of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 283

our Companies who are stationed at the Courthouse got down i
a little after dark; and as there was a ship and 5 small craft
in the offing that we supposed to be the man of War and Ten-
ders that were up the Bay with you, we planted centinals
along the bay shore, and went to heaving up an Intrenchment
opposite to Cap^t Kells schooner, we discovered nothing of the
Tender till the morning when she weighed anchor & came too
opposite our little breast work & an engagement ensued which
lasted about an hour, when we obliged the Tender to retreat
without carrying out the schooner. We shall be exceedingly
thankfull for the continental regulations relative to victualing
and paying off troops; We were oblige to send M^r Bruff to
the Treasurer for the money to pay one months wages to
our Companies. We hope your honors will make some pro-
vision for get^g the companies home, as also for our surgeons,
we are very respectfully
Gentⁿ Your very hble Servt^s
James Kent. William Henry.

P. S. As Captⁿ Kell will return here again has promised
to wait on you for any Commands you may have to us.

[Minute of Northampton Committee.]

Northampton County Virginia 20^th March 1776. In Com-
mittee. Cap^t Thomas Kell commander of the schooner Dolphin
having put into Charriton Harbour being chased by one of
the Tenders who have made several attempts to take posses-
sion of her since and the said Cap^t Kell having appeared
before the committee and desired their opinion what part to
act, and there appearing no probibility of getting safe out, and
thinking it would be attended with fatal consequences to suffer
such a valuable cargo to fall into the hands of the enemy,
Recommend to the captain to unload her without loss of time
and run her up the creek, and wait the farther direction of
the owners. Extract from the minutes.
Drury Stith C. Com.

[Hands to Council.]

Gentlemen. M^r Houston just now returned from Philadel-
phia and delivered me the inclosed letter which I should have
sent unopened but he told me he had directions from M^r Alex-
ander to deliver the letter to either M^r Smyth or myself if in
this town and to desire us to open it and see the contents and
carefully to transmit it to you, as it might be imprudent to

C. S. C.