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 23
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Ordered, The letter and resolve prepared to be sent to the Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Esq., of Rhode Island, be recommitted for a suit- able addition, and the committee to sit forthwitlı.
Ordered, That the Hon. Mr. Dexter be a committee to bring in a resolve expressive of the vote of this Congress for altering the first meeting of the county committees.
The committee | who were|| appointed to bring [in] a resolve empower- ing the committee of supplies to procure provisions and military stores, reported. The report was read and accepted, and is as follows :
IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, Watertown, April 29, 1775.
Resolved, That the committee of supplies be, and they hereby are empowered to purchase every kind of military stores, provisions, and all other supplies which they shall judge necessary for the use of the forces of this colony, during the establishment of an army for its de- fence, or until it shall be otherwise ordered by this or some future con- gress, or house of representatives, on the credit of the colony ; and ||ªmake drafts of | suitable sums, from the treasury, for payment for the same : also to deposit the said stores in such ||suitable|| places as they, in consultation with the generals of the colony, shall judge proper ; and to deliver such, and so many of said stores, to the com- missary general, from time to time, as he shall || have demand for|| to supply the army. Likewise, said committee of supplies are hereby empowered to employ suclı and so many assistants, as they shall judge necessary, to be paid as aforesaid ; said committee of supplies to be accountable, when called upon, for their doings, to this or some future congress, or house of representatives of this colony.
The committee appointed to prepare an addition to a letter to the Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Esq., reported the following, which was read and accepted :
IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, Watertown, April 28, 1775.
It is with the deepest concern that we find Mr. Brown, that valuable friend to the cause of America, betrayed into the hands of our com-
a |draw.Il b [Įshall judge needful.||
166
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[April 28,
mon enemies, and every measure for his release, that can be pursued by us, shall most earnestly be adopted. We have ordered Samuel Murray, son of a mandamus counsellor, and such officers of general Gage's army as are prisoners of war and not disabled from travelling, to be immediately sent, with sufficient guards, to Providence, and think it best that Murray. and the officers should write to their friends in Boston, acquainting them that Mr. Brown's friends have the same advantage over them as general Gage hath over Mr. Brown.
We beg leave to suggest to you the critical situation of this colony at the present time, which disables this Congress from immediately seizing every crown officer in the government. Boston is closed, and its numerous inhabitants, so obnoxious to our enemies, are imprisoned therein. Several of our sea ports are [ªblockaded] with ships, and threatened destruction if they join the army. Under this situation, the inhabitants of the places most in danger are, day and night, remov- ing their furniture and effects, and we hope soon to see it generally done. Should we, therefore, seize the crown officers as proposed, it may hurl on our numerous sea ports sudden destruction, before they . have had opportunity of saving themselves. We had it in contempla- tion to send a letter to the general, acquainting him that we should treat the crown officers with severity, if Mr. Brown should be so treated by him. But we are apprehensive that it would rather produce an unhappy than good effect, as he has a greater number of our val- uable friends than we can shew of his. We desire you to give us your further sentiments in the matter, and if any other way is best wherein the Congress can save Mr. Brown, it shall be readily pursued.
We are, &c.
To the Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Esq.
IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, Watertown, April 28, 1775.
Whereas, a worthy friend to the liberties of America, Mr. John Brown, of Providence, hath been lately seized, and with two other per- sons, carried on board a British ship of war at Newport : Ordered, that Samuel Murray, and such officers of general Gage's army as are prisoners of war, and not disabled from travelling on account of their wounds, be immediately sent, under a sufficient guard, to Providence, and delivered to the Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Esq., or other friend of said Mr. Brown, to be made such use of as they shall think proper for obtaining the liberty of the said Mr. Brown.
a [blocked. ]
167
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, Watertown, April 29, 1775.
