USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. X > Part 52
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2ndly. "You are to see that the necessary furniture, bedding, and Cooking Utensils be provided for each appartment.
3rdly. "You are to assign the particular quarters which the Troops are to occupy, having a regard to the Interest of the Public and the convenience and health of the Men; for which purpose, not more than sixteen Men be station'd in each room while there is any vacant appartments, nor should they be suffered to occupy a greater portion of the Barracks at any time than is necessary for the purposes before mention'd, of which you are to be judge.
4thly. "When any Troops are first Quartered in the said Bar- racks, 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 you; and in
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case of any embezlement or wanton destruction of them, or any part of them, the Value thereof shall be stopped out of their pay, which is forfeit for the resupply of the same.
5thly. " The Keys of all the appartments 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.
6thly. " You are to purchase Fire Wood for all the Troops, Boat- men, & 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 unneces- sarily, for which purpose the Commanding officer of the Island is to fix a Guard over it.
7thly. " Your order on John Nixon & others, the Committee of Accounts for this Board, for all necessary supplies of Fire Wood, for the purpose aforesaid, will be duly paid.
8thly. "On application to the sub-Committee of Fort Island for any of the stores, Furniture, Cooking Utensils, &ca, that may be necessary for the accommodation of the Troops, &ca, station'd at Fort Island, they will provide such part as they shall think proper and Usefull, and send it to your care, for which you are to be account- able.
" 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, Time at Work, and Wages per day, of which you are to make out a correct Copy, and return it Evening to the Superintendant appointed by the sub-Committee for Fort Island."
Resolved, That Capt. Heysham & Mr. Joseph Watkins be ap- pointed a Committee to receive the directions of this Board, to car- ry into execution the making of Carriages for the different Canon that may be made or otherwise procured for the use of this Pro- vince.
Resolved, That the Officers of the Ship, Armed Boats, Floating & Land Battery, make report to this Board the quantity of Mili- tary stores they now have.
By order of the Board, an order was drawn on Mich'l Hillegas, Esq'r, in favour of Colo. Sam'l Atlee or his order, for five hundred pounds, for the use of the Musket Battalion in the service of this Province.
Whereas, several Gent'n have offered to form themselves into Companys of Volunteers, and whenever called upon in 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 & patriotick offer, and Messrs Sam'l Howell, Thomas Wharton, & Owen
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Biddle, are appointed to confer with those Gent'n, 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, & consult Capt. 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 Gallies 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 dispatch.
Resolved, That it appears necessary to Fortify some part of the Jersey shore for the Defence of the River Delaware.
Resolved, That Colo. John Cadwalader apply to the Committee of Inspection & Observation to deliver the Rigging in their posses- sion belonging to Joshua Fisher & Son, to Thomas Lawrence, Vendue Master, to be immediately sold at public Vendue, that this Committee may have an Opportunity of purchasing the same for the public service, and that this Committee will pay for the same, or be answerable for the payment when required.
Upon application to this Board from Colo. John Shee, he had permission to purchase Fire Arms from the non-Associators in this Province.
Upon application of the Marine Committee, orders was give to admit the sick Men from Capt. Wickes' ship into the Hospital at Province Island.
In Committee of Safety, 15th May, 1776.
PRESENT :
John Nixon,
James Mease,
Thomas Wharton, jun'r, Alexander Wilcocks.
James Biddle,
In Committee of Safety, 16th May, 1776.
PRESENT :
ALEXAN'R WILCOCKS, Chairman.
John Nixon, Dan'l Roberdeau,
Sam'l Howell,
Tho's Wharton, jun'r,
Sam'l Morris, jun'r,
George Clymer,
James Mease,
James Biddle.
Sam'l Miles,
Resolved, That Mr. John Nixon be authorized to purchase any quantity of Beef & Pork that may be thought necessary for the use of this Province.
