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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Minutes of the Wilmington Committee of Safety
Wilmington (N.C.). Committee of Safety
January 27, 1776 - February 02, 1776
Volume 10, Pages 425-427

[From MS. Records in Office of Secretary of State.]
Proceedings of the Committee of Safety at Wilmington.


Saturday January 27th, 1776.

At a meeting of the Committee.

Present: John Ancrum, chairman; William Wilkinson, deputy chairman; John Forster, Arch'd Maclaine, John Kirkwood, Wm. Ewins, James Geekie, H. Blackmore, Jno. DuBois.

The Governor having summoned his Majesty's Council to attend him on board the Scorpion sloop of war, and several of his Majesty's Council being in this town, on their way to attend on the Governor, agreeable to said summons:

Resolved, that this committee are bound by a Resolve of the Provincial Council, to prevent any persons from waiting on Governor Martin, and particularly at this present time, this Committee cannot consistent with the safety of the country permit his Majesty's Council to attend the Governor; and the chairman is ordered to write respectively to each of the Council who may be in town, and acquaint them with this resolve.

A letter from colonel Parry, commander of the Cruizer, to captain Bachelder, informing him he would give him leave to pass with his vessel, provided he brought down the provisions demanded from Mr. Campbell:

Thereupon, Resolved, that the requisition of Capt. Parry is an insult to this committee, and for the future, if any provisions are suffered to go down to the man of war, they shall be sent down in small boats, as usual.

The Committee adjourned.

———


January 28th, 1776.

At a meetting of the Committee.

Present: John Ancrum, Chairman; Wm Wilkinson, Deputy Chairman; Jona. Dunbibin, Archd Maclaine, Jno. Forster, Jno. Kirkwood, Dr. Geekie, Jno. DuBois, Wm Ewins.

Captain Walker informed the Committee that he had in custody under a guard Mr William Mactier who was about 10 o'clock last

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night with three other persons going to Brunswick in a boat; that Mr Mactier refused to comply with his requisition in giving his word of honor that he would not go further than Brunswick without applying to Col Moore; and Mr Mactier being brought before the Committee and alleging that he had leave from some of the members thereof and it appearing that no leave had been granted;

Resolved that Captain Walker has done his duty in taking Mr Mactier into custody and keeping him under a guard.

Resolved also (Mactier having declined for the present to sign the test recommended by the Provincial Congress) that he shall not have leave to go down the river on any pretence whatever, until he satisfies this Committee that he is a friend to the American Cause and enter into such obligation as may be thought necessary.

Resolved, That Captain Walker discharge Mr Mactier from the guard.

———


Wednesday January 30th, 1776.

At a meeting of the Committee.

Present: John Ancrum, Chairman; Will. Wilkinson, Deputy Chairman; John Forster, Dr. Geekie, Archd Maclaine, Henry Toomer, Jona. Dunbibin, Wm Ewins, John Kirkwood, John DuBois.

Major Clark having applied to this Committee for 2 dozen spades, to finish the intrenchments begun below the town of Wilmington,

Ordered, That Major Clark may purchase 2 dozen of spades and give receipts for the same, to be paid by a warrant from the Provincial Council on the Treasury.

Whereas, a former order passed in this Committee for Mr Hewitt to be employed to make cartriges,

Ordered that Mr Hewitt be immediately set to work to make cartriges and be allowed one dollar per day, when employed in that service till a further agreement with him, and that he be supplied with paper &c. for that purpose and that Mr Dunbibin purchase and give receipts for the same, in the name of the Committee.

The Committee adjourned.

———


Friday 2d February, 1776.

Present: John Ancrum, Chairman; Wm Wilkinson, Deputy Chairman; John Forster, H. Blackmore, Will. Ewins, James Geekie, John DuBois, Henry Toomer, Jona. Dunbibin.

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This Committee having received a Letter from the County Committee, requesting the attendance of this Committee at the Bridge this day; Ordered, that the Chairman of this Committee and Herrell Blackmore attend the County Committee.

Captain Batchelder applied for leave to clear out his Brig in Ballast, for New York.

Resolved, that no vessel, whatever, in this port, clear out for any other port, until further orders from this Committee or a superior power and that Captain Batchelder be served with a copy of this order.

———


February 2d 1776.

At a meeting of the Committee.

Present: John Ancrum, chairman; John Forster, Wm. Ewins, J. Kirkwood, Henry Toomer, John DuBois, Jona. Dunbibin, H. Blackmore, James Geekie, John Slingsby.

Information having been made to this Committee that a certain —— Mixon, who lives on the sound near to President Hasell's goes frequently on board the Man of War, and that John Porter a miller to Mr J. Robeson, can inform this Committee particularly of the said Mixon's conduct.

Ordered, That the Chairman, Captain Forster and John Slingsby, be appointed to examine John Porter, and if any proof should appear against the said Mixon, acting inimical to the American Cause or going on board the man of war, they are to apply to the Commanding officer in town to take him into custody.

Whereas, a former Resolve of this Committee passed requesting all persons who had not signed the test recommended by the Provincial Council to sign the same, and as many persons have neglected to comply with such request, it is therefore

Resolved, That James Grant call on all those who have not signed and tender them the test, and such persons as refuse to sign, he is to make return of their names to this Committee.

The Committee adjourned.

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