Governor Henry to John Hancock, President of Congress, 21 November 1776

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Letter text, November 21, 1776

GOV. HENRY TO JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
(From Journal of the Council)
Thursday November 21 1776

His Excellency the Governor having by an Express received Intelligence that upwards of one hundred Sail of the Enemy’s Ships- have moved from New York and are Steering Southwardly. It is the Opinion therefore of this Board that a sufficient Force should be collected for the protection of this State. For which Purpose a circular Letter was written to the County Lieutenants of Princess Ann, Norfolk, Nansemond and Isle of Wight Counties directing them immediately to embody one half of such part of the Militia in their respective counties that are furnished with Arms and to March such Militia to Portsmouth there to act under the commanding Officer of that Station. Also a Letter to the said commanding officer communicating this Intelligence to him that he may be upon his Guard.- A circular Letter was also written to the County Lieutenants of the following Counties

[66]

to embody and march to Williamsburg the part of their respective Militia’s as following James City fifty Men besides a Minute Company; Charles City fifty, New Kent one hundred and fifty King William one hundred, Henrico one hundred King and Queen fifty besides a Minute Company and Surry fifty. And a Letter was also written to Capt. James Barron requesting him immediately to keep a strict Lookout and make known to this Board the Manoeuvres [sic] of the Enemy.

ORDERED that the Keeper of the Magazine deliver to Mr Hunters Waggoner five hundred Pounds of Powder and fifteen hundred pounds of Lead for the use of the Garrison at Portsmouth.

ORDERED that Brigadier General Lewis be requested, if he approved of it to order Lieut. Col. Spotswood92 and such Companies of second Battalion that have been recruited immediately to march to Hampton for the purpose of protecting that Post until proper Measures for that end can be adopted by this Board.

ORDERED that his Excellency the Governor be requested to write to Capt. John Dixon to have the ten thousand weight of Gunpowder now in his Custody belonging to the State removed immediately to Hanover Town, and also at the same time to inform him that all Expences [sic] attending the Transportation thereof shall be paid by the Publick [sic].

Foot Note

92 Alexander Spotswood, major 2d Virginia, 1776; lieutenant-colonel 7th May, 1776; colonel, 21st February, 1777; resigned 9th October, 1777.