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In consequence of a Resolve of the 13th inst., Rob't Morris, Esq'r, a Member of Congress, acquaints this Board that it is agreeable to Congress that John Martin Stohlbogh should enter into the service of this Province.
Resolved, That Mr. James Wharton & Capt. Nath'l Falconer be authorized to examine a Number of 9 pound Canon, the property of Mr. Ball, and if they think they are good & sufficient for ser- vice, That they then, at the Risque 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 mention'd Canon.
The following Resolves of Congress was sent by Rob't Morris, Esq'r, & ordered to be enter'd on the Minutes of this Board.
" In Congress, 15th May, 1776.
" Resolved, That the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, be desired to write to the Committee of Safety of Delaware Govern- ment, to suspend the Execution of the Resolve of Congress for Exchanging Lieut. Ball for Captain Budden, 'till further orders.
"Extract from the Minutes,
"Sign'd CHA'S THOMSON, Sec'y."
Agreeable to the above Resolve of Congress, Rob't Morris, Esq'r, in behalf of this Board, enclosed a copy of said Resolves to the Committee of Safety of the Lower counties, which is approved of by this Board.
Upon application of Colo. Sam'l Miles, for some Muskets for the use of Capt. Lloyd's Comp'y in the Musket Battalion of this Province, By order of the Board, Robert Towers, Commissary, was directed to deliver 12 firelocks & bayonets for the use aforesaid, he taking a receipt for the same.
Resolved, That Colo. Miles be authorized to procure a Smith's Bellows and Tools, proper for an Armourer to the Provincial Bat- talions 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 9 O'Clock.
By order of the Board, Robert Towers, Commissary, was direc- ted to deliver for the use of Capt. Procter's Company, twenty-seven Firelocks for the use of his Artillery.
By order of the Board, an order was drawn on Michael Hillegas, Esq'r, in favour of John Nixon, Esq'r, & others, the Committee of Accounts, for five thousand pounds.
Resolved, That Mr. Nixon & Capt. Whyte, be requested to make enquiry and Report the quantity of ammunition that each Armed Boat was supplied with when they went down the River last week
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against the Ships of War, and what supplies they received afterwards from the Ship, Fort & Floating Battery, with the times and other Circumstances of the different supplies.
Resolved, That Mr. Clymer, Mr. James Biddle and Mr. Wil- cocks, be a Committee to draw up a Memorial to Congress, respec- ting the procuring of Sulphur & 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 :
12 oz. Balls, to quilt Grape for 18 pounders.
Canon for block house.
Sods & Facines.
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 public use the Various species of Leaden weights in their respective Families, The Committee, as the most easy & expeditious method of procuring such Lead, have appointed Thomas Neville, Frazer Kinsley, Jesse Roe, & John Derry, to go round the City, and receive it at the several Houses, they paying at the rate of 6d $ 1b, 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 Chear- fully Comply with this requisition, but if any Persons should be so lost to all sense of the public 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 wrote to John Cox, Esq'r, requesting he would send to this City, by Waggons, all the Canon 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, 18th May, 1776.
PRESENT :
GEO. CLYMER, Chairman.
Robert Morris, David Rittenhouse,
John Nixon, Jno. Cadwalader,
Tho's Wharton, Jun'r,
Owen Biddle,
Alex'r Wilcocks,
Dan'l Roberdeau,
Sam'l Morris, Jun'r,
Sam'l Howell,
Andrew Allen,
Joseph Parker.
By order of the Board, John Nixon, Esq'r, & others, the Com- mittee of acc'ts, were directed to pay Sam'l Allen three pounds for
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the Carriage of arms from Carlisle, sent by Mr. Culbertson, and to be charged to acco't of Congress.
By order of the Board, Capt. Richard Peters was desired to de- liver to Mr. Kirk two Gun locks, receiving pay for them, they being for the use of Lieut. Finney, to compleat two Firelocks he got made for two Men in Colo. Atlee's Battalion in the service of this Pro- vince.
