[Philadelphia] 21st May, 1776.
The following Memorial to Congress was this day drawn up, read and approved off, and deliver'd by Mr. James Mease to Mr. Rob't Morris:
In Committee of Safety, 21st May, 1776.
To the Honorable the Continental Congress.
The Memorial of the Committee of Safety of the Province of Pennsylvania,
Shewing:
That the General Assembly of this Province, having appropriated large sums for the Defence and protection of the same, and of the River Delaware, this Committee, who were intrusted with the application thereof, caused thirteen Arm'd Boats or Gondolas to be built, equip'd and Manned, and have since built, fitted and Manned a large Ship, Floating Battery, several Guard Boats, and a great number of Fire Rafts, erected Fortifications on deep Water Island, raised a large Artillery Company for their Defence, and sunk Chevaux-de-Frize in the Channel of the River; That the Assembly have raised two Battalions of Rifle Men and one of Musketry, station'd on the Banks of the River Delaware.
That the Committee perceive, after all these exertions, greatly surpassing, as they believe, any that have been made on this Continent at an Expence merely Colonial, that their defence is still imperfect and far unequal in their Idea, to the probable Force that may soon be employed against this Colony.
To give, therefore, additional security to this Province and City, and the navigation of the River and Bay of Delaware, the preservation of which must be of the highest importance to the Common Cause of the Colonies, This Committee conceive it necessary that some more Armed Boats or Gondolas, larger than those already built, capable of Navigating in Delaware Bay, and another Floating Battery, should immediately be built. They are also of opinion that some military works should be erected on the Eastern Shore of the River Delaware, and particularly at a place called Billingsport.
That as the moneys granted by the Assembly for the purposes of Defence must soon be exhausted in supporting the large establishment of Seamen & Soldiers in the pay of this Province, and as the building, equipping, & manning the additional Floating Battery & armed Vessels, & erecting Fortifications on the Jersey Shore, will be too heavy a Burthen for this Province singly to bear, this Committee beg leave to call the attention of the Congress to these important objects, and to pray their aid in directing those further Defences, and such other, as in their Wisdom, shall appear requisite, to be immediately undertaken and carried into Execution at the Continental Charge.
Instructions to Mr. William Richards were this day drawn up, read, approved of, and delivered him, and are as follows:
To Mr. William Richards:
You are hereby appointed Ships' Husband to the Pennsylvania Fleet and empowered to do all such matters and things as may be necessary for the due execution of the said office.
You are to make known to all Commanders and other officers employed in the said Fleet, that they are to apply through you for all stores and necessaries required for the service; you are to obtain from them an Invent[o]ry of all the articles they have on Board, and an Indent of such as they are in want of, both which you are carefully to preserve, as they may serve you in regulating any future supplies that may be called for; you are to procure the sundry articles of the best qualitys, each in its kind; and it is your particular duty to buy them on the best terms in your power; you are to take each Officer's receipt for the articles delivered to him, and you are to return the Bills or accounts for those you purchase for this Board, Certify'd by you that the quantities are what you receiv'd and the prices what you agreed for, not being dearer than the Current rates of each respective article at the time of purchase.
You are empowered to inspect and enquire on the [sic] Board the Fleet at least once in every month, and as much oftener as you may think necessary, whether all stores and necessarys are taken proper care of, and not neglected, wasted or embezelled, and make Report according as you find, to this Board.
This Board, being ever desirous of serving the Public faithfully, do recommend the most prudent economy in the Outfits and Supplies of the Fleet. They must have every thing necessary, but avoid all expensive superfluitys, and in the purchase of what is wanted give a preference to such persons as are known to be Zealous Supporters of the American cause, dividing the business amongst as many of such as can be done with conveniency and consistently with the Public good.