[Philadelphia] Friday, December 22, 1775
The Committee appointed to fit out armed vessels, laid before Congress a list of the officers by them appointed, agreeable to the resolutions of Congress, viz.
Esek Hopkins, Esqr commander in chief of the fleet.
| Captains |
| Dudley Saltonstall, Esqr, of the Alfred. |
| Abraham Whipple, Esqr, of the Columbus. |
| Nicholas Biddle, Esqr, of the Andrew Doria. |
| John Burrows Hopkins, Esqr, of the Cabot. |
| 1st lieutenants |
| John Paul Jones, |
Hersted [Hoysteed] Hacker, |
| Rhodes Arnold, |
Jonathan Pitcher. |
| [Richard] Stansbury, |
|
| 2d lieutenants |
| Benjamin Seabury, |
Thomas Weaver, |
| Joseph Olney, |
[John] M'Dougal. |
| Elisha Warner, |
|
| 3 lieutenants |
| John Fanning, |
Daniel Vaughan. |
| Ezekiel Burroughs, |
|
Resolved, That the pay of the commander in chief of the Fleet be 125 dollars per calendar month.
Resolved, That commissions be granted to the above officers agreeable to their rank in the above appointment.
Resolved, That the Committee for fitting out armed vessels, issue warrants to all officers employed in the fleet under the rank of 3d lieutenants.
Resolved, That the Committee for fitting out armed vessels be directed (as a secret committee) to give such instructions to the commander of the fleet, touching the operations of the ships under his command, as shall appear to the said committee most conducive to the defence of the United Colonies, and [to] the distress of the enemy's naval forces and vessels bringing supplies to their fleets and armies, and lay such instructions before the Congress when called for.
Resolved, That the said Committee be directed to consider how the shares of the prizes allotted to the captors ought to be divided between the officers and men, and report to Congress.
The Committee of Claims reported that there is due,
To Benjamin Harrison, Esqr for his expences in his late journey to Maryland, amounting to £27.3.2 ー 72.4 dollars.