SIR :- The above is. a copy of an order and letter which passed this Congress yesterday, since which we have received from Boston copies of sundry votes of that town to general Gage, upon the subject of a license [for the inhabitants] to remove, with their effects, into the country ; and by his answers it appears, that he has consented to suffer such inhabitants as have inclination therefor, to leave the place, with all their effects, excepting fire arms, which are to be delivered at Fan- euil liall to the selectmen of the town, and the names of the owners to be placed on them ; and the general expects, on the other hand, a pro- clamation from Congress, giving liberty to all inhabitants of the colo- ny, having inclination therefor, to remove, with their effects, into Bos- ton. Some of the inhabitants have already left the town, by permis- sion of the general; ||and under these circumstances, || should we issue the order which has passed in Congress, it may put a stop to this un- expected favorable event, and prevent the emancipation of many thou- sands of friends to America. We, nevertheless, purpose to detain the prisoners of war; and if the general should not forfeit his plighted faith, to use all expedition in getting out families and the effects of our friends from Boston, that we may be at liberty to use our prison- ers, and every other means in our power, for the release of Mr. Brown, as was intended.
P. S .- We have just heard the passages from Boston are again stopped, but the occasion of this extraordinary manœuvre we cannot yet learn.
To the Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Esq., llof Providence.||
Ordered, That a postscript be added to the letter just prepared to be sent to the Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Esq., purporting that we have just received intelligence that the passages to and from Boston are stopped ; the reason of which extraordinary manœuvre we are not yet acquainted with.
Adjourned to three o'clock [this afternoon.] [Afternoon.]
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve with respect to re- ducing the pay of the field officers, reported the following, which was read and accepted, and ordered to be signed by the secretary, and transmitted to the committee of safety.
IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, Watertown, April 29, 1775.
Whereas, the reducing of the several regiments to be raised in the provincial service, from one thousand men in a regiment to five hun-
168
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[April 29,
dred and ninety, makes the service of the said field officers of said regiments less burdensome; therefore, Resolved, that the pay of said field officers be reduced one fifth part from the first establishment, and that said field officers' pay, in said service of this province, to the last day of December next, unless dismissed before, shall be as follows, viz. : a colonel's pay, twelve pounds per month : a lieutenant colonel's pay, nine pounds twelve shillings per month : a major's pay, eight pounds per month.
Ordered, That Mr. Rawson, Doct. Dunsmore and Col. Davis, be a committee to wait on the committee of safety now sitting at Cam- bridge, to inform them of the deep concern this Congress feel, on ac- count of the state and situation of the cannon, and desire information respecting the disposition of them-and that this committee forthwith proceed on this business.
Resolved, That this Congress will now proceed to choose a commit- tee, to consider some method of supplying the treasury.
Ordered, That Esquire Greenleaf, Mr. Hall, (in the room of Doct. Holten,) and Mr. Batchelder, be of the committee to count and sort the votes.
The absent members were ordered to be called in.
The Hon. Mr. Dexter, who was appointed to bring in a resolve ex- pressive of the vote of this Congress for altering the first meeting of the county committees, reported; which report being read and amend- ed, was accepted, and is as follows :
Whereas, this Congress, on the 12th day of this instant April, ap- pointed a committee for each county, to receive from the committees of correspondence in such counties, a state of the conduct of the towns and districts, with respect to their having executed the conti- nental and provincial measures for the preservation of this country from slavery. And, whereas, the distressed circumstances of the colony may probably render it very inconvenient that so great a number of members should be absent from the Congress on the first Wednesday of May next, the day mentioned for their first meet- ing;
Therefore, Resolved, That the first meeting of said committees be postponed to the fourth Wednesday in said month; and it is recom- mended to the several committees of correspondence to render a true state of the conduct of their respective towns and districts on the said fourth Wednesday of May accordingly ; and especially with respect to their outstanding province rates, any thing contained in the former re- solve of this Congress differing herefrom notwithstanding.
169
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Ordered, That the several county committees be, and they hereby are directed to inform the committees of correspondence of the seve- ral ||ªtowns in their respective counties|| of the purport of the fore- going resolve.
Ordered, That the secretary be, and he hereby is directed to notify the chairman of each of the said county committees, of the purport of the said resolve.