Capt. Heysham & Mr. Watkins having declined serving as a Committee, agreeable to their appointment by a Resolve of this Board of the 14th inst.,
Resolved, That Capt. Loxley & Mr. William Evans be a Com- mittee to receive the directions of this Board, to carry into execu- tion the making of Carriages for the different Canon that may be made or otherwise procured for the use of this Province, to employ in the said works such Tradesmen compitent to it, as are well ef- fected to the common defence now making.
Resolved, That Mr. Robert Towers make up as soon as possible, five hundred thousand Musket Cartridges, and 300 Rounds for each heavy Canon now in use ; that he fill up 300,000 of the former, & 100 of each of the latter.
Resolved, 'That a Commissary be appointed to purchase as large a quantity of salt Beef and Pork as he can procure, & to purchase such other articles of Provisions as he may be directed by this Board, in order to be stored, for the supply of any Troops that may be assembled for the immediate defence of this Province.
Resolved, That Colo. Miles. & Colo. Roberdeau be a Committee to draw up a list of necessaries that. they may judge necessary for supplying a large Body of Troops, that may suddenly assemble for the defence of this Province.
Resolved, That Mr. Nixon, Mr. James Biddle, Colo. Cadwala- der, Mr. Clymer, Mr. Mease, Mr. O. Biddle, & Mr. Wilcocks, be a Committee to draw up a Memorial to the Honorable the assembly, stating the Conduct of this Committee in providing the Armed Boats with ammunition & Military Stores, and their orders and regula- tions for the defence of this Province and the River Delaware, upon the late attempt of the King's Ships to invade the same.
By order of the Board, an order was drawn on Jno. Nixon, Esq'r, & others, the Committee of Accounts, in favour of Jno. Wilcocks, for £500, to be charged to the Gun Lock Manufactory of this Province.
The Board Adjourned to 5 O'Clock.
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Agreeable to adjournment, the following Members Met, Vizt : GEORGE CLYMER, Chair'n.
John Nixon, Owen Biddle, John Cadwalader, Samuel Howell,
Tho's Wharton, Jun'r, Sam'l Morris, Jun'r,
Daniel Roberdeau.
Upon application of Lieu't George Cuppaidge, Prisoner of War at Lebanon, in Lancaster County, for leave to remove from thence to York Town, in the County of York,
Resolved, That he be removed accordingly.
Resolved, That Colo. Samuel Miles be requested to employ as many of the Provincial Troops under his Command as he conve- niently can, in cutting a quantity Fascines, informing this Board from time to time of the Number he may have procured.
In Committee of Safety, 20th May, 1776.
PRESENT :
JOHN NIXON, Ch'n.
Robert Morris, John Cadwalader,
James Biddle, Joseph Parker,
Thomas Wharton, J'r, George Clymer,
Alexander Wilcocks.
An order was this day drawn & signed by Rob't Morris, Esq'r, V. P., on John Nixon, Esq'r, & others, the Committee of Accounts, in favour of James Caldwell, for £174 6 1, being the amount of 57 Rifles & Firelocks, with the expences attending them, purchased by Sam'l Culbertson, of Cumberland County, which is to be charg'd to Firelocks purchased for account of Congress.
John Ryan, a Person taken some time since at Cape Henlopen, and intended to have been exchanged for some Person on Board the Roebuck, Man-of-War, was this day brought to this City, Capt. Craig, who went down with him and other Prisoners, to exchange, not being able to get on board said Ship, she having gone to sea, and this Board having been informed that the said Ryan was well acquainted with the River and Bay of Delaware, and that he was otherwise dangerous to the safety of this Province ; therefore,
Resolved, That the said Ryan be confined in the Gaol of this County till he be discharged by Congress or this Committee.
By order of the Board, an order was drawn on Jno. Nixon, Esq'r, and others, the Committee of Accounts, for £90 5, which with 100 lbs. of Gun powder deliver'd by Mr. Towers the 10th inst., is in full for 461lbs. Salt Petre manufactured in Lancaster County, and deliver'd to Mr. Towers.
