In Council of Safety,
[Philadelphia] August 27th, 1776.
John M. Nesbitt, Esq'r, Treasurer, was directed to pay the following acco'ts, Viz't:
Capt. Joseph Blewer £23 6 0 for repairing a Shallop, damaged in Sinking the Peers at Fort Island.
Mr. John Stelwell £23 11 6, being for Expenses in saving Powder out of the Brig Nancy, paid by Capt. Wm. Pollock.
Capt. Thomas Bell £399 18 0, for Freight of 142 Barrels of Powder & 53 Tons of Lead.
The Board then adjourned to 3 o'clock, P.M.
The Council having heard the complaints made against Commodore Samuel Davison, with the proofs brought to support them; and taking into consideration the situation of the Naval armaments belonging to this State, are of opinion, that most of the Charges made against the said Samuel Davison are frivolous, and discover a dangerous Spirit of Licentiousness amongst the other Officers, inconsistent with The Duty they owe their Country, and not to be justified on Military Principles, which exacts a due Obedience at all times to the orders of superiors; But as it appears to the Council that the Officers of the Fleet in General, have not that respect for, nor Confidence in, the said Samuel Davison, which is absolutely necessary to give Vigour and Efficacy to the Command, and that notwithstanding the Known merit of said Davison, yet the charge of Incompetency to so important a Trust is not altogether without foundation; It is therefore
Resolved, That the said Samuel Davison, Esq'r, be no longer Continued in the Command of the naval armament of this State, and he is accordingly dismissed from the same.
Resolved, That Capt. Henry Dougherty be appointed to the Command of the Galley building at Kensington, by Mr. Williams, and that she be called the Delaware.
Resolved, That Capt. John Rice be appointed to the Command of the Galley called the Convention.
Agreeable to a Resolve of the Honourable Congress, & by direction of the Board, the following Commissions for Privateers, were granted, vizt:
To John Hamilton, Commander of the Brig't General Mifiin, of 12 Carriage Guns and 90 men, owned by John Cox, John Chaloner, &ca.
To Charles Ferguson, Commander of the Brig't General Putnam, of 12 Carriage Guns and 90 men, Owned by Matthew Irwin, Benjamin Harbeson, &ca.