The committee appointed to count and sort the votes for a commit- tee to consider on some method for supplying the treasury, reported that the following gentlemen were chosen, viz. : Rev. Mr. Murray, Col. Dexter, Col. Gerrish, Mr. Gill, Mr. Gerry, Capt. Stone ||of Fra- mingham|| and Capt. Greenleaf.
On a motion made by Rev. Mr. Murray, that he might be ex- cused from serving on the above committee, and having offered his reasons therefor, the question was put, whether he be excused agree- ably to his request, from serving on said committee, and it passed in the affirmative.
The Congress then made choice of Doct. Taylor to serve on said committee, in the room of Mr. Murray, who hath been excused.
IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, |Watertown, | April 29, 1775.
The president having received a letter from Messrs. Nicholas Brown and Joseph Brown, dated Providence, April 27th, 1775, desiring that this Congress would observe secrecy in respect to the capture of their brother, John Brown, at Newport, on the 26th instant, and also another, from the Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Esq., dated Providence, April 27th, 1775,1 presented the same to this Congress : which being read-
a ||counties.]]
(I) These letters are not preserved on the books or files of Congress ; the information contained in that written by Honorable Stephen flopkins is repeated in a communication on the following day, addressed to the president.
PROVIDENCE, April 28, 1775.
GENTLEMEN :- Mr. Joseph Brown and Mr. Moses Brown, of this place, principal merchants, and gentlemen of distinction and probity, will wait upon you with this letter. Their brother, Mr. John Brown, of this town, merchant, was, two days ago, forcibly taken at Newport in a packet, as he was coming from thence with a quantity of flour, which he had purchased there. He was car- ried on board a ship of war and confined. We have since heard that he is sent round to Boston with the flour. I request you to give the bearers any aid and assistance in your power, for pro- curing the relief and discharge of their brother. In my letter of yesterday to the Congress, the measure of reprisal [by holding the British prisoners of war as hostages] was recommended : and if it may be, I wish it may be pursued.
I am your friend and humble servant,
STEPHEN HOPKINS.
The embarrassment created by the capture of the small quantity of stores seized by the British nun of war, appears from the following letter addressed to the president of Congress.
PROVIDENCE, April 28, 1775. SIR :- At the request of his honor the deputy governor, [Hon. Darius Sessions,] I have under- 22
170
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. [April 29,
Ordered, That Mr. Gerry, Col. Gerrish and Doct. Taylor be, and hereby are appointed a committee to confer with the abovesaid Joseph Brown, who now waits the further advice of this Congress.
Ordered, That said committee be, and they are hereby authorized to consider what is proper to be done ; to sit forthwith, and make re- . port ||ªas soon as may be.|
The president, ||blikewise,|| received a letter from Worcester,1 in-
a |forthwith.||
b ||also.[]
taken to answer yours of the 26th instant ; we, sir, sensibly feel the distresses of our brethren in the Massachusetts Bay, aud can only say, that, as brigadier of the three battalions under my com- mand, in the county of Providence, I will furnish you, upon any alarm, with six hundred men ; but the situation of matters is such, occasioned partly by our assembly's not appointing officers for the fifteen hundred men, which they ordered to be raised for your assistance ; and partly by the seizure made by the man of war, at Newport, of three hundred barrels of flour, bought by this colony for supplying our army, that it will be impossible for our forces immediately to proceed to join your army, unless they go destitute of provision, which we imagine here would rather be a burden than a help to our friends ; however, men are enlisting very fast, and, when our assembly meets here, which will be next week, you may rely on it, that our forces will, as fast and as soon as possible, march to your assistance.
I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, JAMES ANGELL.
(1) Information of the arrival of intelligence from Europe, was contained in a most interesting let- ter from the Hon. John Hancock, who, on his way to attend the Continental Congress, remained at Worcester two days, waiting for suitable escort, and for the coming of his colleagues.
