Report on the Letters of General Washington

Page v4:1627

The Committee to whom the Letters from General Washington, and the intercepted Letters, were referred, brought in their Report, which being taken into consideration, the Congress came to the following Resolutions:

Resolved, That the seizing and securing the Barracks and Castle of St. Augustine will greatly contribute to the safety of these Colonies; therefore, it is earnestly recommended to the Colonies of South-Carolina, North-Carolina, and Georgia, to undertake the reduction of St. Augustine, if it be thought practicable.

Resolved, That the President of the Provincial Council of North- Carolina, and of Georgia, be requested to procure Committees of their several bodies to repair immediately to Charlestown, and there to confer with a Committee of the Council of Safety of South-Carolina, upon weighty and important matters relative to the defence and security of those Colonies.

Resolved, That the first Resolution, together with copies or extracts of such of the intercepted Letters as tend to show the state of the Forts and Garrison at St. Augustine, be transmitted by express to Henry Middleton and John Rutledge, Esquires, members of Congress, to be by them laid before the Committee directed to meet in consequence of the above Resolution; and in case the enterprise be judged practicable, that immediate preparations be made by the joint force of the said Colonies, and the expedition be undertaken without delay, at the expense of the United Colonies.

Resolved, That it appears the British Ministry and their Agents have meditated, and are preparing to make attacks upon Charlestown, in South-Carolina, and several places in Virginia, and probably in North-Carolina; and that it be recommended to the Conventions or Committees of Safety of the two former Colonies, and to the Provincial Council of the other, by all possible means, to make a vigorous defence and opposition; and that it be further recommended to the Committee of Safety of Virginia, and the Provincial Council of North-Carolina, to meet together and confer and conclude upon such operations as they may think most for their mutual interest.

Adjourned to ten o' clock, to-morrow.

Report on the Letters of General Washington, and the intercepted Letters transmitted by him. [1776-01-01] Continental Congress. [S4-V4-p1627] [Document Details][Complete Volume]