USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cambridge > History of Massachusetts from July 1775, when general Washington took command of the American Army at Cambridge, to the year 1789, (inclusive) when federal government was established under the present constitution, Vol 2 > Part 3
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* This being before the present constitution, there were no incompatibilites of office. All the delegates to the Gene- ral Congress, from Massachusetts, for several years were also members of the Assembly or Council.
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CHAPTER II.
House of Representatives chosen ... Conformity to ancient charter ... De- lay of judicial establishments ... Choice of Counsellors ... Measures of defence ... Finances .... Paper money ... Debts increase ... Requisitions of General Congress . .. Army organized . .. Small pox ... Privateers ... Forts built at Winter Hill &c .... Sea coast guarded ... Committee of Continental Congress visit Cambridge ... Troops ordered for 1776. . : Views of Congress on Separation from Britain ... Agents to treat with Indians ... Affair at Cape Ann ... Falmouth burnt and Bristol attacked ... Judges and Justices appointed ... Gun powder imported from West Indies ... Debts.
ON the 19th of July, the representatives from the several towns in the province, who had been chosen in pursuance of writs issued by the Provin- cial Congress in June, met at Watertown, where the latter body had been lately sitting; and pro- ceeded to organize themselves, by the choice of a speaker and clerk, in conformity to former usage and the provisions of the charter, under which the legislature of the province had acted from 1692. Although the Provincial Congress did not materially differ from the House of Representa- tives, being chosen in like manner and by the same persons, yet it was an assembly not recognized in the charter, and had been substituted in the place of the latter, when governer Gage omitted to issue precepts for a regular General Court. As no new form of Government was prepared, and as a formal separation from Britain had not then taken place, nor any resolution been adopted to become Independent, it was the opinion of the intelligent
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civilians in Massachusetts, that it would be proper still to conform to the charter of 1692, which had hitherto been their constitutional political guide. They felt the difficulty of the situation, in which the people and the government they had assum- ed, were placed. They were too wise and too patriotic, to think of maintaining regular civil au- thority, necessary to the due administration of justice and to the support of good order, without a legislature, legitimately called and organized, an executive distinct, in some degree at least, from the legislative power, and a judiciary independent of both.
After the commencement of hostilities, when the authority of Gage, the royal govornor, and the counsellors appointed by the crown, contrary to the charter, was renounced, the anxiety in- creased in reference to the novel and dangerous state, in which the province was thus left, and the enquiry was often made, what remedy could be provided to prevent the evils which would proba- bly ensue. It was true, that the Provincial Con- gress was composed of persons chosen by the peo- ple to legislate for them ; or rather to advise to measures for their immediate protection. And this Congress or assembly had appointed a Com- mittee of Safety from their number, who were to perform the executive duties of the government, ex- cept the appointment to office. But there were no courts of justice; for the commissions of the judges had been declared unconstitutional, and they forbidden to act under them. County conventions subsequently recommended to the people to sus- pend all demands and disputes of a private nature ; and in public concerns, to submit to the directions
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of the Provincial Congress. A deep feeling of patriotism, and an anxiety for the freedom and welfare of the country absorbed all selfish consi- derations ; and very few indeed were found to take advantage of the peculiar state of the govern- ment.
With this impression of the want of a regular go- vernment, the Provincial Congress of Massachu- setts in May repeatedly applied to the Continental Congress for advice. They stated, that they were without a governor or deputy governor, without counsellors and judges, inasmuch as these, having refused to govern the Province agreeably to the charter, had been declared no longer fit, in their opinion, to hold and exercise their several offices ; which, therefore, they considered vacant. In ad- dition to the general reasons offered, which arose from the very necessity of the case, as all autho- rity and government ought to be founded on cer- tain principles, which had the approbation of the people, the source of all just power; they urged the danger which might soon arise from having a military force, and no civil power competent to direct and control it. In June, the Continental Congress recommended, that representatives be chosen, as formerly, who should elect counsellors, according to the provisions of their charter; and that this body act in concert with the House, as a part of the legislature; and separately, as the ex- ecutive part of government. In giving this advice, it was assumed, that the places of governor, de- puty governor and counsellors were vacated.
