Report of Committee

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Colonel Pinckney reported from the Committee to whom the President' s Message of the 8th instant, with Brigadier-General Howe' s letter, were referred. And he read the Report in his place, and afterwards delivered it in at the Clerk' s table, where the same was read, and is as followeth:

"That in the opinion of the Committee the State is obliged to General Howe for his attention to its defence; and that although it has not been in their power to examine every particular place where it may be necessary to erect fortifications, yet they think it evident that some other works on Sullivant' s Island and Haddrel' s Point are absolutely necessary. The Committee likewise think that the casing the brick work at Fort Johnson with palmettos is proper. They also warmly recommend the speedy procuring, arming, and manning some row-galleys as a measure of very great importance. In a country so extensive as ours, it is impossible for the Committee to point out every part where it may be necessary to erect works of defence; and they are of opinion the publick service will be best promoted by giving the Executive power the sanction and support of this House for the execution of every measure necessary for the security and defence of this State, and that the House do come to a resolution for that purpose. The Committee likewise recommend the procuring of some wagons, and beg leave to mention that Major Simons has offered his services in

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getting some from Philadelphia, which he will deliver here at the original cost. The Committee are also of opinion that the cattle and stock should be removed from Bull' s Island, Caper' s Island, Kayawah Island, the Hunting Islands, Dawfuskee Island, and South Island. The Committee likewise recommend that six battalions of Minute-men, of five hundred rank and file each, should be raised for the defence of this State, and that each battalion should be divided into ten companies, and officered by a Lieutenant-Colonel, Major, ten Captains, ten Lieutenants, ten Ensigns, an Adjutant, and a Quartermaster. The Committee cannot conclude their report without desiring that it may be recommended to the President to use every means in his power to procure us a quantity of ammunition, and a number of good muskets, with bayonets and iron ramrods, large cannon, some light field-pieces, and a few mortars and howitzes, with shells."

Resolved, That the Report be taken into immediate consideration.

The Report was taken into consideration accordingly.

And the first paragraph thereof being read, was agreed to by the House.

The second paragraph being read, was, after some debate, ordered to be struck out.

The third paragraph being read and amended, a debate ensued; and the question being put that the House do agree thereto, as amended, resolved in the affirmative.

The fourth paragraph being read, was amended and agreed to.

The fifth paragraph being read, was also agreed to by the House.

A motion was then made and seconded, that another paragraph be added to the said Report, which being agreed to, the following was accordingly added, viz:

"The Committee recommend that his Excellency be desired to give directions to the Attorney-General to prosecute all such Commissioners of the high-roads and keepers of publick ferries in this State as neglect their duty."

And the paragraph being agreed to, the Report, as amended and agreed to by the House, is as followeth:

"That in the opinion of the Committee the State is obliged to General Howe for his attention to its defence, and that although it has not been in their power to examine every particular place where it may be necessary to erect fortifications, yet they think it evident that some other works on Sullivant' s Island and Haddrel' s Point are absolutely necessary. The Committee likewise think that the casing the brick-work at Fort Johnson is proper. They also warmly recommend the speedy procuring, arming, and manning some row-galleys, as a measure of very great importance. In a country so extensive as ours, it is impossible for the Committee to point out every part where it may be necessary to erect works of defence; and they are of opinion the publick service will be best promoted by giving the Executive power the sanction and support of this House for the execution of every measure necessary for the security and defence of the State, and that the House do come to a resolution to that purpose. The Committee are of opinion that the cattle and stock should be removed from Bull' s Island, Caper' s Island, Kayawah Island, the Hunting Islands, Dawfuskee Island, Pinckney' s Island, Carlton Island, South Island, Cole' s Island, Folly Island, and Murphy' s Island. The Committee likewise recommend that leave be given to bring in a bill for establishing six battalions of Minute-men, of five hundred rank and file each, to be raised for the defence of this State; and that each battalion should be divided into ten companies, and officered by a Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, Major, ten Captains, ten Lieutenants, ten Ensigns, an Adjutant, and a Quartermaster. The Committee cannot conclude their report without desiring that it may be recommended to the President to use every means in his power to procure us a quantity of ammunition, and a number of muskets, with bayonets and iron ramrods, large cannon, some light field-pieces, and a few mortars and howitzers with shells. The Committee recommend that his Excellency be desired to give directions to the Attorney-General to prosecute all such Commissioners of the high-roads and keepers of publick ferries in this State as neglect their duty."

Report of Committee to whom the President's Message of the 8th instant, with Brigadier-General Howe's Letter, were referred. [1776-10-19] [S5-V3-p0079] [Document Details][Complete Volume]