as they now gave Congress this necessary information for the express purpose of having an explicit declaration if they were expected to act in this important business, which they were ready to undertake if so desired. This application was made by Mr. Morris, as declared, by order of the Committee of Safety; and after a debate of considerable length, and two motions made and seconded, one was withdrawn and the other determined in the negative. In consequence whereof, I have made this memorandum immediately on the spot, to appear when it may be necessary, and to prevent blame being cast where it is not merited.

“ROBERT MORRIS.

“The above is a true state of facts.

Resolved, That Colonel Roberdeau be requested to apply to Mr. Benjamin Harrison, or any other person, to be employed in purchasing of ten tons of Brass for the use of this Province.

Resolved, That Mr. John Britton be desired to purchase fifty thousand three-inch White-Oak Plank with a proportionable quantity of squared Scantling.

Resolved, That six flat-bottomed Boats be built for transporting men from shore to shore.

Resolved, That Major Mifflin report to this Board the quantity of Stores, Port-Fire, Quick-Match and Grape-Shot that the Field-pieces are in want of.

In Committee of Safety, June 22, 1776.

Present: Robert Morris, Vice-President, John Nixon, Chairman, George Ross, John Cadwallader, Joseph Parker, Samuel Howell, Robert White, James Biddle, Owen Biddle, Daniel Roberdeau, Alexander Wilcocks.

Resolved, That Mr. Samuel Howell be requested to purchase of Mr. Amos Strettle the whole quantity of Copper that he has for sale.

Upon application of Mr. Lawrence Bernie for a sum of Money to be advanced him to assist his carrying on a File Manufactory, by order of the Board an Order was drawn on John Nixon, Esq., and others, the Committee of Accounts, in favour of said Bernie, for £300, which is directed to be paid him on his giving proper security for the repayment of said sum in eighteen months from the date hereof, either in Cash or Files, which payment shall be made at the option of this Committee.

By order of the Board an Order was drawn on John Nixon, Esquire, and others, the Committee of Accounts, in favour of David Kennedy, Esquire, for £100, to be charged to his account, being towards the payment of Linens and Blankets, to be delivered by him to this Committee.

Resolved, That Colonel Cadwallader, Captain White, and Mr. Parker, be a Committee to employ proper persons to build six flat-bottomed Boats, agreeable to a Resolve of yesterday.

By order of the Board Robert Towers, Commissary, was directed to deliver the following quantity of Ammunition to the Colonels of the different Battalions of Associators in Chester County, viz:

To Colonel James Moore: 2,300 Cartridges for Provincial Muskets; 2,070 Cartridges, assorted, for the other different bores of Fire-locks; 1,500 Flints.

To Colonel Thomas Hockley: 2,300 Cartridges for Provincial Muskets; 2,300 Cartridges, assorted, for the other different bores of Fire-locks; 1,600 Flints.

To Colonel Hugh Lloyd: 1,840 Cartridges for Provincial Muskets; 1,610 Cartridges, assorted, for the other different bores of Fire-locks; 1,200 Flints.

To Colonel William Montgomery: 2,760 Cartridges for Provincial Muskets; 2,415 Cartridges, assorted, for the other different bores of Fire-locks; 1,800 Flints.

To Colonel Richard Thomas: 1,840 Cartridges for Provincial Muskets; 1,610 Cartridges, assorted, for the other different bores of Fire-locks; 1,200 Flints.

And to each of the said Colonels the same proportion of loose Powder and Lead equal to the quantity of Cartridges.

In Committee of Safety, June 24, 1776.

Present: George Clymer, Chairman, Joseph Parker, Robert White, John Cadwallader, Daniel Roberdeau, Samuel Howell, David Rittenhouse, Alexander Wilcocks, John Nixon, Thomas Wharton, Jun.

Resolved, That Mr. Samuel Howell, Mr. George Clymer, and Mr. Owen Biddle, be a Committee to agree with Mr. Thomas Savage to carry on the manufactory of Salt on the Jersey shore, and make report of such agreement to this Board; and that they (the said Committee) draw on the Committee of Accounts for such sums of money as may be necessary to complete and carry on said work.

Robert Towers, Commissary, his account for wages, up to the 4th instant, was this day directed by the Board to be paid, being for three hundred and thirty-four days, at 10s., amounting to £167.

By order of the Board an Order was drawn on John Nixon, Esq., and others, the Committee of Accounts, in favour of Robert Towers, for £53 5s. 5d., being the amount of his account for making Cartridges, for the pay of Lead, &c.

Resolved, That Dr. Duffield and Dr. Rush be directed to lay before this Board an account of the quantities and kind of Medicine, Surgical Instruments, Lint, and Rags for bandages, belonging to the publick, and report their opinion whether anything is wanted for the use of the Hospital.

At a special meeting of the Committee of Safety:

Present: Alexander Wilcocks, Chairman, Samuel Howell, John Nixon, James Biddle, John Cadwallader, Robert White, Joseph Parker, Daniel Roberdeau.

In Committee of Safety, June 25, 1776.

Present: Alexander Wilcocks, Chairman, George Ross, George Clymer, Joseph Parker, Samuel Howell, John Nixon, John Cadwallader, James Biddle, Robert White, Samuel Morris, Jun., David Rittenhouse, Owen Biddle, Daniel Roberdeau, George Gray.

By order of the Board an Order was drawn on John Nixon. Esq., and others, the Committee of Accounts, for £200, in favour of Colonel William Rankin, being towards the payment of Fire-locks, purchasing by him in York County, on account of Congress.

By order of the Board an Order was drawn on John Nixon, Esq., and others, the Committee of Accounts, in favour of Thomas Gaucher, for £30, being so much paid him for disclosing his art of boring and grinding Gun-barrels, agreeable to his agreement of this day.

Upon application of Robert Morris, Esq., from the Marine Committee, for a quantity of Lead for the use of the four Frigates building for account of Congress,

Resolved, That this Board supply the said Ships with Lead for their head-pumps and hause-hole.

ROBERT MORRIS, Vice-President.

By order of the Board the Committee of Accounts was directed to pay Colonel Miles his order for the amount of a hogshead of Rum, received by him at Lewistown, for the use of the Provincial Rifle Battalion under his command, and charge the same to account of Congress.

The Conference of Committees having sent the following Resolve to this Board, by Mr. Hill, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Blewer, Members of that body:

“In Conference, June 25, 1776.

“Resolved, unanimously, That it be recommended to the Committee of Safety of this Province to confine the command of Commodore Davidson to the Ship of War and Floating Battery belonging to the Province, and to issue no orders to the Captains or other officers of the Row-Galleys, Fire-Ships, or Fire-Rafts, through the said Commodore, until the Convention meets; and that it be recommended to the Captains and other officers of the Row-Galleys, &c., to pay all due obedience to the Committee of Safety until that time, and until a new appointment shall take place.

“A true copy:

“THOMAS MCKEAN, President.”

In consequence of the above Resolve, a Letter was written to Commodore Davidson, directing him to confine his command