Agreeably, to the recommendation of the gene- ral Congress, as well as to their own views, which had been given in their address to that body,
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on desiring its advice, when the representatives met, they proceeded to elect the same number of counsellors as had been appointed in years past, who were to have the powers given to that body in their charter, and also to exercise execu- tive authority, in the absence of the governor. But a sufficient number to form a quorum were not present until the 27th of the month. The views of the Assembly on this subject will appear from the preamble to a resolve, which was passed the following day, in justification of their proceed- ings. " Whereas it is provided by the royal char- ter, that, when the governor and deputy govern- or of this province happen to die, be displaced, or be absent from the province, the council or assist- ants, or the major part of them, shall have full power and authority to do and execute all and every such acts, matters and things, which the said governor or deputy governor could lawfully do or exercise .- And whereas the late governor and deputy governor of the province have absented themselves and have refused to govern the pro- vince according to the charter: It is therefore re- solved that, until the said governor or deputy go- vernor shall be appointed to govern the province according to the charter, this House will consider the constitutional council of the province, or the major part of them, as governor of the province ; and will acquiesce in whatever said council, or the major part of them, shall constitutionally do in said capacity."*
* Those counsellors, who immediately accepted and were present when the board was first formed, were Sever, Pres- cott, Lincoln, Gerrish, Fisher, Spooner, Foster, Taylor, Gill, Palmer, Holten, Otis, Winthrop, C. Cushing, Whitcomb .- S, VOL. II. 6
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The legislative and executive departments of government, were thus established agreeably to the ancient charter, which still seemed to be ac- knowledged as the civil constitution of the pro- vince ; and the consent and approbation of the people gave a sanction to the procedure. It was several months after this that the judicial courts were organized: and the attention, both of the legislature and of the people, was so occupied in providing for the general defence of the province, that no complaints were heard on account of this omission. The necessity for a more perfect con- stitution, however, was soon felt by the people of Massachusetts; and it will be seen, that efforts were early made to prepare one, although the perturbed state of society, which war occasioned, was not very favourable to such an undertaking.
Notwithstanding the previous measures of the Provincial Congress, it will be readily perceived, that the General Court had arduous and pressing duties to perform. To provide for the augmenta- tion and continuance of the troops; to furnish arms and other military stores; to support the public credit, in a season of such uncommon. ex- pense-in a word, to call forth the resources of the province, in defence of the freedom and wel- fare of the people, demanded all the wisdom and zeal of this patriotic assembly. An emission of paper bills was ordered, on the credit of the pro- vince, amounting to 100,000l .; which had been previously recommended by the committee of safety. A tax of 40,000l. was voted; and the
Adams and J. Adams, soon after returned from Congress and took their seats at the Council Board.
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Treasurer,* whose appointment was then confirm- ed by the General Court, though he had already acted in that capacity by request of the Provincial Congress, obtained a large amount by loans of pa- triotic individuals. It was but a short time after, that the Continental Congress called for 3,000,000 dollars, 500,000, of which was raised by Massachu- setts.
The public expenses were already great, and still constantly increasing, while the former usual sources of wealth were denied the people. A great portion of the yeomanry from all parts of the province had been in military service for about three months, thus lessening the common amount of productive labour in agriculture. In some parts of the Province, particularly in Maine, much distress prevailed among the people, and appropriations were made, from the public treasu- ry, for their relief.t On the request of general Washington, who wished to annoy or check the British in their probable plan of an attack, at this period, the towns were again required to furnish powder for the use of the American army ; and considerable quantities were accordingly collected. Several fortifications were also built, at this time, and soon after, in Charlestown, Cambridge and Roxbury.
