and a Gentleman, That I will not bear Arms against the American United Colonies in any manner whatever, for the space of twelve months, or until I may be exchanged, nor will I during that time take any measures to give intelligence to General Gage or the British Ministry, or to any person or persons whatever, relative to American affairs; also in case this my Parole is not accepted in Exchange for any Officer of equal Rank in the American Service who may be taken Prisoner by the Brittish Troops, I do hereby, in any such case on notice, Promise to Repair to, and give myself up to the said Committee of Safety as a Prisoner. Dated Philad'a 7th Sept'r, 1775.

Signed

ROWLEY GODFREY, Lt.

48th Reg't.

Lt. Godfrey was furnish'd with a Copy of the above.

Mr. Owen Biddle is desired to procure a Rifle that will carry a half pound Ball, with a Telescope sight, and to get repaired a Riffle produced by Colo. Wayne.

The Board being informed, by enquiry of the Honorable Peyton Randolph, Esqr., that the application of Colo. George Slaughter, for leave to purchase Gunpowder for the use of a New Settlement in Virginia or Kentucky, is founded in necessity for the protection of a number of Families, they not being able to furnish themselves elsewhere, have agreed to permit their purchasing one hundred pounds weight at York Town, in this Province, if the Committee of that Place think fit to spare the same.

The above minute was signed by the president & Colo. Slaughter, furnished therewith.

September 8th.-At a meeting of the Committee of Safety.

Major George Etherington, having come hither with an intention, as he says, of going for England, this Board thought proper to take the following Parole of him :

"I, George Etherington, Major in the secend Battalion of his Majesty's Loyal American Regiment, a prisoner in the power of the Committee of Safety, for the Province of Pennsylvania, and being kindly treated and protected by them, and enlarged on Parole, do Hereby Solemnly promise and engage, on the Honor of a Soldier and a Gentleman, that I will not bear Arms against the American united Colonies, in any manner whatever, for the space of twelve months, or until I may be exchanged; nor will I, during that time, take any measures to give intelligence to General Gage, or the British Ministry, or to any Person or Persons whatever, relative to American affairs; also, in case this my Parole is not accepted in exchange for any officer of equal Rank in the American Service, who may be taken Prisoner by the Brittish Troops, I do hereby, in any such case, on Notice, Promise to repair to and give myself up to the said Committee of Safety, as a Prisoner. (Signed) "GEO. ETHERINGTON. "Dated Philad'a, 8th Sept'r, 1775."

Agreeable to the request of Major Etherington, he was furnish'd with a Copy of his Parole, and the following certificate

"These are to Certify, to all Persons to whom these presents may appear, that the above writing is a true Copy of the Parole of Honor given by the bearer, Major Etherington, of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal American Regiment, to the Committee of Safety for the Province of Pennsylvania. It is, therefore, recommended to such Persons, that the said Major Etherington be permitted to pass where his business may lead him, without hindrance or

Molestation."

any

Ordered, That Mr. Towers, Commiss'y, attend Mr. Nicholson in proving the Firelocks, and that he furnish such quantity of Powder as is necessary for that purpose.

Resolved, That Capt. White purchase of Mr. Binks, thirty Cartridge Boxes, for the use of the armed Boats.

September 11th.-At a Meeting of the Committee of Safety.

Present, only four Members:

John Dickinson,

William Edmonds,

Daniel Roberdeau,

John Cadwalader.

Robert Towers, Commiss'y, Reports his having received the following articles, and Stored them at the State House, viz't:

28 Muskets & Bayonets, from John Nicholson.

28 Scabbards for do., from Wool'k Ming.

1 ewt. 3qr. 26 lb Lead, from Owen Biddle, Eb'r Call.

3 Bullet Moulds belonging to the Province of Dunwick, Will

& Hasencliver.

3 half Barrels Powder, 350 lbs., from Geo. Lush, in Powder

3 half Powder,)

House.

September 12th. At a Meeting of the Committee of Safety.

ว

Thomas Wharton, jun'r, John Cadwalader.

Resolved, That Mr. Robert White have an order on Mr. Mich'! Hillegas, Treasurer to this Board, for the sum of one thousand Pounds, for the payment of Tradesmens' Bills; which was accordingly drawn and signed by the President.

