Tuesday August 6th. 1776.

Ordered, That a Letter be writ to Colonel Thomas Fleming* of the Ninth Battalion on the Eastern Shore to have the Ten thousand weight of Sulphur which was some time ago imported for the use of this Government, sent over to this Shore. Part of it being wanted for the purpose of making Gun-powder for the Indian Expedition, in the room of some bad Powder already sent. Also a Letter to the Reverend Mr. John Dixon, for what Salt he may have made to be sent on the same Expedition.

Ordered, That the Keeper of the Magazine deliver out one thousand weight of powder, and Two thousand Flints to be sent to Colonel William Christian, for the same Expedition.

Ordered, That it be recommended to Brigadier General Lewis to provide Barracks for the Continental Army stationed here to be built on that Part of the Park, which the Governor lately gave up for the use of the Troops; as a Measure, at once more agreeable to the Inhabitants of Williamsburg, and in the Opinion of this Board less expensive to the Continent than renting of Houses for that Purpose.

A Letter was written to Colonel William Christian as follows Sir &c. Also a Letter to Colonel William Preston as follows Sir &c Copies whereof are filed and ordered to be recorded.

Ordered, That a Circular Letter be writ to the several Colonels of the Minute Battalions of the Southampton Amelia, Caroline, Gloucester, Prince William & Culpeper Districts, requesting them to order all the Companies of their respective Battalions which are furnished with good Musquets, Guns, or Rifles, Cartouch-Boxes, or Pouches and Powder-Horns, immediately to hold themselves in Readiness to march whenever called upon; in order to replace the Regiments of Continental Troops ordered by the General Congress to the Flying Camp in New Jersey and that if any such Company should not have been already compleated, that that be done as soon as possible, informing them at the same Time, that no Men who are not so accounted will be intitled to Pay; and requiring them immediately to inform the Board what Number of Men may be expected from their several Battalions.

Ordered That the Treasurer be requested to lay before this Board a State of the several Sums of Money paid into the Treasury, and arising from the Sales of Vessels and their Cargoes taken by the Captains Innes and Richard Baron.

Instructions to Captain Lilly,

Sir,

You are to proceed with the Brigg Liberty under your Command to Hampton Road or wherever Captain James Cocke is to join him and Captain Calvert of the Row Galley to act in conjunction with them against the Enemies of America if such Junction shall be judged necessary or separately as you may think best. You are to protect and defend all our Friends to whom it may be necessary and in your power to afford protection and to take, sink, or destroy all Vessels belonging to the Enemies of America. As your Cruiser was fitted out principally for the protection of York River, Vessels trading in that River, and the Inhabitants of its Shores should be Objects (of) your peculiar Attentuon- The Same Instructions are intended for Captains Travis and Deane- It is left to your Discretion when and in what manner to engage the Enemy.

*Thomas Fleming, colonel 9th Virginia, 2d March, 1776; died 30th January, 1777.

Source: Official Letters of the Governors of the State of Virginia, Vol. I, The Letters of Patrick Henry, Virginia State Library, p25-26, 1926.