The powers of the General Congress were not such as to authorize them to compel a compliance with their requisitions. No such full power had yet been given them; they could only recommend
* Henry Gardner, Esq.
1 1200l., were granted for their relief in the month of August.
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and advise ; but their advice was generally follow- ed with great promptitude. They recommended to the several colonies to raise men and money, to collect provisions and provide fire arms and muni- tions of war; and in most cases these were fully complied with. They requested the legislature of Massachusetts to call out such number of men as general Washington might need, and to furnish all articles of food and clothing, as well as military stores, for the army at Cambridge. In August, the troops there assembled were organized into a con- tinental army, and received into the pay of the whole united colonies. Many of the Massachu- setts men had enlisted for eight months, and their term of service would not expire till the first of December. About three months of their service therefore were to be compensated by Massachu- setts alone.
At the request of general Washington, the le- gislature of Massachusetts provided whale boats and experienced seamen to man them, for the pur- pose of bringing flour from Cape Cod for the use of the troops ; which had been forwarded to that place from the southern parts of the continent. These were very useful ; and large quantities were conveyed to the army at Cambridge, by way of the southern waters of Boston bay ; but at great risk and danger. It was landed at Weymouth and Braintree ; and conveyed thence by land .* Pro- vision was made at the expense of the colony for erecting two powder mills, one at Stoughton, and one at Andover; and establishments encouraged
# Captain Davis of Boston and captain Drew of Duxbury were the commanders of this little fleet, which was of great use to the American army.
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for the manufacture of fire arms and cannon in se- veral places. The people were also instructed as to the method of procuring saltpetre, and required to furnish it at an early period. Wood and hay were likewise provided for the whole army at Cambridge and vicinity, by the people of Massa- chusetts, on a requisition of the General Assembly. The people on the islands and sea coasts, including the district of Maine, were all prohibited from selling provisions or fuel to the British army in Boston. The militia from Braintree, and a detach- ment of men from Roxbury, landed on several islands in the harbour of Boston, in the night sea- son, and took off the stock and hay to prevent them from falling into the hands of the English troops. Individual citizens of enterprize were per- mitted to fit out privateers ; private voyages had been interdicted, except in cases of a special li- cense ; and several ships were purchased and sent to sea by the colony, to intercept the British transports on their voyage to Boston harbour. These were very successful ; and contributed much to the welfare and strength of the American army; and to a supply for the people of many necessary articles of living.
The inhabitants of Boston, who remained in the town, were exposed to much suffering and gross in- sults. Provisions of all kinds were extremely scarce ; and the little to be purchased was at very high prices. Numbers left the town occasionally, during the summer and autumn, as they could ob- tain permission of general Gage; but often they were denied the favour ; and when granted, it was with the sacrifice of a large part of their movea- ble property. Through the influence of some ma-
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lignant adherents to the British government, the people were treated with great severity. The small pox also raged among them; and added greatly to their distresses. Some of them, when they had this alarming disease, left Boston, and went into the country and in the vicinity of the American troops, who were thus exposed to its dreadful ravages. It was believed by many of the citizens, that there was a design in the British ge- neral to communicate this destructive malady to the Americans : but there was no direct proof of the fact .* The troops at Cambridge and Rox- bury were justly alarmed by this disorder; and many made this an excuse for returning to their homes. The greatest vigilance and attention were necessary both in the commander in chief and in the House of Representatives to prevent the dis- persion of a large part of the army, and to engage others to enlist, in the place of those who left it.
With all these difficulties, however, general Washington was able, by the prompt assistance of the Assembly of Massachusetts, to keep up some- thing like a respectable army as to numbers, though greatly deficient in cannon, and in many military articles, which would justify any offensive operations. Several forts were also erected dur- ing the season, in advance of head quarters at Cambridge, for the purpose of preventing the enemy from executing any plan of attack on the provincial troops, as well as of annoying the enemy in Boston.t
* In one of general Washington's letters to Congress, at this time, he refers to several circumstances and reports which rendered such an intention in the British something more than conjecture.
