USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. X > Part 35
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363
COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
tity of each article cannot be obtained, he is to furnish each Boat an equal proportion of what can be got.
4 Chests Powder,
30 Round Shot,
300 Musket Cartridges, 20 Pistol do.,
10 Double Headed do.,
20 Chain
do.,
30 Grape do.,
100 Swivel Round,
15 Stand Small Arms,
15 Cartridge Boxes,
20 Cutlasses,
10 Pikes,
Some tanned Hides for the Mag- azine.
10 Pair of Pistols,
Mr. Wynkoop laid before the Board the Returns of the Associators & non-Associators, in all the Townships of the County of Bucks, ex- cepting Haycock Township, with their names, and also a list of the officers of the 1st Battalion in the said County.
Resolved, As it is necessary to keep the knowledge of the pas- sage through the Chevaux De Frize as secret as possible, That the ten following Pilots be the only Persons permitted to Pilot Vessells through the said passage, And between this City and Chester, viz't : William Marshal,
Daniel Gordon,
James Roberts, Nehemiah Maull,
John Schneider,
Joseph Gamble,
William Molleston,
Matthew Strong,
William Ross,
Michael Dawson.
By order of the Board, an order was deliver'd Mr. Wynkoop, on the Treasurer of this Board, in favour of the Commissioners & Assessors of Bucks County, drawn the 29th Sept'r, agreeable to a Resolve of the 26th, for three hundred pounds.
October 12th-At a Meeting of the Committee of Safety.
PRESENT :
ROBERT MORRIS, President, Pro. temp'y.
-
John Cadwalader, Andrew Allen,
Thomas Wharton, jun., Daniel Roberdeau,
Owen Biddle, Henry Wynkoop.
George Gray,
Resolved, That Capt. Thomas Moore be appointed to the Com- mand of the Boat Hancock.
Resolved, In consequence of a Memorial from Sundry Gent'n, a Committee of Northampton County, for a quantity of Gun Powder and Lead for the use of said County, That they be supplied for that purpose with two hundred pounds Gunpowder and Six hundred
500 Musket Balls loose,
2 Cohorns,
4 Powder Horns;
1 Cartridge Case,
1 Pouch Barrel,
4 Cheeses of Wadd,
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MINUTES OF THE
pounds of Lead, out of the Magazine at York Town, And that an order be drawn on Michael Swoop, Esq'r & Mr. John Hay, for the same ; That Mr. Allen write a Letter to the Committee of York County, informing them of the above Resolve.
Mr. Andrew Allen informs this Board, That the Honorable Wil- liam Allen, Esq'r, generously gives for the use of this Board, the half of a quantity of Cannon Shot belonging to himself and Mr. Turner. Mr. Andrew Allen is desired to return the thanks of this Board to the Honourable William Allen, Esq'r, for his generous donation, And to purchase of Mr. Turner his half of said Cannon and Swivel Shot,
Agreeable to an order of the Board, Directions for Peter Long, Gentleman, as Ship's Husband to the Armed Boats, was this day drawn up, approved of, and is as follows :
"In Committee of Safety.
"To PETER LONG,
" Gentleman :
1
"You are hereby appointed Ship's Husband to the Pennsylvania Fleet, and empower'd 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 & other officers employed in the said Fleet, that they are to apply through you for all Stores and necessary's required for the Service. You are to re- ceive their Indents or Lists of what is wanted, Report the same as often as necessary to this Committee, and when the approbation of the Board is obtained, 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 offi- cers' receipt for the articles delivered to him, and you are to re- turn the Bills or accounts of those you purchase for this Board, certify'd by you that the quantity's are what you received, and the prices what you agreed for, not being dearer than the Currant rates of each respective articles at the time of purchase.
" You are empower'd 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 necessary's are taken proper care off, and not neglected, wasted or embezzled, and make Report ac- cording, as you find to this Board.
This Board, being ever desirous to serve the Public faithfully, do recommend the most prudent economy in the Outfits & Supplys of the Fleet ; they must have every thing necessary, but avoid all ex- pensive Superfluitys, 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, deviding the business amongst as many of such as can be done with conveniency, and consistantly with the public good.
1
365
COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
Robert Towers, Commissary, Reports, That agreeable to an order of the 9th inst., he has deliver'd to Philip Livingston, Esq'r., for the use of the Continental Congress, 2004 pounds of Gun Powder.
That he has sent to Lush's Powder Mill the following quantitys of damaged Powder to be made good, Vizt. :
1000 pounds Powder receiv'd from Bermuda, belonging to Congress. 10 pounds Ditto rec'd from Major Mifflin, belonging to ditto.