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Resolved, That Capt. Whyte & Capt. Hazlewood be requested to survey the Channel on the East side of the Barr opposite to Fort Island, and make report to this Board as soon as possible of such survey, and of the narrowest part of said Channel.
Resolved, That Mr. Owen Biddle be requested to procure 5 or 6 Waggons and send them to Doct'r Coxes' Iron Works in the Jer- seys, to bring with all possible expedition, the Shot he made for account of this Committee.
By order of the Board, an order was drawn on the Committee of Accounts for £50, in favor of Thomas Nevill, Jesse Rce, Frazer Kensley & John Derry, towards the payment of Lead weights to be collected by them for the use of this Province.
In Committee of Safety, 21st May, 1776. PRESENT :
JOHN NIXON, Chair'n.
George Clymer,
Samuel Howell,
James Mease,
Sam'l Morris,
Owen Biddle,
John Cadwalader,
Thomas Wharton, jun'r, Daniel Roberdeau.
Upon application of Robert Towers for the payment of his ac- count for sundry Arms, Lead, Sulphur, &ca, purchased and paid for by him on account of this Province ; By order of the Board, an or- der was drawn in his favor on Jno. Nixon and others, the Commit- tee of Accounts, for £197 14 3, being the amount of said accounts.
Upon application of Mr. Henry Wynkoop, for a sum of Money to purchase Firelocks, By order of the Board, an order was drawn in favor of Gerardus Wynkoop for £100, which is directed to be charged to the said Henry Wynkoop, for arms to be purchased for account of Congress.
The following Memorial to Congress was this day drawn up, read and approved off, and deliver'd by Mr. James Mease to Mr. Rob't Morris :
" In Committee of Safety, 21st May, 1776.
" To the Honorable the Continental Congress.
" The Memorial of the Committee of Safety of the Province of Pennsylvania, Shewing :
" That the General Assembly of this Province, having appropria- ted large sums for the Defence and protection of the same, and of the River Delaware, this Committee, who were intrusted with the application thereof, caused thirteen Arm'd Boats or Gondolas to be built, equip'd and Manned, and have since built, fitted and Manned a large Ship, Floating Battery, several Guard Boats, and a great num-
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ber of Fire Rafts, erected Fortifications on deep Water Island, raised a large Artillery Company for their Defence, and sunk Chevaux-de- Frize in the Channel of the River; That the Assembly have raised two Battalions of Rifle Men and one of Musketry, station'd on the Banks of the River Delaware.
" That the Committee perceive, after all these exertions, greatly surpassing, as they believe, any that have been made on this Con- tinent at an Expence merely Colonial, that their defence is still imperfect and far unequal in their Idea, to the probable Force that may soon be employed against this Colony.
" To give, therefore, additional security to this Province and City, and the navigation of the River and Bay of Delaware, the preser- vation of which must be of the highest importance to the Common Cause of the Colonies, This Committee conceive it necessary that some more Armed Boats or Gondolas, larger than those already built, capable of Navigating in Delaware Bay, and another Floating Battery, should immediately be build. 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 Billings- port.
" That as the moneys granted by the Assembly for the purposes of Defence must soon be exhausted in supporting the large estab- lishment of Seamen & Soldiers in the pay of this Province, and as the building, equipping, & manning the additional Floating Battery & armed Vessels, & erecting Fortifications on the Jersey Shore, will be too heavy a Burthen for this Province singly to bear, this .Com- mittee beg leave to call the attention of the Congress to these im- portant objects, and pray their aid in directing those further De- fences, 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 necessarys required for the service; you are to ob- tain from them an Inventary 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 fu- ture supplies that may be called for ; you are to procure the sundry articles of the best qualitys, each in its kind ; and it is your particu- lar 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
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you are to return the Bills or accounts for those you purchase for this Board, Certify'd by you that the quantities are what you re- ceiv'd and the prices what you agreed for, not being dearer than the Current rates of each respective article at the time of pur- chase.
