[Extract]
The Council met
Philadelphia, Friday, July 31, 1778
Present. honble. George Bryan, Esqr. Vice President. Jos. Hart, Esqr. Mackay, Esqr. James Edgar, Esqr. James Read, Esq" & Jac. Arndt, Esqr.
... The Navy board informed the Council, that the Armed Brig is nearly ready for Service & recommended Capt. Thos. Houston, to be the Captain of said Brig. The appointment of a Captain to the Armed Brig being put to Vote, a majority of Six against one, was appointing Capt. Richard Eyre, & thereupon Ordered, That Capt. Richard Eyre be appointed Commander of the Armed Brig, Convention, belonging to this State & Commissioned accordingly.1
Council having received information, that a Ship called the Albion, which was sunk in the River Delaware & seized by the Navy board of this state, on or about the 27th, day of June.2 That a Libel had been filed, in the Court of Admiralty by Davd. Beverage of this City Merchant, in behalf of himself & others, claiming the property of said Ship & her Cargo, & had given security in the said Court for the value thereof & received the same into his possession.3 The Council considering the importance of the trial, and the great weight of business, which now falls on the Attorney General,4 which renders assistance herein absolutely necessary. Ordered, That Jacob Rush, Esqr. be employed to assist the Attorney General, in the trial before the Court of Admiralty respecting the Ship Albion, & that the Secretary be directed to pay him the Sum of One hundred Dollars as a Fee for his Services therein.5 And an Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Secretary for the Sum of One hundred Dollars, to be paid by him as the Fee abovementioned.
On application Ordered, That the Navy board furnish, Mr. James Carson & Jos Mc.Culloch,6 with three hundred weight of Gunpowder & half a Ton of round & grape Shop, to be repaid by them as soon as possible....