trade of this and the neighbouring Colonies in the Bay of Delaware, now infested with Tenders and small Armed Vessels of the enemy, and secure the supplies of military stores expected from abroad; to apply to the Congress to take speedy measures for that purpose; and also to suggest the propriety of ordering back to this port the several outward-bound Vessels now lying in the river, and employing the Seamen in this service until the trade of the bay is more secure.

Resolved, That six rooms in the new Jail be supplied with strong Doors on the outside of the iron doors to said rooms, more effectually to prevent communications with prisoners ordered to be kept in close custody, separate from the other prisoners in said Jail; and that Colonel Roberdeau be requested to see this Resolve carried into execution.

In Committee of Safety, April 4, 1776.

Present: Samuel Howell, Chairman, James Biddle, Daniel Roberdeau, Thomas Wharton, Jun., George Clymer, Owen Biddle, Alexander Wilcocks.

Upon application of Captain Falconer for some Arms and Ammunition for the use of the Pilot-boat stationed at Bombay-Hook, by order of the Board Robert Towers, Commissary, was directed to deliver five Muskets, ten rounds of Powder and Ball, and eight swivel Shot.

Upon application of Matthias Keeler for some Money towards the payment of Fire-locks making by him for the use of this Province, by order of the Board an Order was drawn in his favour for fifty Pounds.

Robert Towers, Commissary, was directed to deliver Matthias Keeler fifty-six Musket-balls for proving Firelocks making by him for the use of this Province.

Resolved, That the Officers of the Armed Boats be instructed not to suffer any Pilot-boat or Pilot (except those employed by this Committee to navigate from Chester to this City) to pass down the River below the Chevaux-de-Frise, without producing a permit, in writing, from this Board or the Committee.

In Committee of Safety, April 6, 1776.

Present: George Clymer, Chairman, James Mease, Owen Biddle, Samuel Howell, Alexander Wilcocks, James Biddle, Samuel Morris, Jun., Daniel Roberdeau.

The Cannon Committee drew an Order on John Nixon and others, the Committee of Accounts, in favour of Mr. Old, for one hundred Pounds.

Resolved, That Captain Rice and Mr. A. Donaldson be desired immediately to construct two Chevaux-de-Frise, for the purpose of stopping the passage between the Chevaux-de-Frise now sunk, and that they be made in such form that they may float when properly loaded for sinking.

Resolved, That Captain John Hazlewood be empowered to nominate some discreet and judicious persons to assist some other person to be appointed by the Captain of Mr. Vernon’s Brigantine, to appraise and value the said Brigantine; and the Committee of Fire-Rafts are hereby authorized to take the said Vessel at the valuation of the said appraisers, and to fit her for a Fire-Vessel for the defence of our River.

Upon application of Colonel Roberdeau, for a quantity of Shot for the use of two Privateers fitting out at this port, by order of the Board Robert Towers, Commissary, was directed to deliver Philip Moore three hundred pounds of different kinds of Shot, taking a receipt for the same.

Resolved, That Charles Lawrence be appointed Captain of one tier of Fire-Rafts.

In Committee of Safety, April 8, 1776.

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

Resolved, That John M. Fatridge be appointed Second Lieutenant to the Floating Battery.

Resolved, That the Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers on board the Floating Battery have the same wages with those of the same rank on board the Provincial Ship-of-War.

Resolved, That Mr. Howell and Mr. Wharton be a Committee to settle all Accounts of Arms purchased by the Captains of the Companies of Associators of the different Battalions of this Province, agreeable to a Resolve of this Board of the 23d of January last.

In Committee of Safety, April 9, 1776.

Present: John Nixon, Chairman, James Biddle, George Clymer, Alexander Wilcocks, Daniel Roberdeau, Robert White, Joseph Parker, Samuel Howell, Owen Biddle, James Mease.

Upon application of George Taylor, Esq., for a quarter-cask of Powder for the use of the Commissioners and Assessors of Northampton County, to prove the Fire-locks making for the use of this Province, by order of the Board Robert Tower’s, Commissary, was directed to deliver a quarter-cask for that purpose.

In consequence of an Order drawn by Isaac Levan, Jun., (one of the persons appointed by the Committee of Berks to purchase Arms for the use of the Province,) for nineteen Pounds twelve Shillings, in favour of Dr. Potts, for nine Muskets, it appearing that they are Provincial Arms, and that the above is the price of repairing, by order of the Board an Order was drawn on John Nixon and others, the Committee of Accounts, for said sum of nineteen Pounds twelve Shillings, and the Arms are ordered to be delivered to Captain Herbert, of Berks County, who is in the service of this Province.

By order of the Board an Order was drawn on John Nixon and others, the Committee of Accounts, in favour of William Forbes, for the use of Henry Fisher, of Lewestown, for sixty Pounds.

The following Order of Assembly was this day delivered at the Board by Mr. Parker:

“In Assembly, April 6, 1776.

“Upon motion, Ordered, That Mr. Hillegas, Mr. Parker, and Mr. Rittenhouse, be added to the Committee of Safety.”

In Committee of Safety, April 10, 1776.

Present: John Nixon, Chairman, James Mease, Samuel Howell, Alexander Wilcocks, Owen Biddle, George Gray, Daniel Roberdeau, Samuel Miles, Joseph Parker, James Biddle, Thomas Wharton, Junior, Joseph Reed, Michael Hillegas.

Upon application of Mr. James Wallace, for a sum of Money for the payment of Fire-locks purchased in Bucks County, by order of this Board, for account of Congress, and for some Powder and Ball for proving the same, by order of the Board an Order was drawn on Mr. John Nixon, James Mease, and Thomas Wharton, for one hundred Pounds; and an Order to Robert Towers for fifty Balls, with directions to Mr. Wallace to use the Powder in his possession which he received for the payment of Saltpetre, keeping an account of the quantity he may use for that purpose.

The following Resolves of Assembly were this day delivered to the Board by Colonel Miles:

“In Assembly, April 6, 1776.

“Upon motion, Resolved, That an Agent be appointed to provide necessary Clothing and Accoutrements, at prime cost, for the Troops ordered to be raised for the service of this Province, the expense to be deducted out of the pay of such Troops; that such Agent be allowed two and a half per cent. for his trouble, and that he make no other profit or emolument whatever by contracts with the tradesmen he may employ, or in any other manner.

“Resolved, That Matthias Slough, Esq., of Lancaster, be, and he is hereby, appointed Agent for the purpose aforesaid.

“That the Committee of Safety may draw Orders on Michael Hillegas, Esq., Treasurer, in favour of the said Matthias Slough, for such sums of Money as they from time to time shall judge necessary.

“Extract from the Journals:

“CHARLES MOORE, Clerk of Assembly.”

Upon application of Matthias Slough, Esq., for a sum of Money for the payment of Clothing and Accoutrements for