USA > Massachusetts > The journals of each Provincial congress of Massachusetts in 1774 and 1775, and of the Committee of safety, with an appendix, containing the proceedings of the county conventions-narratives of the events of the nineteenth of April, 1775 > Part 12
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54
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[Dec. 1,
THURSDAY, December 1, 1774, A. M.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve expressing the thanks of this body to the other colonies, for their generous donations to the inhabitants of the town of Boston, reported. The report was recom- mitted for amendments.
The same committee reported a brief to be circulated through the several towns, to promote donations to the towns of Boston and Charles- town ; also recommitted for amendments.
The committee appointed to take into consideration the state of rights, the state of grievances, and the association, as stated by the Continental Congress, reported. The report was then taken into con- sideration, [and] the further consideration thereof [was] referred to three o'clock this afternoon.
||Resolved, That the choice of delegates, which was to have been at three o'clock this afternoon, be deferred till three o'clock to-morrow afternoon.||
||Then adjourned till three o'clock this afternoon. ||
Afternoon.
The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the com- mittee, agreeably to their resolve in the forenoon; after some debate thereon, it was ordered to be recommitted for an amendment.
The resolve expressing the thanks of this body to the other colonies, for their donations to the town of Boston, &c., as amended, was read and accepted, and is as followeth :
Whereas, by the rigorous operation of the Boston Port Bill, the metropolis of this province, and the neighboring town of Charlestown, have been brought into the most distressful state, many of the inhabit- ants being deprived of the means of procuring their subsistence, and reduced to the cruel alternative of quitting their habitations, or of per- ishing in them by famine, if they had not been supported by the free and generous contributions of our sister colonies, even from the re- motest part of this continent :
Resolved, That the grateful acknowledgments of this Congress be returned to the several colonies, for having so deeply interested them- selves in behalf of said towns, under their present sufferings in the common cause; and that the Congress consider these donations, not merely as unexampled acts of benevolence to this province in general, which has also greatly suffered, and of charity to those towns in par- ticular, but as convincing proofs of the firm attachment of all the colo- nies to the glorious cause of American liberty, and of their fixed de-
.
55
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1774.]
termination to support them in the noble stand they are now making for the liberties of themselves and of all America,
The committee appointed to prepare a brief, reported their draught, amended ; Ordered, to be recommitted for a revision, and for such further amendments as they shall think proper.
Ordered, That Mr. Devens apply to the secretary for a list of coun- sellors appointed by mandamus ; and in case he should be refused such list, he is desired to take with him a notary public, and in his presence again desire the same and tender the secretary his fee.
||Then|| adjourned till to-morrow morning, ten o'clock,
FRIDAY, December 2, 1774, A. M.
The doorkeeper [was] directed to call in the members, and to call none out till the further order of this Congress.
The committee on the state of the province reported. The report [was] taken into consideration.
Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be referred till four o'clock this afternoon.||"//
The order of the day [was] moved for.
Afternoon.
Ordered, That Doct. Holten, Capt. Cushing, and Doct. Church, be a committee to sort and count the votes for five members to be chosen to represent this province at an American Congress, to be held at Philadelphia, at or before the tenth day of May next.
The Congress then proceeded to bring in their votes for five gentle- men to be delegated for the purpose aforesaid. The committee hav- ing counted and sorted the same, reported that the Hon. John Han- cock, Hon. Thomas Cushing, Esq., Mr. Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat Paine, Esquires, were chosen.
The consideration of the report of the committee made in the fore- noon, [was] resumed : some time [was] spent thereon, then, ordered, that the further consideration thereof be referred till nine o'clock to-mor- row morning.
Ordered, That the vote which passed yesterday, expressing the thanks of this body to the other colonies for their donations made to the towns of Boston and Charlestown, be published in all the Boston newspapers : and that it be attested by the president,
Resolved, That the committee appointed to publish the names of the mandamus counsellors who have been sworn and have not resigned,
a ¡To which time this Congress stands adjourned.||
4
56
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[Dec. 3,
be desired to send a messenger to Mr. Hall, printer, in Salem, and in- quire of him whether he hath a list of the counsellors appointed by mandamus, which he received from the secretary's office; and if he hath a list so received, to desire him to favor this Congress therewith.