60 pounds Ditto Provincial Powder, rec'd from City Committee.
By order of the Board, an order was delivered to Mr. Wynkoop on Mr. Towers, Commissary, for Powder for proving the Arms made in Bucks County for the use of this Province.
Resolved, That Mr. Owen Biddle be requested to procure from George Taylor, Esq'r., the following Quantitys and Sizes of Can- non, Barr Shot, Vizt. :
20, 32 pounders. 80, 24 ditto. 160, 18 ditto.
October 13th .- At a meeting of the Committee of Safety.
PRESENT : 1
ROBERT MORRIS, Presid't pro temp'y.
Thomas Wharton, jun'r, 1 Andrew Allen,
Bernard Dougherty, Daniel Roberdeau,
John Cadwalader, George Gray.
Owen Biddle,
The Instructions for the Captains of the Boats were this day read by articles, most of them agreed to, and others to be re-considered to-morrow.
A Letter and Resolve was this Day receiv'd from the President of the Congress, recommending to the Assembly, or this Board, to raise at the Expense of the Continent a Battalion, for the defence of America and its Liberties, When this Board thought proper that the said Letter and Resolve should be laid before the Assembly, and they were deliver'd to Mr. Gray for that purpose.
October 14th .- At a Meeting of the Committee of Safety.
PRESENT :
ROBERT MORRIS, Presid't pro temp'y.
Thomas Wharton, junr., Andrew Allen,
George Gray, John Cadwalader,
Bernard Dougherty, Daniel Roberdeau. Owen Biddle,
By direction of the Board, an order was this day drawn on Mr Owen Biddle in favor of Baltzer Moody, & George Garver, or order
€
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MINUTES OF THE
for twenty three pounds Eight Shillings, being for 117 lbs. Salt Petre made in York County.
Agreeable to a Resolve of the 12th inst., an order was this day drawn on Michael Swoope, Esq'r. & Mr. John Hay, of York County, in favor of Colo. Turbut Francis, or order, for the use of the inhab- itants of Northumberland & Northampton Countys, for 200 Pounds of Gun Powder & 600 lbs. Lead, being part of a quantity in Store at York Town belonging to this Province, And Mr. Andrew Allen produced a Letter for the Committee of York County, which approv- ed of.
A Gentleman who signs "Nauticus," produced to this Board a plan of a Fire Ship for the destruction of Enemy's Ships, which was ap- proved of, And Mr. Allen desired to Return the thanks of this Board to the author for his plan.
Upon Motion, Mr. Robert Morris is requested to apply to Mr. Bradford, and desire he will acquaint this Board as soon as possible, with any intelligence he may at any time receive respecting the safety of this Province.
Mr. Robert Towers, Commissary, is directed to Collect as fast as possible, the Fire locks and spare Bayonets in the hands of the Associators, to get them put into good order, and have Iron Ram ^ Rods made for them; And to purchase the 7 Pair of Pistols from Francis & Tillgham.
Upon Motion, Colo. Roberdeau was desired by the Board to wait on the Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital, and request from them the use of that Charity for the Wounded or Sick Men employed in the Armed Boats, and for information from them how long they might depend on that benefit, and on what terms.
Colo. Roberdeau having waited on the Managers of the Hospital, Reports, That those Gentlemen very generously and readily agree to receive all Patients from the Public service, That may be re- commended by this Board, and that they require no pay ; but mentioned, That in Veneral Cases, it is usual for the Patient to pay three Pounds ten Shillings for his Cure.
Upon Motion, Resolved, 'That the thanks of this Board be con- vey'd by Colo. Roberdeau to the Managers of the Hospital for their very generous determination in favour of such as may fall sick or be wounded in the Public Service of their Country.
Robert Towers, Commissary, Reports, there is now in the State House, belonging to this Province, since last war, the following Articles, Viz !:
72 Wood Canteens.
14 Jackets Drilling &
48 Tin do 10 pr. Breaches, S Oznabriggs,
149 Knap Sacks. 303 Shot pouches. 8 Cartridge Boxes.
312 pair Shoes.
3 pair Shoe Buckles.
12 Screw Drivers.
48 powder Horns.
12 Worms.
50 Lock Brushes. 700 Gun Slings.
225 Flints.
215 Cartridge Belts.
-
367
COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
By Order of the Board, an order was drawn in favour of Mr. Marshall on Robert Morris, Esq'r. for three pounds, for the use of his Boat going to Reedy Island for James Carter, by order of the City Committee.
