relative to American affairs. Also, in case this my parole is not accepted in exchange for any officer of equal rank in the American service, who may be taken prisoner by the British Troops, I do hereby, in any such case, on notice, promise to repair to and give myself up to the said Committee of Safely, as a prisoner.

“GEORGE ETHRINGTON.

Philadelphia, September 8, 1775.”

Agreeably to the request of Major Ethrington, he was furnished with a copy of his Parole and the following Certificate:

“These are to certify to all persons to whom these presents may appear, that the above writing is a true copy of the parole of honour given by the bearer, Major Ethrington, of the Second Battalion of the Royal American Regiment, to the Committee of Safety for the Province of Pennsylvania. It is therefore recommended to such persons, that the said Major Ethrington be permitted to pass where his business may lead him, without any hinderance or molestation,”

Ordered, That Mr. Towers, Commissary, attend Mr. Nicholson in proving the Firelocks; and that he furnish such quantity of Powder as is necessary for that purpose.

Resolved, That Captain White purchase of Mr. Binks thirty Cartridge-Boxes, for the use of the Armed Boats.

Monday, September 11, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present only four Members—

John Dickinson, William Edmonds, Daniel Roberdeau, John Cadwallader.

Robert Towers, Commissary, reports his having received the following articles, and stored them at the State-House, viz:

28 Muskets and Bayonets, from John Nicholson; 28 Scabbards for Bayonets, from Woolk. Ming; 1 cwt. 3 qrs. 26 lbs. Lead, from Owen Biddle, per Ebenezer Call; 3 Bullet Moulds, belonging to the Province, of Dunwick, Will, & Hasencheicr; 372 barrels, 6 quarter-barrels, and 350 lbs. Powder, from George Lush, in Powder-House.

Tuesday, September 12, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

Benjamin Franklin, Daniel Roberdeau, Thomas Wharton, Junior, Robert White, George Ross, John Cadwallader.

Resolved, That Mr. Robert White have an Order on Mr. Michael Hillegas, Treasurer to this Board, for the sum of One Thousand Pounds, for the payment of Tradesmen’s Bills; which was accordingly drawn, and signed by the President.

Thursday, September 14, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

Benjamin Franklin, John Dickinson, Daniel Roberdeau, George Ross, William Edmonds, Samuel Morris, Jun., Robert Morris, Thomas Wharton, Jun., John Cadwallader, George Gray.

Captain James Irvine presented a Memorial and Representation to this Board, concerning himself and the regulation of the First Battalion; which, after being read and considered, it was agreed that the following recommendation be given to Captain Irvine and the other Captains of said Battalion:

The Committee of Safety, taking into consideration the dispute at present subsisting in the First Battalion, recommend it to the Captains of that Battalion to settle among themselves the rank of the several Companies, in such manner as may be generally satisfactory; or, if they cannot agree among themselves, to draw lots, according to the 16th Article of the Rules for establishing rank or precedence amongst the Pennsylvania Associators.

Resolved, That the Chevaux-de-Frise be sunk into the River, opposite the Fort, as has been agreed to; and that Captain White and Samuel Morris, Jun., be appointed a Committee to see the same done as soon as possible.

That the Boat built by Samuel Robbins be called the Ranger, and that Captain James Montgomery take the command of her.

Resolved, That the Boat built by John Rice be called the Dickinson, and that he, the said John Rice, take the command of her.

That the Boat built by Emanuel Eyres be called the Congress, and that Captain John Hamilton take the command of said Boat.

Resolved, That Mr. John Nesbitt be appointed Paymaster to the Officers and Men to be employed on board the Armed Boats, and that he be allowed thirty Dollars per month for his services; and that this Committee pay for the Books, Papers, &c., that he may have occasion for in said service.

Resolved, That the Wages of the Lieutenants to be employed on board the Armed Boats be increased to fourteen Dollars per month.

Resolved, That Mr. Benjamin Thompson be appointed Lieutenant to the Armed Boat called Experiment.

Friday, September 15, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, William Edmonds, Daniel Roberdeau, Samuel Morris, Jun., Thomas Wharton, Jun., George Ross, John Cadwallader, George Gray.

Commissions were this day signed by the President for the following gentlemen as Captains, and dated as follows, viz:

No. 1, July 17, 1775, for Henry Dougherty, of the Washington.
No. 2, July 18, for John Rice, of the Dickinson.
No. 3, July 24, for Charles Alexander, of the Chatham.
No. 4, August 1, for Nicholas Biddle, of the Franklin.
No. 5, August 2, for John Hamilton, of the Congress.
No. 6, August 3, for Allen Moore, of the Effingham.
No. 7, August 31, for Jas. Montgomery, of the Ranger.

Resolved, That an Order be drawn on Mr. Robert Morris, in favour of John Nicholson, for one hundred and fifty Pounds fifteen Shillings, being for the payment of twenty-eight Firelocks, for the use of the Armed Boats, and eleven Pattern Guns sent to the Commissioners and Assessors of each County in this Province; which Order was accordingly drawn, and delivered Mr. Nicholson.

A Letter was this day wrote to the Committee of York County, respecting the Associators, signed by the President, and sent per Joseph Elliott.

Sent this day by Joseph Elliott and John Williams —

Fifty Articles of Association and Recommendation, for the Committee of Lancaster County; fifty ditto, for the Committee of York County.

Resolved, That Mr. Gibbs Jones be appointed a Lieutenant of the Armed Boat Ranger, commanded by James Montgomery.

Saturday, September 16, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

Benjamin Franklin, William Edmonds, Daniel Roberdeau, Thomas Wharton, Junior, Samuel Morris, Junior, Robert Morris, George Gray, John Dickinson, Robert White, John Cadwallader.

Sent to Henry Wynkoop, for the use of the Associators in Bucks County, fifty Articles of Association and Recommendation; fifty ditto in the Dutch language.

The Board came to sundry Resolves, viz:

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that all Pilots of the Bay and River Delaware ought to use their utmost endeavours to avoid going or being taken on board British Ships of War, or Armed vessels, during the present struggle for liberty.

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that all Pilots of the Bay and River Delaware ought to lay up their Boats, on or before the 20th day of September, inst., and cautiously avoid going on any navigable water, or other place, on land or water, where they may probably fall within the power of British Men of War, Armed Vessels, or Boats, or within the power of men landed from such.

Resolved, That any Pilot, or other person, who shall conduct or bring any British Man of War, Armed Vessel, Boat, or other Craft, up the Bay of Delaware, shall, on being released from that service, forthwith repair to this