The report of the committee appointed to take into consideration the state of rights, the state of grievances, and the association, as sta- ted by the Continental Congress, being amended, was read, and a con- sideration thereof went into.
Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be referred till to- morrow morning, ten o'clock.
||Then the Congress|| adjourned till nine o'clock to-morrow morn- ing.
SATURDAY, December 3, 1774, A. M.
The Congress thien went into the consideration of the report of the committee on the state of the province, agreeably to their order of yes- terday. After a long debate thereon, it was ordered to lie on the ta- ble, and that the committee have leave to sit again.
||Then the Congress|| adjourned till Monday next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon.
MONDAY, December 5, 1774, A. M.
Ordered, That Doct. Winthrop, Mr. Sullivan, Mr Pickering, Mr. Bridge, and Mr. Cheever, be a committee to prepare an address to the clergy of this province, desiring them to exhort their people to carry into execution the resolves of the Continental Congress.
||Then the Congress|| adjourned till three o'clock this afternoon.
Afternoon.
The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the com- mittee appointed to take into consideration the state of rights, state of grievances, and the association, as stated by the Continental Congress, and it was accepted, and is as followeth :
Resolved, That the proceedings of the American Continental Con- gress, held at Philadelphia on the fifth of September last, and reported by the honorable delegates from this colony, have, with the delibera- tion due to their high importance, been considered by us; and the American bill of rights therein contained, appears to be formed with the greatest ability and judgment ; to be founded on the immutable laws of nature and reason, the principles of the English constitution, and the respective charters and constitutions of the colonies ; and to be worthy of their most vigorous support, as essentially necessary to lib- erty : likewise the ruinous and iniquitous measures, which, in violation
57
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1774.]
of their rights, at present convulse and threaten destruction to Ameri- ca, || | appear to be clearly pointed out, and judicious plans adopted for defeating them.
Resolved, That the most grateful acknowledgments are due to the truly honorable and patriotic members of the Continental Congress, for their wise and able exertions in the cause of American liberty ; and this Congress, in their own names, and in behalf of this colony, do hereby, with the utmost sincerity, express the same.
Resolved, That the Hon. John Hancock, Hon. Thomas Cushing, Esqrs., Mr. Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat Paine, Esqrs., or any three of them, be, and they hereby are appointed and authorized to represent this colony on the tenth of May next, or sooner, if necessary, at the American Congress to be held at Philadelphia, with full power, with the delegates from the other American colonies, to concert, direct, and order such further measures as shall to them appear to be best calculated for the recovery and establishment of American rights and liberties, and for restoring harmony between Great Britain and the colonies.
And whereas, it is of the utmost importance that the salutary asso- ciation of the Continental Congress be effectually executed, and the plans of foes to America defeated ; who, aided by tyrannical power, in- tend to import goods, wares, and merchandize prohibited by the as- sociation, which may clandestinely be vended, as goods imported be- fore the first of December instant, by assistance of such merchants and traders as to this intent shall basely prostitute themselves ; and it will be extremely difficult to distinguish between goods imported be- fore the said first of December, and such as after said day shall, in vi- olation of the association, be imported and secretly dispersed through- out the colony : and whereas, it is expressly recommended by the Con- tinental Congress " to the Provincial Conventions, and to the commit- tees in the respective colonies, to establish such further regulations as they may think proper, for carrying into execution the association ;".
Resolved, 'That from and after the tenth day of October next, it will be indispensably necessary, that all goods, wares, or merchandize, di- rectly or indirectly imported from Great Britain or Ireland ; molasses, syrups, paneles, coffee, or pimento, from the British plantations, or from Dominica ; wines from Madeira or the Western Islands, and for- eign indigo, should cease to be sold or purchased in this colony, not- withstanding they shall have been imported before the first of Decem- ber aforesaid, unless the acts and parts of acts of parliament, (partic.
