[Philadelphia] Tuesday, August 1st. [1775.]
Resolved, That Cap't. Nichalos Biddle be appointed to the Command of the Boat called the Franklin,2 now building by Emanuel Eyres. And that Cap't., John Hammilton be appointed to the command of the Boat called the Congress, now building by Eman[ue]l Eyres. And that Cap't. [Henry] Dougherty, now Commander of the Boat Experiment, be removed to the Boat called the Washington, now building by Mr. John Wharton.
And that Allen Moore, Lieut. of the Boat Experiment, be appointed Commander of the said Boat.
1. Pa. Col. Rec., X, 296.
2. Extract from James Biddle's second draft of a memorial to his brother Nicholas: "in 1775 the Disputes between Gr Bn & America growing very serious and Congress being desirous of preparing for the worst if a Rupture should ensue some Gentn were appointed to procure a Supply of Powder and Arms with all possible Dispatch and Secrecy. Mr Biddle was applied to for the purpose and dispatched with a pilot boat to Hispaniola which he procured a Cargo of powder with which he returned in a very short time. Soon after he was appointed to the Command of the Franklin Galley then just built." Nicholas Biddle Papers, HSP.