WORCESTER, 24th April, 1775, Monday Evening. " GENTLEMEN :- Mr. S. Adams and myself, just arrived here, find no intelligence from you and no guard. We just hear an express has just passed through this place to you from New York, in- forming that administration is bent upon pushing matters ; and that four regiments are expected there. How are we to proceed ? Where are our brethren ? Surely we ought to be supported. I had rather be with you ; and, at present, am fully determined to be with you before I proceed. I beg, by the return of this express, to hear from you; and pray furnish us with depositions of the conduct of the troops, the certainty of their firing first, and every circumstance relative to the conduct of the troops, from the 19th instant to this time, that we may be able to give some account of matters as we proceed, and especially at Philadelphia. Also I beg you would order your secre- tary to make out an account of your proceedings since what has taken place ; what your plan is ; what prisoners we have, and what they have of ours ; who of note was killed on both sides ; who commands our forces, &c."
" Are our men in good spirits ? For God's sake, do not suffer the spirit to subside until they have perfected the reduction of our enemies. Boston must be entered ; the troops must be sent away, or [blank] Our friends are valuable, but our country must be saved. I have an interest in that town : what can be the enjoyment of that to me, if I am obliged to hold it at the will of general Gage, or any one else ? I doubt not your vigilance, your fortitude and resolution. Do let us know how you proceed. We must have the castle. The ships must be [blank] Stop up the harbor against large vessels coming. You know better what to do than I can point out. Where is Mr. Cushing ? Are Mr. Paine and Mr. John Adams to be with us ? What are we to depend upon ? We travel rather as deserters, which I will not submit to. I will return and join you, if I cannot travel in reputation. I wish to hear from you. Pray spend a thought upon our situation. I will not detain this man, as I want much to hear from you. How goes on the Congress ? Who is your president ? Are the members hearty ? Pray remember Mr. S. Adams and myself to all friends. God be with you.
I am, gentlemen, your faithful and hearty countryman,
To the gentlemen committee of safety.
JOHN HANCOCK."
171
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
closing one from New York, which gave information of the arrival of a packet there, with despatches for general Gage, and recommended that care be taken to intercept the same.
Ordered, That Col. Grout be directed to carry the letter last men- tioned to the committee of safety, now sitting at Cambridge.
||The Congress then|| adjourned till to-morrow morning, seven o'clock.
SUNDAY, April 30, 1775, A. M.
The committee appointed yesterday to wait on the committee of safety, reported, that they had attended the business to which they were appointed, and brought from said committee the following ac- count.
IN COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, Cambridge, April 29, 1775.
Agreeably to the order of the Provincial Congress, this committee have inquired into the state and situation of the cannon and ordnance stores, with the provision made for the companies of artillery, and beg leave to report as follows, viz. :
In Cambridge .- Six three pounders complete, with ammunition, and one six pounder.
In Watertown .- Sixteen pieces of artillery of different sizes; the said six pounder, and sixteen pieces, will be taken out of the way ; and the first mentioned six pieces will be used in a proper way of de- fence.
Capt. Foster is appointed to command one of the companies of ar- tillery, and ordered to enlist said company.
Capt. William Lee, of Marblehead, [has been] sent for, to take the command of another, and several other persons [have been] sent for, to take the command of other companies.
JOSEPH WARREN, Chairman.
Ordered, That Col. Grout be directed to request of the committee of safety a report, respecting the inhabitants of Boston.
A motion was made for an addition to the committee of safety, and, after some debate, the matter was ordered to subside.
The Congress then adjourned to twelve o'clock this day.
[Noon.]
The Congress |ªmet at twelve o'clock, and then adjourned|| to half an hour after one.
a |[then adjourned after meeting according to adjournment.||
-
172
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS [April 30,
[Afternoon.]
||ªAt half an hour after one, the Congress met again,|| and adjourned to half an hour after three : at which time the Congress met again
Ordered, That another express be immediately sent to the commit- tee of safety, to procure their result with respect to moving out the in- habitants of Boston.
Ordered, That Col. Mosely be directed to repair forthwith to Cam- bridge on this errand.
The president was then desired to write a short letter to said com- mittee on this important purpose. The letter is as follows :
IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, April 30, 1775.