a jįand.[]
8
58
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[Dec. 5,
ularly enumerated in a paragraph of the American Congress's Associa- tion, subsequent to the fourteenth article,) shall be then repealed : and it is hereby strongly recommended to the inhabitants of the towns and districts in this colony, that from and after the said tenth of Octo- ber, they cease to sell or purchase, and prevent from being exposed to sale within their respective limits, any goods, wares, or merchandize' &c., above enumerated, which shall at any time have been imported into America, whether before or after the first of December aforesaid, unless said acts of parliament shall then be repealed. And it is like- wise strongly recommended to the committee of inspection, (which ought immediately to be chosen, agreeably to the said association, by each town and district in the colony not having already appointed such committees,) that they exert themselves in causing the association, as thereby directed, to be ||ªstrictly|| executed ; and that after the said tenth day of October, (unless the acts of parliament aforesaid are re- pealed,) they apply to all the merchants and traders in their respective towns and districts, and take a full inventory of all goods, wares, and merchandize aforesaid in their possession, whether they shall have been imported before or after the first of December aforesaid, requir- ing them to.offer no more for sale, until said acts ||b|| shall be repealed. And if any merchants, traders, or others, shall refuse to have an in- ventory taken, or shall offer for sale after the said tenth of October, any such goods, wares, or merchandize, it is expressly recommended to the committees aforesaid, that they take the goods into their posses- sion, to be stored at the risk of the proper owners, until the repeal of the acts aforesaid, and publish the names of such refractory merchants, traders, or purchasers, that they may meet with the merits of enemies to their country. And the towns and districts throughout the prov- ince are also advised that they by no means fail vigorously to assist and support their committees in discharging this as well as other du- ties of their offices, and to cause this resolution to be executed by ev- ery measure which they shall think necessary.
Resolved, That John Adams, Esq. be joined to the committee on the state of the province.
Resolved, That the above report made by the committee appointed to take into consideration the state of rights, &c., as reported by the Continental Congress, be published in all the newspapers in the prov- ince, and that it be signed by the president and attested by the secre- tary ; and also, that copies thereof be sent to all the towns and districts in the province.
& Hfully-ff b ||of parliament.||
59
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS
1774.]
Resolved, That the vote relating to a brief be reconsidered, and that it be in order to be revised.
||Then the Congress|| adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o'clock.
TUESDAY, December 6, 1774, A. M.
The committee appointed to take into consideration the state of the manufactures in this province, reported; the report was recommitted for some additions.
The committee appointed to devise means of keeping up a corres- pondence between this province, Montreal and Quebec, and of gain- ing frequent intelligence from thence of their movements, reported, that a committee be appointed to correspond with the inhabitants of Canada. Accordingly, the Hon. Major Hawley, Col. Pomeroy, Mr. Brown, Mr. Samuel Adams, Doct, Warren, Hon. Mr. Hancock, and Doct. Church, were appointed a committee for that purpose.
The committee appointed to prepare a brief to be circulated through the several towns in this province, to promote donations for the per- sons suffering in the towns of Boston and Charlestown, under the op- eration of certain acts of the British parliament, having amended the same, reported ; the report was read and accepted, and is as followeth :
The operation of the cruel and iniquitous Boston port bill, that in- strument of ministerial vengeance, having reduced our once happy capital and the neighboring town of Charlestown, from affluence and ease to extreme distress; many of their inhabitants being deprived of even the means of procuring the necessaries of life; from all which they have most nobly refused to purchase an exemption, by surrender- ing the rights of Americans; and although the charitable donations from the other colonies and several towns in this province, have, in a good measure, relieved their immediate necessities, while their appro- bation has animated them to persevere in patient suffering for the pub- lic good, yet as the severity of winter is now approaching, which must add greatly to their misery ; and there has been no general collection for them in this colony, we hold ourselves obliged, in justice, to con- tribute to their support ; while they, under such a weight of oppres- sion, are supporting our rights and privileges.
It is therefore Resolved, That it be recommended to our constitu- ents, the inhabitants of the other towns, districts, and parishes, within this province, that they further contribute liberally to alleviate the bur- den of those persons, who are the more immediate objects of ministe- rial resentment, and are suffering in the common cause of their coun- try ; seriously considering how much the liberty, and consequently the
60
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[Dec. 6,
happiness, of ourselves and posterity depend, under God, on the firm- ness and resolution of those worthy patriots.
And it is Ordered, That Doct. Foster, Mr. Devens, and Mr. Chee- ver, be a committee to transmit printed copies of the above resolve to the ministers of the gospel in the several towns, districts, and parishes, in this province, who are desired to read the same to their several con- gregations, in order that their contributions of such necessaries of life as they can spare, may be forwarded as soon as possible.
