This produced a threat from Captain Thornborough that, unless supplied as before, he should prevent the ingress, or departure, of any vessel from the harbor.

A menace of this kind, to have been properly met, should have been answered from the eighteen pounders of Fort Johnson.

And, but for the reluctance of several highly esteemed patriots, such would have been the mode of answer.

This temporizing policy continued to prevail until the 9th November, 1775, when the Provincial Congress resolved, "by every military operation, to oppose the passage of any British Armament." Such were the orders issued to the officer commanding at Fort Johnson.

This fort had now been in possession of the popular party for nearly two months.