The following Proposals were this day delivered to the Committee appointed to inquire for proper places to erect suitable Works for manufacturing of Gunpowder, viz:

That this Committee will encourage six Powder-Mills, on the following terms:

1.To lend to each person any sum not exceeding one

hundred and fifty Pounds, on giving good security to employ it in erecting a Powder-Mill, and either repay it in money or work.

2.That this Committee will supply said Mills, immediately, with fifty tons of Saltpetre, in proportion to the quantities of Powder they deliver per week.

3.That they will pay eight Dollars per hundred for Powder manufactured and delivered in this city, this Committee only finding Saltpetre, and half the expense of tight casks, the Powder-makers all the other materials, and to be at all expense of carriage.

4.When unrefined Saltpetre is delivered, ten Shillings per hundred weight be allowed for refining, and the return of Powder be proportioned thereto, Saltpetre to be manufactured to the best advantage, and not less than one hundred and forty six pounds of good Powder being to be delivered for one hundred pounds Saltpetre.

5.That one hundred Dollars be allowed as a premiumfor the first, fifty for the second, and thirty for the third Powder-Mills, which shall deliver one ton, each, of Powder.

6.That the above Mills have the preference by thisCommittee, of all Powder-Mills hereafter erected, in the supply of Saltpetre, and the materials for twelve months, they making the same into Powder on equal terms with other persons.

7.No Powder-maker engaging in this contract, to sellany Powder, directly or indirectly, and to be under oathif required to this purpose.

Monday, February 12, 1776.

In Committee of Safety: Present—

James Mease, Chairman, Owen Biddle, Daniel Roberdeau, Robert White, Robert Morris, Joseph Reed, George Clymer, Alexander Wilcocks, Samuel Howell, Samuel Morris, Jun., John Cadwallader, John Dickinson, and John Nixon.

Resolved, That Matthew Whitlow, be appointed First Lieutenant to the Company of Matrosses directed by the Congress to be raised in this Province for the service of Canada.

A Letter from the President of the Congress, requesting that the Battalions in this city, would furnish a number of men equal to one Battalion, in order to be detached to New-York, was read, and taken into consideration.

Therefore, Resolved, That this Committee request the Field-Officers of the several Battalions in this city to meet as soon gs they conveniently can, to fix on Officers to go on that service, and to take the proper steps to carry the above request into execution.

That the Rifle Battalion be requested to furnish one company, to be added to the Battalion to be detached.

Resolved, That Mr. Dickinson be directed to apply to the honourable Congress, to replace the whole number of Arms that this Board has supplied them with.

Tuesday, February 13, 1776.

In Committee of Safety: Present—

John Nixon, Chairman, Daniel Roberdeau, George Clymer, Samuel Miles, Alexander Wilcocks, Samuel Morris, Jun., Samuel Howell, Thomas Wharton, Jun., George Gray, John Montgomery.

Upon application of John Willis, for the payment of his Account for repairing Fire-locks for Capt. Harmar's Company, of the Battalion late Colonel Bull's, an Order was drawn on Messrs. Mease and Caldwell, for twenty-one Pounds seventeen Shillings and nine Pence, being the amount of his Account.

Upon application of Lewis Grant, for a quantity of Brass, for making furniture for Fire-locks engaged by Cap tain Wilcocks, and others, by order of the Board an Order was drawn on Robert Towers, Commissary, for two hundred pounds of Brass.

Resolved, That Joseph Fox, Esquire, advance to Messrs.Ganger, Dumwick, and Kinder, three men employed by him in making Fire-Arms for the use of this Province, fifty Pounds each, for which they are to deliver thirty-five stand of Arms without receiving any payment; and Mr. Fox is desired to take their separate Obligations.

Colonel Dickinson delivered at this Board the following

Resolve of Congress:

" In Congress, February 12, 1776.

Resolved, That fifty tons of Saltpetre be delivered bythe Secret Committee to the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, who are requested to have the same manufacturedinto Gunpowder, in the cheapest and most expeditiousmanner; and that this Congress will confirm any Contractsmade for the above purpose.

Extract from the Minutes:

CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary. "

Wednesday, February 14, 1776.

In Committee of Safety: Present—

George Clymer, Chairman, Robert White, Samuel Howell, Daniel Roberdeau, John Montgomery, George Taylor, Owen Biddle, Anthony Wayne, Samuel Miles, George Gray.

Upon application of Captain Cowperthwait, for this Board to supply his Company with a sufficient number of Cartridges and Canteens, by order of the Board Mr. Towers was directed to supply the above articles, taking a receipt for the same on the Continental service, he to go to New-York with the Battalion under: the command of Colonel Dickinson, agreeable to a requisition of Congress.

That Doctor Samuel Kennedy be appointed Surgeon to the Fourth Battalion of Pennsylvania Troops, in the service of the United Colonies.

Resolved, That William Moulder be appointed Second Lieutenant in the Fourth Battalion of Pennsylvania Troops, in the service of the United Colonies, in the room of Thomas Holland, who has resigned, having teen appointed in another county.

Upon application of Joseph Fox, Esq., one of the Commissioners of this City, for a sum of Money for the payment of Fire-locks, &c., by order of the Board an Order was drawn on Michael Hittegas, Treasurer, for five hundred Pounds, in his favour, for the above purpose.

Upon application of Francis Wade, for a sum of Money, an Order was drawn in his favour, on John Nixon, and others, the Committee of Accounts, for three hundred Pounds, being towards the payment of Provisions supplied the Boats and Artillery Company.

Thomas Austin having appeared before this Board, agreeable to promise, and having nothing further to offer in defence of the charges alleged against him, as a person inimical to the liberties of America, he signed the following Declaration, which is ordered by this Board to be published in the publick Papers of this City, viz:

"In Committee of Safety, Philadelphia, February 14, 1776.

As the Committee of Safety for this Province have adjudged my late conduct to be inimical to the cause of American freedom, I am sincerely sorry that I have given any displeasure to my countrymen, and do solemnly declare, that I never intended by any thing that I have said or done to obstruct the measures carried on for the maintaining the liberties of these Colonies. I do, further, in the like solemn manner declare, and promise, that I will not, for the future, throw any reflection on the publick measures aforesaid, or the advisers or promoters of them, nor in any manner, whatever, endeavour to obstruct or discredit such measures. I do, also, resign my seat as a member of the Committee of Inspection and Observation of this County.

THOMAS AUSTIN."

The following Resolve of Congress was this day delivered to this Committee:

"In Congress, February 13, 1776.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Committee of Safety for Pennsylvania, in case the barracks near Philadelphia cannot contain the troops raised in Pennsylvania, that may want Quarters, to have the remainder placed in the Pest-House and old Jail of this city.

Extract from the Minutes:

CHARLES THOMSON, secretary."