time at work, and wages per day; for which you are to make out a correct copy, and return it every evening to the Superintendent appointed by the sub-Committee for Fort-Island.

Resolved, That Captain Heysham and Mr. Joseph Watkins be appointed a Committee, to receive the directions of this Board to carry into execution the making of Carriages for the different Cannon that may be made or otherwise procured for the use of this Province.

Resolved, That the Officers of the Ship, Armed Boats, Floating and Land Battery, make report to this Board of the quantity of Military Stores they now have.

By order of the Board an Order was drawn on Michael Hillegas, Esq., in favour of Colonel Samuel Atlee, or his order, for five hundred Pounds, for the use of the Musket Battalion in the service of this Province.

Whereas several gentlemen have offered to form themselves into Companies of Volunteers, and, whenever called upon in the defence of this River, to enter into actual service on board any Armed Boat that shall be provided for them by this Committee, under their own Officers:

Resolved, That this Board has a just sense of their spirited and patriotick offer; and Messrs. Samuel Howell, Thomas Wharton, and Owen Biddle, are appointed to confer with those gentlemen, receive their proposals, consider of the best means of employing them, and of the expediency of making any alterations in any of our Armed Boats for the use of the said Volunteers, and consult Captain Rice upon that subject; and that they make a report to this Committee as soon as possible.

Resolved, That it appears necessary to build two Galleys for the protection of the commerce in Delaware Bay, and that the above Committee procure the same to be built by boat builders, with all possible despatch.

Resolved, That it appears necessary to fortify some part of the Jersey Shore, for the defence of the River Delaware.

Resolved, That Colonel John Cadwallader apply to the Committee of Inspection and Observation, to deliver the Rigging in their possession, belonging to Joshua Fisher & Sons, to Thomas Lawrence, Vendue-master, to be immediately sold at publick vendue, that this Committee may have an opportunity of purchasing the same for the publick service; and that this Committee will pay for the same, or be answerable for the payment, when required.

Upon application to this Board from Colonel John Shea, he had permission to purchase Fire-Arms from the Non-As-sociators in this Province.

Upon application of Marine Committee, orders were given to admit the sick men from Captain Wickes’s ship into the Hospital at Province-Island.

In Committee of Safety, May 15, 1776.

Present: John Nixon, James Mease, James Biddle, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Alexander Wilcocks.

In Committee of Safety, May 16, 1776.

Present: Alexander Wilcocks, Chairman, John Nixon, Samuel Howell, Samuel Morrison, Jun., James Mease, Samuel Miles, Daniel Roberdeau, Thomas Wharton, Jun., George Clymer, James Biddle.

Resolved, That Mr. John Nixon be authorized to purchase any quantity of Beef and Pork that may be thought necessary for the use of this Province.

In consequence of a Resolve of the 13th instant, Robert Morris, Esq., a Member of Congress, acquaints this Board that it is agreeable to Congress that John Martin Strobach should enter into the service of this Province.

Resolved, That Mr. James Wharton and Captain Nathaniel Falconer be authorized to examine a number of nine-pound Cannon, the property of Mr. Ball; and if they think they are good and sufficient for service, that they then, at the risk of the owner, prove the same, and purchase those that are good, for the use of this Province.

Resolved, That Robert Towers, Commissary, supply a sufficient quantity of Powder to prove the above-mentioned Cannon.

The following Resolve of Congress was sent by Robert Morris, Esquire, and ordered to be entered on the Minutes of this Board:

“In Congress, May 15, 1776.

“Resolved, That the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania be desired to write to the Committee of Safety of Delaware Government to suspend the execution of the Resolve of Congress for exchanging Lieutenant Ball for Captain Budden, till further orders.

“Extract from the Minutes:

“CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.”

Agreeably to the above Resolve of Congress, Robert Morris, Esquire, in behalf of this Board, enclosed a copy of said Resolve to the Committee of Safety of the Lower Counties; which is approved of by this Board.

Upon application of Colonel Samuel Miles for some Muskets for the use of Captain Lloyd’s Company in the Musket Battalion of this Province, by order of the Board Robert Towers, Commissary, was directed to deliver twelve Firelocks and Bayonets, for the use aforesaid, he taking a receipt for the same.

Resolved, That Colonel Miles be authorized to procure a Smith’s Bellows and Tools proper for an Armourer of the Provincial Battalion in the service of this Province; and that he draw on this Board for the amount of what he may purchase for that purpose.

Resolved, That Commodore Caldwell be directed to give; notice to the Commanding Officers of the Armed Boats to attend this Board on Saturday morning next, at nine o’clock.

By order of the Board Robert Towers, Commissary, was directed to deliver, for the use of Captain Proctor’s Company, twenty-seven Firelocks, for the use of his Artillery.

By order of the Board an Order was drawn on Michael Hillegas, Esquire, in favour of John Nixon and others, the Committee of Accounts, for five thousand Pounds.

Resolved, That Mr. Nixon and Captain White be requested to make inquiry, and report the quantity of Ammunition that each Armed Boat was supplied with when they went down the river last week against the Ships of War, and what supplies they received afterwards from the Ship, Fort, and Floating-Battery, with the times and other circumstances of the different supplies.

Resolved, That Mr. Clymer, Mr. James Riddle, and Mr. Wilcocks, be a Committee to draw up a Memorial to Congress respecting the procuring of Sulphur and Lead, and erecting Fortifications at Billingsport.

Resolved, That the Fort-Island Committee be requested to give orders for the following articles, to be procured for Fort-Island, and to have a Furnace built for heating Shot: A Proof for Powder, twelve ounce Balls to quilt Grape for eighteen-pounders, Cannon for Blockhouse. Sods, and Fascines.

The Committee having already made known to the inhabitants of this City the pressing occasion there is for a large quantity of Lead, to be employed in the defence of this country, and requested them to spare for the publick use the various species of Leaden Weights in their respective families, the Committee, as the most easy and expeditious method of procuring such Lead, have appointed Thomas Nevill, Frazer Kinsley, Jesse Roe, and John Derry, to go round the City, and receive it at the several houses, they paying at the rate of six pence per pound, as formerly specified; it being understood that the Clock-Weights are not at present comprehended among them, as the Weights to replace them are not yet made. It is expected every virtuous citizen will immediately and cheerfully comply with this requisition; but if any person should be so lost to all sense of the publick good as to refuse, a list of their names is directed to be returned to this Committee.

By order of the Board a Letter was written to John Coxe, Esquire, requesting he would send to this City, by Wagons, all the Cannon Ball he has made by order of this Board; and informing him that the difference between land and water carriage shall be allowed him.

In Committee of Safety, May 18, 1776.

Present: George Clymer, Chairman, Robert Morris, John Nixon, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Alexander Wilcocks, Samuel Morris, Jun., Andrew Allen, David Rittenhouse, John Cadwallader,