In obedience to the request of this Committee, Colo. Dickinson laid before the Congress the Case of Doctr. Kearsley & Mr. Brooks. The Congress declined making any particular order respecting them, having already formed a general resolution for Arresting & Secur- ing such persons whose going at large may endanger the Safety of any Colony, or the Liberties of America: So that the sense of the Congress appears to be, that Doctr. Kearsley & Mr. Brooks should be Closely Confined.
October 15th .- At a Meeting of the Committee of Safety At Fort Island.
PRESENT :
ROBERT MORRIS, President pro temporary.
Thomas Wharton, jun'r, Robert White,
Owen Biddle,
Samuel Morris, jun'r,
George Grey, Bernard Dougherty.
The above mention'd members having come down in order to view the works errecting here, and to consult what other buildings may be proper, find it necessary, that the men employed on Board the Boats, should have some Convenient place under cover, for dressing their victuals and drying themselves in bad weather, while employed at or near Fort Island. Therefore, it is
Resolved, That, provided this Board obtains permission from the Provin'l. Commissioners, part of the House on said Island be par- tition'd off in the middle, and that a person be employed for that purpose, and to Carry up a Stack of Chimneys, and a Forge or Fire Places.
October 16th-At a Meeting of the Committee of Safety. PRESENT :
ROBERT MORRIS, Presid't. pro tem'y.
Thomas Wharton, Jun'r. Daniel Roberdeau,
George Gray, Michael Swope,
Benjamin Bartholomew, Robert White,
John Cadwalader,
Samuel Morris, jun'r,
Bernard Dougherty,
Andrew Allen.
Owen Biddle,
Resolved, That Mr. Dougherty & Mr. Gray apply to the Pro- vincial Commissioners for their approbation for this Board to fit up
368
MINUTES OF THE
and erect Fire places in the House on Fort Island, and to erect what other works they find necessary for the defence of this Pro- vince, and that they apply to John Palmer to erect the works, agreeable to the Resolve of yesterday.
By order of the Board, an order was drawn on Robert Morris, Esq'r, in favour of Michael Dawson, for Nine Pounds, for his Servi- ces in delivering to the Pilots and a number of vessells at the Capes, Bay and River Delaware, the Resolves of this Committee for Regulating the Pilots.
On motion,
Resolved, That six 18 pound Cannon be planted' on a Platform at Fort Island, for the defence of this Province ; And a Forge. for heating shot be erected ; That a small Magazine for the safety of Ammunition be built, And that a Company of 2 officers, a Drum & Fife & 25 men, be employed for working the said Cannon. That Mr. Saml. Morris, jun'r. & Mr. Robert White, be a Committee to see these Resolves carried into execution.
Resolved, That the above Mention'd Company consist of one Captain, one Lieutenant, one Drum & Fife, and twenty five private Men, to be immediately raised as a Company of Artillery, and that they engage to serve this Province for twelve months; or if sooner discharged by this Board or Assembly ; The said officers and men are to be paid one month's pay over and above the time they shall have actually served, And that the pay of the said officers be the same as officers of the same Rank employed by the Continental Congress, and the pay of the Privates to be six Dollars # month ; and that every artificer that may be enlisted, and employed in their respective Trades for the service of this Province, be allowed three shillings and nine pence per day over and above their pay.
Resolved, That the Pilots mention'd in the Resolve of the 11th . inst., be desired to attend this Board to-morrow morning, 9 o'Clock, with their Proposals for their being employed in the service of this Province as pilots.
Resolved, That three Hulks be purchased, and sunk in the most convenient places for Defence of this River; That Mr. Wharton & Colo. Roberdeau be a Committee to purchase said Hulks, And That Mr. White and Mr. Samuel Morris, fix upon the properest places for sinking them.
The instructions for the Captains of the armed Boats were this day gone through, approved of, and are as follows, Vizt :
General Instructions for the Commanders of the Provincial Armed Boats.
1. Every Captain or other officer shall give strict attention, that the Boat he commands be kept clean and in good order at all times.
2. The officers of the Boats are to use the crew well, and to keep strict discipline among them.
369
COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
3. Each Captain shall appoint all officers under the Rank of a Commission'd officer, and oblige them to perform diligently the duties of their station.
4. Every Captain and other officer shall be punctual in observ- ing the orders he shall from time to time receive from the Commo- dore, Committee of Safety, or Assembly.
5. No powder to be expended for exercising either Great Guns or small arms, without orders from the Commodore, Committee of Safety, or Assembly, and only Swivel Guns or Musquets to be fired for signals, except in cases of immediate danger.
6. The Commodore shall order the crews, or each Captain his respective crew, to be exercised in the use of their Oars, great Guns, small arms, and pikes, as often as possible, without impeding the public service, or harrassing the Men too much.
