himself a Tory and inimical to the American cause; that he damned the Congress, and wished that the wagons carrying the Powder for the Continental service were blown up.

And the said Henry Yelverton Price appearing before the Committee, and having the said charge made known to him, did not deny the same.

Resolved, That it would be unsafe to permit the said Henry Yelverton Price to go at large;

Therefore Resolved, That he be committed to the Jail of the City and County of Philadelphia.

Agreeable thereto, Thomas Dewees, Jailor of this County, was commanded to receive into his custody, and to keep him safely confined until he is discharged by this Board.

Upon motion, the following Order was drawn and signed by the Chairman:

In Committee of Safety, March 4, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Please to deliver to Peter De Haven any number of gun-locks he may find necessary for the use of Lewis Prahl, Gunsmith, (Mr. De Haven to be answerable for the same,) and to deduct the price of the locks out of the moneys that may become due to the said Lewis for his work.

By order of the Committee:

GEORGE ROSS, Chairman.

To Major Meredith, Captain Wilcocks, and Captain Peters.

Upon application of Robert Towers, for the payment of eight Fire-locks, purchased by him for the use of this Province, and for the payment of his bill for sundry expenditures on account of this Board, by order of the Board two Orders were drawn in his favour on Messrs. Nixon and others, the Committee of Accounts—one for twenty-four Pounds one Shilling, the other for thirteen Pounds nine Shillings and eight Pence, being the amount of said two Accounts.

Robert Towers, Commissary, makes the following report:

That he delivered to Samuel Park, per order of this Board, 100 pounds of Brass.

That he delivered to Captain Proctor 169 Cannon Cartridges, 73 Fire-locks, 1 four-pound Cannon, 1 Carriage and Limber, 1 pair of Trail Ropes, 1 Rammer and Sponge, 1 Wad-hook and Ladle.

That he delivered in exchange of one and a half pounds of Saltpetre, six ounces of Gunpowder and five Shillings seven and a half Pence in cash.

That he delivered to Thomas Afflick 100 pounds of Brass, per order of the Board; to Matthias Keely 6 pounds of Gunpowder.

That he received from Jacob Scoggin one and a half pounds of Saltpetre.

That he received from Oswell Eve eight casks of battle Powder, weight 187½ pounds; nine casks of common Powder, weight 225 pounds.

In Committee of Safety, March 5, 1776.

Present: John Nixon, Chairman, James Biddle, James Mease, George Clymer, Daniel Roberdeau, Owen Biddle, Samuel Howell, Thomas Wharton, Jun.

Resolved, That Mr. John Mitchell be appointed Muster-master to the Naval Armaments, and the Artillery of this Province, he having offered to do the business gratis.

Thomas Aply produced his Account for subsisting Soldiers in Jail confined by order of Congress, which was certified to be just by the Chairman.

William Brown, Captain of Marines, received his Commission this day, and dated the 16th of February last.

In Committee of Safety, March 6, 1776.

Present: John Cadwallader, Chairman, Robert White, George Clymer, James Biddle, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Daniel Roberdeau, Samuel Howell, Owen Biddle.

By order of the Board, Robert Towers, Commissary, was directed to deliver Captain White twelve pieces of Sail-Cloth.

Resolved, That Captain Brown be ordered to raise fifty able-bodied men, for the Marine service of this Province.

That he be careful to inlist none but healthy men, not under sixteen years of age.

That he be allowed ten Shillings per man, in lieu of his recruiting expenses, and ten Shillings per week for the subsistence of each recruit, until they are provided for by the Commissary.

That he pay the greatest attention to the behaviour of the men while in quarters, and see their quarters discharged at least once every week.

That no bought Indented Servants, or Apprentices, be inlisted without the consent of their Masters in writing.

That the Company consist of one Captain, two Lieutenants, two Sergeants, two Corporals, one Fife, one Drum, and fifty Privates.

That a sum not exceeding twenty Shillings be advanced to each recruit.

That two hundred Pounds be advanced him for the recruiting service.

By order of the Board an Order was drawn on John M. Nesbitt, in favour of Captain William Brown, for the sum of two hundred Pounds, which is directed to be charged to his Company of Marines, for the recruiting service.

Resolved, That Colonel Roberdeau be desired to apply to Congress for the Powder supplied them by this Board.

Resolved, That Joseph Wilson be appointed First Lieutenant to the Armed Boat Congress, in the room of—Mitchell, appointed the 16th of February last, he never having appeared to receive his Commission.

That the following gentlemen be appointed Second Lieutenants to the different Armed Boats opposite their names, viz: James Fletcher, to the Armed Boat Washington; Henry Martin, to the Armed Boat Dickinson; James Carson, to the Armed Boat Chatham; Philip Buck, to the Armed Boat Congress; John Wilson, to the Armed Boat Ranger; Adam Boyd, to the Armed Boat Burke; James Brown, to the Armed Boat Camden; William Lysle, to the Armed Boat Bull-Dog; Nicholas Fitzsimmons, to the Armed Boat Warren; Robert Pomeroy, to the Armed Boat Hancock; Samuel Snowden, to the Armed Boat Franklin; James Johnson, to the Armed Boat Experiment; Laughlin McNeill, to the Armed Boat Effingham.

Adjourned to six o’clock.

Agreeable to adjournment the following Members met: James Mease, Chairman, John Cadwallader, James Biddle, Owen Biddle, Samuel Howell, Daniel Roberdeau, Alexander Wilcocks, George Clymer.

Resolved, That Captain Thomas Reed be appointed second in command in the Naval Armaments of this Province, and Captain of the Armed Ship now building by direction of this Board.

Resolved, That Robert Towers, Commissary, purchase or make two ton of Buck-Shot.

Resolved, That a survey be made of the Channel between Reedy-Point and the Pea-Patch.

Resolved, That Major Meredith, Captain Wilcocks, Captain Peters, and Mr. Peter De Haven, be appointed to superintend and conduct the Provincial Manufactory of Gun-locks in this City, and they are empowered to contract for a convenient situation, and to erect all works necessary for carrying on the said Manufactory in the most beneficial manner to the publick; and further, to contract for the making Fire-Arms, and see that the Artificers who have already contracted in this City for that purpose, perform their engagements faithfully; and the Board will supply them with such sums of money as the business shall require.

Resolved, That the Commodore be desired to employ an experienced Pilot, and send him with all possible despatch, with two discreet and capable Officers, in two of the Armed Boats, down the river to Reedy-Point, to sound the narrowest part of the Channel there, and take an accurate survey of the depth and breadth of the said Channel, with the various soundings across the same, for the information of this Board.

In Committee of Safety, March 7, 1776.

Present: John Cadwallader, James Mease, Robert White, Daniel Roberdeau, George Clymer.