David Owen, a person suspected of inlisting Negroes, was brought before the Committee, and not giving proper and satisfactory answers to the questions put to him:

Resolved, That he be committed to the Work-House of this City till further orders.

Friday, December 15, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

John Nixon, Chairman, Samuel Howell, Owen Biddle, James Mease, George Clymer, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Daniel Roberdeau, Samuel Morris, Jun.

Robert Towers, Commissary, reports his having received the following articles in store, viz: Six dozen and nine Steel Ramrods, from Robert Mann. Twenty-eight pounds Buck-Shot; thirty-five pounds Musket Balls; two thousand Flints, from Robert Taggart. Twenty barrels Powder, supposed two thousand pounds; two kegs Powder, supposed fifty pounds, received from Captain Ord, on account of this Board.

That he has delivered to Captain Loxley, by order of Mr. Owen Biddle, seven pounds of Saltpetre.

Mr. Samuel Howell informing this Board that he has a considerable quantity of Sea-Coal in the Island of Jamaica,

Resolved, That he be requested to write to Jamaica, and give orders for a load of Coal to be sent from thence to this place, on account of this Committee, if it can be delivered at three shillings, currency, per bushel, or under.

Upon application of Daniel Offley and William Clifton, that this Board would advance a sum of money towards Searching for a Coal Mine, said to be in Bucks County,

Resolved, That this Board pay one-half the sum expended for that purpose, provided the whole expense doth not exceed one hundred pounds, and in case the said Mine is worked, that this Board have the refusal of any quantity they may want for the use of the publick.

Garret Hulscamp having made application for liberty to have his Boat go down the bay, to take him out of Captain Johnston's ship, of which he was Pilot,

Resolved, That the liberty he prays for be granted, provided he goes no further than the Brown, and that he avoid going, or being taken on board any British Ship or other vessel of war.

Upon application of Mr. Mease, an Order was directed to Captain Dougherty, to discharge from Captain Henderson's Boat, Daniel McMichael, as he is to be employed in another service.

Resolved, That Colonel Roberdeau, Mr. Biddle, and Mr. Mease, be a Committee to draw up Rules and Regulations for the government of the Officers and Men belonging to the Armed Boats, while they are quartered in the Barracks.

Saturday, December 16, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

John Nixon, Chairman, Daniel Roberdeau, James Mease, George Clymer, Samuel Howell, Alexander Wilcocks, James Biddle, Owen Biddle, Samuel Morris, Jun.

By order of the Board, John M. Nesbitt, Esq., was desired to deliver Sergeant Webster the Watch-Coats made for the Artillery Company.

By order of the Board, an Order was drawn on Messrs. Mease and Caldwell, in favour of Captain William Jenkins, for ten pounds, ten shillings and six pence, being the amount of three Firelocks purchased by him for the use of his Company in the Continental Battalion.

This Board being informed that part of the New Jail is now in order for the reception of prisoners; and the Jailer and Work-House Keeper of this City having informed, that the badness of the Jail and Work-House is dangerous and inconvenient to the prisoners, therefore,

Resolved, That the Prisoners confined by this Board, agreeable to the directions of Congress, be removed to the new Jail; and that the following Orders be delivered:

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

In Committee of Safety, Philadelphia, December 16, 1775.

You are hereby required to conduct the Soldiers and three Sailors from Rhode-Island, now prisoners in your Jail, to the new Jail in this City, and there deliver them into the custody of Mr. Thomas Apty.

By order:

JOHN NIXON, Chairman.

To JAMES WHITEHEAD, Keeper of the Work-House, PHILADELPHIA:

You are hereby required to deliver into the custody of Mr. Thomas Apty all the Soldiers now in the Work-House, confined by order of this Board.

By order:

JOHN NIXON, Chairman.

Resolved, That Thomas Apty be appointed to take care of the Prisoners in the new Jail until the proper Jailer moves into it.

That the said Apty supply the Prisoners with Provisions at the rate of one dollar per week, as allowed by Congress.

Monday, December 18, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

John Nixon, Chairman, Thomas Wharton, Jun., George Clymer, Robert White, Samuel Howell, Daniel Roberdeau, Alexander Wilcocks, Anthony Wayne.

Resolved, That the absent Members, in the City, be notified to attend the Board to-morrow morning, punctually at nine o'clock, to which time the consideration of allowing the makers of Saltpetre part payment in Gunpowder, is deferred, as a matter of great importance.

Robert Towers reports his having received the following quantity of Sail-Cloth:

Twenty-five pieces, containing nine hundred and eighty-seven yards and three-quarters, from William Will; six pieces, containing two hundred and twenty yards, part of that bought by John Moulder at Brigantine-Beach, and of James Loughead.

Agreeable to a Resolve of the 14th instant, Mr. John Ross, Mustermaster, reports that there is on board the thirteen Armed Boats: Men in pay, four hundred and seventy-seven, fifty-four of whom are sick; Bedding complete, sixty-nine; Beds, seventy-four; Blankets, one hundred and thirty-two; Rugs, two.

Upon application of the Pilots, employed by this Board in piloting vessels between this Port and Chester, that their pay might be increased, as they find from the expenses they are obliged to be at, that the allowance of six pounds per month, is not sufficient for their maintenance:

And the Board taking the same into consideration, do

Resolve, That the ten Pilots, employed as aforesaid, be allowed the sum of seven Pounds per month for their services, which pay shall commence the 21st instant.

By order of the Board, the Order drawn agreeable to a Resolve of the 26th of September, and dated the 29th, in favour of the Commissioners and Assessors of Berks County, for four hundred pounds, was this day delivered to Mr. Michael Bright, of that County.

Upon motion, Ordered, That Mr. Towers, Commissary, furnish this Board to-morrow, with an account of the quantity and sizes of Shot now in the store.

Tuesday, December 19, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—

Robert Morris, Vice President, John Nixon, Samuel Howell, Samuel Miles, Daniel Roberdeau, Joseph Reed, Anthony Wayne, Samuel Morris, Jun., George Clymer, Alexander Wilcocks, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Owen Biddle.

Agreeable to the Order of yesterday, Mr. Towers, Commissary, reports the following quantity and sizes of Shot now in store, viz: