and rebellion to the King, and to what I understand to be the Constitution of this country. If I am mistaken, future consequences must determine; but while I continue in my present sentiments, I shall consider myself embarked in a cause which must, in its consequences, extricate this country from anarchy and licentiousness. I cannot conceive that the Scots Emigrants, to whom I imagine you allude, can be under greater obligations to this country than to that King under whose gracious and merciful Government they alone could have been enabled to visit this Western region: and I trust, sir, it is in the womb of time to say, that they are not that deluded and ungrateful people which you would represent them to be. As a soldier in his Majesty’s service, I must inform you, if you are yet to learn, that it is my duty to conquor, if I cannot reclaim all those who may be hardy enough to take up arms, against the best of masters, as of Kings.

I have the honour to be, in behalf of the Army under my command, sir, your most obedient servant,

DONALD MCDONALD.

To James Moore, Esq.

NORTH-CAROLINA PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Journal of the Proceedings of the Provincial Council of NORTH-CAROLINA, held at NEWBERN, on the 28th day of FEBRUARY, Anno Domini 1776.

NORTH-CAROLINA:

Pursuant to a Resolve of the last Provincial Council, held at the Court-House, in the County of Johnston, the said Council was to have been held the 17th day of March next, at the place aforesaid; but Mr. President finding it necessary, required a meeting sooner than that period, and summoned the Members thereof to meet at the Town of Newbern, on the 27th day of this instant, February, 1776. And a sufficient number of Members not appearing until the 28th following, when, Mr. President, Abner Nash, James Coor, Willie Jones, Wightstill Avery, John Kinchen, and Thomas Person, Esqs., appeared, and took their seats in Council.

The Council adjourned until to-morrow morning, nine o’clock.

Friday, March 1, 1776.

The Council met according to adjournment.

Whitmill Hill, Esquire, one of the Members of Council, appeared and took his seat in Council.

The Continental Congress having recommended that the President of the Provincial Council of North-Carolina and Georgia be requested to procure Committees of their several bodies to repair immediately to Charlestown, and there to confer with a Committee of the Council of Safety of South-Carolina, upon weighty important matters relative to the defence and security of these Colonies:

The Council taking the same into consideration,

Resolved, That Abner Nash and John Kinchen, Esqs., be appointed on the part of this Province, and that they repair to Charlestown, South-Carolina, as soon as may be, convenient to them.

Resolved, That Robert Atchison, Midshipman, and Richard Dunniver, lately belonging to the Syren man-of-war, now prisoners here on parole, be sent to Halifax Town, and delivered into the care of the Committee of that town.

Ordered, That Colonel John Bryan attend to the execution of this order, and direct an officer with four men to execute the same.

Whereas, the Province of South-Carolina hath, on application, and at the request of this Board, supplied this Province with one thousand weight of Gunpowder for the defence thereof; in order to pay for the same:

Resolved, That the Treasurers, or either of them, be empowered and directed to draw a bill on the Continental Treasury for the sum of eleven hundred and fifty-eight Dollars and one quarter of a Dollar, payable to the order of the Council of Safety of South-Carolina for the time being, and that the said Treasurers be further directed to remit the said bill to the Treasury in Philadelphia, subject to the order of the said Council of Safety, or Provincial Congress of South-Carolina, for one thousand weight of Gunpowder, for the use of the Continental Troops in the service of this Colony.

The Council adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o’clock.

Saturday, March 2, 1776.

The Council met according to adjournment.

William Bourk, charged with being inimical to the liberties of America, was brought before this Council, when Mr. John Strange appeared as a witness, who, first being sworn, deposeth and saith, that last night he heard the said William Bourk express himself in the following manner, viz:

“That we should all be subdued by the month of May, by the King’s Troops. That General Gage deserved to be damned; he had not let the Guards out to Bunker’s Hill, and it would have settled the dispute at that time. That there was forty-seven thousand Troops expected soon to America, and it would be in vain to pretend to defend ourselves against them.” All which the said William Bourk acknowledged, and further said, “he wished the time would happen this instant; but was sure the Americans would be subdued by the month of August.”

Resolved, That the said William Bourk be sent to the Town of Halifax, and committed to close Jail, there to remain till further orders.

Ordered, That Colonel John Bryan attend to the execution of the above Resolve.

Resolved, That no Pork, Beef, Flour, Bacon, Rice, or Peas, be exported from any part of this Province, after this day, without first obtaining leave from the Provincial Congress, excepting for returns for Salt, Arms, or Ammunition, actually imported into this Colony.

Resolved, That all the good and merchantable Flour and Pork now for sale in this Province, be immediately purchased for the use of the publick, and that the following persons be appointed to perform this service: Mr. James Coor, for the District of Newbern; Mr. John Webb, for the District of Halifax; Mr. Francis Brice, for the District of Wilmington; Mr. Memucan Hunt, for the District of Hillsborough; Mr. Adam Alexander, for the District of Salisbury; and Mr. Robert Smith, for the District of Edenton.

Samuel Spencer, Esq., one of the Members of Council, appeared and took his seat.

Resolved, That either of the Treasurers draw on the Continental Treasury for three hundred Dollars, in, favour of Abner Nash and John Kinchen, Esqs., for their expenses to Charlestown on the publick service, and be allowed in their accounts with the publick.

Resolved, That Thomas Wade, Esquire, be appointed Colonel of the Regiment of Anson Militia, in the room of Samuel Spencer, resigned; and that Thomas Harris be appointed First Major of the same Regiment, in the room of James Auld, resigned; and that Commissions issue accordingly.

The Continental Congress having recommended to the Committee of Safety of Virginia, and the Provincial Council of North-Carolina, to meet together, and confer, and conclude upon such operations as they may think most for their mutual interest,

The Council taking the same into consideration,

Resolved, That Samuel Johnston, Thomas Jones, and Thomas Person, Esqs., be appointed on the part of this Province accordingly.

Samuel Johnston and Thomas Jones, Esqs., two of the Members of Council, appeared and took their seats.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Town and County Committees in this Province, immediately to disarm all suspected persons within their several jurisdictions.

Whereas, David Love, Second Major of the Anson Militia, now in the actual service of this Province, hath been accused on the oaths of Richard Farr and William Coventon, Jun., with having refused to obey the orders of a superior Officer, and other ways misbehaved: Therefore,

Resolved, That the said David Love be suspended, and immediately put under an arrest; and that Colonel James Moore be directed to order a General Court-Martial to try him for said offence.