The Council of Safety of the Delaware State was elected on 7 Nov 1776 at the joint session of the House of Assembly and the Legislative Council held at New Castle:

The county councils of safety consisting of the elected members apparently held sessions in November-December 1776. The first meeting of the Council of Safety of the State took place at Dover on 9 Dec 1776. John McKinly probably served as its president. The Council sat until January 1777 when the General Assembly reconvened (6 Jan 1777) and elected the first President and Commander-in-Chief of the Delaware State on 12 Feb 1777.