Saturday, August 12, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

Benjamin Franklin, Owen Biddle, R. Morris, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Samuel Morris, Jun., George Gray, George Ross, Robert White, Daniel Roberdeau.

At a second meeting of the Committee, in consequence of the arrival of three Ministerial Officers in the Ship Hope, George Curwin Master, from Cork, Present: Benjamin Franklin, Owen Biddle, Dan‘l Roberdeau, George Gray, Samuel Morris, Jun., Andrew Allen, Robert Morris, Thomas Wharton, Jun., George Ross, Robert White:

An Order was issued from this Board to Captain William Bradford, of the Second Battalion, for him to take into his custody Major Christopher French, Ensign John Rotton, Ministerial Officers, and Terence McDermott, Cadet in the Ministerial Army, with their attendants, and bring them before this Board.

Resolved, That the meeting of this Committee be adjourned to three o’clock, then to meet at Smith’s Tavern, where Captain Bradford is desired to conduct the above mentioned Officers.

Agreeable to the adjournment of this day, the Members then present met at Smith’s Tavern.

In consequence of the order issued to Captain Bradford this day, the Officers therein mentioned were taken into custody, and brought to this Board, from Gloucester; and, upon mature deliberation, finding that the said Christopher French, Major in His Majesty’s Twenty-Second Regiment of Foot, John Rotton, Ensign in His Majesty’s Forty-Seventh Regiment of Foot, and Terence McDermott, a Volunteer in His Majesty’s Army, having designedly come hither with an intention of joining the Ministerial Army at Boston, under the command of General Gage, who is now acting in a hostile and cruel manner against His Majesty’s American subjects,

It is Resolved, To prevent the said Officers and Volunteer becoming additional instruments of oppression, that they shall respectively sign the following instrument of writing, viz:

I, Christopher French, Major of His Majesty’s Twenty-Second Regiment of Foot, a prisoner in the power of the Committee of Safety for the Province of Pennsylvania, and being kindly treated and protected by them, and enlarged on parole, do hereby solemnly promise and engage, on the honour of a soldier and a gentleman, that I will not bear arms against the American United Colonies, in any manner whatever, for the space of twelve months, or until I may be exchanged; nor will I, during that time, take any measures to give intelligence to General Gage or the British Ministry, or to any person or persons whatever, relative to American affairs, but will proceed, with all convenient expedition, to the camp of General Washington, and submit myself to his further directions; and that I will not, directly or indirectly, attempt to procure any person or persons whatever to rescue me, and that I will not go on board any British ship of war during the continuance of my engagement not to bear arms.

Philadelphia, August 12, 1775.

The above engagements being drawn up, were presented to the said Officers and Cadet, and were approved of and signed by them, respectively; they requesting a certified copy of the same, it was agreed to, and delivered them.

Major Christopher French having, among other engagements, given his parole to render himself with all convenient speed at the Camp of General Washington, and there to submit himself to the disposition of the said General, but requesting, as a favour, that it may be certified in his behalf that he previously claimed the being considered as no prisoner at war, he having come hither without any knowledge of the hostilities between the Army and the people of America, and not being taken in arms: We, in compliance with his request, do certify that he did make the said claim, but after his being informed that hostilities had been commenced in America, he declaring that if he joined his corps he should act as his superiour officers directed, his claim was overruled, and thereupon gave his parole as aforesaid.

Dated August 12. 1775, and signed by the President.

It is Resolved, That the said Goods, brought from said Ship in one of the armed boats of this. Province, shall be stored till this Committee shall receive directions from the Continental Congress for the disposal of the same, unless it may be thought necessary by this Committee, before the meeting of the said Congress, to remove or otherwise dispose of them; and that this Committee write to General Washington, informing him of the transactions of this Board relative to the said Officers and Goods.

Resolved, That Colonel Roberdeau desire Captain William Bradford to deliver the Baggage belonging to Major French, Ensign Rotton, and Mr. McDermott, a Volunteer, when required.

Upon application of the Officers and Volunteer, now on their parole, that they should be furnished with a copy of the instruments of writing they signed, it was agreed to, and they were accordingly furnished with them.

Monday, August 14, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

Benjamin Franklin, Daniel Roberdeau, George Ross, Owen Biddle, Robert White, George Gray, Robert Morris, Samuel Morris, Jun., Thomas Wharton, Jun., and Andrew Allen:

Resolved, That Robert Towers go to Germantown, and see if the Powder there is in a secure place; if it is, he is to let it continue there, and report the quantity to this Board.

Colonel Roberdeau, agreeably to request, inquired into the character of Mr. Thompson, and finds that he hears the character of an honest man.

Major French made application that he might take with him the packages that came in Captain Curwin, for the use of the Twenty-Second and Fortieth Regiments, as well as those directed to the different Officers in Boston; which was refused him, the same being included in the Resolves respecting the Clothing, &c., intended for the Army at Boston

Resolved, That the list of Medicines recommended by the Physicians of the Hospital, that may be had in this place, be approved of, and that Mr. Bass furnish them for the use of the six hundred men to be employed on board the armed boats; and that Mr. Bass put up said Medicines in convenient boxes, and keep them, in his possession till further orders.

Tuesday, August 15, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Robert Morris, Andrew Allen, Anthony Wayne, George Gray, Robert White, Daniel Roberdeau, Owen Biddle:

Upon application of Messrs. Mead & Co., who produced a Letter from the Purser of the Nautilus for the supplying him with Soap, Candles, and Port Wine, for the use of said Ship, it was allowed that they might supply them with the following quantities, viz: one hogshead Port Wine, four hundred weight Candles, and one hundred weight Soap.

Mr. Owen Biddle produced an Order from the City Committee, signed by George Clymer, for the Lead and Flints they have in their possession; which Order was delivered to the Commissary, with directions to make a Return to this Board of the quantity of each article he should receive.

Captain Willing and Captain Wharton offered their services to this Board, to attend Major French, Ensign Rotton,