In Committee of Safety.
Philad'a, 14th May, 1776.
Resolved, That the Officers of the Ship, Armed Boats, Floating & Land Battery, make report to this Board the quantity of Military stores they now have.
Whereas, several Gent'n have offered to form themselves into Companys of Volunteers, and whenever called upon in defence of this River, to enter into actual service on Board any armed Boat that shall be provided for them by this Committee, under their own officers.
Resolved, That this Board has a just sense of their spirited & patriotick offer, and Messrs Sam'l Howell, Thomas Wharton, & Owen Biddle, are appointed to confer with those Gent'n, receive their proposals, consider of the best means of employing them, and of the expediency of making any alterations in any of our armed Boats for the use of the said Volunteers, & consult Capt. [John] Rice upon that subject and that they make a Report to this Committee as soon as possible.
Resolved, That it appears necessary to build two Gallies for the protection of the Commerce in Delaware Bay, and that the above Committee procure the same to be built by Boat builders, with all possible dispatch.
Resolved, That it appears necessary to Fortify some part of the Jersey shore for the Defence of the River Delaware.
Upon application of the Marine Committee, orders was give to admit the sick Men from Capt. [Lambert] Wickes' ship into the Hospital at Province Island.
