Providence January 8th 1776
At a Meeting of the Committee appointed to Build two ships for the Service of the Continent of America.
Present the Honble Nicholas, Cooke Esqr
Nicholas Brown |
William Russell |
Joseph Russell |
Daniel Tillinghast |
Joseph Brown |
John Innis Clarke |
John Brown |
Joseph Nightingale |
John Smith |
Jabez Bowen |
Voted. That the Honorable Nicholas Cooke Esqr be
Chairman of this Committee, and Henry Ward Esqr Clerk
Voted. That Jabez Bowen be Clerke pro tempore
Whereas there is a quantity of ship timber now at Pautaucket landing. Tis voted that Jonathan Jenckes Esqr be imployed to go to the people that own the same, and purchase it on the best terms he can and that he get as much of it to be Delivered in Town as possible, the Remainder he is to get carted as soon as practicable, and on as reasonable terms as may be, that he purchase One Hundd Tons of Timber more to consist mostly of Floor and rising Timber and plank loggs on the best termes he can to be delivered in Providence immediately. ー
Voted. that Capt Barnard Eddy be imployed to get the Keel, stem, stern post and Transom for the largest of the ships and that he procure the same to be carted as soon as possible. That he agree for the said Timber on the most reasonable termes he can, and that he take as many good Carpenters and Ax men, as he may think he can imploy to advantage, and also that he get any other kind of timber that may be wanted for the Building the said ships. ー
Voted. That Capt Nicholas Power go to Newport and engage all the pine timber that will do to saw into plank and all the spars and plank that will answer for the ships. that he engages all the ship Carpenters in Warren and Newport also that he procure as much Locust for Trennils as he can, that he endeavour to get Major Benjamin Tolman to leave the service to engage in Building the Ships, and that he procure a proper person to get the Timber and sparrs brot off the Island as soon as possible that he call on Mr Langly and purchase the Boards he has now in this Town, and that he engage all the Navel Stores that are to be sold in Newport.
Voted. That Coll Wm Russell go to Warren and engage Mr M[oses] Tyler or any other suitable person to come to Providence for a Master Builder to carry on one of the ships, also that he go to Swanzey and engage all the Carpenters and plank he can. ー
Voted. That there be 25,000 feet plank of 2½ Inches engaged as soon as may be. ー
Voted. That the Runing plank under the Whale be four Inches thick. ー
Reckoning 12/ LMy paid by John Brown. ー
Meeting adjourn'd to morrow Evening. 6 o'clock this place