At a Meeting of the Committee of Safety. Philad'a, 1st April, 1776,
Resolved, That Nicholas Fitzsimmons be appointed 3rd Lieutenant to the Floating Battery . . Mr. [Angus] Macbean being brought before this Cqmmittee and ch::trged with endeavouring to go on board one of the King's Ships in Delaware Bay, contrary to the direction of this Committee, upon application to them for that purpose, Upon hearing his defence, and fully examining and considering the same, Resolved, That Mr. Macbean's proceeding down the River, on his said design, might have happen'd through a misapprehension of the Verbal answer given by this Board upon his said application, as only implying a refusal to grant him their authority for that purpose, from which he infer'd that he was at Liberty to attempt it, without such authority, if he could effect it; and altho' this Committee are of Opinion that his said Design was ill judged, and might have been attended with dangerous consequences, Yet it does not appear that there is any ground to charge Mr. Macbean with any evil intentions, to the prejudice of this Country.