Resolved, That the following Recommendation be made publick at the Coffec-House of this City:

In Committee of Safety, May 7, 1776.

There being a very pressing necessity for a large quantity of Lead for the publick use, in the defence now formed for the security of the liberties of this country, it is most earnestly recommended to all the inhabitants of this City and Liberties of Philadelphia, to send in to Robert Towers, Commissary, for this purpose, all such Lead as they may have in use in their families, and about their houses—such as draft-weights, window-weights, and clock-weights; and it is hoped that this requisition will be cheerfully complied with, when every individual considers that he thereby does essential service to his country; and that iron weights may be procured to supply his convenience. The liberal price of six pence per pound will be allowed.

Quarter after five o’clock, P. M., May 7, 1776.

At a special meeting of the Committee of Safety,

Present: Robert Morris, Vice-President, John Nixon, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Samuel Howell, James Biddle, George Gray, Andrew Allen, Daniel Roberdeau, David Rittenhouse, Samuel Morris, Jun., Owen Biddle, Joseph Parker.

Upon information of Captain Richard Peters, that Captain Proctor has inlisted a certain John Malcom, a Lock-maker employed in the Manufactory of this City, by order of the Board Captain Proctor was directed to send up the said Malcom to Captain Peters, to be employed in the said Manufactory.

Resolved, That Captain Robert Hardie be, and he is hereby, appointed Captain of one tier of Fire-Rafts; and that his Commission be dated 27th of March last.

By order of the Board an Order was drawn on Michael Hillegas, Esq., in favour of John Diesler, Peter Brecht, and John Reithmeyer, for one hundred and eight Pounds fifteen Shillings, the amount of one hundred and fifty Cartridge-Boxes, Belts, &c., made in Berks County, for the use of this Province, as certified by the Commissioners of said County; which Order was this day delivered Captain Hausman.

By order of the Board Robert Towers, Commissary, was directed to deliver to Colonel Matlack, for two hundred Riflemen, twenty-three rounds of Powder, and a proportionate quantity of Lead; and to deliver for the use of Captain De Lancey’s Company fifteen Cartridge-Boxes and Bayonet-Belts.

Resolved, That the several Battalions of Associators be requested to parade on the Common this afternoon, to examine their Arms and Accoutrements, and see that everything is in good order for action, if this Committee should find occasion to call them thereto. (Directed to the Commanding Officers of the several Battalions of Associators.)

By order of the Board Robert Towers, Commissary, was directed to send down to Chester, for the use of the Provincial Troops under the command of Colonel Miles, sixty Fire-locks.

Resolved, That Jacob Hiltsimer, who takes the above Fire-locks down to Chester, be furnished with a Guard.

That Captain Lloyd, or the Commanding Officer of the Provincial Troops, furnish six Men for the above Guard.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, May 7, 1776.

SIR: Since I wrote you by Mr. Palfrey, on the 30th of last month, I have not been honoured with any commands from Congress relative to your letters, except the enclosed resolve,* which I am ordered to forward to you.

I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To General Washington, at New-York.

*IN CONGRESS, May 6, 1776.—Whereas, General Washington has requested directions concerning the conduct that should be observed towards Commissioners said to be coming from Great Britain to America,

Resolved, That General Washington, be informed that Congress suppose, if Commissioners are intended to be sent from Great Britain to treat of peace, that the practice usual in such cases will be observed, by making previous application for the necessary passports or safe conduct; and on such application being made, Congress will direct the proper measures for the reception of such Commissioners.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL.

Philadelphia, May 7, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Since I had the honour of writing on the 30th of April, upon the subject of collecting specie for the support of our Army in Canada, I have nothing further in charge from Congress, at this time, but to transmit you the enclosed resolve;* and have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Honourable Council of Massachusetts-Bay.

JAMES DUANE TO THE ASSEMBLY OF MASSACHUSETTS.

Treasury Office, Philadelphia, May 7, 1776.

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN: The Congress having, on the 17th of February last, appointed a Standing Committee for superintending the Treasury, and, on the 1st April, among other things, resolved, that all Assemblies, Conventions, Councils, and Committees of Safety, Commissaries, Paymasters, and others entrusted with publick moneys, should, within a reasonable time after being called upon for that purpose by the Committee of the Treasury, produce their accounts at the Treasury Office, in order to their being settled and adjusted, we are, in pursuance of the said regulations, to request your honourable body will be pleased to give orders that an account be rendered of the expenditure of the Continental moneys which, by the acts of Congress, have passed through your hands into the Office, with the proper vouchers, that the same may be settled and adjusted here, and reported, for the final allowance of Congress.

I have the honour to be, in the names of the Superintendents of the Treasury, honourable gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

JAMES DUANE, JUN., Chairman.

To the Honourable James Warren, Esq.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read May 10, 1776, and referred to the Committee on the state of the Eastern Colonies.]

New-York, May 7, 1776.

SIR: At a quarter after seven this evening, I received, by express, a letter from Thomas Cushing, Esquire, Chairman of a Committee of the honourable General Court, covering one to them from the Committee of Salem; copies of which I do myself the honour to lay before Congress, that they may judge of the intelligence contained therein, and direct such measures to be taken upon the occasion as they may think proper and necessary. I would observe, that supposing Captain Lee’s account to be true in part, I think there must be a mistake either in the number of troops or the transport ships. If there are no more ships than what are mentioned, it is certain there cannot be so many troops; of this, however, Congress can judge as well as myself; and I submit it to them whether, upon the whole of the circumstances, and the uncertainty of their destination, if they were seen at all, they choose that any forces shall be detached from hence; as they will see from the returns transmitted yesterday that the number of men now here is but small and inconsiderable; and, what is to be regretted, no small part of those without arms. Perhaps by dividing and subdividing our force too much, we shall have no one post sufficiently guarded. I shall wait their direction, and whatever their order is, shall comply with it as soon as possible.

I have the honour to be, with much respect, sir, your most humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Honourable John Hancock.

P. S. I have, by the express, a letter from General Ward, containing a similar account to that from the Salem Committee, and by way of Captain Lee.

Should the Commissioners arrive which are mentioned, how are they to be received and treated? I wish the direction of Congress upon the subject by return of the bearer.

* IN CONGRESS, May 4, 1776.—Resolved, That the Cannon and other stores in Boston, which were originally purchased and provided by and at the expense of the Colonies of Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire, be considered as belonging to the Colony that so purchased and provided them; and that all the other Cannon left in the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay by the British forces be presented to the said Colony.