Thomson, William, 1727-1796. Book of orders : received and given by Col. Wm. Thomson : manuscript, 1775-1778. MS Am 737. Houghton Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

=Council of Safety.=

{Name}	{Name}	{Name}	{Name}
{Colonel} Pinckney	Mr. Lowndes	{William} {Henry} Drayton	{William} Williamson
{Colonel} Lawrens	Mr. Brewton	{Thomas} Heywood	{Thomas} Bee
{Colonel} Parsons	{Benjamin} Elliott	John Huger	{Thomas} Ferguson
-	-	-	{Andrew} Middleton

On the 24th of June, I received my Commission from the above named Council of Safety with the following Orders:

In the Council of Safety.

21st June. 1775.

To William Thomson {Esquire} {Lieutenant} {Colonel} Commandant of the {Regiment} of Rangers or to the commanding officers for the time being.

Sir,

You are hereby directed forthwith to Issue Orders for levying in this and the adjacent colonies proper men not exceeding thirty in each Company to serve for six Months certain and not longer than three years in the Regiment of Rangers under your command observing the Articles agreed upon in Provincial Congress, for ordering and governing the Forces in this Colony. And it is recommended to all the good people of this and the neighbouring Colonies to give you and the Officers under your command all necessary aid and assistance therein.

Signed by the above Council

True Copy.

Amelia 24th June 1775.

Sir,

Inclos'd is a Copy of orders I rec'd from the Council of safety You will observe the contents and give orders accordingly to the four upper Companys {Vide licet}: {Captains}: Purvis, Kirkland, Caldwell, and Polk, you will also order an Encampment in the most convenient place near Reedy River and that each {Captain} as soon as he has enlisted Ten Men to send them to the Camp in order to learn their Exercise and be in readiness with a good Horse, and Rifle, and other necessaries.

sign'd {William} Thomson

directed To Major James Mason

True Copy.

same Day gave orders to the remaining five {Captains}: Wise, Woodward, Kirshaw Richardson, and Goodwyn, for their levying thirty Men with speed, with orders for each Captain immediately upon raising Ten men to send the same to their Camp near Holmans.

{William} Thomson

In the Council of Safety orders.

To {Colonel}: William Thomson

Charles Town June 26th, 1775

Sir,

You are hereby forthwith ordered to station at Fort Charlotte a Company of Rangers to Garrison that Post, and to take care of the Military Stores which are there deposited.

You will direct the commanding Officer of this Detachment to take an Inventory of the Military Stores, he shall find in the Fort, and to send the Council of Safety an Exact Copy of it, and also an Account of the State of the works.

Order the commanding officer, whom You send on this Service to inlist the Men at Present in Garrison to serve as Rangers if they are willing; and give Mr. Whitfield all proper Encouragement to remain in the Fort, provided he will be subject to your order, we are very

desirous

desirous of retaining him in the Service of the Colony, and therefore you may propose to him pay equal to his present allowance, which we will confirm if accepts it, and will upon Your Recommendation of him as a proper Person appoint him to the first Vacancy in your Regiment.

You will also cause the two Brass Field Pieces, and all the Spare Bayonets in the Fort, to be sent in a covered Waggon and by a careful Waggoner to the Council of Safety in Charles Town.

You will immediately send a Copy of these Instructions to Major Mason, in order that he may not execute any thing relative to the Directions he had concerning Fort Charlotte.

We are Sir. Your most humble {servants}

By order of the Council

Henry Laurens, President

{Colonel} {William} Thomson

Colonel {William} Thomson

Amelia July 1st 1775

orders:

To Major {James} Mason.

Sir,

Inclos'd you will find orders, I rec'd from the Council of Safety. You are hereby ordered forthwith carefully to put them into Execution, direct {Captain} Purvis to take the Command, desire You will see that he has good likely Men and good Rifles &c.

Desire You may give {Captain} Purvis orders to see that Mr. Whitfield and his Possession is not molested if he will accept the offers made him, and if it is convenient for him I would be glad to see him at my House.

I hope you will see that the four {Captains} of Rangers in your neighbourhood does list good likely Rifled men. I expect to hear from you as soon as you have executed these orders, which I make no doubt will be on sight. I intend for Town this Day week, but will be home in a few Days.

{William} Thomson

True Copy.

Sir,

Your favour dated, Amelia June 27th: came safe to Hand, on Sunday last the 2nd Instant. I have the honour of acquainting You by the return of the Express that we left Charles Town not sooner than the 24th of last Month, the very Day after the conclusion of the Provincial Congress, having arrived at my Place I begun immediately to inlist Men, the number of which consisting this Day in 22 well chosen, young, and well mounted Men, I shall no doubt compleat my Company, this, or the beginning of next week. But permit me Sir, to observe that our people wants time to equippe, and prepare for a march as long as such we have to perform from this place to the Camp. I hope to set out as the Head of the whole Company about the 1st of August, and Join the Camp with all possible diligence. I have the honour to be, Sir

Your most {obedient} humble {Servant}

{James} Wise

Pedee the 15th July 1775.

Sir,

Just as I was about to dispatch Mr. Sallens yesterday with the four Blank Association Papers, which you will receive in a seperate packett, certain intelligence arrived from Port Charlotte which render'd it proper to detain him till this morning.

The Council of safety alarmed by an intimation of Mr. St. Pierres proceed with one Coffet, in the Fort as given by {Captain} Whitefield in a Letter to Mr. Gervois & not clearly informed of the part which the {Captain} himself means to take, are anxious that You should carry their orders of the 26th June into execution & immedia take possession of the Fort & all the Military & other Stores contained in it, for this end the Council made another order last night for enforcing the former, a certified Copy of which you will find here inclosed.

The Gunpowder is most particularly recommended to your care, not only to get possession of the whole, but to prevent damage waste or misappliation of any part & not a moment to be delayed.

I flatter myself with hopes that you will have anticipated the wishes of the Council, that the Fort is now in the Hands of their Officers nevertheless I have it in charge to signify their commands that if it shall be necessary You immediately attempt to surmount every difficulty by the united effort of your whole Regiment, & You at their Heads together with such assistance as our Friends & associates in that neighborhood may think proper to lend upon this momentous affair. The Council entertain hopes that {Captain} Whitefield will associate in the Interest of America, in such case he will correspond with the Council, by transmitting to them a return of all the Stores at the time of his surrending to their officer which must be countersigned by that officer or yourself if you shall find it necessary to go there.

The earnestness of the Council upon this important service impels re in conclusion of the subject again to repeat, it is their order, you take possession of the Fort and Stores without delay & also that without delay you transmit a return of your proceedings including a complete Inventory.

I must also on this occasion particularly refer you to the Councils ders which I delivered you Yesterday for directions in case of opposition by any rson either openly or otherwise were presumptive evidence is strong.

And this moment when I cannot receive the Instruction of the Council & when I dare not delay the messenger, it occurs to me that {Captain} Whitfield however chearfully he may shew an inclination to serve the Colony by resignation, may not be content with a sub command (if he is a man of spirit he will not) in such case I recommend that you advise him to come Charles Town & apply to the Council which I add from a Zeal for the Public rvices as well (as) from a feeling for a Gentleman, in the circumstances which will be reduced to therefore if he follows my advice & does not suceed in This plication to the Council, I shall hold myself answerable to reimburse if he res it / the expence of his extra journey in consequence of my recommendation.

[loss at edge of page] in Council, by orders

[loss at edge of page] the Letter which comes inclosed

I have the Honour to be president to the Council & Sir Your most {obedient} {Servant}

Henry Lawrens