prove a considerable addition to our strength, yet as there are material objections made to it, and as they understand, are to be laid before your honourable House, by divers bodies of respectable men, they submit to you whether it will not be highly expedient and consistent with good policy immediately to remove every cause of discontent on this head from the minds of the Associators, who, under an apprehension of partial and unequal burdens imposed on them, have, nevertheless, had the virtue not to refuse their services to their country, in confidence that your honourable House will reconsider the several provisions and regulations complained of, and give them satisfaction therein.

ALEXANDER WILCOCKS, Chairman.

Resolved, That this Committee lend Doctor Robert Harris the sum of one hundred and ten Pounds, which he is to give bond for to John Nixon, James Mease, and Thomas Wharton, Jun., payable in twelve months, which sum is to assist him in forwarding the building of a Powder Mill, and the manufacturing of Gunpowder.

In consequence of the above Resolve, by order of the Board an order was drawn on Michael Hillegas, Esquire, in favour of said Harris, for one hundred and ten Pounds.

Friday, February 23, 1776.

In Committee of Safety: Present—

John Nixon, Chairman, Robert White, Samuel Howell, Daniel Roberdeau, Owen Biddle, George Clymer, James Biddle.

Upon application of Captain White, for forty-five pieces of Sailcloth to make Sails for the Ship now building, by order of the Board Robert Towers was directed to deliver the following numbers, or as many of them as he has in his possession, viz: 5 pieces No. 1, 5 pieces No. 2, 4 pieces No. 3, 11 pieces No. 4 or 5, 6 pieces No. 6, 14 pieces No. 7.

Resolved, That the sum of fifty Pounds be lent to Henry Huber, and one hundred and fifty Pounds be lent to Thomas Heinburgher, to enable them to erect Powder-Mills, they having given bonds, with security, for the same, to the Committee of Accounts; and that Orders be drawn for the said several sums, in favour of the said Huber and Heinburgher, respectively.

Agreeable to the above Resolve, the Orders therein mentioned were drawn, and delivered to Mr. Christopher Ludwick.

Resolved, That Mr. Owen Biddle and Captain Robert White be a Committee to go to the Barracks, and muster the Men belonging to the Armed Boats in the service of this Province, and make return of the same to this Board.

Upon application of Peter De Haven, for one hundred pounds of Brass, for the use of Mr. Parker, for mounting Fire-locks made by Lewis Prahl, by order of the Board Robert Towers, Commissary, was directed to deliver the said one hundred pounds of Brass.

Resolved, That the following Notice be published in the different Papers of this city, viz:

A Mustermaster is wanted to the Naval Armament belonging to this Province. Any Associator disposed to serve the publick in this office is desired to make proposals to this Board, on or before the 5th of March next.

Saturday, February 24, 1776.

In Committee of Safety: Present—

Robert Morris, John Nixon, Daniel Roberdeau, Joseph Reed, George Clymer, Samuel Howell, Owen Biddle, Alexander Wilcocks.

Resolved, That Captain Proctor make use of seven rooms in the Pest-House, on Province-Island, for quartering part of the Artillery Company.

That there be six eighteen-pound Gun-carriages made for the use of the Battery at Fort-Island, and that Mr. Neil be employed in making one of the said Carriages, and furnish this Board with an account of the same.

That Captain Proctor have the use of as many Firelocks as he may have occasion for, and a six-pound Cannon, to exercise the men under his command, and that Robert Towers be directed to deliver the same.

That Commodore Caldwell and Captain Proctor fix upon proper Signals for the Fleet, Merchantmen, and Battery, and that the same be communicated to the Pilots employed in navigating Vessels through the chevaux-de-frise.

That Captain Proctor procure a Flag-staff for the Fort, with a Flag of the United Colonies.

That Robert Towers put up fifty rounds of Cartridge, with different kinds of Shot, for each of the six eighteen-pound Cannon on the Battery at Fort-Island.

That Mr. Owen Biddle and Captain White order a Smith's Shop and Forge to be erected on Fort-Island, and to furnish the same with proper Smiths' Tools.

That the said Committee see that the necessaries wanting at Fort-Island, for the use of the Battery, and for Captain Proctor's Company, not mentioned in the above Resolves, be supplied.

Resolved, That Jeremiah Simmons, now a Lieutenant on board one of the Armed Boats, be appointed First Lieutenant in Captain Proctor's Company of Artillery.

Monday, February 26, 1776.

In Committee of Safety: Present—

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

Resolved, That Mr. Nixon and Mr. White employ as many Ship-Carpenters as they may think proper, to work on board the Provincial Ship now building by Simon Sherlock, in order that the building of her may be forwarded in the most expeditious manner.

Resolved, That Mr. Owen Biddle write to Mr. Benjamin Rittenhouse, and desire that he will remove to this city, as soon as possible, and that he send a man, express, with said Letter, informing him this Board accept his proposals, and that they allow him two hundred and fifty Pounds per annum for carrying on the Gun-Lock Manufactory on account of this Board.

Tuesday, February 27, 1776.

In Committee of Safety: Present—

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

The following Resolve of Assembly was sent to this Committee the 17th instant, ordered this day to be inserted in the Minutes of this Board:

"Upon motion respecting the utility and expediency of immediately erecting a Powder-Mill for the use and on account of this Province, and requesting the sentiments of the House on this measure, the said motion was taken into consideration, and, after some debate thereon,

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this House that the erecting such Powder-Mill is a necessary and proper measure, and that the same ought to be immediately carried into execution under the direction of the Committee of Safety, upon the best terms that can be had, as to the place, materials, and persons to be employed in such undertaking.

Extract from the Minutes:

CHARLES MOORE, Clerk of Assembly."

Resolved, That this Board will carry the above Resolve of Assembly into execution.

Robert Towers, Commissary, reports that he received, as per certificate of February 13, from Guager, Kinder and Dumwick, 35 Fire-locks, complete, which were made by them; that he received 20 Wheelbarrows from Mr. Owen Biddle; 11 Cutlasses, received from Samuel Morris, and delivered to the Chatham and Ranger armed boats; 15 ounces Saltpetre, received from Thomas Brooks, which cost four shillings and ten pence; 28 pounds Lead, received from James Chapman, cost ten shillings; 4½ pounds Saltpetre, for which he delivered 17 ounces Powder, and sixteen shillings and ten and-a-half pence, cash; 1 Cutlass, received from Hugh Hodeman, cost five shillings; 50 tons Saltpetre, received from Congress.

That he delivered to Captain White, agreeable to orders, 45 pieces of Sail-Cloth; that he delivered, to prove five swivels, 2 ½ pounds Powder, and 5 Shot.