+ In a letter to Congress, Nov. 1775, he says, " The trouble .
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Prospect Hill, lying north west from Boston, about two miles, but a less distance from Bunker's hill, then possessed by the British troops, was early fortified. Soon after, works were erected on Winter hill, situated north from the former place, and at a short distance ; and easterly of the latter place, towards Mystic river, redoubts were thrown up, to prevent the passage of the enemy up that river, in their rear, or their landing opposite the fort. On a less elevated eminence, called Plough- ed hill, but much in advance of Prospect hill, and within about half a mile, on a direct line of Bun- ker's hill, a breast-work was thrown up, while the
I have in the arrangement of the army is really inconceivable. Many of the officers sent in their names to serve in expecta- tion of promotion, and some who had declined have sent in their names to serve. So great has been the confusion arising from these and other perplexing circumstances, that I found if absolutely impossible to fix this interesting business exactly on the plan agreed in conference with the committee of Congress, though I have kept to the spirit, as near as the nature and necessity of the case would admit. The difficulty with the soldiers is as great, and indeed more so, if possible, than with the officers. They will not enlist until they know their Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Major, Captain, &c. You Gan much more easily judge than I can express, the anxiety of mind I labour under on this occasion; especially at this time, when we may expect that the enemy will begin to act on the arrival of their reinforcements. I have other dis- tresses of a very alarming nature. The arms of our soldiers are so exceedingly bad, that I assure you, Sir, I cannot place a proper confidence in them ; and our powder is wasting fast, though the strictest care, attention and economy are paid to it." "I fear I shall be under the necessity of calling in the militia and minute men of the country to my assistance. I say, I fear it ; because, by what I can learn from, the officers in the army belonging to this colony, it will be next to an impossi- bility to keep them under any degree of discipline, and that it will be very difficult to prevail on them to remain a moment longer than they choose themselves."
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enemy were constantly cannonading the provincial troops. But they completed the work, and after- wards extended the fortifications, so as to render the spot perfectly secure. At a later period, and sometime in November, general Putnam was order- ed to erect fortifications on Cobble hill,* about the same distance from the British works on Charles- town heights, as Ploughed hill, but nearer to the town of Boston. When the Americans were per- ceived to be fortifying this place, the British ships of war, then lying in Charles river, between West Boston and Charlestown, as well as the forts on Bunker hill, opened a severe fire upon them, but without checking the enterprize. The fort was soon built. Putnam bestowed much time and labour upon it ; and it was called " Putnam's im- pregnable fortress."
Soon after, strong fortifications were erected on Lechmere's point, a little south of Cobble hill, and near the margin of Charles river, where it was considered the British would probably land, if they meditated an attack on the American army. They had indeed, a short time before, landed 300 troops at this place, but they were soon driven back to their boats by the Americans. These also were planned and completed in an able and judicious manner ; and the remains are now (1824) as little injured, as to the form and appearances of the ground, as any works erected by the Ameri- can troops in the vicinity of Boston. The high land in Roxbury was also fortified, and made a place of considerable strength; and some works were thrown up on the peninsula which connects
* The Asylum for the Insane is now standing on the spot.
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that town with Boston, near the boundary line of these places, being the advanced post of the American troops, stationed there under general Ward.
In addition to the troops furnished by Massa- chusetts to the Continental army at this time, which amounted to about 9,000, many towns in the province bordering on the sea, and exposed to visits from the British ships, were required to guard their respective harbours, for the safety of the people. At Plymouth, a company was order- ed out for the defence of that town, and of the Gurnet, so called, a promontory at the northern entrance of the harbour. At Weymouth, Hing- ham and Braintree, towns lying on the southerly part of the bay of Boston, four companies were constantly in service for many months, to prevent depredations threatened by the British whose fleet was in the harbour. The inhabitants of Marblehead, Salem, and Gloucester, by direction of the Provincial legislature of Massachusetts, and at their own urgent request, had a portion of the citizens employed in military service from June 1775 to April 1776. In several instances, requests were made from these towns for some companies of the Continental army at Cambridge, for protection; but general Washington did not think it consistent with his duty to weaken the main army by granting the request. Some works were thrown up at Cape Ann, however, at the expense of the colony.
