return to the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania the Arms borrowed of them for the use of the Continent.

“March 6, 1776.—Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to return to the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania the Powder borrowed of them.

“Extract from the Minutes:

“CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary”.

In Committee of Safety, March 11, 1776.

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

Robert Towers, Commissary, makes the following report:

That he delivered Captain Eyres four ounces Saltpetre, one pound Sulphur; to Captain Henderson one pair Pistols; to—Parker one roll Sheet-Lead; to Benjamin Town two hundred pounds Brass; to James Wallace two hundred and fifty-four pounds Powder.

That he received from Elias Botner six Budge-Barrels; from William Paul two hundred and fifty-eight pounds Brass; from Robert Mane thirty-six Ramrods; from Rudolph Neuff thirty-one Wheel and fifteen Handbarrows; from George James twenty pounds Buck-Shot, cost ten Shillings; from Alexander Todd fifty-six pounds Buck-Shot, cost twenty-seven Shillings and six Pence; from Saltpetre Works thirty-eight and three-fourths pounds Saltpetre; from John Wilcocks, on account of this Board, fifty half-barrels, one hundred and fourteen quarter-barrels (weight five thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight pounds) Gunpowder; from Messrs. Bayard & Co. one hundred and one pounds Lead-Ball.

In Committee of Safety, March 12, 1776.

Present: James Biddle, Chairman, Robert White, James Mease, Owen Biddle, George Ross, Barnard Dougherty, George Clymer.

Whereas, the Keeper of the common Jail of the City of Philadelphia hath made complaint to this Board that certain prisoners in the said Jail, committed as enemies to this country, have raised a dangerous riot, assaulted the Jailer and Turnkey, and now stand on their defence, and threaten to break the Jail and release all the prisoners: These are to require you forthwith to repair to the said Jail, with a sufficient party of your men, and assist the Sheriff and Jailer to secure the said rioters, for which this shall be your warrant.

JAMES BIDDLE, Chairman.

Directed to Captain Thomas Procter.

By order of the Board the following Letter was this day written, signed by the Chairman, and delivered to Colonel John Shea:

The Committee request you would order a guard of a Non-Commissioned Officer and six Privates, at the Jail of this city, for the protection thereof, as there are many prisoners confined there by order of Congress, who have assaulted the Jailer, and threaten to break the Jail; they also request you would order a guard on the powder at the Powder-House, and cannon at the State-House, and another on the Fire-Rafts and Magazine at the lower end of the town.

Doctor Bond having informed this Board that it is necessary for Powder being burned in the Work-House of this City for purifying the air, Robert Towers, Commissary, was directed to deliver to Thomas Apty, two pounds of Powder.

Upon application of the Assembly by Joseph Parker, Esq., for ten pounds of Powder and forty pounds of Lead, as a gift to some friendly Indians now in this City, by order of the Board Robert Towers, Commissary, was directed to deliver said Powder and Lead to Mr. Parker, or his order.

Edward Chamberlain this day resigned his appointment of Master-at-Arms and Armourer of the Armed Boats.

In Committee of Safety, March 13, 1776.

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

Andrew Stohl, a person who has purchased a number of Arms in the Townships of Coshioppen and Limerick, informs this Board that they are detained by the Committees of Inspection in said Townships; said Stohl having offered to sell the said Arms to this Committee, it was recommended to said Committees of Inspection to send the said Anns to Robert Towers, Commissary.

Upon application of John M. Nesbitt, Esq., for a sum of Money for paying the men employed on board the Armed Boats, &c., by order of the Board an Order was drawn on Michael Hillegas, Esq., in favour of Mr. Nesbitt, for fifteen hundred Pounds.

Resolved, That the Officers in this City, who are prisoners of war, are desired forthwith to repair to the several places allotted for their residence by Congress; and that such Officers be furnished with a copy of this Resolve.

Resolved, That Arthur Donaldson be employed to launch the Chevaux-de-Frise built at Gloucester, and that he be fully authorized to procure anything for the purpose, hire persons under him on the best and cheapest terms, and that he draw on this Board for the expense.

Resolved, That John Cobourn be employed to take the Chevaux-de-Frise, when launched at Gloucester, and sink them in their proper places near Fort-Island; and that he be authorized to procure anything for the purpose, hire persons under him on the best and cheapest terms, and that he draw on this Board for the expense.

Adjourned to five o’clock.

Agreeable to adjournment, the following Members met: John Nixon, Chairman, Owen Biddle, Daniel Roberdeau, George Clymer, Robert White, Samuel Howell, Thomas Wharton, Jun.

Resolved, That all good and able Seamen who shall inlist in the service of this Province, to be employed in the Naval Armaments thereof, shall receive seven Dollars per month and two Dollars bounty, which bounty is to be paid one month after their inlistment; and the said Seamen to be continued in the said service until discharged by this Board.

That those able-bodied Seamen that are at present in the service, shall receive seven Dollars per month, to commence the 15th instant.

Mr. Nixon having occasion to leave the Board, Mr. Samuel Howell was unanimously chosen Chairman.

Resolved, That Mr. Thomas Forrest be appointed Captain of a Company of Marines to be raised for the service of this Province to be employed on board the Floating Battery.

Resolved, That all able Landsmen who shall enter into the service of this Province on board the Naval Armaments thereof, be paid two Dollars as a bounty.

Resolved, That Captain Rice be applied to, to assist in taking down and sinking the Chevaux-de-Frise; and that he attend this Board to-morrow morning.

Resolved, That five small Guard Boats be built on the same construction with the one already built.

In Committee of Safety, March 14, 1776.

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

In consequence of an Order drawn by Francis Wade on this Board, for the payment of the Rations of Captains Montgomery, Davidson, Alexander Eyres, Henderson, and Boyer, amounting to sixty-six Pounds nine Shillings and four Pence, an Order was drawn on the Committee of Accounts for said sum, and directed to be charged to said Wade’s account.

Upon application of John Fox, for the payment of his Bill for repairing Fire-locks belonging to Captains Allen, Willis, Williams, and Jones’s Companies, belonging to Colonel De Haas’s Battalion, in the service of the United Colonies, by order of the Board an Order was drawn on Messrs. Mease and Caldwell, for ninety-four Pounds eleven Shillings and eleven Pence, being the amount of said Accounts.

Upon motion, the following Advertisement was directed to be published in the different Newspapers of this City: