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OCTOBER 31, 1778.

The board of war having taken into consideration the papers referred to them by Congress, namely, the letters and extracts of letters from the governour of New Orleans-Mr. Pollock and captain James Willing brought in a report: Whereupon,

Resolved, That from the variety of operations in which we are at this time engaged, it is impracticable for these states now to undertake an enterprise of the magnitude recommended by governour Galvez.

That governour Bernardo de Galvez be informed of the above resolution; and be assured that, from the favourable aspect of our affairs, it is probable Congress will speedily be enabled to turn their attention to, and operate effectually in, that quarter.

That governour Galvez be requested to accept the thanks of Congress for his spirited and disinterested conduct towards these states; and be assured, that Congress will take every opportunity of evincing the favourable and friendly sentiments they entertain of governour Galvez, and all the faithful subjects of his. catholick majesty inhabiting the country under his go

vernment.

NOVEMBER 2, 1778.

Whereas a considerable force hath been directed to assemble at Charleston, in South Carolina, for the defence of that state and Georgia, and it is possible that the enemy may not make an attack in that quarter

Resolved, That in such case, major general Lincoln be directed to endeavour to reduce the province of East Florida.

NOVEMBER 10, 1778.

The committee to whom was referred a report of a committee of the general assembly of the state of South Carolina, concurred in by the house on the 8th of September, 1778, and ordered to be transmitted to Congress; also a letter from major general Howe, of the 22d September, relative to the reduction of the province of East Florida; brought in a report: Where

upon,

Resolved, That the President be directed to inform his excellency the president of the state of South Carolina, that Congress, by their resolution of the 2d instant, have directed major general Lincoln to attempt the reduction of the province of East Florida, in case the enemy should not make an attack on the states of South Carolina and Georgia.

That Congress highly approve of the resolution of the assembly of the state of South Carolina, in directing an investigation to be made into the causes of the Creek rupture, in order that reparation may be made by the offending party, in case the Creek nation shall have just cause of complaint; and in making preparations to carry the war into the Creek country, if a peace cannot be effected by negotiation.

That major general Lincoln be authorized to enlist men into the continental battalions of the state of

South Carolina and Georgia, to serve during the continuance of the expedition against East Florida.

That if major general Lincoln shall be of opinion that the continental battalions of the states of South Carolina and Georgia, and the continental levies and recruits from the states of Virginia and North Carolina, will not be a sufficient force to proceed on the expedition against East Florida, he be authorized to engage a number of volunteers, not exceeding fifteen hundred, to serve during the continuance of the expedition; and that the volunteers so engaged be organized into such corps and commanded by such officers as major general Lincoln shall approve of.

That major general Lincoln be authorized to pledge the faith of the United States for granting to the officers and men, whether continental officers, volunteers or militia, who shall accompany him to East Florida, and continue in the service till the castle of St. Augustine is reduced, the same proportions of land as is allowed by the resolution of Congress of 16th September, 1776; that this bounty shall be extended to the representatives of such officers and soldiers as shall be slain or die during the continuance of the expedition.

The said land to be located in the said province; and a preference to be given in the location to the officers and soldiers who shall be entitled as aforesaid.

That the major generals, respectively, who shall go on the expedition against East Florida, be entitled to a grant of three thousand acres of land; and the brigadier generals, if any shall go on that service, to a grant

of two thousand acres, in case the province of East Florida should be reduced.

That the commanding officer of the southern department be authorized, if he shall judge it for the good of the service, to supply colonel Marbury's company of light horse with a number of horses, not exceeding two hundred.

That it be recommended to the government of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, to give every assistance in their power to major general Lincoln, to enable him to reduce the province of East Florida.

That the President be directed to inform their excellencies the governours of the states of Maryland and Virginia, that Congress deem it of high importance to the welfare of the United States, that every exertion should be made, during the course of the winter, to reduce the province of East Florida.

That from the best information they have received, this cannot probably be effected but by a blockade by water; and therefore that it be requested of the said governments to direct such of their armed galleys as are fit for this service to be fitted out with all possible despatch, and to proceed either in company, or otherwise, as the governours of the states of Maryland and Virginia shall deem most expedient, to Charleston, in South Carolina; there to follow such orders as they shall receive from the commander in chief of the department, or from the officer appointed by Congress to command the galleys of the respective states employed on this expedition.

That till such time as the said galleys shall return to the states, to which they respectively belong, they shall be at the expense and risk of the United States. And that the governours of the states of Maryland and Virginia be desired to have sworn appraisement made of the said vessels, their tackle, and apparel, to ascertain their value, in case of loss.

And whereas it is represented that great difficulties have occurred in the manning the said galleys; and the success of the expedition depends, in the most essential manner, on their services:

Resolved, That the governours of the states of Maryland and Virginia be authorized to assure the officers and men who shall navigate the said galleys, that the continental share of all property taken by the said galleys, or any of them, from the day of their sailing to their return to their respective stations, shall be released to the persons capturing the same, and divided amongst the officers and men, agreeably to the resolutions of Congress relative to captures.

That the governours of the respective states of Maryland and Virginia be authorized, if they shall judge it expedient, to grant a bounty, not exceeding forty dollars, to every able bodied mariner who shall enter on board the said galleys for the space of six months.

That the marine committee be directed to use every possible exertion, in co-operating with the governours of the states of Maryland and Virginia, in the expeditious manning of the galleys to be furnished for this service.

And whereas differences relative to command may arise amongst the officers of the respective states,

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