1. The enclosed copy of the congressional resolution, dated 8 March and signed by Charles Thomson, secretary of Congress, reads: “Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the States of Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina to have in readiness to act as the operations of the campaign shall require a body of five thousand militia or state troops over & above their quotas of continental troops in the following proportions, to wit, Virginia two thousand—North Carolina fifteen hundred—South Carolina fifteen hundred.

“That the militia directed to be held in readiness by the States of Virginia, North and South Carolina agreeable to the foregoing resolution be called into actual service, whenever the commanding officer in the southern department shall deem it necessary.

“That the commander in chief be directed to make such detachments from the troops under his command to reinforce the Southern army as his strength and circumstances will permit” (DLC:GW; see also JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 16:239–40).

2. The enclosed extract from the journals of Congress, dated 6 March and signed by Thomson, reads: “Resolved That the governors of Virginia North Carolina & South Carolina be requested to use their utmost exertions in filling up their Continental battalions, and that the men, as they can be from time to time collected to the number of fifty, be forwarded to join the Southern army: that in the mean time the said states be requested to raise a body of militia to join & serve in the Southern army, until the first day of January next, unless sooner relieved by their respective quotas of continental troops or otherwise discharged” (DLC:GW; see also JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 16:234).