7. The crew not to be suffered to go on Shore, or absent them- selves from on board the Boats without leave from their officers, nor to disturb any inhabitants, or settlements, on any pretence whatever.
8. The Commodore or Commanding officer shall appoint proper Signals, copies of which shall be given to the Captain or Comman- ding officer of every Boat, to all which signals the officers are to pay due obedience and respect.
9. The Eldest officer present, where more boats are together than one, to act as Commodore, and have the Command of the whole.
10. When a Boat is below the city, the Commanding officer on board is to Examine all vessells bound up, whether the people on board are our friends or foes, and if they refuse satisfaction in these points they are to be considered as enemies. .
11. The Officers of the Boats are to treat the Masters and crews of all vessells, both foreign and others, who have no hostile inten- tions against us, and who do not violate the Laws of the Continental Congress, or the rules and regulations of the Committee of safety or Assembly, with decency and good manners, nor are they to put them to unnecessary delay or trouble, but if any should be in dis- tress they are to lend them all reasonable assistance.
12. A Copy of the Articles, subscribed by the officers and men, shall be hung up in some public part of the Boat, for the perusal of the crew, to whom they are to be read once every week, in an orderly manner, all the Officers, who can conveniently attend, to be present.
13. The Boats are not to leave any particular Station assigned them out of port, or when appointed to any duty, without orders from the Commodore, Committee of Safety, or Assembly.
14. The Captain of each boat shall cause his Clerk to make out a Muster Roll of the crew of the boat which he Commands, with their names, stations on board, time of entering the Service, whether they are sickly or maimed, and what is their ailment, and if any VOL. X .- 24.
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of the crew should die or be discharged, specify the time thereof, all which is to be returned to the Muster Master of the Boats, once every month, at least, or oftener if required by him.
15. No Captain or other officer shall discharge any of the Boats' crew without leave from the Commodore, Committee of Safety, or Assembly, unless he ships an equal number to those discharged, immediately.
16. The Commander of each Boat is by ticket to certify to the Contractor, from time to time, the number of Rations that are re- quired for his Boat's crew ; the Stewart of the boat is to receive the same from the Commissary upon producing the said ticket, and is to give his receipt, and be accountable.
17. The Commander of each Boat is to examine into the quality of the Provisions, from time to time, and see that they be good and wholesome, and that the proper quantity be delivered out by the Steward, and in convenient messes.
18. If the quality of the provisions should be objected to, the Captain of the Boat is to report the same to the contractor, with a desire that they may be exchanged for such as are good and whole- some, but if the contractor is disatisfied with the report of the Cap- tain, they are to have a survey made by two judicious and impartial freeholders, mutually chosen, who may determine the same if they agree, but if otherwise they are to call in an umpire, who shall de- cide upon the quality of said provisions ; if they are condemned the contractor shall supply others to equal amount in kind, but if the judgment of the referrers should be otherwise, the men must receive them for their allowance.
19. No warrant officer or private, discharged from the service of the Boat he first ships in, shall be admitted in the service of any other Boat unless by mutual consent of the Commanders.
20. The Commanding officer of each Boat constantly to enforce a due observance of all the articles signed and agreed to by the Officers and Men, for their regulation in this service.
21. In case of making Prisoners, it is recommended by the Com- mittee of Safety to all the Officers and Men employed in the Penn- sylvania fleet, to treat them with humanity, and such kindness as the public good will admit of.
22. It is recommended by the Committee of Safety, to all the Officers and men employed in the Pennsylvania Fleet, to attend the public worship of Almighty God as frequently as in their power.
23. If any of the King's Ships, Sloops, cutters, or other armed vessels, shall proceed up the River Delaware in a hostile manner, or with hostile intentions; if they attempt to pass the Machines now sunk, or hereafter to be sunk in the River Delaware, or if they at- tempt to weigh those that are sunk, or obstruct the sinking of others that are, or may be ordered by the Committee of Safety or Assem- bly, or if they seize or attempt to seize any property of the, Inhabi-
371
COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
tants of the United Colonies of America, or to molest, or destroy their property or persons, in any shape or manner whatever, the Officers & Men employed in this fleet, are hereby ordered to oppose all such proceedings and attempts, by whomsoever made, and to repel force by force, even to the taking, sinking, or destroying all such Ships, Sloops, cutters, armed vessells, or other force, employed in such designs and attempts against the peace and security of the United Colonies.
Resolved, That William Bradford print one hundred Copies of the Instructions to the Captains of the armed Boats.
