Saturday, July 22, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present:

Benjamin Franklin, Daniel Roberdeau, Robert Morris, Robert White, John Cadwalader, Samuel Morris, Junior, George Ross, George Gray, Owen Biddle:

Resolved, That a Messenger be sent to Joel Ferree, of Lancaster County, with a Letter from this Committee, requesting him immediately to complete the Guns wrote for as patterns; and to know how many he can furnish of the same kind, and at what price.

Monday, July 24, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present:

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

1. Resolved, That the Boat to be launched by Emanuel Eyres, at Kensington, be called the Bull-Dog.

Mr. Robert Smith, carpenter, appeared at this Board with a model of a Machine for obstructing the navigation of the River Delaware, and explained the construction of it; which was approved of. At the same time be made an offer of his service in attending and overlooking the workmen in building the same, gratis, for which this Board thanked him, and accepted the offer of his services.

2. Resolved, That Capt. Charles Alexander be appointed to the command of the boat called the Bull-Dog.

3. Resolved, That this Board meet at Kensington to-morrow morning, at eleven o’clock, to attend the launch of the Boat built. by Emanuel Eyres; and that they go from thence in said boat to Gloucester, and there hold a Board.

Wednesday, July 26, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety, at Kensington. Present:

Benjamin Franklin, Owen Biddle, Robert White, Daniel Roberdeau, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Samuel Morris, Jun., George Ross, William Thompson, Anthony Wayne, Francis Johnston, John Cadwalader, George Gray, Robert Morris.

Emanuel Eyres, the builder of the Boat called the Bull-Dog, not being able to launch her yesterday, she was this day launched; and the Members of the Committee of Safety there present embarked on board said boat, and went to Gloucester, but found it inconvenient to hold a Board there.

Thursday, July 27, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present:

Benjamin Franklin, Francis Johnston, Anthony Wayne, Owen Biddle, Robert White, Daniel Roberdeau, John Cadwalader, Thomas Wharton, Junior, Samuel Morris, Jr., Robert Morris, George Gray.

Upon application of James Pearson and Wiley, the Committee consent to advance them the sum of two hundred Pounds, they giving good security for the repayment of said sum in good Gun-Barrels, of their own manufactory.

The Committee appointed by the first Resolve of the 21st of July, report, that there is no Gunpowder in the hands of the family of the late Simon Boerum, and but little Saltpetre, which they purpose manufacturing themselves.

Mr. Nathaniel Irish presented a Boat or Gondola for the inspection of this Committee.

Resolved, That Mr. Thomas Wharton return him the thanks of this Board, much commending his ingenuity and attention to the publick safety.

Friday, July 23, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present:

Benjamin Franklin, Owen Biddle, Andrew Allen, Robert Morris, Anthony Wayne, John Cadwalader, George Gray:

Agreeable to the first Resolve of the 18th of July, Col. Roberdeau delivered to this Board two lists of Medicines received from the Physicians of the Hospital; upon which it is

1. Resolved, That Mr. Robert Morris wait on Mr. Robert Bass with said lists, and request that he would point out what Medicines may be best imported from Holland and Cadiz, and what may be purchased with conveniency in this City; and that Mr. Robert Morris undertake to import such Medicines as may be pointed out to be imported from Holland and Cadiz, in the most expeditious manner.

Doctor Franklin delivered to this Board a Letter from Captain John MacPherson, offering his services for the defence of this Country, for which Doctor Franklin is desired to return the thanks of this Board to Captain MacPherson.

2. Resolved, That the Resolves of the Continental Congress, of the 18th of July instant, be entered on the Minutes of this Board; which are the following:

“In Congress, July 18, 1775.

“Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of all the United English Colonies in North America, that all able-bodied effective men, between sixteen and sixty years of age, in each Colony, immediately form themselves into regular companies of Militia, to consist of one Captain, two Lieutenants, one Ensign, four Sergeants, four Corporals, one Clerk, one Drummer, one Fifer, and about sixty-eight Privates.

“That the Officers of each Company be chosen by the respective Companies.

“That each Soldier be furnished with a good Musket that will carry an ounce ball, with a bayonet, steel ramrod, worm, priming-wire, and brush fitted thereto; a cutting-sword, or tomahawk; a cartridge-box that will contain twenty-three rounds of cartridges, and twelve flints; and a knapsack.

“That the Companies be formed into Regiments or Battalions, officered with a Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, two Majors, an Adjutant or Quartermaster.

“That all Officers above the rank of a Captain be appointed by their respective Provincial Assemblies or Conventions, or, in their recess, by the Committees of Safety appointed by said Assemblies or Conventions.

“That all Officers be commissioned by the Provincial Assemblies or Conventions, or, in their recess, by the Committees of Safety appointed by said Assemblies or Conventions.

“That all the Militia take proper care to acquire military skill, and be well prepared for defence, by being each man provided with one pound of good Gunpowder, and four pounds of Ball fitted to his gun.

“That one-fourth part of the Militia in every Colony be selected for Minute-men, of such persons who are willing to enter into this necessary service, formed into Companies or Battalions, and their Officers chosen and commissioned as aforesaid, to be ready on the shortest notice to march to any place where their assistance may be required for the defence of their own or a neighbouring Colony. And as these Minute-men may eventually be called to action before the whole body of the Militia are sufficiently trained, it is recommended that a more particular and diligent attention be paid to their instruction in military discipline.

“That such of the Minute-men as desire it be relieved by new draughts as aforesaid, from the whole body of the Militia, once in four months.

“As there are some people who, from religious principles, cannot bear arms in any case, this Congress intend no violence to their consciences, but earnestly recommend it to them to contribute liberally, in this time of universal calamity, to the relief of their distressed brethren in the several Colonies, and to do all other services to their oppressed Country which they can, consistently with their religious principles.

“That it be recommended to the Assemblies or Conventions in the respective Colonies, to provide, as soon as possible, sufficient stores of Ammunition for their Colonies; also, that they devise proper means for furnishing with Arms such effective men as are poor and unable to furnish themselves.

“That it be recommended to each Colony to appoint a Committee of Safety to superintend, and direct all matters necessary for the security and defence of their respective Colonies, in the recess of their Assemblies or Conventions.