of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 263

Resolved, that upon such Exigencies the several Brigadiers
General may call out and direct and regulate the Operations
of the Militia, in their respective Districts according to the best
of their Skill and Judgment; and that the other Field Officers
where Circumstances will not admit of their applying either to
the Council of Safety, or their Brigadier for Orders, have the
like Powers with Respect to their several Battalions. But it
is required that in all Instances where the Brigadiers shall pro-
ceed without particular Orders, that they immediately convey
Intelligence of the Cause and Manner of their Proceedings to
the Council of Safety, and where the other Field Officers act
without applying to the Council of Safety or their Brigadier
that they also communicate with the utmost Dispatch the Cause
and Manner of their Proceedings to the Council of Safety as
well as to their Brigadier, where from his Situation it may be
conveniently done. And the Militia are required to obey all
such Orders as shall be made by the Brigadiers or other Field
Officers in Pursuance of this Resolve.
Ordered that Copies of the above Resolve be sent to the
several Brigadiers General respectively, requesting them to
furnish the Colonel of each Battalion in their respective Dis-
tricts with a Copy thereof.
The End of the first Book.

C. S. J.

[Council to Mason and Dalton.]

To George Mason and John Dalton Esq^rs
Gent.
In Answer to your Favor of the 15^th we have directed
Colo Beall to deliver to your order ten Barrels of Gun Powder.
We shall do every thing in our Power to promote the general
Welfare, and for that Purpose are now encreasing our Marine.
19^th March 1776

C. S. C.

No. 66.

[Council to Virginia Committee.]

To the Committee of Safety of Virginia.
Gentⁿ
We have your Favor of the 9^th of this Month and as we
are convinced of the Expediency of constructing the Beacons
in the Manner you propose on the Points of the River Potow-
mack, we shall readily join you in any Expence that may
attend the Erection of them and have appointed the Hon^ble
George Plater Esq^r and Brigadier John Dent to act with the
Gentlemen nominated by you for the carrying that Measure
into Execution. We shall acquaint them of their Appointment

No. 67.