Committee, there to prove, by such means as may be in his power, that he was compelled by force into that service. And such Pilot, or other person, not appearing at this Board within five days after his first landing, (unless put on shore at too great a distance,) shall be considered as having voluntarily performed the said service.

Resolved, That any Pilot, or other person acting as a Pilot, in Delaware Bay and River, who shall refuse or neglect to lay up his Boat or Craft, or who shall put himself in the way of being forcibly taken on board the King’s Ships, or who shall voluntarily serve, or offer to serve or instruct them in the navigation of the said Bay and River, shall, on proof thereof made to this Board, be deemed an enemy to American liberty, a traitor to his Country, and as such published and held forth to the publick.

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that the Pilots of the Bay and River Delaware should remain on shore, at Cape Henlopen or Cape May, until such Merchant Vessels as arrive send their Boats on shore for a Pilot, when one may repair on board, provided there is not any Man of War in sight, or in the said Bay and River; but if there is, the Captains of such Merchantmen must do the best they can for the safety of their Ships, as no Pilots must go on board in such case.

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that the owners of such Ships as are brought up during the time these Resolves remain in force, ought to allow such reasonable additional pilotage as the Board of Wardens may fix, towards bearing the Pilot’s expense down to the Cape by land.

Resolved, That it is necessary for this Board to be constantly and early informed when any Men of War, Armed Vessels, Boats, or Craft, arrive at the Capes of Delaware; and, therefore, that Mr. Henry Fisher, of Lewistown, be appointed on this service, for which a reasonable reward, proportioned to his trouble, loss of time, and actual expense, shall hereafter be allowed him; and that the following be his Instructions: ( f )

Instructions from the Committee of Safety at PHILADELPHIA, to Mr. HENRY FISHER, at LEWISTOWN.

You are immediately to repair down to Lewistown, and remain there constantly, (until discharged from this service,) for the purpose of giving advice to this Board of every British man-of-war, or armed vessel, that may arrive at the Capes of Delaware. We deliver you herewith an order from the Board of Wardens to the Keeper of the Light-house, directing him to make such signals, by day and night, on discovering any ship or vessel standing in for the land, as you and he may agree on, and you must immediately repair to the properest place for discovering what they are; and when you are convinced of the arrival of one or more men of war intending up this river, you are to send us advice thereof, either by land or water, as you conceive best, mentioning the number of the enemy’s ships, and their force, and manner of proceeding, as nearly as you can ascertain these circumstances. When you send intelligence by water, you should avoid sending pilots, or persons that can serve as pilots to the enemy, lest they should fall in their power. ( f )

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that the Buoys in the Bay of Delaware ought to be taken up immediately, and that the Wardens of the Port be desired to give orders for its being done, and to give orders to the Keeper of the Light to make such signals, by day or night, as Mr. Henry Fisher and he may agree on, upon seeing Vessels standing inwards. ( f )

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that six six-pound Cannon be lent to the inhabitants of Lewistown and Pilotstown, near Cape Henlopen, with Ammunition for the same, to defend themselves from any hostile attacks; they giving security to return the Cannon on demand, and in expectation that the Committee of Safety for the three lower Counties will repay the quantity of Ammunition, or its value in money, in a reasonable time.( f )

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that if any Pilot or Pilot Boat should be wanted for especial or particular purposes, during the time these Resolves remain in force, application should be made to this Board, who will grant a Certificate to the Pilot or person employed, on finding the publick good is connected with his service.

Resolved, That Mr. White and Mr. Robert Morris apply to the Board of Wardens for the taking up the Buoys, agreeable to the preceding Resolutions.

Colonel Roberdeau and Colonel Cadwallader are requested to borrow six six-pound Cannon, and to give an assurance to the person who will lend them that they shall be returned in good order, or, in case they should sustain any damage or be lost, that this Board will pay such damage or loss; and that the said Guns be provided with a proper quantity of Ammunition—the whole being lent to the inhabitants of Lewistown and Pilotstown, for their defence.

The President gave an Order on Mr. Robert Morris, in favour of Robert Towers, for eleven Pounds eighteen Shillings and three Pence half-penny, for seventy-nine and three-quarter pounds of Saltpetre, which he has purchased and stored.

Resolved, That Colonel Dickinson and Colonel Cadwallader be a Committee to draw up a Memorial to the honourable House of Assembly, setting forth the necessity of their granting a farther sum of Money, and recommending the building Magazines in some convenient place.

Resolved, That Mr. Samuel Morris, and Mr. Robert White furnish an estimate of the cost of the Boats and Chevaux-de-Frise.

Resolved, That Mr. Robert Morris and Mr. Thomas Wharton furnish an estimate of the cost of Powder, Saltpetre, Fire-Arms, &c., that they have purchased and sent for.

Mr. John Ross, Merchant, made application to this Board to be appointed Muster-Master of the Officers and Men to be employed on board the Armed Boats, and informs this Board, that he will undertake, for the good of the service, to do the said duty of Muster-Master gratis.

Resolved, That Mr. Ross be appointed Muster-Master, agreeable to the preceding Minute.

The President gave an Order on Mr. Robert Morris, in favour of Mr. Duff, for three Pounds seventeen Shillings.

And an Order on Mr. Morris, in favour of Stocker & Wharton, for the sum of two hundred and sixty-one Pounds seventeen Shillings and nine Pence, for sundry Medicines.

Delivered Mr. Henry Fisher his Instructions from this Board, and the Resolves of this day, marked f.

Tuesday, September 19, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

Robert Morris, President pro tem., John Cadwallader, Robert White, Samuel Morris, Jun., Thomas Wharton, Jun., Daniel Roberdeau, George Ross.

Resolved, That Captain John Moulder be appointed to the command of one of the Armed Boats.

Resolved, That Captain James Blair be appointed to the command of one of the Armed Boats.

Resolved, That Captain Robert Eyres be appointed to the command of one of the Armed Boats.

Resolved, That the following gentlemen be appointed Lieutenants on board the Armed Boats: Jeremiah Simmons, John Chatham, James Allen, George Garland.

Robert Towers, Commissary, reports his having received and stored the following articles, viz: seven hundred and eighty-eight 18-pound Round Shot; one hundred and sixty-eight 24-pound Round Shot; seventy-seven 32-pound Round Shot—received from Mr. George Taylor, and stored at the State-House. Seventy-nine and three-quarter pounds Saltpetre, purchased of Meminger & Dorsey.

Wednesday, September 20, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

Robert Morris, President pro tem., Daniel Roberdeau, Anthony Wayne, Michael Swoope, Andrew Allen, Thomas Wharton, Jun., John Cadwallader.

Resolved, That Richard Wells, Pilot, he permitted to go to the Capes with his Boat, with a caution to him to avoid going or being taken on board any Man-of-War, or other British Armed Vessel.

Resolved, That Daniel Murphy, Pilot, be permitted to take down the River and Bay of Delaware, the Brig Nancy, Captain Douglas, belonging to Messrs. Howell and Douglas,