That having yesterday, about two o'clock in the afternoon, proceeded with four hulks, in order to sink them upon the bar of that Creek, being about gunshot from the King's Ships Tamer of sixteen, and Cherokee of six guns; as he approached the place of his destination, the Tamer fired six shots at him, which he, just coming to an anchor, returned with two; that the Tamer continuing the cannonade, he contented himself with returning only one shot more, and then proceeded to sink the hulks. That he accordingly sunk three of them, but the fourth not coming up early enough in the tide, he continued the night on his station, in order to sink her also, at a proper time of tide. That about a quarter after four this morning, the Tamer and Cherokee, having warped nearer to his vessel in the night, discharged their broadsides at him, and continued the cannonade until about seven o'clock; when having, notwithstanding so heavy a fire, carried her to her proper station, and having scuttled her in various places, left her sinking, and then, having no further duty to perform, he retreated. That however, as the hulk, being loaded with sand, was a considerable time in sinking, and as he was considerably retreated, the Tamer sent an armed boat, which fired the hulk, towing her into shallower water, where she shortly after sunk. That in his retreat he ineffectually fired a shot at this armed boat, but finding his shot would not be of any service, he refrained from such an expenditure of ammunition. That notwithstanding so long and severe a cannonade from the Tamer and Cherokee, he received no other damage but one shot under his counter, one in his broadside, and a third which cut his fore starboard shroud. That he had not one man wounded. That in general the shot passed between his rigging and struck the main land. And that amidst this imminent danger the officers and men on board, although in general new in the service, displayed the greatest cheerfulness, tranquillity and coolness.

Ordered, That the thanks of the Congress be returned to Captain Tufts, for his spirited and prudent conduct upon this occasion; and also to Captain William Scott, who acted as a volunteer in the command of the Marines on board the Schooner Defence; and that those gentlemen be requested to return the thanks of this Congress to all the officers and men who acted under their respective commands.

Colonel Laurens, from the Committee to whom was referred the complaint of the Officers of the Regiment of Rangers, respecting rank and precedence, delivered in their Report.

And the said Report being taken into immediate consideration, the Congress came to the following Resolution thereupon:

Resolved, That the Regiment of Rangers be considered as the Third Regiment in the service of the Colony; that the degrees of First and Second Lieutenants be considered as giving rank regimentally in the Regiments respectively, and not otherwise; and that upon detachments and courts martial, officers of horse and foot of equal degree shall take rank according to the date of commissions.

Ordered, That so many Stores in the Town of Dorchester as have been hired by the Committee of that Parish for the publick service, as will be sufficient to lodge the Troops that are or may be stationed at that post, be forthwith fitted up for that service.

Ordered, That Mr. Edwards, Captain Joiner, Captain Shubrick, Mr. Neufville, and Mr. Verree, be a Committee to consider the expediency and expense of immediately fitting, arming, and manning the Ship Prosper in the service of the Colony, for the purpose of taking or sinking the men of war now in Rebellion Road. And that the said Committee do immediately sit, and report thereon without loss of time.

Mr. Gibbes, from the Committee appointed to take a view of Charlestown, and report what further works are immediately necessary for its most effectual defence against hostile attacks by ships of war, delivered in their Report.

And the said Report being immediately taken under consideration, the Congress came to the following Resolution thereupon:

Resolved, That a Battery of six heavy pieces of Cannon be immediately erected on or near Colonel Gadsden's land. That some proper Cannon be mounted on the wharves, near the centre of the bay. That Granville's bastion be put into a better posture of defence. That the platform in the north face of Lyttelton's bastion be extended. That a battery of three or four guns be erected near Cummins's Point; and another battery of two or three guns in some proper spot at Wappoo, to prevent vessels of force, lying in Ashley River.

Mr. Edwards, from the Committee to consider the expediency and expense of immediately fitting, arming, and manning the Ship Prosper in the service of the Colony, delivered in their Report.

Which being read,

Ordered, That the same be taken into consideration this afternoon.

Adjourned to five o'clock, this afternoon.

In Congress, Sunday evening, November 12, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

The Secretary delivered in two Returns, one from the Sheriff of Beaufort, and the other from the Sheriff of Camden, of Prisoners in their respective Jails, in consequence of the Letters which the late General Committee had directed him to write to them.

On motion, Resolved, That five thousand pounds weight of Gunpowder, of the present stock in the Colony, be reserved for the interior defence thereof.

On motion, Resolved, That Mr. President be desired forthwith to write to the Council of Safety in Georgia, stating the late hostilities, and soliciting their utmost immediate aid and assistance, by a supply of all the Gunpowder, Arms, and other Military Stores that can be spared.

Ordered, That Mr. De Saussure and Mr. Robert William Powell, as a deputation from this Congress, do proceed with Mr. President's Letter to Georgia.

The Report of the Committee to consider the expediency and expense of fitting, arming, and manning the Ship Prosper in the immediate service of this Colony, for the purpose of taking or sinking the men of war now in Rebellion Road, being taken into consideration,

Resolved, That the Ship Prosper be immediately impressed and taken into the service of the Colony, and fitted and armed as a frigate of war, with the utmost expedition.

Ordered, That Mr. Edwards, Captain Shubrick, Captain Joiner, Mr. Neufville, and Mr. Verree, be, and they are hereby appointed Commissioners, under whose direction Captain Blake and Captain Cochran are to proceed to fit, arm, and man the Ship Prosper, with all possible expedition.

Whereupon, Mr. President was requested to write to Colonel Moultrie, as follows:

Charlestown, November 12, 1775.

SIR: You are hereby ordered to post a detachment of fifty able men from the regiments under your command, with such officer as you shall judge proper for the service, at whatever wharf in Charlestown the ship Prosper, impressed into the service of the Colony, shall lie; and to guard and protect the said ship against any attempt that may be made to injure or remove her, until further orders.

By order of Congress:

WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON, President,

To Colonel Moultrie.

Ordered, That Dr. Oliphant, Mr. Gibbes, and Colonel Moultrie, be Commissioners for carrying into execution the Resolution of this morning, respecting the erecting of additional batteries for the defence of Charlestown.

On motion, Resolved, That Mr. President, Colonel Pinckney, and Mr. Thomas Heyward, Jun., be authorized to order and do whatever they shall think necessary for the publick safety, until the meeting of the Congress to-morrow.

Adjourned to nine o'clock, to-morrow morning.

In Congress, Monday, November 13, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment. And yesterday's Journal was read.

Ordered, That Mr. Powell, and Mr. De Saussure, the