Boats or Gondolas, larger than those already built, capable of navigating in Delaware Bay, and another Floating-Battery, should immediately be built; they are also of opinion, that some Military works should be erected on the eastern Shore of the River Delaware, and particularly at a place called Billingsport.

“That, as the moneys granted by the Assembly for the purposes of defence must soon be exhausted in supporting the large establishment of Seamen and Soldiers in the pay of this Province, and as the building, equipping, and manning the additional Floating-Battery and Armed Vessels, and erecting Fortifications on the Jersey shore, will be too heavy a burden for this Province singly to bear, this Committee beg leave to call the attention of the Congress to these important objects, and pray their aid in directing those further defences, and such other as in their wisdom shall appear requisite to be immediately undertaken and carried into execution, at the Continental charge.”

Instructions to Mr. William Richards were this day drawn up; read, approved of, and delivered him, and are as follows:

“To Mr. WILLIAM RICHARDS:

“You are hereby appointed Ships’ Husband to the Pennsylvania Fleet, and empowered to do all such matters and things as may be necessary for the due execution of the said office. You are to make known to all Commanders and other officers employed in the said Fleet, that they are to apply through you for all stores and necessaries required for the service. You are to obtain from them an inventory of all the articles they have on board, and an indent of such as they are in want of, both which you are carefully to preserve, as they may serve you in regulating any future supplies that may be called for. You are to procure the sundry articles of the best quality, each in its kind, and it is your particular duty to buy them on the best terms in your power. You are to take each officer’s receipt for the articles delivered to him, and you are to return the bills or accounts of those you purchase for this Board, certified by you that the quantities are what you received, and the prices what you agreed for, not being dearer than the current rates of each respective article at the time of purchase. You are empowered to inspect and inquire on board the Fleet at least once in every month, and as much oftener as you may think necessary, whether all stores and necessaries are taken proper care of, and not neglected, wasted, or embezzled, and make report according as you find to this Board.

“This Board, being ever desirous of serving the publick faithfully, do recommend the most prudent economy in the outfit and supplies of the Fleet. They must have everything necessary, but avoid all expensive superfluities; and, in the purchase of what is wanted, give a preference to such persons as are known to be zealous supporters of the American cause, dividing the business amongst as many of such as can be done with convenience, and consistently with the publick good.”

On motion, Resolved, That Colonel Miles be directed to detach from the Provincial Troops under his command a working party of one hundred men to Fort-Island, to assist in carrying on the Fortifications there, the said party to be relieved by others as often as he may think proper; and they shall be allowed, over and above their pay, a quart of eighteen shillings Beer each working day.

Resolved, That Mr. Samuel Howell be requested to keep, for the use of this Province, the whole quantity of Salt that he has now for sale, and that he be allowed seven Shillings and six Pence per bushel for the same.

Resolved, That the above-mentioned Salt be removed to Germantown as soon as possible, and there to be stored, under the care of the Committee of that Town.

Resolved, That the Report brought in by Colonel Roberdeau and Colonel Cadwallader from the officers appointed to try the Cartridges with which the Associators are furnished, be printed in the different Newspapers of this City; which is as follows:

“We, the subscribers, appointed by the Board of Officers of the Associators of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia for the purpose of examining the Cartridges delivered by the Commissary to the said Associators, have carefully examined the same, and find the weight of the Powder therein contained is two-fifths part of the weight of the Ball. It appears clearly, from experiment, that the Powder is very good; that the above proportion is fully sufficient, and that more would be useless, if not dangerous.

“Philadelphia, May 20, 1776.”

A Letter was this day sent, by order of the Board, to Colonel Samuel Miles, directing him to send Lieutenant Ball, with an officer, by land, to this Committee, in order to his parole being taken, when he is to be sent to Germantown to reside.

By order of the Board a Letter was this day written to Robert Morris, Esq., desiring he would apply to Congress for a quantity of Powder for the use of this Province.

In Committee of Safety, May 22, 1776.

Present: Daniel Roberdeau, John Cadwallader, George Clymer.

In Committee of Safety, May 23, 1776.

Present: John Nixon, James Biddle, Owen Biddle, Thomas Wharton, Junior, Samuel Howell, Daniel Roberdeau, George Gray, George Clymer, Joseph Parker.

Resolved, That Mr. John Nixon be desired to write to Mr. Henry Wynkoop, of Bucks County, to purchase five hundred barrels of Pork, and as much salt Beef as he can procure, for the use of this Province in case of any sudden collection of the Associators, or other Troops.

In Committee of Safety, May 24, 1776.

Present: James Biddle, Chairman, John Nixon, Daniel Roberdeau, John Cadwallader, George Ross, Samuel Morris, Jun., Thomas Wharton, Jun., David Rittenhouse, Joseph Parker, Owen Biddle, Benj. Bartholomew, Samuel Howell.

A Memorial to the honourable House of Assembly was this day read, approved of, and sent to the House, and is as follows:

“To the Honourable the Representatives of the Freemen of the Province of PENNSYLVANIA, in General Assembly met: The Memorial of the Committee of Safety of the said Province, showing:

“That there being only nine members of the said Committee residing in this City who are not members of Assembly, and several of the said Committee being frequently out of town on publick business, it often happens that a Board cannot be got together, by which very important matters are sometimes delayed, to the injury of the publick; the said Committee, therefore, beg leave to represent to your honourable House the necessity of increasing the number of this Committee immediately, by adding more persons residing in this City.”

Resolved, That Colonel Roberdeau and Colonel Nixon be a Committee to fix on a mode for speedily supplying the Associators in the different Counties with Cartridges, properly fitted to the bore of each Firelock.

Resolved, That Mr. Wharton and Mr. Samuel Morris be a Committee to direct the properly fitting the four Flats, to be purchased as Hulks for a cover to the Armed Boats in time of action, at or near Fort-Island.

Robert Morris, Esq., produced to the Committee a copy of his Instructions to Mr. Caronio, dated 12th February and 1st March, respecting the sale of a Cargo of Provisions shipped by order of this Committee per the Brigantine Dolphin, Captain Prole, for St. Thomas, consigned to said Stephen Caronio, with orders to invest the net proceeds of said Cargo, (the balance arising from her freight,) and the net proceeds of a Cargo shipped to Porto Rico per the Nancy, Captain Montgomery, in Powder, Arms, &c.; all which he was directed to return by the Brig Nancy, Captain Montgomery, for account of this Committee.

Mr. Morris also produced a Letter from Mr. Caronio, dated at St. Thomas, 30th April last, whereby it appears he had sold both Cargoes, and was receiving pay, part in Cash and part in Produce of the West-Indies.

Therefore, Resolved, That the whole value of Goods and

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