range of islands, divided from each other by eight rivers from the mainland, which make as many good inlets and harbours, most of them capable of receiving any frigate, and, as some say, much larger ships. Our settlements extend back to the northwest above two hundred miles, in other parts to the southward not above ten, and very thinly inhabited; indeed, this large space of land, altogether, has not more than three thousand men, chiefly in the back country, and many disaffected and doubtful in our cause, especially the men of the greatest property among us. Our slaves will be above fifteen thousand souls, mostly within twenty miles of the sea-coast, and make above thirty-five thousand tierces of rice annually, besides many other articles of provision, which, with our fine harbours, make the security of this colony, though weak in itself, of the utmost consequence to the whole continent of America; and we have every reason to think our enemies intend to make it a place of general rendezvous and supplies. We are bounded south by the garrisoned Province of East Florida, who have now, as I am well informed, five hundred regulars in St. Augustine, and one thousand more expected there daily from Europe. On the west of us is the Province of West Florida, the numerous nations of the Creek, Choctaw, and Cherokee Indians, besides lesser tribes, supposed to have at least ten thousand gun-men, brave, intrepid, and eager for war, whom we will have the utmost MCINTOSH TO WASHINGTON. 93 difficulty to keep at peace with us, as we want every article of their usual supply, and now furnished them in great plenty from the two Floridas. Our metropolis is situated in the south corner of the Province, upon a bluff, or sandhill, thirty feet high or more above the water, and fifteen miles up the river Savannah, from the inlet of Tybee, where five ships of war, the Syren, the Scarborough, the Raven, the Tamar, and Cherokee, besides tenders, are now lying, and two large transports, having, it is said, above three hundred men on board, and expecting more in daily, with what design, whether for this Colony or Carolina, or both together, we are not yet informed. Our Province has declared itself in a state of alarm, and resolved not to supply the men of war with provisions, and ordered a draft of half the militia to the town of Savannah to oppose the landing of any troops. Our Provincial Congress having accepted the battalion ordered for their protection and defence, chose the officers the 29th and 30th ultimo, (a return of whom shall accompany this,) and made them sign the enclosed test before their commissions were delivered; and I have this day issued general orders for recruiting, which has been hitherto prevented by many obstacles in providing money for that and other necessary service, and I fear will yet be attended with some difficulty. We expect very few in our own Province; that of South Carolina is said to be already drained of such people as will enlist, by their Provincial regiments, besides their bounty, subsistence, &c., are so much better than ours. Therefore, I expect we must have recourse, distant as it is, to North Carolina, with this additional disadvantage, that our currency passes in no other colony than our own, and we have received very little Continental money as yet. I have received no kind of orders or instructions from the General Congress or your Excellency; nor have I yet been able to obtain even a copy of the American articles of war, which makes me at a loss how to act in many cases ; therefore I shall wish any orders or directions your Excellency will please to send me, to be as full and frequent as possible; also, to be informed how far we are under the control of the Provincial Congress, &c., of this or any other Province where we are upon duty, and what rank we hold when acting with militia, or Provincial troops. I shall take the liberty of appointing surgeons to the battalion, which are so indispensably necessary, that I suppose the neglect of not naming any must be owing to our delegates; and also to make Capt. Colson's a rifle company, when raised, which I think will be useful, and hope will meet with your Excellency's approbation; and I doubt not but we will be obliged to arm more with such guns, for want of others, which are very scarce. I have the honour to be your Excellency's Most obedient and most humble servant, LACHLAN MCINTOSH. To his Excellency, GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq., Commanderin-Chief of the American Forces. |