Thursday, November 16, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

Robert Morris, Samuel Howell, Samuel Miles, George Taylor, Bernard Dougherty, James Mease, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Anthony Wayne, John Montgomery, George Clymer.

By order of the Board, the Order drawn the 29th September, agreeable to a Resolve of the 26th, on Michael Hillegas, Esq., Treasurer to this Board, in favour of the Commissioners and Assessors of Northampton County, for the sum of three hundred Pounds, was delivered to George Taylor, Esq., to be transmitted to them.

Resolved, That Samuel Morris, Jun., and Robert White, the Committee for purchasing Logs for constructing Chevaux-de-Frise, do contract for and engage a sufficient number of Logs for building three tier of them.

Resolved, That one more tier of Chevaux-de-Frise be sunk above those already sunk, near to Fort-Island.

That two tier of Chevaux-de-Frise be sunk, for the security of this Province, in the channel opposite or near to Marcus Hook.

Resolved, That James Josiah be appointed First Lieutenant to the Armed Boat Chatham, commanded by Captain Alexander.

That—Mitchell be appointed Second Lieutenant to Captain Alexander.

Friday, November 17, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, Bernard Dougherty, Joseph Reed, Owen Biddle, Anthony Wayne, John Nixon, Robert White, George Clymer, Daniel Roberdeau.

Robert Towers, Commissary, reports his having received two hundred and three pounds of Gunpowder from George Lush, which is made out of Saltpetre purchased by this Board, and that there is seventeen pounds of Saltpetre wasted in refining the one hundred and seventeen pounds received from Yorktown.

Captain Dougherty having informed this Board that William Green, a person employed on board one of the Armed Boats, had publickly said he would enter on board a man-of-war the first opportunity, and do what mischief he could, as he was a Pilot: In consequence of the above information,

Resolved, That the said William Green be committed to the Jail of this County during the pleasure of this Board, to be there confined.

Agreeable to which Resolve, the following Commitment was issued:

“In Committee of Safety, November 17, 1775.

“You are hereby required to receive into your custody the body of William Green, a person employed on board the Armed Boat Congress, in the service of this Province, and safely keep him in the Jail of Philadelphia County, until you receive the further order of this Board.”

Resolved, That the Gunners and Matrosses, belonging to the Artillery Company, be allowed the accoutrements as proposed by Captain Thomas Proctor.

That Robert Towers, Commissary, get made a sufficient Gin for the use of the Artillery at Fort-Island.

That Captain Proctor provide a Drum and Fife for his Company.

By order of the Board, an Order was drawn and signed by the President, on Messrs. Mease and Caldwell, Treasurers to the Battalion now raising in this Province for the service of the Continent, in favour of Captain Dorsey, for sixty-six Pounds, seven Shillings, being for nineteen Firelocks he purchased for the use of his Company.

By order of the Board, a Letter was wrote to the Committee of Cumberland County, respecting some Firelocks in that County, belonging to this Province, recommending them to be put into the hands of the poor Associators.

By order of the Board, an Order was drawn and signed by Daniel Roberdeau, on Messrs, Mease and Caldwell, Treasurers to the Continental Battalion now raising in this Province, in favour of Thomas Miles, for four Pounds five Shillings, being for a Musket bought by Captain Harmar, for the use of his Company in said Battalion.

Saturday, November 18, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

Robert Morris, Daniel Roberdeau, John Nixon, John Cadwallader, George Clymer, Owen Biddle.

Monday, November 20, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

John Nixon, Chairman, George Clymer, Daniel Roberdeau, Thos. Wharton, Bernard Dougherty, Samuel Howell, Owen Biddle, Michael Swoope, Alexander Wilcocks.

By order of the Board, an Order was delivered to Mr. Chamberlain, Master-at-Arms, on Robert Towers, Commissary, for one hundred and fifty-five Priming-Wires and Brushes, for the use of the Arms on board the Armed Boats.

Tuesday, November 21, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

John Nixon, Chairman, George Clymer, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Owen Biddle, James Cadwallader, Robert White, James Biddle.

Upon application of this Board to the honourable the Assembly, they were pleased to come to the following Resolve, viz:

“Resolved, That in the absence of the President and Vice-President, any seven or more of the Committee of Safety, being met, may choose a Chairman for the time, in place of the President and Vice-President so absent.

“Extract from the Minutes:

“CHAS. MOORE, Clerk of Assembly.”

Upon application of Captain William Jenkins, for the payment of forty Firelocks, purchased by him for the use of his Company in the Battalion now raising for the Continental service: By order of the Board, an Order was drawn on the Treasurers of said Battalion, in his favour, for one hundred and thirty-three Pounds, three Shillings, and signed by the Chairman.

By order of the Board, Joseph Fox, Barrackmaster, was directed to provide Straw sufficient for the bedding of twenty-seven men, belonging to Captain Proctor’s Company.

Resolved, That William Allen, Jun., Jonathan Jones, William Williams, Josiah Harmar, Marion Le Mar, Thomas Dorsey, William Jenkins, and Austen Willit, Captains of the Battalion now raising in the Continental, service, Joseph Fox, Esq., Barrackmaster, and Mr. Samuel Caldwell, be desired to attend this Board to-morrow morning, at eleven o’clock.

Upon application of Captain Josiah Harmar, for the payment of two Muskets purchased by him for the use of his Company in the Continental Battalion now raising, an Order was drawn on the Treasurers of said Battalion, in his favour, for six Pounds, eight Shillings, and six Pence.

Upon application from the Continental Congress, by Robert Morris, Esq., to this Committee, for the purchase of the Ship Sally,

Resolved, That Thomas Wharton, Jun., call on Mr. Morris, and inform him that this Committee have agreed to let them have the said Ship at the price they bought her, with all charges since accrued.

Resolved, That Francis Gilbert be Second Lieutenant on board the Armed Boat Washington.

By order of the Board, an Order was delivered to Captain Shee and Captain Cadwallader, on Robert Towers, Commissary, for what pattern Firelocks and Bayonets they may have occasion for.

Wednesday, Novomber 22, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

Daniel Roberdeau, Chairman, Robert White, Samuel Morris, Jun., Owen Biddle, James Biddle, George Clymer, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Samuel Howell, John Cadwallader.

Upon application of Captain James Biddle and Captain Joseph Moulder, by order of the Board, an Order was directed to Mr. Towers, Commissary, to deliver to Captain Biddle twenty-five Gun-Slings, and to Captain Moulder