Saturday, February 3, 1776.

In Committee of Safety: Present—

John Nixon, Chairman, James Biddle, George Clymer, Samuel Mites, Joseph Reed, Samuel Howell, Owen Biddle, Daniel Roberdcau, James Mease, John Cadwallader, Robert White.

Upon application of Mr. James Wallace, a gentleman, appointed by the Committee of Bucks County, to receive and pay for the Saltpetre that may be made and delivered him in that County, by order of the Board an Order was drawn on Mr. John Nixon, and others, the Committee of Accounts, for fifteen Pounds, and an Order on Mr. Towers, Commissary, for one-quarter cask of Powder, for the above said purpose.

Upon application of Mr. Antis, an Order was directed to Mr. Towers, to deliver him six pounds of Powder, to repay that quantity borrowed by him to prove a cannon made by himself and Mr. Potts, at Warwick-Furnace.

Robert Colebrook and James O'Neil, two persons taken with Captain Campbell, and confined in Jail by order of the Congress, were this day discharged from their confinement.

John Brown, the servant of Doctor Connolly, was ordered from the Jail to the Work-House, there to be kept in safe custody till the further orders of this Board.

In consequence of a Petition from John Hackett, late Stewart on board the Dickinson, the Commodore was this day directed to discharge him from the Fleet.

Resolved, That the pay of the Captains of the Armed Boats be increased to ten Pounds per month, or twenty-six and two-thirds Dollars; the pay of the First Lieutenants be seventeen Dollars per month; that the pay of the Second Lieutenants be fourteen Dollars per month, to commence the first instant.

Resolved, That all Ships or Vessels-of-War, with their boats, guns, tackle, furniture, and goods on board, that shall be taken and made prize of in the river Delaware by any of the Vessels, or Armed Boats, fitted or fitting out for this Province, and be condemned as lawful prize, shall be two-third parts thereof for the use of the Captors, and the remaining one-third part thereof to be applied, by the Assembly or Committee of Safety of this Province, for the maintenance and support of such Officers, Soldiers, and Seamen as shall be maimed or disabled in the said service, and of the Widows and Children of such as may be killed in the same, in such manner as the said Assembly or Committee shall think proper.

Resolved, That all other Ships or Vessels, Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, that shall be taken by any of the Vessels, or Armed Boats, fitted or fitting out by this Province, and condemned as lawful prize, shall be distributed according to the Resolve of the Congress.

Monday, February 5, 1776.

In Committee of Safety: Present—

James Mease, Chairman, Owen Biddle, George Clymer, Daniel Roberdeau, John Cadwallader, Alexander Wilcocks, Samuel Hoivell, James Biddle, Samuel Morris, Thomas Wharton, Jun., George Gray.

Resolved, That the Officers and Soldiers of the Batteries belonging to this Province, shall be entitled to a proportionable share of all Prizes that shall be taken within sight of the same, or after having been engaged with such Battery.

Barnet Eichelberger, appointed by this Board as a Lieutenant in the Sixth Battalion of Continental Troops, to be raised in this Province, having resigned his commission, and the Committee of York County having recommended Mr. John Eddy as a proper person to be appointed in his stead:

Resolved, That the said Mr. John Eddy be appointed First Lieutenant in said Battalion, in the place of Mr. Barnet Eichelberger.

By order of the Board an Order was drawn on John Nixon, and others, the Committee of Accounts, for twenty-two Shillings and six Pence, in favour of William Chew, being for horse-hire, and his trouble in delivering a Letter from this Board to Mr. Thomas Austin, and others.

The Petition from the Committee of Privates being read, this Board

Resolved, That the matters therein prayed for are reasonable and proper, and this Committee will pay a due regard to the same.

Resolved, That the appointment of the Officers of the Company of Matrosses, to be raised for the service of the United Colonies, be adjourned to the 7th instant.

Tuesday, February 6, 1776.

In Committee of Safety: Present—

John Nixon, Chairman, Samuel Howell, James Biddle, George Clymer, Joseph Reed, Owen Biddle, Alexander Wilcocks, John Cadwallader, George Gray, Daniel Ro-berdeau, James Mease.

Resolved, That Mr. Mease, Mr. Clymer, and Mr. Howell be a Committee to treat with Messrs. Bayard and Hodge concerning the importation of a number of Firelocks from foreign parts.

Upon application of Mr. John Wilcocks, an Order was drawn on Michael Hillegas, Esq., in favour of himself, Samuel Meredith, and Richard Peters, Jun., for one hundred and fifty Pounds, being towards the payment of Gun-Locks and Files engaged for this Province.

Mr. Thomas Austin, agreeable to a Resolve of the 31st ultimo, appeared before this Board and examined, in answer to the Depositions of Josiah Hart, Marshall Edwards, Jacob Laughlin, and Casper Fetters, against him, as a person inimical to the liberties of America, and, agreeable to his desire, the Board did not determine as to the matters alleged against him, he having promised to attend on Wednesday next, which time was given him in order to his bringing evidence, should he find any to appear in his favour; and Mr. Austin promises to give notice to the gentlemen who have already given evidence against him, should he bring any to confront them.

Wednesday, February 7, 1776.

In Committee of Safety: Present—

Owen Biddle, Chairman, Daniel Roberdeau, George Clymer, Samuel Howell, George Gray, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Samuel Morris, Jun., James Biddle, Anthony Wayne.

By order of the Board, an Order was drawn on Messrs. Mease and Caldwdl, in favour of William Rush, for thirty-two Pounds five Shillings and nine Pence, being the amount of eleven Firelocks, purchased by him for the use of Captain Jones's Company, in the Battalion late Colonel Bull's.

Doctor Hugh Hodge having been examined by the Surgeons and Physicians appointed for that purpose, was recommended by them as a proper person to be appointed Surgeon to a Battalion.

Therefore, Resolved, That the said Hugh Hodge be appointed Surgeon to the Third Battalion of

Troops to be raised in this Province for theservice of the United Colonies.

Resolved, That Mr. Towers examine into the prices of the different articles (except the repairing of arms) charged in Captain Moulder's Account, and if they are found reasonable, this Board will pay for them.

A Letter was wrote to the Committee of Safety of the Province of Maryland, offering to instruct such persons as are recommended by them, or any of their Committees, in the method of making Saltpetre, and ordered to he signed by the Chairman.

Thursday, February 8, 1776.

In Committee of Safety: Present—

John Nixon, Chairman, Samuel Howell, Henry Wynkoop, James Biddle, Daniel Roberdeau, Joseph Reed, George Gray, Owen Biddle, Alexander Wilcocks.

Upon application of Colonel Joseph Penrose, an Order was drawn on Messrs. Mease and Caldwell, for one thousand Pounds, in his favour, being for the use of Colonel Magau's Battalion, now raising for the service of the Uni-ted Colonies.