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PENNSYLVANIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. Monday, October 2, 1775. At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present— Two Orders, drawn the 29th ult., agreeable to a Resolve of the 26th, were delivered to Bernard Dougherty, Esq., to forward, viz: one in favour of the Commissioners and Assessors of Bedford County, for one hundred Pounds; one in favour of the Commissioners and Assessors of Westmoreland County, for one hundred Pounds. Mr. Towers, Commissary, reports his having delivered the following articles to Mr. Henry Neal, agreeable to a Resolve of the 30th ult., viz: two hundred pounds of Gunpowder, six hundred weight of Lead, one hundred and eighty pounds of Grape-Shot, twelve six and four pound Round Shot. Resolved, That Captain Alexander Henderson be appointed to the command of one of the Armed Boats. This day the Commissions of the undermentioned Officers, appointed on board the Armed Boats, were signed by the President, and dated as follow, viz: 1775.
Sept. 19. No. 8, James Blair, Captain of the Burke. Mr. Pomeroy this day resigned his office as Lieutenant on board the Armed Boat Bull-Dog, in consequence of this Board refusing to appoint him Commander of said Boat. Upon application of Bernard Dougherty, Esq., for some Gunpowder for the use of Bedford County, Resolved, That one hundred pounds of Powder be lent to said County, for the present; and when convenient this Board will spare them a larger quantity. An Order was drawn on the Commissary for the same, and delivered to Mr. Dougherty, Resolved, That Colonel Roberdeau and Mr. Owen Biddle be requested to examine the store in which the Officers’ Baggage was put that came from Ireland, and report the quantity that remains there. Tuesday, October 3, 1775. At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present— Delivered Captain Montgomery, of the Ranger, an order to receive from Robert Towers, Commissary, one box of Ammunition for an eighteen-pound Cannon, four pounds Powder, twenty round Grape-Shot for the Cohorns, forty rounds of Cartridges for the Swivels, and Shot in proportion for the whole. Upon application from the Continental Congress to know if this Board had occasion for a number of Carbines and Pistols they had made, it is Resolved, That this Board will take the said Carbines and Pistols, for the use of the Armed Boats, provided they are suitable for that purpose. Mr. Towers, Commissary, reports his having received from Jacob Boyce one hundred and seventeen pounds of Saltpetre, which came from the Committee of York County. Resolved, That Mr. Owen Biddle apply to George Taylor, Esq., for one ton of Swivel Shot, which is to be made immediately, and sent to this City. Resolved, That John Webb be appointed a Lieutenant to one of the Armed Boats. Resolved, That John Hennessay be appointed Lieutenant on board the Armed Boat Effingham, commanded by Captain Allen Moore. Major Rogers having lost the copy of his Parole and Certificate, as furnibhed him the 23d ult., this Board, agreeable to his desire, per Letter of the 29th, sent him this day, per post, a copy of the said Parole and Certificate. Wednesday, October 4, 1775. At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present— Agreeable to orders given the Master-at-Arms yesterday, to examine the Carbines and Pistols offered this Board by the Congress, he reports that he has examined the said Arms, and finds them bad, and unfit for the service they were wanted for by this Board. On motion, an Order was drawn on Michael Hillegas, Esq., Treasurer to this Board, in favour of Mr. Owen Biddle, for one hundred Pounds, and signed by Robert Morris, President pro tem., being for the payment of sundry articles bought by order of this Board. The Petitions from the Pilots, presented to this Board, had this day a second reading; and having been well considered, it is the opinion of this Board, that their Petition cannot be granted. This day Commissions were signed for the undermentioned gentlemen, appointed as Lieutenants on board the Armed Boats, and dated as follow: 1775. Thursday, October 5, 1775. At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present only six Members— Friday, October 6, 1775. At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present— A Warrant and Directions for John Ross, Gentleman, was this day drawn up and approved of, and is as follows: “In Committee of Safety. “To JOHN ROSS, Gentleman: “You are hereby appointed Muster-Master of the Forces belonging to the Pennsylvania Fleet, and authorized to exercise all such powers as may be necessary for the effectual discharge of the said office. You are to repair on board and visit each Boat in the Fleet once at least in every month, and oftener if occasion should require, or if directed by this Committee. You are there to require the article signed by the boats’ company, and carefully to call over their names, view each of them separately, examine whether they be actually fit for their respective duty, and see that their numbers, conditions, and abilities, agree with the returns made by the Captains, and faithfully certify the same on the said returns. You are also to compare all drafts and orders made on the Paymaster, by the Captains, in favour of the Officers and Privates belonging to the boats, examine whether the time which they have been in the service be truly stated, with their ranks, and certify the same accordingly. And all Officers and others belonging to the Pennsylvania Fleet are hereby strictly enjoined and required at all times to admit and receive you on board the boats, and suffer you to proceed in the duties above specified,
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