[Philadelphia] Saturday, August 26th 1775.
A Letter was this day receiv'd by Captain George Ord of the Lady Catharine, from Henry Tucker, Chairman of the Deputies of the several Parishes of Bermuda, enclosing an account for 1182 lbs. [of] Gun Powder, ship'd by him on board said vessell, amounting to £161.14.8, that Currencey, with an account of 8 half bars of Powder on board said Vessell, the property of Capt. John Cowper, of North Carolina, for which last powder, Mr. Tucker has engaged that this Board or Mr. Robert Morris will be accountable for.
The articles for the Good Government of the Officers and Men to be employed on Board the Boats belonging to this Province, this day came under consideration, and after some amendments was read and approved of.
The draught for the Officers' Commissions to be employed on board the armed Boats, was this day read and approved of, and is as follows:
In Committee of Safety
To
We, reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, Do by these presents Constitute and appoint you to be ------ of the Provincial armed Boat called the -------- fitted out for the Protection of the Province of Pennsylvania and the Commerce of the River Delaware, against all Hostile Enterprises, and for the Defence of American Liberty; you are, therefore, to take the said Boat into your Charge and Carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of -------- by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers, Soldiers and Mariners under your Command, to be Obedient to your orders as ---------- and you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time, as you shall receive from the Assembly or Provincial Convention during their Sessions, or from this or a future Committee of Safety for this Province, or from your Superior Officer, According to the Rules and Discipline of War, pursuant to the trust reposed in you; this Commission to continue in force until revoked by the Assembly or Provincial Convention, or by this or any succeeding Committee of Safety.
By Order of the Committee.
Ordered, That Mr. Bradford print on good paper, one hundred of the Commissions for the Officers to be employed on Board the armed Boats.