The committee appointed to prepare an address to the clergy, hav- ing amended the same, again reported ; the report was read and ac- cepted, and ordered that copies thereof be sent to all the ministers of the gospel in the province ; ||which|| is as followeth :
Reverend Sirs :- When we contemplate the friendship and assist- ance our ancestors, the first settlers of this province, (while over- whelmed with distress) received from the pious pastors of the churches of Christ, who, to enjoy the rights of conscience, fled with them into this land, then a savage wilderness, we find ourselves filled with the most grateful sensations. And we cannot but acknowledge the good- ness of heaven in constantly supplying us with preachers of the gos- pel, whose concern has been the temporal and spiritual happiness of this people.
In a day like this, when all the friends of civil and religious liberty are exerting themselves to deliver this country from its present calami- ties, we cannot but place great hopes in an order of men who have ever distinguished themselves in their country's cause; and do there- fore recommend to the ministers of the gospel in the several towns and other places in this colony, that they assist us in avoiding that dreadful slavery with which we are now threatened, by advising the people of their several congregations, as they wish their prosperity, to abide by, and strictly adhere to; the resolutions of the Continental Congress, as the most peaceable and probable method of preventing confusion and bloodshed, and of restoring that harmony between Great Britain and these colonies, on which we wish might be estab- lished, not only the rights and liberties of America, but the opulence and lasting happiness of the whole British empire. '
Resolved, That the foregoing address be presented to all the minis- ters of the gospel in the province.
||The Congress then|| adjourned to three o'clock, P. M.
Afternoon.
Resolved, That the names of the following persons be published re- peatedly, they having been appointed counsellors of this province by
61
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1774.]
mandamus, and have not published a renunciation of their commis- sion, viz : Thomas Flucker, Foster Hutchinson, Harrison Gray, Wil- liam Browne, James Bouteneau, Joshua Loring, William Pepperrell, John Erving, Jr., Peter Oliver, Richard Lechmere, Josiah Edson, Na- thaniel Ray Thomas, Timothy Ruggles, John Murray, and Daniel Leonard, Esquires.
Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning.
WEDNESDAY, December 7, 1774, A. M.
Ordered, That Capt. Barrett, Mr. Bridge, and Major Fuller, be a committee to collect the several expenses that have accrued to the Congress in this and the former session thereof, and they are directed to sit forthwith.
Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Doct. Holten, Mr. Palmer, Col. Lee, and the Hon. Col. Ward, be a committee to take into consideration and determine what recompense the delegates, who, from this province attended the Continental Congress at Philadelphia, in September last, shall be allowed for their services and expenses.
Ordered, That Col. Orne, Hon. Mr. Cushing, and Hon. Major Haw- ley, be a committee to bring in a resolve, directing the Hon. James Russell, Esq., impost officer, to pay the moneys now in his hands to Henry Gardner, Esq., ||and not to Harrison Gray, Esq. ; || the commit- tee are directed to sit immediately.
Ordered, That John Adams, Esq., Mr. Samuel Adams, and Col. Danielson, be a committee to bring in a resolve, relative to the taking the number of inhabitants, and the quantity of exports and imports of merchandize and of the manufactures of all kinds in this colony ; and the committee was directed to sit immediately. The ||above|| commit- tee having attended that service, reported as followeth, viz :
Resolved, That a committee be appointed, consisting of one gentle- man from each county, and one from each maritime town of this col- ony, to prepare from the best authentic evidence which can be pro- cured, a true state of the number of the inhabitants, and of the quan- tities of exports and imports of goods, wares, and merchandize, and of the manufactures of all kinds, within the colony, [to] be used by our delegates ||ªat|| the Continental Congress, to be held at Phila- delphia, on or before the tenth day of May next, as they shall think proper. And the members of this committee for each county be nom- inated by the members of this Congress for said county, and the mem-
a ||in.||
62
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[Dec. 8,
ber for each maritime town be nominated by the representatives of such town.
Ordered, That the several counties be ready to report their nomina- tions at three o'clock this afternoon.
Resolved, That Mr. Sullivan be desired to forward to the Hon. Jede- diah Preble, Esq., a resolve of this Congress appointing him a general officer.|| ||
Afternoon.
