Naval Documents of The American Revolution, Volume 1 ... - Ibiblio

1162 AMERICAN THEATRE
oppose the same, ought to be considered as factious, disorderly members of the
community, and as guilty of a dangerous attempt to destroy t,he authority of this
Congress, and to render them contemptible.
Resolved, That for the purpose of effectually carrying into execution the
said order, and to defeat the malicious designs of such as dare to condemn or
oppose the authority and orders of this House, Mr. Henry Sheaf be ordered immediately
to set about building a proper barge for the said ship Asia, and to finish
her with all possible dispatch. And that Colonel [John] Lasher be ordered to
furnish a sufficient guard, who are to be relieved at the discretion of the colonel,
to protect the said barge while building, and to see her safely delivered for the
use of the said ship. And the magistrates as well as the other inhabitants of this
city, are requested to give all necessary aid in this business; that it may be known
whether a few rash and restless individuals out of doors, or the representative
body of the Colony in this Congress are to direct the measures for our publick
safety at this dangerous and critical juncture.
Resolved, That if any person or persons shall be found threatening or attempting
to destroy the said barge, they be taken into custody by the said guard,
and detained 'till the order of this Congress shall be made respecting them.
Ordered, That these resolutions be published in Holt's and Revington's newspapers,
to-rnorro~.~
1. N.Y. Prou. Cong., I, 108, 109.
2. The resolutions appeared in the New York Journal and Rivington's New York Gazetteer on
Aug. 17, 1775.
HOLT'S Virpz'nia Gazette, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1775
Norfolk, August 16.
Last week several slaves, the property of gentlemen in this town and neighbourhood,
were discharged from on board the Otter, where it is now shamefully
notorious, many of them for weeks past have been concealed, and their owners in
some instances ill-treated for making application for them. The public, it is
generally thought, is indebted for this discharge to a higher power than any on
board that vessel.
The officers that lately arrived in a vessel from Boston still continue at Gosport.
Two of them, as we hear, are captains, one a lieutenant, three of them ensigns
and one a surgeon. Some of them expressed great surprise, when in answer to
their enquiries, they were told there were no men raised here, as it seems they had
been made to expect that government, as it is called, could raise troops here at
will.
JOURNAL KEPT ON BOARD THE SOUTH CAROLINA SLOOP Commence, BY
CAPTAIN JOHN HATTER, SAILING MASTER
1775 [Port Royal Harbor]
Aug. 16 Squally weather, with a great deal of rain. Sundry companies of
militia and light infantry, came to town from the different islands,
to guard the powder.
1. ."Hatter's Report," Drayton, American Revolution, I.