Commissioners and Assessors of the several Counties in the Province, in same manner and mode as the Provincial Tax by the laws now in force is raised, levied, and recovered, and shall be paid to the Provincial Treasurer; which said Tax first mentioned shall commence immediately after the sinking of the Bills of Credit now remaining to be sunk of those sums granted to the King during the course of the last war; which Tax, for the purposes aforesaid, the several Commissioners and Assessors are enjoined and required to raise, levy, recover, and pay, as they regard the freedom, welfare, and safety of their Country. [Extract from the Journal:]

CHARLES MOORE, Clerk of Assembly.

Monday, July 3, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety appointed by the Resolves of the Assembly of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia. Present:

Benjamin Franklin, Esq., Owen Biddle, Robert Morris, Robert White, Samuel Morris, Jr., Andrew Allen, John Cadwalader, Thomas Wharton, Jr., George Ross:

On motion, 1. Resolved unanimously, That Benjamin Franklin, Esq., be chosen President.

2. Resolved, That William Govett be Clerk, and that he engage not to disclose the Proceedings of this Committee without leave.

3. Resolved, That Colonel John Cadwalader and Mr. Samuel Morris, Jr., do provide patterns of Muskets, Bayonets, Cartridge Boxes, and Knapsacks, to be sent to the different Counties.

4. Resolved, That the barrels of the Muskets be three feet eight inches in length, well fortified, the bore of sufficient size to carry seventeen Balls to the pound; the Bayonets sixteen inches long.

5. Resolved, That Messrs. Robert Morris, Robert White, and Thomas Wharton, Jr., do with the utmost expedition procure any quantity of Powder and Saltpetre in their power.

Tuesday, July 4, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present:

Benjamin Franklin, Robert White, Andrew Allen, Daniel Roberdeau, John Dickinson, George Ross, Robert Morris, Thomas Wharton, Jr., Samuel Morris, Jr., John Cadwalader, Owen Biddle:

1. Resolved, That the Committee go to Red Bank to-morrow, to take a view of the River and Islands, and that the following gentlemen be requested to attend, viz: Luke Morris, Oswell Eve, John Wharton, Thomas Penrose, Major Nicholas, Thomas Hanson, Peter Reeve.

2. Resolved, That Mr. Owen Biddle wait on the Commissioners and Assessors of this County, and desire that this Committee may have a Conference with them on Thursday morning next at 6 o’clock.

3. Resolved, That this Committee meet every day at six o’clock, A. M., Sundays excepted.

4. Resolved, That if any Member shall think it necessary to call an Extraordinary Meeting, that he do it by giving the Clerk directions to give the Members proper notice.

5. Resolved, That the Committee for providing Powder and Saltpetre, do procure at the same time two thousand stand of good Fire-Arms.

6. Resolved, That Doctor Franklin be requested to procure a model of a Pike, to be produced to the Committee at their next meeting.

Thursday, July 6, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present:

Benjamin Franklin, George Ross, Robert Morris, Thomas Wharton Jr., Daniel Roberdeau, Owen Biddle, George Gray, Robert White, Samuel Morris, Jr., John Cadwalader:

The Committee agreeable to the first Resolve of the 4th instant, went to Red Bank, Mud or Fort Island, and viewed them and several parts of the River, and find the Channel from the Fort to the Bar to be one hundred and fifty fathoms, or thereabouts; and report that it is at present impracticable to lay a Boom across that part of the River.

1. Resolved, That Messrs. Robert White and Owen Biddle, be a Committee for the construction of Boats and Machines for the defence of the River; and it is recommended to them to employ John Wharton, Joseph Marsh, Emanuel Eyres, Jacob Miller, Thomas Davis, and Joseph Govett.

2. Resolved, That Colonel Dickinson, Colonel Roberdeau, Colonel Cadwalader, and Colonel Ross, be a Committee for inspecting into the Ordnance and Military Stores, and make such repairs and supply such deficiencies as may be thought necessary, and that they report to the Board a proper person as an Assistant Commissary of Stores; and that the said Committee provide a model of a Pike or Spear.

3. Resolved, That Mr. Owen Biddle return the thanks of this Board to the author of the written proposals for raising and employing a Regiment of Soldiers, and for other matters therein contained.

The Gentlemen that were to provide patterns of Car-touch-boxes and Knapsacks, produced the same to this Board, and are approved of.

Friday, July 7, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present:

Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Morris, Jr., Capt. Robert White, Andrew Allen, Daniel Roberdeau, Thomas Wharton, Jr., John Cadwalader, Owen Biddle, George Gray:

1. Resolved, That Mr. John Wharton immediately procure materials, and make preparations for building a Boat or Calevat, and that he exhibit a model of one to-morrow morning, when he will have further instructions for the construction of one.

2. Resolved, That Mr. Owen Biddle give the thanks of this Board to Mr. Louis Nicholas, for his plan delivered the Committee this day.

Saturday, July 8, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present:

A model of a Pike-staff was produced, and one ordered to be made.

1. Resolved, That Mr. John Wharton immediately build a Boat or Calevat of forty-seven or fifty feet keel, thirteen feet broad, and four and a half feet deep.

2. Resolved, That Mr. Owen Biddle apply to Stephen Paschall, and give him directions to make a Pike agreeable to the pattern produced by Doctor Franklin.

Monday, July 10, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present:

Benjamin Franklin, Francis Johnson, Anthony Wayne, Robert Morris, Robert White, Daniel Roberdeau, John Cadwalader, Samuel Morris, Jr., George Gray:

On application being made by Colonel Roberdeau and Colonel Cadwalader, that this Board would take under consideration the expenses incurred by the Officers of the Association; and the Board not finding themselves sufficiently empowered,

1. Resolved, That the same be earnestly recommended to the consideration of the Commissioners and Assessors of the several Counties of this Province.

2. Resolved, That Emanuel Eyres immediately build a Boat agreeable to the model produced by him this day.

Tuesday, July 11, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present:

Benjamin Franklin, Francis Johnson, George Ross, Robert Morris, Robert White, Owen Biddle, George Gray, John Cadwalader, Thomas Wharton, Jr., Samuel Morris, Jr., Anthony Wayne:

1. Resolved, That Messrs. Robert White and Owen Biddle do provide a Sail for one of the Boats now building under their direction.

The Committee appointed for the building Boats and constructing Machines for the defence of the River, report that they have been viewing a number of Pine Logs, which they think will be proper for the service.

2. Resolved, That the said Committee do purchase the above mentioned Logs.

The President delivered to Messrs. Robert White and Owen Biddle his order on Capt. Loxley, for such Guns and Military Stores as they may have occasion for.