"You are empowered to inspect and enquire on the Board the Fleet at least once in every month, and as much oftener as you may think necessary, whether all stores and necessarys are taken proper care of, and not neglected, wasted or embezelled, and make Report according as you find, to this Board.
" This Board, being ever desirous of serving the Public faithfully, do recommend the most prudent economy in the Outfits and Sup. plies of the Fleet. They must have everything necessary, but avoid all expensive superfluitys, and in the purchase of what is wanted give a preference to such persons as are known to be Zeal- ous Supporters of the American cause, dividing the business amongst as many of such as can be done with conveniency and consistently with the Public good.
On Motion,
"Resolved, That Colo. Miles be directed to detach from the Pro- vincial Troops under his Command, a Working party of one hun- dred 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 18s. 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 7s 6 $ bushel for the same.
" Resolved, That the above mention'd Salt be removed to Ger- mantown 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 Colo. Roberdeau and. Colo. Cadwalader, from the Officers appointed to try the Cart- ridges with which the associators are furnished, be printed in the different News papers, of this City, which is as follows :
" We, the subscribers, appointed by the Board of Oficers of the Associators of the City & Liberties of Philad'a; for the purpose of examining the Cartridges deliver'd by the Commissary to the said Associators, have carefully examined the same, & find the weight of the Powder therein contained is two-fifth parts 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.
" Sign'd, "T. MATLACK, Colo. R. B.
"FRAN'S WADE, Capt. 2nd Bat'n.
"FRAN'S GURNEY, Capt. 3rd Bat'n.
" WM. WILL, Capt. 1st Bat'n.
" dated PHILAD'A, 20th May, 1776."
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A letter was this day sent, by order of the Board, to Colo. Sam'l Miles, directing him to send L't Ball with an Officer, by Land, to this Committee, in order to his Paroles being taken, When he is to be sent to Germantown to reside.
By order of the Board, a Letter was this day wrote to Robert Morris, Esq'r, desiring he would apply to Congress for a quantity of Powder, for the use of this Province.
WM. GOVETT, Sec'ty.
In Committee of Safety, 22d May, 1776.
PRESENT :
Dan'l Roberdeau,
George Clymer.
John Cadwalader,
In Committee of Safety, 23rd May, 1776.
PRESENT :
John Nixon,
Dan'l Roberdeau,
James Biddle,
George Gray,
Owen Biddle,
George Clymer,
Thomas Wharton, Jun'r,
Joseph Parker.
Sam'l Howell,
Resolved, That Mr. John Nixon be desired to write to Mr. Henry Wynkoop of Bucks County, to purchase 500 Barrels of Pork & 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, 24th May.
PRESENT :
JAMES BIDDLE, Chair'n.
John Nixon, David Rittenhouse,
Daniel Roberdeau,
Joseph Parker,
John Cadwalader, Owen Biddle,
George Ross,
Benja. Bartholomew,
Sam'l Morris, Jun'r,
Samuel Howell.
Thomas Wharton, Jun'r,
A Memorial to the Honorable House of assembly was this day read, approved of, and sent to the House, and is as follows:
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" To the Honorable 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, Shewing :
" 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 Public Business, it often happens that a Board cannot be got together, by which very important Matters are some time delayed, to the injury of the Public.
" The said Committee, therefore, beg leave to represent to your Honorable House the necessity of increasing the Number of this Committee immediately, by adding more Persons residing in this . City."
Resolved, That Colo. Roberdeau & Colo. Nixon be a Committee to fix on a mode for speedily supplying the Associators in the dif- ferent Counties with Cartridges, properly fitted to the Bore of each Firelock.
Resolved, That Mr. Wharton & Mr. Sam'l 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.
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