New-London, and there apply for the Cannon, should they be at that place; if not, that they then go to Newport, and procure them, and apply for the Fly, or any other armed vessel, to transport them to New-York or Brunswick by the Sound; or if the navigation should be interrupted by the enemy’s vessels, that they are then to procure the Cannon to be conveyed by land to some harbour in Connecticut, and from thence to be conveyed in any proper vessel. Upon the whole, they are to procure the Cannon to be brought to this place at all events.

That for any sums that may be wanted to effect this service, they are to draw on this Committee.

In Committee of Safety, May 11, 1776.

At a special meeting of the Committee of Safety, Present: Robert Morris, Vice-President, Andrew Allen, John Nixon, James Mease, Owen Biddle, Alexander Wilcocks, John Cadwallader, James Biddle, Samuel Morris, Jun., George Clymer.

By order of the Board Robert Towers, Commissary, was directed to deliver the following Ammunition, to be sent down to the Gondolas immediately, viz:

Shot—18-pounders, 500; 24-pounders, 240; 32-pounders, 60. Cartridges—18-pounders, 320; 32-pounders, 25.

Captain Greenway was ordered to receive the following Powder, Shot, and Wads, and carry them down in the Pilot-Boats to the Gondolas, and deliver them to the senior Officer, viz:

From Robert Towers: 500 Shot, 18-pounders; 240 Shot, 24-pounders; 60 Shot, 32-pounders; 320 Cartridges, 18-pounders; 25 Cartridges, 32-pounders.

From Captain Reed: 25 Cartridges, 32-pounders; 164 Cartridges, 24-pounders; and all the 24 and 32-pound shot on board his Ship or at Fort-Island, &c.

From Captains Falconer, Wickes, Reed, and the Batteries, a quantity of Wads.

In Committee of Safety, May 13, 1776.

Present: John Nixon, Chairman, James Biddle, Robert White, John Cadwallader, Owen Biddle, Samuel Howell, Daniel Roberdeau.

Resolved, That Captain White, Captain Falconer, and Mr. James Wharton, settle with the several owners of the Shallops and Boats lately employed in the publick service, and draw Orders for payment on Mr. Nixon and others, the Committee of Accounts.

By order of the Board an Order was drawn on John Nixon and others, the Committee of Accounts, in favour of John Cobourn, for two hundred Pounds, being towards the payment of the men employed in sinking the Chevaux-defrise.

Resolved, That John Martin Strobogh be appointed Third Lieutenant in the Artillery Company of this Province, he to produce a discharge from the Congress previous to his entering into this service.

Resolved, That the Members of this Board be noticed to meet precisely to-morrow morning at nine o’clock, on business of importance.

Resolved, That Captain Moulder and Mr. Thomas Fitzsimmons be directed to purchase two convenient Vessels, the one for a Magazine, the other for a Provision or Store Vessel, and man and fit them immediately, to be ready to attend the Fleet upon the orders of this Board, or the Commanding Officer; and that when they are in service Richard Wells, with his Pilot-boat, be employed to ply between the said Vessels and the Fleet.

Resolved, That the Committee of Fire-Rafts be authorized to purchase a convenient Vessel for quartering the men belonging to the Fire-Rafts while down the River.

Resolved, That Captain Hazelwood and Captain Hervey be appointed to survey the River from Billingsport to Fort-Island.

In Committee of Safety, May 14, 1776.

Present: George Clymer, Chairman, Owen Biddle, Samuel Morris, Thomas Wharton, Jun., James Biddle, Joseph Parker, Samuel Howell, Robert White, John Cadwallader.

The Congress sent yesterday the following Resolve to this Board, which is ordered to be entered on the Minutes:

“In Congress, May 10, 1776.

“Resolved, That it be recommended to the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania to examine into the conduct of the Jailer who had the charge and custody of Moses Kirkland, and if they find him culpable, that they have him removed.

“Extract from the Minutes:

“CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.”

Resolved, That George Gray, Samuel Howell, and Joseph Parker, be a Committee to inquire into the complaint of Congress against Thomas Dewees, Jailer, and make report to this Board.

Instructions to Mr. John Reed, Commissary, Barrackmaster, and Clerk of the Check, at Fort-Island:

SIR: In consequence of your appointment to the office of Commissary, Barrackmaster, and Clerk of the Check, at Fort-Island, by this Committee, you are hereby enjoined and required to perform the duties of the several offices committed to you with care and fidelity; and for your better information of the services expected from you in those capacities, we have sent you the following Instructions, viz:

1st. As Commissary, you are to take an inventory of all the stores on Fort-Island, belonging to this Province, and enter them in a book, noting carefully whose possession they are in, and the uses they are applied to.

2d. All stores that shall be committed to your care are to be kept an account of, and preserved by you in the best manner, only to be delivered by the commanding officer of Fort-Island or this Committee, and when delivered out you are to take a receipt for the same.

3d. When the uses for which any of the stores are delivered out are fully answered, the remainder are to be returned to you again for the use of the Province, and for which you are to be accountable.

1st. As Barrackmaster, you are to have the Barracks always kept clean and in order for the reception of troops, or people that may be ordered to Fort-Island by this Committee, or the Assembly.

2d. You are. to see that the necessary furniture, bedding, and cooking utensils, be provided for each apartment.

3d. You are to assign the particular quarters which the troops are to occupy, having regard to the interest of the publick, and the convenience and health of the men; for which purpose, not more than sixteen men to be stationed in each room while there is any vacant apartment; nor should they be suffered to occupy a greater portion of the Barracks at any time than is necessary for the purposes before-mentioned, of which you are to be judge.

4th. When any troops are first quartered in the said Barracks, you are to take a receipt from an officer of the Company for all the furniture and cooking utensils that you deliver to them, for which the whole Company are to be accountable to you; and in case of any embezzlement or wanton destruction of them, or any part of them, the value thereof shall be stopped out of their pay, which is forfeit for a re-supply of the same.

5th. The keys of all the apartments, while unoccupied, are to be kept by you, and on any troops quitting their quarters at the said Barracks, they are to deliver the keys of the same to you.

6th. You are to purchase fire-wood for all the troops, both men and workmen, that are employed in the Provincial service, at the cheapest rate you can, and portion it out to them in reasonable and sufficient quantities, taking care that, it is not wasted unnecessarily; for which purpose the commanding officer of the Island is to fix a guard over it.

7th. Your order on John Nixon and others, the Committee of Accounts for this Board, for all necessary supplies of fire-wood for the purposes aforesaid, will be duly paid.

8th. On application to the sub-Committee of Fort-Island, for any of the stores, furniture, cooking utensils, &c., that may be necessary for the accommodation of the troops, &c., stationed at Fort-Island, they will provide such part as they shall think proper and useful, and send it to your care, for which you are to be accountable.

As Clerk of the Check, you are to keep a regular muster-roll of all the workmen employed on Fort-Island by order of this Committee, entering their names and employments,