In Committee of Safety
[Philadelphia] 29th May, 1776.
Capt. [James] Montgomery appear'd this day, agreeable to orders, and acquaints this Board that the reason of his removing from his Boat was in Consequence of leave obtain'd from the Commodore, and now applies to have such charge confirm'd; Therefore,
Resolved, That he, the said Capt. James Montgomery, take the Command of the Chatham in the Room of the Ranger Armed Boat.
Upon application of Robert Morris, Esq'r, for the payment of an order drawn on this Committee in his favour, by Stephen Ceronio, and in Consequence of a Resolve of this Board at the 24th inst., By order of the Board, an order was drawn on John Nixon, Esq'r, & others, the Committee of Accounts, for the payment of said order, Amounting to nine thousand Dollars.
The following Instructions to Capt. [Thomas] Read for the better Government of the Navy now under his Command, was this day drawn up, approved of, and sent him:
Sir:
We think it proper to acquaint you that Commodore [Andrew] Caldwell has, by his letter of the 27th Inst., resign'd the Command of the Fleet, as his ill state of health will not admit of his giving that attendance which the critical situation of Public affairs require.
The Chief command of the Fleet, consequently, for the present devolves upon you, and you are hereby directed to see all the orders from this Board or from the Assembly strictly executed. As there is the greatest Reason to apprehend an immediate attack, we think it absolutely necessary that the whole Fleet under your command be in constant readiness.
As the safety of this city & Province depends chiefly upon the armament under your command, we direct you to pay the strictest attention to the duties of your important station, and to establish, such Regulations as will conduce to promote good order and discipline, without which no military establishment can long subsist.
