Resolved, that Samuel Howell be joined to Robert Morris, Thomas Wharton, jun'r., & Robert Whyte, the Committee for importing Fire-arms, Gunpowder, Salt Petre, &ca., from foreign parts, for the use of this Province, to aid and assist them in that service.

Messrs. David Rittenhouse, Daniel Joy, John McNeal & Samuel Morris, jun'r., were by a Resolve of the 22nd ult., appointed and required to make Survey of the Jersey Shore from Billingsport to Newton Creek, and to determine what posts it may be necessary to fortify, to make an Estimate of the expence thereof, and Report the same to this Board; agreeable thereto, they make the following Report:

[Report found in proceedings of Committee on Feb. 2d., 1776.]

To the Honorable the Committee of Safety for the Province of Pennsylvania.

Gentlemen:

According to your request, we proceeded from hence into the Province of New Jersey, to the lower part of Billingsport on the River Delaware, and survey'd the shore from thence to the lowland near Man tau Creek. We determined the bearing and distance of the Upper Pier at the Fortfrom thence, and likewise the breadth of the channel opposite Billingsport, which was readily done by means of the grounded Ice on each side of it. From Billingsport we went to Red Bank, and there by measuring two stations and taking several bearings, we ascertained its distance from the upper Pier aforesaid. From Red Bank we returned to Gloucester, where we took several bearings, which served to compleat the Draught which accompanies this, in which you will see the particular bearings and distances, laid down with as much accuracy as the time would admit. If we may presume to give our judgment with regard to fortifying any part of the Jersey Shore, we are unanimous in our opinion, that it is not adviseable, because any part of Billingsport or Red Bank is at too great a distance from the Chevaux de Frize, for either Friends or enemys to annoy with certainty any Boats, &c., that may be stationed at them. And if a Fort were built at either of those places, the Enemy could land above or below it, without any difficulty, (unless a superior army could be collected before, on the spot to oppose them,) and oblige our people to spike their Cannon and quit the Fort, or submit to be made prisoners, & the very means of our defence be made to operate against us, or at least, be dismantled; To obviate which, we humbly offer a different manner of defence and annoyance to your Consideration, which is to have a number of Guns, 12 or 18 lb'rs, mounted on strong Traveling Carriages, and previous to the enemy's approach, to raise Breast works at the most convenient places at Billingsport, Manus Hellem's, and other places, from whence those Guns, thus mounted, and well ply'd with Star and Cross Barr'd Shot, &c., will annoy the Enemy much; and if they should land and press hard, our people can retreat, and make a fresh stand at suitable places.

If the Enemy should land their whole force in the Jerseys, with an intent (as we may suppose) to Bombard this City, in such case the Bridges, after our Cannon are retreated over them, should be destroyed, with Houses, Barns, Fences, &c., which would assist them in crossing. And thus, if our cannon are well supported with Musquetry, every Inch of Ground may be disputed, with great inconveniency and loss to the Enemy.