September 13th.-At a Meeting of the Committee of Safety.

September 14th.-At a Meeting of the Committee of Safety.

Capt. James Irvine presented a Memorial & representation to this Board, concerning himself and the Regulation of the first Battalion, which, after being read and considered, it was agreed that the following recommendation be given to Capt. Irvine, and the other Captains of said Battalion.

The Committee of Safety, taking into consideration the disputes at present subsisting in the first Battalion, recommend it to the Captains of that Battalion to settle among themselves the Rank of the several Companies, in such manner as may be generally satisfactory; or if they cannot agree among themselves, to draw Lotts acording to the 16th Article of the Rules for Establishing Rank or precedence amongst the Pennsylvania Associators.

Resolved, That the Chevaux de Frize be sunk in the river opposite the Fort, as has been agreed to; And that Capt. White & Sam'l Morris, jun'r, be appointed a Committee to see the same done as soon as possible.

That the Boat Built by Samuel Robins, be called the Ranger, & that Capt. James Montgomery take the command of her.

Resolved, That the Boat Built by John Rice, be called the Dickenson, And that he, the said John Rice take the Command of her. That the Boat built by Eyres, be called the Congress, And that Capt. John Hamilton take the Command of said Boat. Resolved, That Mr. John Nesbitt be appointed Pay Master to the Officers and Men to be employed on board the Armed Boats, and that he be allowed thirty Dollars month for his services, and that this Committee pay for the Books, paper, &ca., that he may have occasion for in said service.

Resolved, That the Wages of the Lieutenants to be employed on Board the Armed Boats, be increased to fourteen Dollars Month. Resolved, That Mr. Benjamin Thompson be appointed Lieutenant to the Armed Boat called the Experiment.

September 15th.-At a Meeting of the Committee of Safety.

Commissions were this day signed by the President for the following Gentlemen as Captains, and dated as follows, viz't:

No. 1. July 17, 1775, for Henry Dougherty, of the Washington.

for John Rice,

2.

3.

18, 24,

for Charles Alexander,

Dickenson.

Resolved, That an order be drawn on Mr. Robert Morris in favour of Jno. Nicholson, for One hundred and fifty-eight pounds, fifteen shillings, being for the payment of 28 Firelocks for the use of the armed Boats, and eleven pattern Guns sent to the Commissioners and Assessors of each County in this Province, which order was accordingly drawn and deliver'd Mr. Nicholson.

A letter was this day wrote to the Committee of York County, respecting the associators, signed by the president and sent Jos. Elliott.

Sent this day by Joseph Elliott & John Williams,

50 Articles of Association & Recommendation for the Committee, Lancaster Co'y.

for the Committee,

Resolved, That Mr. Gibbs Jones be appointed a Lieutenant of the Armed Boat Ranger, Commanded by Capt. James Montgomery.

September 16th.-At a Meeting of the Committee of Safety.

Sent to Henry Wynkoop, for the use of the Associators in Bucks County:

50 Articles of Association & Recommendation,

50 ditto in the Dutch Language,

The Board came to sundry resolves, viz't:

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, That all Pilots of the Bay and River Delaware, ought to use their utmost endeavours to avoid going or being taken on Board British ships of war or armed vessels, during the present struggle for Liberty.

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that all Pilots of the Bay and River Delaware, ought to lay up their Boats on or before the 20th day of September inst., and cautiously avoid going on any navigable water or other place on Land or Water, where they may probably fall within the power of British Men of War, armed Vessells or Boats, or within the Power of Men Landed from such.

Resolved, That any Pilot or other person who shall conduct or bring any British Man of war, Armed Vessell, Boat or other Craft, up the Bay of Delaware, shall, on being released from that service, forthwith repair to this Committee, there to prove by such means as may be in his power, that he was compelled by force into that service, and such pilot or other person not appearing to this Board within five days after his first Landing, unless put on shoar at too great a distance, shall be considered as having Voluntarily performed the said service.

Resolved, That any pilot, or other person acting as a Pilot, in Delaware Bay & River, who shall refuse or neglect to lay up his Boat or Craft, or who shall put himself in the way of being for cibly taken on board the King's Ships, or who shall voluntarily serve, or