was presented to the House and read, setting forth, That the Petitioner, emboldened by the laudable attention of the honourable House to the promotion and encouragement of useful manufactures in this Province, begs leave to represent that, at a considerable expense, and after several years’ close application, he hath made himself perfect master of the aforesaid business in all its branches, according to the best established and approved methods practised in the most noted manufacturing towns in England. That about sixteen months ago, the Petitioner arrived in this city, and engaged with the Managers of the House of Employment, at a small annual salary, where (by their permission, at his own risk, and at a very considerable cost) he erected several useful implements and machines, the whole of which are now in use there. That the most material machine is a twisting and throwing-mill, entirely of the Petitioner’s own invention, which is a most excellent improvement upon any heretofore known, and answering every purpose that was expected; greatly forwarding the business, by lessening the labour that was otherwise necessary for carrying it on, and such an one as he apprehends was never known before in any part of the world. That the Petitioner hath, in the said House of Employment, brought the thread manufactory to a perfection before unknown in this Province, or, as he is informed, in America, it being generally allowed by the consumers (the only true judges) that the threads he manufactures there are vastly preferable to any imported or elsewhere had. That the Petitioner, far from wanting to make any secret of his business or machine, is willing to instruct any proper or capable persons in the whole business, and to do everything in his power to establish the manufacture in this Province, the great utility of which, on many accounts, is universally acknowledged, and more particularly at this time necessary.

That the Petitioner therefore prays the honourable House to take the premises into consideration, and hopes they will consider him as an useful manufacturer, as also the first inventor and introducer of a most excellent machine into this Province, not applied to his own benefit by the partial or exclusive use of it, but that it is of a publick benefit and utility, being, as aforesaid, now in use at the House of Employment; and that the honourable House will grant him such bounty or encouragement as he may be judged to merit.

Ordered to lie on the table.

Upon motion, the Memorial from the Managers of the United Company of Philadelphia, for promoting American Manufactures, was again read; and, after some debate thereon,

Ordered, That Mr. Miles, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Reed, Mr. Brown, Mr. Pennock, Mr. Grubb, Mr. Swoope, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Chreist, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Dougherty, and Mr. Hunter, be a Committee to consider of, and report to the House, the best mode of encouraging the culture of Flax in this Province.

The Governour, by Mr. Secretary, returned the Bill intituled “An Act to enable the Keepers of Records, in the Counties of Philadelphia and Chester, to remove them to more safe and convenient places,” and acquainted the House he should be ready to pass the said Bill into a law whenever presented to him for that purpose.

The House adjourned to three o’clock, P. M.

Post Meridian.

The House resumed the consideration of the Resolutions of the Continental Congress, laid before them on Thursday, the 22d instant; and, after some time spent therein,

Ordered, That Mr. Gray, Mr. Reed, Mr. Rodman, Mr. Gibbons, Mr. Slough, Mr. Swoope, Mr.Chreist, Mr.Taylor, Mr. Dougherty, Mr. Hunter, and Mr. Thompson, be a Committee to make inquiry what part of the Arms and Accoutrements, directed by the late Assembly to be provided for publick use, are now completed, and when the whole will probably be procured; and that the said Members use their utmost endeavours to forward this necessary business in their respective Counties.

The House being informed by a Member, who is also a Member of the Committee of Safety, that the Committee have diligently applied themselves to the promoting the manufacture of good Arms in this Province,

Resolved, That the Resolution of Congress of the 4th of November last be transmitted to the Committee of Safety, and that they be directed to prosecute their measures for the procuring good Arms with the utmost industry.

Ordered, That Mr. Gray, Mr. Miles, Mr. Morris, Mr. Reed, Mr. Wynkoop, Mr. Pyle, Mr. Ross, Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Thompson, be a Committee to prepare a Resolve inflicting the following punishments upon such persons as harbour Deserters from the Continental and Provincial Forces, knowing them to be such, viz: A fine upon all such offenders, not less than thirty nor more than fifty Dollars; and in case of refusal or inability to pay the fine, to be punished with imprisonment, not exceeding . . . . months for each offence; and that such Resolve do also extend to institute some proper Court or authority for the trial of such offenders, with suitable powers, and under proper limitations.

Ordered, That the Resolution of Congress, respecting the delegation of power to the Commander-in-Chief, or officer commanding a detachment or out-post, to administer an Oath, be referred to the said Committee, and provision made accordingly.

Ordered, That the Resolution recommending to the Legislatures of the several Colonies to erect Courts of Justice, for the purpose of determining concerning Captures, be adopted, and referred to the said Committee.

Ordered, That the Resolution for ascertaining the number of Inhabitants in each Colony, be recommended to the attention of the said Committee; and that this service be performed by the Township and Ward-Assessors within their respective Districts.

Ordered, That the Resolution recommending to the several Assemblies to pass Acts or Ordinances for prohibiting arrests of Continental and Provincial Soldiers, be complied with, and referred to the said Committee.

A Petition from William Scout, of Moorland, in the County of Philadelphia, Fugleman, complaining that he had not received the wages due to him for his services, was presented to the House and read.

Ordered to lie upon the table.

The House adjourned to to-morrow.

Friday, March 1, 1776.

A Petition from the Committee of Inspection for the County of Bucks, was presented to the House, and is as follows, viz:

“To the Honourable the Representatives of the Freemen of the Province of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met.