Mr. [Thomas] Wharton, Colo. [Anthony] Wayne, Mr. [Owen] Biddle, & Mr. [Bernard] Dougherty, agreeable to a Resolve of Yesterday, Report that they went to the Carpenters up and down Town, and that they have muster'd a Number of hands, and gone down to Gloucester to assist floating the Machine for the obstruction of the Channel.

Several of the Captains of the armed Boats attending this Board, agreeable to orders, had directions, as an Encouragement for good Seamen to enter into the Service on board said Boats, to allow them such small sum in advance as a Majority of the Captains may agree on, over and above what is allowed them by this Board by the printed Pay list. And the Captains had a charge given them to push on with vigour and expedition the fitting and Manning their respective Boats, so that they may be in readiness to oppose any Hostile attacks at a moment's warning. At the same time, they were made acquainted that [Dr. Benjamin] Rush was appointed Surgeon & Physician to the armed Boats; that J[ohn] M[axwell] Nesbitt was appointed Pay Master, John Ross, Muster-Master; & Capt. Peter Long, Ship's Husband.²