October 17th .- At a Meeting of the Committee of Safety. PRESENT :
ROBERT MORRIS, President pro temporary.
George Gray, Andrew Allen,
Michael Swoope,
Owen Biddle,
Y
Daniel Roberdeau,
Thomas Wharton, jun'r.
Bernard Dougherty,
Mr. Gray and Mr. Dougherty, agreeable to a Resolve of yester- day, waited on the Provincial Commissioners, who gave their hearty consent to this Board's errecting any works on the Province Island, that they may think proper and necessary for the defence of this Province.
Mr. John Palmer, agreeable to desire, attended this Board, and undertook the Mason work agreed to be carried on at Fort Island.
October 18th .- At a Meeting of the Committee of Safety .. PRESENT :
ROBERT MORRIS, President pro temporary.
Daniel Roberdeau, Michael Swoope,
John Montgomery, Thomas Wharton, jun'r.,
Bernard Dougherty, Owen Biddle,
George Gray, John Cadwalader.
Upon application of Capt. John Old, of a Riffle Company in Berks County, an order was deliver'd him on Robert Towers, Com- missary, for five pounds of Battle Powder, for proving of new Riffles, for the use of his Company. .
Resolved, That Colo. Roberdeau be empowered to admit such persons to an interview with Doct'r Kearsley, J. Brooks, Leonard Snowden, & Christopher Carter, during the time they are confined in the Gaol of this County, as he may find necessary, or think proper, he being present at all such interviews.
372 .
MINUTES OF THE
By order of the Board, an order was drawn on Mr. Owen Biddle, in favour of Daniel Evans, for ten pounds, towards the payment of Smith's work.
William Namick, a deserter from the Ministerial Army, applied . to this board for a small sum of money, for the support of himself and wife, until he can get into employ. In consequence of his ap- plication, this board thought proper to give the said Namick the sum of three pounds ; an order was, therefore, drawn on Mr. Owen Biddle, to pay the said Sum of three pounds.
At the. Request of Mr. Robert Shewell, this Board gave him a Copy of his Letter directed to Doct'r Kearsley, with the following Certificate :
" In Committee of Safety.
" These may certify, that the above is a true Copy of an Original Letter, delivered to the Committee of Safety, signed Robert Shewell, & directed to Doct'r Kearsley ; and that the Committee of Safety has not, at any time, Summoned the said Robert Shewell to appear before them."
The Pilots, agreeable to a Resolve of Yesterday, attended this Board, and proposes to enter into the pay of this Province as Pilots, at the Rate of ten pounds per month, for the purpose of Piloting vessels through the Machines sunk near Fort Island; And they will attend to-morrow with their proposals of Pilotage, at so much per foot.
The Board taking into consideration the charge against Chris- topher Carter, of being concerned with Doct'r. John Kearsley & J. Brooks in their endeavour to procure British Troops to invade this and the other Colonies in a Hostile manner, with other inimi- cal Correspondence and practices, and having duely attended to his defence, are unanimously of opinion, that the said Christopher Carter is guilty of the charge. But it having been represented to this Board, by the Committee of Inspection and observation, that a Dep- utation from their Body had promised the said Carter protection from punishment, on condition of his delivering up the Papers and giving information of the Designs to be executed by him and the others concern'd, which he has complied with ; It is therefore,
Resolved, that Christ'r Carter's person be enlarged and set at Liberty, on his giving Security in the sum of Five hundred pounds for his good behaviour, & that he will not leave the Province without License from the Assembly or Committee of Safety, nor be concerned in practices or Correspondence during his Stay, that shall be inimi- cal to the United Colonies.
373
COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
October 19th-At a meeting of the Committee of Safety.
PRESENT:
ROBERT MORRIS, President pro tem'y.
Anthony Wayne,
John Montgomery,
George Gray,
Thomas Wharton, jr.,
Bernard Dougherty,
Daniel Roberdeau,
Andrew Allen,
John Cadwalader,
Benjamin Bartholomew,
Owen Biddle.
Mr. George Taylor return'd to the Board ;his account of the Cannon Shot supplied by him, and informed them that he should be a considerable loser by the Price at which he had contracted to deliver them ; and the Board taking the Matter into Consideration, after previously consulting Mr. Grubb and Mr. Potts, Iron Masters, were of the same opinion ; and therefore,
Resolved, That Mr. Taylor should be allowed at the rate of Eigh- teen pounds per ton for the same.
By order of the Board, a Letter was this day wrote to the Com- mittee of York County, and one other Letter to the Committee of Lancaster County, respecting Doct'r. Kearsley & J. Brooks' con- finement in each County.
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