The several counties and maritime towns nominated their members for the committee according to the resolve in the forenoon, who were accepted by the Congress, and are as follow, viz :
COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, Mr. Palmer; Boston, Doct. Warren; EssEx, Col. Gerrish; Lynn, Capt. Mansfield ; Marblehead, Col. Orne ; Salem, Hon. Mr. Derby ; Beverly, Capt. Batchelder ; Manchester, Mr. Wood- bury ; Gloucester, Capt. Coffin ; Ipswich, Capt. Farley ; Newburyport, Capt. Greenleaf; Haverhill, Samuel White, Esq .; Danvers, Doct. Holten ; MIDDLESEX, Col. Prescot ; Charlestown, Mr. Gorham; Med- ford, Mr. Hall ; HAMPSHIRE, Hon. Major Hawley ; PLYMOUTH, Doct. Perkins ; Town of Plymouth, Mr. Lothrop ; Kingston, Col. Thomas ; Duxbury, Mr. Partridge ; Scituate, Nathan Cushing, Esq .; BARNSTA- BLE, Daniel Davis, Esq .; Sandwich, Capt. Nye ; Eastham, Mr. Hol- brook; BRISTOL, Doct. Cobb; Dartmouth, Benjamin Aiken, Esq. ; Freetown, Mr. Durfee; YORK, Mr. Sullivan ; Kittery, Charles Chaun- cy, Esq. ; 1 [Wells, Mr. Ebenezer Sayer ; DUKES COUNTY, Joseph May- hew, Esq. ; Tisbury, Mr. Ranford Smith ; WORCESTER, Jedediah Fos- ter, Esq. ; CUMBERLAND, Enoch Freeman, Esq .; Scarborough, Mr. Samuel March ; North Yarmouth, Mr. John Lewis; Harpswell, Mr. Samuel Thompson ; BERKSHIRE, John Fellows, Esq. ; LINCOLN, Mr. Langdon.]
[THURSDAY, December, 8, 1774, A. M.]
[The report of the committee appointed to take into consideration the state of the manufactures of the province being amended, was read, accepted, and is as follows :]
[As the happiness of particular families arises in a great degree, from their being more or less dependent upon others; and as the less occasion they have for any article belonging to others, the more inde- pendent, and consequently the happier they are ; so the happiness of
a ||Adjourned to three o'clock this afternoon.||
. (1) A leaf has, unhappily, heen lost from the original journal of the Provincial Congress. The defective list of members of the committee has been partially restored from the fragment of a memorandum in the hand writing of Hon. Jedediah Foster. The report, to the fourth resolution, is supplied from the Massachusetts Spy, December 22, 1774.
63
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1774.]
every political body of men upon earth is to be estimated, in a great measure, upon their greater or less dependence upon any other political bodies ; and from hence arises a forcible argument, why every state ought to regulate their internal policy in such a manner as to furnish themselves, within their own body, with every necessary article for subsistence and defence, otherwise their political existence will depend upon others who may take advantage of such weakness and reduce them to the lowest state of vassalage and slavery. For preventing so great an evil, more to be dreaded than death itself, it must be the wis- dom of this colony at all times, more especially at this time, when the hand of power is lashing us with the scorpions of despotism, to en- courage agriculture, manufactures, and economy, so as to render this state as independent of every other state as the nature of our country will admit ; from the consideration thereof, and trusting that the virtue of the people of this colony is such, that the following resolutions of this Congress, which must be productive of the greatest good, will by them be effectually carried into execution, and it is therefore Resolved :]
[1st. That we do recommend to the people the improvement of their breed of sheep, and the greatest possible increase of the same; and also the preferable use of our own woollen manufactures; and to man- ufacturers that they ask only reasonable prices for their goods; and especially a very careful sorting of the wool, so that it may be manu- factured to the greatest advantage, and as much as may be into the best goods.]
[2d. We do also recommend to the people the raising of hemp and flax ; and as large quantities of flaxseed, more than may be wanted for sowing, may be produced, we would also farther recommend the man- ufacturing the same into oil.]
[3d. We do likewise recommend the making of nails, which we ap- prehend must meet with the strongest encouragement from the public, and be of lasting benefit both to the manufacturer and the public.]
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