Pennsylvania Committee of Safety

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Thursday, February 8, 1776.

In Committee of Safety: Present —

John Nixon, Chairman, Samuel Howell, Henry Wynkoop, James Biddle, Daniel Roberdeau, Joseph Reed, George Gray, Owen Biddle, Alexander Wilcocks.

Upon application of Colonel Joseph Penrose, an Order was drawn on Messrs˙ Mease and Caldwell, for one thousand Pounds, in his favour, being for the use of Colonel Magau' s Battalion, now raising for the service of the United Colonies.

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Upon application of Mr˙ Henry Wynkoop, an order was drawn on Robert Towers, Commissary, for six pounds of Powder, for proving Musket-Barrels made in Bucks County.

Agreeable to a Resolve of Congress, this Board went into the choice of a proper person to be appointed Captain of the Company of Matrosses, to be raised in this Province for the service of the United Colonies; when they made choice of Mr˙ Bernard Romans.

Therefore, Resolved, That the said Bernard Romans be appointed Captain of the said Company of Matrosses.

Resolved, That Thomas Hanson be appointed Quartermaster of the Second Battalion of Troops to be raised in this Province, for the service of the United Colonies.

By order of the Board an Order was drawn on Messrs˙ Mease and Caldwell, in favour of Colonel Anthony Wayne, for one thousand Pounds, being for the use of his Battalion in the service of the United Colonies.

Resolved, That the Brigantine Hetty, Captain Lott, or any other vessel employed by Captain Vanhorn, for the Committee for importing Powder, Anns, &c˙, from foreign parts, be insured by this Committee against all seizures on account of her having such articles on board for this Committee; and in case she may be so lost, this Board will pay for her, agreeable to her valuation, by three indifferent persons, to be agreed on by the owners of said vessel and this Committee.

Agreeable to a Resolve of the 25th ultimo, the gentlemen therein mentioned, and appointed to consider of proper places to erect suitable Works, for the purpose of working up into Gunpowder the different materials that may be imported or be procured at home for that use, report that they have received several Proposals from different persons who are willing to erect Powder-Mills, and which Proposals they now leave with the Board.

Resolved, That Mr˙ Reed and Mr˙ Wilcocks be a Committee to wait on Congress, with the above-mentioned Proposals, with a Memorial from this Board, setting forth the necessity and importance of such Mills being erected, and that as all the Saltpetre now ready for use is the property of the Congress, that this Board tender Congress their assistance in promoting this business.

That Mr˙ Reed and Mr˙ Wilcocks apply to Congress, and require they would repay this Board the Fire-arms and Powder supplied them at different times.

Mr˙ Reed and Mr˙ Wilcocks report that they delivered the above-mentioned Memorial to Congress, which would be immediately taken into consideration.