obtain information from them how long they might depend on that benefit, and on what terms.

Colonel Roberdeau, having waited on the Managers of the Hospital, reports, that those gentlemen very generously and readily agree to receive all patients from the publick service that may be recommended by this Board, and that they require no pay; but mention that, in venereal cases, it is usual for the patient to pay three Pounds ten Shillings for his cure.

Upon motion, Resolved, That the thanks of this Board be conveyed by Colonel Roberdeau to the Managers of the Hospital, for their very generous determination in favour of such as may fall sick or be wounded in the publick service of their Country.

Robert Towers, Commissary, reports there is now in the State-House, belonging to this Province, since last war, the following articles, viz: 72 Wood Canteens; 48 Tin Canteens; 149 Knapsacks; 303 Shot-Pouches; 8 Cartridge-Boxes; 48 Powder-Horns; 50 Lock-Brushes; 225 Flints; 14 Jackets and 10 pair Breeches, drilling and osriaburghs; 312 pair Shoes; 3 pair Shoe-Buckles; 12 Screwdrivers; 12 Worms; 700 Gun Slings; 215 Cartridge-Belts.

By order of the Board, an Order was drawn in favour of Mr. Marshall, on Robert Morris, Esq., for three Pounds, for the use of his Boat going to Reedy-Island for James Carter, by order of the City Committee.

In obedience to the request of this Committee, Colonel Dickinson laid before the Congress the case of Dr. Kearsley and Mr. Brooks. The Congress declined making any particular order respecting them, having already formed a general resolution for arresting and securing such persons whose going at large may endanger the safety of any Colony or the liberties of America; so that the sense of the Congress appears to be, that Dr. Kearsley and Mr. Brooks should be closely confined.

Sunday, October 15, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety at Fort-Island: Present—
Robert Morris, President pro tem., Thomas Wharton, Jun., Owen Biddle, George Gray, Robert White, Samuel Morris, Jun., Bernard Dougherty.

The abovementioned Members have come down in order to view the works erecting here, and to consult what other buildings may he proper; find it necessary that the men employed on board the boats should have some convenient place, under cover, for dressing their victuals and drying themselves in bad weather, while employed at or near Fort-Island; therefore, it is

Resolved, That, provided this Board obtains permission from the Provincial Commissioners, part of the house on said Island be partitioned off in the middle, and that a person be employed for that purpose, and carry up a stack of Chimneys, and a Forge or Fire-place.

Monday, October 16, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—
Robert Morris, President pro tem., Thomas Wharton, Jun., George Gray, Benjamin Bartholomew, John Cadwallader, Bernard Dougherty, Owen Biddle, Daniel Roberdeau, Michael Swoope, Robert White, Samuel Morris, Jun., Andrew Allen.

Resolved, That Mr. Dougherty and Mr. Gray apply to the Provincial Commissioners for their approbation for this Board to fit up and erect Fire-places in the house on Fort-Island, and to erect what other works they find necessary for the defence of this Province; and that they apply to John Palmer to erect the works, agreeable to the Resolve of yesterday.

By order of the Board, an Order was drawn on Robert Morris, Esquire, in favour of Michael Dawson, for nine Pounds, for his services in delivering to the Pilots, and a number of Vessels at the Capes, Bay, and River Delaware, the Resolves of this Committee for regulating the Pilots.

On motion, Resolved, That six eighteen-pound Cannon be planted on a platform at Fort-Island, for the defence of this Province, and a Forge for heating Shot be erected; that a small Magazine, for the safety of Ammunition, be built, and that a Company of two Officers, a Drum and Fife, and twenty-five men, be employed for working the said Cannon; that Mr. Samuel Morris, Jun., and Mr. Robert White, be a Committee to see these Resolves carried into execution.

Resolved, That the abovementioned Company consist of one Captain, one Lieutenant, one Drum, one Fife, and twenty-five private men, to be immediately raised as a Company of Artillery, and that they engage to serve this Province for twelve months; or, if sooner discharged by this Board or Assembly, the said Officers and Men are to be paid one month’s pay over and above the time they shall have actually served; and that the pay of the said Officers be the same as Officers of the same rank employed by the Continental Congress, and the pay of the Privates to be six Dollars per month; and that every Artificer that may be enlisted and employed in their respective trades, for the service of this Province, be allowed three Shillings and nine Pence per day, over and above their pay.

Resolved, That the Pilots mentioned in the Resolve of the 11th instant be desired to attend this Board to-morrow morning, nine o’clock, with their proposals for their being employed in the service of this Province as Pilots.

Resolved, That three Hulks be purchased and sunk in the most convenient places for defence of this River; that Mr. Wharton and Colonel Roberdeau be a Committee to purchase said Hulks, and that Mr. White and Mr. Samuel Morris fix upon the most proper places for sinking them.

The Instructions for the Captains of the Armed Boats were this day gone through, approved of, and are as follow, viz:

General Instructions for the Commanders of the Provincial Armed Boats.

1. Every Captain or other Officer shall give strict attention that the Boat he commands be kept clean and in good order at all times.

2. The Officers of the Boats are to use the Crew well, and to keep strict discipline among them.

3. Each Captain shall appoint all Officers under the rank of a Commissioned Officer, and oblige them to perform diligently the duties of their station.

4. Every Captain and other Officer shall be punctual in observing the orders he shall from time to time receive from the Commodore, Committee of Safety, and Assembly.

5. No Powder to be expended for exercising either Great Guns or Small Arms, without orders from the Commodore, Committee of Safety, or Assembly; and only Swivel Guns or Muskets to be fired for signals, except in cases of immediate danger.

6. The Commodore shall order the Crews, or each Captain his respective Crew, to be exercised in the use of their Oars, Great Guns, Small Arms, and Pikes, as often as possible, without impeding the publick service, or harassing the men too much.

7. The Crew not to be suffered to go on shore or absent themselves from on board the Boats without leave from their Officers, nor to disturb any inhabitants or settlements on any pretence whatever.

8. The Commodore or Commanding Officer shall appoint proper signals, copies of which shall be given to the Captain or Commanding Officer of every Boat, to all which signals the Officers are to pay due obedience and respect.

9. The eldest Officer present, when more Boats are present than one, to act as Commodore, and have the command of the whole.

10. When a Boat is below the City, the Commanding Officer on board is to examine all Vessels bound up, whether the people on board are our friends or foes; and if they refuse satisfaction in these points, they are to be considered as enemies.

11. The Officers of the Boats are to treat the Masters and Crews of all Vessels, both foreign and others, who have no hostile intentions against us, and who do not violate the laws of the Continental Congress, or rules and regulations of the Committee of Safety or Assembly, with decency and good manners, nor are they to put them to unnecessary