“All persons that can give information to this Committee of Sulphur Ore, in this or any neighbouring Colony, are desired to give speedy intelligence; and this Board will receive proposals from any person or persons that are willing to engage in procuring Sulphur for the publick use.”

Resolved, That the Commodore shall send such Officers as he shall think proper to recruit Seamen and able-bodied Landsmen, for the Naval service of this Province, to such places as he shall judge most likely to get Recruits.

That the Recruiting Officers be allowed twenty Shillings per week, each, for their expenses, and ten Shillings per man for every Recruit, in lieu of all recruiting charges, and ten Shillings per week for each man’s subsistence, until they are brought to this City, and supplied by the Commissary; and that each Officer be furnished with a copy of these Resolves of this Committee relative to the Pay and Bounty of the men.

Resolved, That, agreeable to authority delegated to this Board by Congress, one half of the Officers, prisoners of war, who are, or have been by any former order, stationed in the Borough of Lancaster, be removed to the Town of Carlisle, and the other half removed to the Town of York; and that the Committee of Lancaster take order in this matter, and have full authority to make the arrangement according to their best judgment.

Resolved, That Colonel Roberdeau draw up a Letter to the Committee of Lancaster, Cumberland, and York Counties, on this subject, and furnish them with the Resolution of Congress and this Board, respecting the disposition of the Officers ordered to be removed agreeable to the Resolution of this day; also, with a form of the Parole said Officers are to take.

In Committee of Safety, March 15, 1776.

Present: James Biddle, Chairman, John Cadwallader, George Clymer, Daniel Roberdeau, Robert White, John Nixon, Samuel Morris, Jun., Thomas Wharton, Jun., Samuel Howell, James Mease, Alexander Wilcocks.

Mr. Thomas Holland having resigned his appointment in the Fourth Battalion of Pennsylvania Troops, in the service of the United Colonies,

Resolved, That Michael Ryan be appointed Adjutant to the Fourth Battalion, in the place of the said Holland.

Resolved, That the Commissary be directed to deliver to Captains Richards, Falconer, and Reed, the Committee appointed by this Board for fixing Signals, such Guns, Ammunition, and Implements, as they shall require for that service.

By order of the Board an Order was drawn on John Nixon and others, the Committee of Accounts, in favour of John Cobourn, for one hundred and fifty Pounds, he being employed in sinking the Chevaux-de-Frise.

By order of the Board an Order was drawn on John Nixon, Esq., and others, the Committee of Accounts, in favour of Captain John Rice, for one hundred and fifty Pounds, he being employed in sinking the Chevaux-de-Frise.

Resolved, That Captain Reed 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.

Resolved, That Captain Thomas Proctor, of the Artillery, be allowed twenty-three and two-thirds Dollars per month.

By order of the Board John M. Nesbitt, Esq., was directed to settle with Captain Proctor, and pay him twenty-six and two-thirds Dollars per month, for his own pay, from the date of his commission to the 1st instant; and, also, two months’ pay of two Sergeants at ten Dollars, two Corporals at nine Dollars, and twenty-three Privates at six Dollars, per month, from the 1st of January to the 29th of February, inclusive.

Upon application of Colonel Shea, for some Fire-locks for the use of the Troops under his command, for mounting the necessary Guard of this City, by order of the Board Robert Towers was directed to deliver Colonel Shea twenty-four Fire-locks for the said purpose, taking his receipt for the same, to be returned in good order on demand.

Upon application of James Chapman and John Vandegrift, of Bucks County, for the payment of Arms, &c., to be furnished that County for the use of the Province, by order of the Board an Order was drawn on Michael Hillegas, Esq., Treasurer, in favour of said Vandegrift, one of the Assessors, for five hundred Pounds.

Resolved, That the Commodore require every Captain of the Armed Boats immediately to furnish this Board with the Indents which they lately produced to Mr. Nixon and Captain White, and for that purpose send down to the Captains at Liberty-Island.

Colonel Shea this day reported to the Board that Captain Melchior declined accepting of the commission of Captain, lately granted to him, in the Third Pennsylvania Battalion.

Adjourned to six o’clock.

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

Upon application made to this Board, by the Colonels of the several Battalions of this City, for the use of the Arms and Accoutrements now in the possession of the Commissary,

Resolved, That the Commissary distribute two hundred and fifteen Provincial Arms, now under his care, and a like number of Cartridge-boxes and Bayonet-belts, equally between the four Battalions in this City, taking receipts of their several Colonels for the same; and the Colonels are requested to deliver them to their several Captains, for the use of their several Companies; which Arms and Accoutrements are to be returned to the Captains, and kept in a proper place, immediately after they are discharged from duty, that they may be always ready to be delivered to the order of this Board.

In Committee of Safety, March 16, 1776.

Present: James Mease, Chairman, John Cadwallader, George Clymer, Daniel Roberdeau, James Biddle, Owen Biddle, Samuel Howell, Samuel Morris, Jun., Robert White, John Nixon.

Lewis Nicola, Barrackmaster, was this day directed to deliver Colonel St. Clair, and the other Officers of the Battalions, what necessaries they may want, belonging to this Province, that are under his care at the Barracks, taking receipts for the same.

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

That he be allowed ten Shillings per man, in lieu of his recruiting expenses, and ten Shillings per week for the subsistence for 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 in every week.

That no bought indented Servants or Apprentices be in-listed without the consent of their Masters, in writing.

That the Company consist of one Captain, two Non-Commissioned Officers, and thirty Privates.

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

That fifty Pounds be advanced Captain Forrest for the recruiting service.

That the pay of the Privates be six Dollars per month, and to continue in the service of this Province until discharged by the Assembly or this Committee.

By order of the Board an Order was drawn on John M. Nesbitt, Esq., in favour of Captain Thomas Fairest, for fifty Pounds, which is directed to be charged him for recruiting a Company of Marines.

Upon application of Colonel Anthony Wayne, for a sum of Money for the use of his Battalion, in the service of the United Colonies, by order of the Board an Order was drawn on Messrs. Mease and Caldwell for two thousand Pounds, for the use aforesaid, in favour of Colonel Wayne.

Upon application of Colonel Robert Magau, for a sum of Money for the use of his Battalion, in the service of the