"In Congress, April 11th, 1776

"Resolved, That the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania be requested to Provide proper Barracks or quarters, for such of the Continental Troops as may from time to time be in the City of Philadelphia.

"Extract from the Minutes.

"Signed,

CHAS. THOMSON, Sec'y."

Capt. Alexander requesting to be dismissed from his present service, being offer'd the Command of a Vessel in the Continental Service, to be employed in the protection of our Trade,

Resolved, for the above Reasons, that his request be granted. Capt. Hazelwood having applied for a sum of Money for the service of the Fire-Rafts, By order of the Board, an order was drawn on Jno. Nixon & others, the Committee of accounts, in his favour, for one hundred pounds.

The Commodore or Commanding officer at Fort Island, was this day directed to suffer all River Vessels not having Pilots on Board, to pass the Chevaux de Frize, and was a few days since directed not to suffer any Sea Vessels to pass without a permit from this Board.

Upon representation of Colo. Miles, that there is not a sufficient Number of Houses or other Buildings, in or about the Towns of Chester & Marcus Hook, to quarter the Troops now raising for the defence of this Province,

Resolved, That Colo. Miles do procure for the use of the said Troops, 100 good Tents, on the most reasonable terms in his Power.

Upon application of Colo. Slough, for the payment of 261 lbs of Salt Petre, manufactured by him in this Province, By order of the Board, Rob't Towers, Commiss'y, was directed to deliver him 50 lbs Powder, and an order on the Committee of accounts for £52 15, in favour of said Slough, which powder & Cash is the amount of said Salt Petre.

Upon application of Mr. Briton for the payment of Fifteen Firelocks, purchased by him & Capt. Williams, which were dl'd Mr. Towers for the use of this Province, By order of the Board, an order was drawn on Jno. Nixon, Esq'r., & others, the Committee of accounts, in favour of Capt. Williams, for £51 8 6, being the amount of the same.

Resolved, That Doct'r Matthew McHenry be & he is hereby appointed Surgeon to the Provincial Ship Montgomery.

As it is found necessary that a powder Magazine be built for the use of this Province, capable of holding 1000 Barrels of Gun powder,

Resolved, That Mr. Isaac Coats & Mr. William Moulder be empowered to contract with persons for Materials for building said Magazine & to employ suitable workmen, & that they draw orders on the Committee of accounts for the Expences of the same.

That they be requested to prepare a plan of the same and lay it before this Board for their consideration.

The following Resolves of Congress, receiv'd this day, were order'd to be enter'd on the Minutes of this Board:

"In Congress, April 11th, 1776.

"Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Assemblies, Conventions, & Committees or Councils of Safety of the United Colonies, to use their best endeavours in communicating to foreign Nations the Resolutions of Congress relative to Trade.'

"In Congress, April 12th, 1776.

"Resolved, That the Assemblies, Conventions, Committees or Councils of Sfety, of the Colonies respectively, in which prisoners are or shall chuse or be appointed to reside, be impower'd to remove such Prisoners from place to place, within the same Colonies, as often as to such Assemblies, Conventions, Committees or Councils of Safety, respectively, it shall seem proper, having regard to the former Resolutions of Congress concerning Prisoners.

"Extract from the Minutes.

"Sign'd, CHA'S THOMSON, Sec'y."

"In Congress, 9th April, 1776.

"Resolved, That a list of the Prisoners of War in each Colony be made out and transmitted to the House of Assembly, Convention, Council or Committee of Safety, of such Colonies respectively, and that they be authorized and requested to cause a strict observance of the terms on which such prisoners have been enlarged, and also to take especial care that none of those confined by order of Congress be suffered to escape, and also that the allowance to

each prisoner be punctually paid by the president of the Convention, or of the Council or Committee of Safety of the Colony in which he resides, and where there are no Conventions by the Speakers of Assembly, which said president or Speakers are hereby authorized, from time to time, to draw for the sums advanced in pursuance of this Resolution upon the president of the Congress.

"Extract from the Minutes.

Capt. Pitt has permission from this Board to hire any Seamen Confined in Gaol by order of this Committee.

Upon application of Joseph Colier for the payment of 50 Cartridge Boxes, Bayonet Belts & Scabbards, made for the use, and certified by the Commissioners of Berks County,

By order of the Board, an order was drawn on Michael Hillegas, Esq'r, in favour of said Collier for £36 5.

Upon application of Colo. Roberdeau for Pilots to carry down the Privateers' Sloops Congress & Chance,

Resolved, That a Pilot be allowed the Sloop Congress, provided the Captain of her will Promise and engage to go down the Cape May Channel and land his Pilot there.

Resolved, That Mr. John Young & Mr. Adam Foulke be impower'd to purchase all such good Fire Arms as shall be offer'd to them for the use of this Committee, on the best terms they can, not exceeding the Value that shall be put on them by the Commissary, and that this Board will allow them five per cent. for their Trouble.

Resolved, That Robert Towers, Commissary, apply to Messrs. John Young & Mr. Adam Foulke for one hundred & thirty Muskets, now in their possession, for the use of this Committee.

That this Board allow the said Young and Foulke 5 Ct. on the amount of the first cost of the said Muskets.

By order of the Board, Robert Towers, Commissary, was directed to deliver Capt. Dan'l Joy 500 lbs. Gun Powder for proving Canon made by Mr. Old at Reading Furnace, and to deliver to Mr. Lush two pounds Gun Powder.

In Committee of Safety.-16th April, 1776.

JNO. NIXON, Chair'n.

Geo. Clymer,

Owen Biddle,

Sam'l Morris, Jun'r,

Sam❜l Howell,

PRESENT:

Joseph Parker,

Tho's Wharton, Jun'r,
James Biddle,

Dan'l Roberdeau.

Resolved, That Jacob Hans be and he is hereby appointed Captain to one tier of Fire-Rafts.

Resolved, That Mr. Owen Biddle & Mr. Parker be a Committee to prepare a plan for a powder Magazine, & to lay out the Ground upon which it is to be built.

Upon Application of Mr. Owen Biddle for the payment of 301 lb. 8 oz. of saltpetre, manufactured at the Provincial works in this City, By order of the Board, an order was drawn on the Committee of accounts in favour of Mr. Biddle, for £75 7 6, being the amount of said Salt Petre.

COMMITTEES.

Committee for importing Powder, Arms, &c.

Committee for fitting out 4 Guard Boats to Cruize at Cape May.

Committee out of Doors for Providing Firelocks, to Superintend

Workmen in Gun Lock manufactory.

Committee for fitting out two of the Armed Boats.

Committee for building two Gallies for the Bay Service.

Sam'l Howell,

Owen Biddle,

Thomas Wharton, jun'r.

By order of the Board, an order was drawn on the Committee of Safety in favour of William Rush, for twelve pounds five shillinge, being the amount of 4 Firelocks purchased by him & deliver'd the Commissary for the use of this Province.