In September, the legislative assembly were so desirous of the frequent and early advice of the Continental Congress, that they requested that body to hold its meetings in the vicinity of Cam- VOL. II.
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bridge, where the American army was then sta- tioned. General Washington, in his great pru- dence and from regard to the civil power, was un- willing to engage in any hazardous enterprize without the immediate consent and knowledge of Congress ; and he was frequently calling for aid and advice from the general assembly of Massa- chusetts. New troops were also to be raised; and the army provided with clothes, provisions and money. Many injudicious people were impatient for Washington to make an attack upon the Bri- tish in Boston. The legislative assembly of Mas- sachusetts was unwilling to take all the responsi- bility attending the crisis ; and it was suggested to the Congress at Philadelphia, through their mem- bers, that it might be of great advantage to the cause, if it could hold its meetings near the seat of war.
This request was not complied with; but a committee was sent from the General Congress to Cambridge to confer with the commander in chief, and with the Provincial Assembly of Mas- sachusetts, which were desirous of advice, and be- lieved also, that the other colonies should be called upon to contribute more equally to the sup- port of the Continental army. The celebrated Dr. Franklin was one of this committee. And an arrangement was made, by which Congress should provide for raising an army of 24,000, for the next year; and for calling upon the several colonies for their respective portions of the amount necessary to meet the expenses ; instead of requiring each province to raise its own quota of troops. These men were not raised without much difficulty and delay ; and the militia of Massachusetts were
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called out in the mean time to recruit the conti- nental army under general Washington. The provincial troops assembled at Cambridge in the spring and summer of 1775, were engaged only for a few months ; and none for a longer term than to the last of December. It was necessary there- fore to provide for raising more troops by the first of January 1776.
The assembly of Massachusetts appointed a committee* to confer with the members of the Continental Congress and the commander in chief; and the governors of Connecticut and Rhode Island, and the president of New Hampshire, were also present at the convention. During this visit of Franklin at Cambridge on public business, the legislature of Massachusetts ordered payment to be made him for his faithful services to the in- terests of the province, while their agent for seve- ral years in England, which amounted to about 800l. sterling. A large portion of this sum he immediate- ly appropriated for the relief of those unfortunate persons who had suffered at the battles of Lexing- ton and Charlestown. The constitutional society, and some individuals in England also contributed to their support.
Specie, as the common medium of business, dis- appeared at this period ; and paper bills, both pro- vincial and continental, came into general circula- tion. Congress said, " they had very little mo- ney, to support and pay an army ; that there was no regular government to levy and collect taxes ; that they could not borrow of any nation, and that they had no other resource but the natural value
* Bowdoin, Sever, J. Otis and W. Spooner.
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and worth of this fertile country-That on the credit of such a bank, they had emitted bills, and the faith of the continent was pledged for their redemp- tion."
The legislature of Massachusetts, as well as the general officers of the American army, addressed both the people and the soldiers then in the camp at Cambridge, urging them to engage in the mili- tary service. " Happy will be the man," they say, " who shall be able to boast, that he was one of those, who assisted in this arduous but noble work ! In serenity shall he pass his future days ; and when satisfied with life, he will have the proud satisfaction of bequeathing the inestimable patri- mony to his grateful children." Washington also addressed the country in the following style. " We have taken up arms in defence of our liberty, our property, our wives and our children; and we are determined to preserve them, or die. We look forward to the day, we hope not far remote, when the inhabitants of America, will have but one sentiment, and the full enjoyment of the bless- ings of a free government." Committees were ap- pointed in each county in the province, and the field officers of militia were required to forward the enlistment of men for the continental service for the coming year, by the time for which those then engaged should expire.
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