number of Blankets for supplying the Battalion now raising in this Province for the Continental service.

Resolved, That the Barrackmaster be directed to deliver to the Captain of each Company of the Battalion raising in this Province a proportionable part of the Bedding and Utensils now in the Barracks, taking from each Captain a receipt for such as shall be delivered to him, which receipt shall also contain a promise that such Bedding and Utensils as are intended for Officers shall not be made use of by any of the private men in their respective Companies; and that the same be used in the Barracks only, and be returned to the Barrackmaster, on demand.

Resolved, That each of the Captains of the Continental Battalion now raising be directed to look out for a sufficient number of good substantial Firelocks and Bayonets, for the use of the men in their respective Companies; and the same being approved of, as to price and quality, by Robert Towers, Commissary, and Thomas Savage, and they certifying the same, the Officers shall then purchase them, and receive an Order from this Board for the amount of the purchase money of such Muskets as shall be so approved of.

The Committee appointed to contract for building a Ship informing the Board, from the unfitness of the season, and the many difficulties they foresee in the execution of the work, they apprehend she will not be completed so early the next year as the publick service may require: therefore,

Resolved, That the said Committee be authorized to make an immediate purchase, and equip any Ship they may think suitable for the purpose.

Resolved, That Mr. Wharton, Mr. White, Mr. Clymer, and Mr. Nixon, the Committee of Pilots, be desired to hire a Pilot-Boat to cruise in the Bay of Delaware, as an express or intelligence Boat.

Saturday, November 11, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

Robert Morris, Daniel Roberdeau, John Nixon, Samuel Morris, Jun., George Gray, James Mease, Alexander Wilcocks, Owen Biddle, Robert White, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Samuel Miles, John Montgomery, John Cadwallader, Samuel Howell.

Agreeable to a Resolve of yesterday, the Order for three thousand Dollars, for the use of the Battalion now raising, was this day delivered to Messrs. Mease and Caldwell, and is as follows, viz:

“Congress Chamber, November 9, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: Please to pay to the Committee of Safety of Philadelphia three thousand Dollars, an advance for the use of the Battalion now raising; the expenditure of which to be accounted for by the said Committee of Safety.

“By order of Congress:

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.

“To Michael Hillegas, and George Clymer, Esqs., Continental Treasurers.”

Endorsed in Committee.

Please to pay the contents to Messrs. Mease and Caldwell, for account of the Battalion now raising in this Province. By order of the Board:

ROBEET MORRIS, Vice-President.

Mr. Towers, Commissary, is ordered to deliver to Captain Proctor six eighteen pound Cannon, with all the necessary Stores, and Implements belonging to them, for the service of this Province, at Fort-Island.

Resolved, That Mr. Samuel Caldwell purchase a sufficient number of Shoes, Hats, Stockings, and Linen proper for Hunting Shirts, for the Battalion now raising in this Province for the Continental service.

Resolved, by this Committee, That it is expedient to provide one thousand Firelocks and Bayonets, for the defence of this Province; that Colonel Cadwallader and Mr. Wilcocks request the favour of Captain Shee, and Captain Wilcocks, and Captain Cadwallader, to contract for and provide the same.

Colonel Cadwallader and Mr. Wilcocks report to this Board, that the abovementioned gentlemen will endeavour to contract for and supply the number of Firelocks required.

Resolved, That Captain Shee, Captain Wilcocks, and Captain Cadwallader, be authorized to contract for and provide any number of Firelocks and Bayonets, not exceeding one thousand, to be made agreeable to a pattern which this Board will deliver them, and for a price that shall not exceed what is given by the Commissioners and Assessors of the County where they shall make such contract; that the said Firelocks, before they are accepted, shall be proved by Robert Towers, Commissary; and this Board do agree to advance such sums of Money as may be necessary to expedite and complete the said business.

John Saunders, Pilot, being a person who, by the regulations of this Board, ought not to bring a vessel higher up the River Delaware than the Town of Chester, having wantonly, and in defiance of the orders of this Board, piloted a Ship through the Chevaux-de-Frise, to the great danger of damaging the said Ship and hazard of the safety of this Province,

This Board, after due examination, and being fully satisfied of the truth of the above facts, in order to punish the said Pilot, and to deter others from the like offences, do resolve, that the said John Saunders be committed to the common Jail of this County, and there to be kept in safe custody during the pleasure of this Board.

In consequence of the above Resolve, the following commitment was issued, viz:

“In Committee of Safety.

“To THOMAS DEWEES, Keeper of the Jail of PHILADELPHIA County:

“ You are hereby required to receive into your custody the body of John Saunders, and safely keep him in the Jail of Philadelphia County, until you receive the further order of this Board.

“ROBERT MORRIS, Vice-President.

November 11, 1775.”

Monday, November 13, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

Robert Morris, JolinCadivallader, Samuel Morris, Jun., Bernard Dougherty, Daniel Roberdeau, Robert White, Owen Biddle, George Clymer, John Nixon.

Upon application of Captain Proctor, of the Artillery Company, an Order was drawn, by order of the Board, on Joseph Fox, Esq., to deliver him what Provincial Arms he may have in his possession.

Oliver De Lancy, a Lieutenant in His Majesty’s Navy, having arrived here from London, upon motion, it is

Resolved, That he should give the following Parole of Honour, which he read, agreed to, and signed, viz:

“I, Oliver De Lancy, Lieutenant in his Majesty’s Navy, now in the custody and under the protection of the Committee of Safety of the Province of Pennsylvania, do hereby promise, upon the honour of an officer and a gentleman, that I will not bear arms against the United American Colonies during the present contest between them and Great Britain; and that I will not in that time attempt to give any intelligence to the British Ministry, or to any officer commanding any troops employed against the Colonies, or person holding any office under the British Government, on any matter relative to America.

“OLIVER DE LANCY. “

Wednesday, November 15, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, John Nixon, Owen Biddle, Alexander Wilcocks, Daniel Roberdeau, Bernard Dougherty, James Mease, Robert While, George Clymer, Samuel Howell, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Samuel Miles, John Cadwallader, Anthony Wayne.

An Account of Thomas Dewees, Jail-Keeper, for Liquor and Provisions supplied the Guards that attended whilst Dr. Kearsley and J. Brooks were confined, was exhibited to the Board; and upon consideration thereof, and the sense of the Board being taken thereon,

Resolved, That this Board will allow every person that mounted guard on that occasion Continental pay, or eighteen Pence, every twelve hours, for a Private, and in proportion for a greater or less time, with twelve Pence in lieu of Rations, and no more.