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sum. I am, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
"To Michael Hillegas and George Clymer, Esqrs., Treasurers."
Colonel Cadwallader and Mr. Howell, from the Committee appointed to confer with Morgan Bustead, on the establishment of a Foundry for casting Cannon, report, that Bustead desires further time to consider of the matter.
Therefore, Resolved, That he be desired to attend this Board tomorrow, at eleven o'clock, in order to give his definitive answer, whether he will or will not engage in that service.
Saturday, December 30, 1775.
At a meeting of the Committee of Safety: Present—
John Nixon, Chairman, Thomas Wharton, Jun., George Clymer, Robert White, Owen Biddle, James Mease, John Cadwallader, Daniel Roberdeau, James Biddle, Joseph Reed.
Morgan Bustead attended, agreeable to a Resolve of yesterday, and promised to deliver in his Proposals for casting Cannon, to this Board, on Monday next.
Resolved, That Colonel Reed, Mr. Mease, and Mr. Owen Biddle, wait on the Naval Committee of Congress, and obtain of them an Order for all the Russia Sheeting which is not already appropriated to their particular use.
Resolved, That Mr. James Biddle wait on the Committee of Inspection and Observation, and request they would furnish this Board with a particular account of the goods in their possession, the property of Joshua Fisher & Sons.
By order of the Board, Mr. Whitehead was directed to discharge David Owen from his confinement.
The Congress sent the following Resolves, which are directed to be entered on the Minutes of this Board:
"In Congress, December 21, 1775.
"Resolved, That forty Iron Pots be provided for the Soldiers while in the Barracks near Philadelphia.
"That the Commissioned Officers of each Company be allowed, every week, a quarter of a cord of Hickory Wood, or other Wood in proportion.
"That there be provided, for the Battalion raised in Pennsylvania, one hundred Haversacks, a Camp Kettle for every six men, a Tomahawk, a Canteen, Cartouch Box, Knapsack, and two Belts for each man.
"That a Coat of uniform be provided for each Soldier, and that, what the Coat costs, more than the Hunting Shirt (value one dollar thirty-three and a third cents) that was to be given them, be deducted from their wages.
"That the said Battalion be paid one month's pay, as soon as may be; that, afterwards, they receive, monthly, half a month's pay, only, until so much is retained as will amount to the money advanced for their Fire-Arms, Clothing, &c., after which, they shall receive their full pay, monthly.
"That it be recommended to the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, to provide Arms for the three Companies that are ordered to march, and, also, to provide the articles ordered above for the use of the said Battalion, with Drums, Colours, and Fifes.
"December 26, 1775.—Resolved, That the Battalion raised in Pennsylvania be supplied with Gun-Brushes, Prickers, Double Worms, Screw Drivers, and Oil; and that it be recommended to the Committee of Safety for the said Colony to provide the same.
"December 28, 1775.—That an Order be drawn on the Treasurers, in favour of the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, for the use of the Battalion raised in said Colony, the said Committee to be accountable. (No sum mentioned.)
"October 12.—The men inlisted to be furnished with a Hunting Shirt (not exceeding one dollar thirty-three and a third cents) and a Blanket, provided these can be procured, but not to be made part of the terms of the inlistment.
"October 9.—That each of the Privates be allowed instead of a Bounty, a Felt Hat, a pair of Yarn Stockings and a pair of Shoes, the men to find their own Arms.
"Extract from the Minutes:
"CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary."
Resolved, That Messrs. Mease and Caldwell see the Resolves of Congress, respecting the Battalion therein mentioned, carried into execution.
Colonel Reed delivered the Board the following Resolve of the Committee of the City and Liberties, which was this day sent to the Committee of Northampton County, when they were desired to send down, as soon as possible, the fourteen quarter-casks of Gunpowder mentioned in said Resolve:
"In Committee, December 19, 1775.
"Resolved, That Major Bayard, Mr. Dean, Mr. Schlosser, and Captain Cowperthwaite, or any two of them, be a Committee to settle the Powder Accounts of the old Committee, and receive of the Committee of Safety the purchase money of fourteen casks of Powder, to be brought from Reading.
"Extract from the Minutes of the Committee for the City and County of Philadelphia.
"ROBERT S. JONES, Secretary."
Robert Towers, Commissary, makes the following Report:
That he has received from Captain George Ord, six Muskets, value, twenty-one pounds ten shillings; from John Pringle, twenty-eight pieces of Holland Duck, and sixty-seven pieces of Russia Duck. That he has delivered to Congress, agreeable to the orders of this Board, thirteen hundred weight, three quarters, and twenty-seven pounds of Lead—received by Captain Falconer; twelve pounds of Saltpetre, and six pounds of Powder—received by Captain Loxley. That he has delivered one pound of Powder to the Pennsylvania Hospital; delivered thirty pounds of Saltpetre to William Lush, to be made into Powder.
By order of the Board, Letters were this day wrote to the Committees of Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks, and Northampton Counties, requesting they would collect the Arms, belonging to the Province, that may be in the hands of the people of their respective Counties, and send them to the Board as fast as collected.
Monday, January 1, 1776.
In Committee of Safety: Present—
Alexander Wilcocks, Chairman, John Nixon, Owen Biddle, George Clymer, Thomas Wharton, Jun., John Cadwallader, Anthony Wayne, Daniel Roberdeau, James Biddle, James Mease.
Upon application of the Naval Committee of this Congress, this Board grant them permission to engage any three of the Pilots, in the pay of this Province, to conduct the vessels, belonging to the Congress, down to Reedy-Island, and immediately afterwards to return to their proper stations.
Mr. Robert Towers, Commissary, is directed to deliver fifty stand of Arms to Captain Samuel Nickolls, for the use of the Congress.
Upon application of this Board to the Naval Committee of Congress, for Russia Sheeting, for the use of Colonel Bull's Battalion, this Board was furnished with an Order for forty-five pieces, which was ordered to T>e delivered to Messrs. Mease and Caldwell, or order.
Upon application of the Naval Committee of Congress, that this Board would permit a number of men From the Armed Boats to navigate the vessels, belonging to the Congress, down to Reedy-Island, this Board gave the following Order to Captain Dougherty:
SIR: You are hereby required to order such a number of men to go from on board the armed boats, under your command, as may be necessary to navigate the vessels, belonging to the Congress, down to Reedy-Island; appoint some discreet officer or officers to take the*
and to bring them back by such*
be provided for them by the*
To Captain Henry Dougherty.
Upon application of Captain Allen Moore, that this Board would indulge him with the liberty of resigning his command as Commander of one of the Armed Boats; and having given his reasons why his request should be granted,
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