SIR :- I am directed to inform you, that it is with regret, this Con- gress find themselves obliged to send to the committee of safety a third messenger, to request their immediate report on the subject of the re- moval of the poor inhabitants of Boston.
To wait for that report, the Congress have suspended all proceed- ings on that matter, and sat in almost impatient expectation, by seve- ral adjournments, since seven o'clock this morning. I am obliged to request your answer by this express, without loss of time, that the Congress may then see what it is their duty to conclude on.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
JOHN MURRAY.
To Joseph Warren, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of Safety :
Ordered, That Esquire Dix, Doct. Taylor and Mr. Bullen, be a committee to inquire into the conduct of the several towns relative to the prisoners of war.
Ordered, That the resolve relative to altering the time ||of the first meeting of the|| county committees, be printed in the Salem Gazette and in the Massachusetts Spy.
A committee from the committee of safety offered to this Congress a resolve, respecting the liberation of the inhabitants of Boston, which being read and amended, was accepted, and is as follows :
IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, Watertown, April 30, 1775. Whereas, an agreement has been made between general Gage and
a ||Congress met pursuant to adjournment.||
173
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
the inhabitants of the city of Boston, for ||the|| removal of the persons and effects of such of the inhabitants of the town of Boston as may be so disposed, excepting their fire arms and ammunition, into the country :
Resolved, That any of the inhabitants of this colony, who may in- cline to go into the town of Boston with their effects, fire arms and ammunition excepted, have toleration for that purpose; and that they be protected from any injury and insult whatsoever in their removal to Boston, and that this resolve be immediately published.
P. S .- Officers are appointed for giving permits for the above pur- poses ; one, at the sign of the Sun, at Charlestown; and another, at the house of Mr. John Greaton, Jun., at Roxbury.
Ordered, That attested copies of the foregoing resolve be forthwith posted up at Roxbury, Charlestown and Cambridge.
Resolved, That the resolution of Congress, relative to the removal of the inhabitants of Boston, be authenticated, and sent to the selectmen of Boston, immediately, to be communicated to general Gage, and also be published in the Worcester and Salem papers.
Ordered, That Doct. Taylor, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Lothrop, Mr. Holmes and Col. Farley, be a committee to consider what steps are necessary to be taken for the assisting the poor of Boston in moving out with their effects : to bring in a resolve for that purpose ; and to sit forth- with.
{{Then|| adjourned till to-morrow morning, seven o'clock.
[MONDAY,] May 1, 1775, [A. M.]
The committee who were appointed to consider what steps are- ne- cessary to be taken with respect to assisting the poor of Boston in moving out with their effects, reported. The report was recommitted for amendment, and Capt. Smith, of Granby, Col. Mosely, Capt. Goodridge and Major Smith were added to the committee.
Ordered, That Mr. Patridge, Doct. Baylies and Mr. Greenleaf, be a committee to inspect the papers of this Congress, and consider what would be proper to furnish the printer with for publication, and make report.
The committee appointed to inspect the papers of the Congress, re- ported several extracts of letters for publication, which are ordered to be delivered to Mr. Hall, of Salem, for that purpose.1
(1) The letters published by Mr. Hall, appear to have been intercepted communications from sol- diers, in Boston, relating to the incidents of the march to Concord. They will be annexed to the narrative of that excursion, in the Appendix.
174
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 1,
On a motion made, that the sense of the Congress be taken on this question, viz. : whether the commissions to be given for the officers of the army now forming in this colony, shall be signed by the president of the Congress : the question was put, and it passed in the affirmative.
The Congress then adjourned to three o'clock this afternoon.
1
Afternoon.
A letter brought from North Hampton, by express, from Major Hawley, respecting the bearer of despatches from general Gage, was read : on which, Ordered, that Col. Gerrish, Esquire Gardner and Ma- jor Gooding, be a committee to take the same into consideration, and report.
The committee appointed to consider the letter from Major Hawley, re- ported, that the most likely way of detecting the bearer of the despatches to general Gage, was, to forward the said letter by Major Gooding to the committee of safety, at Cambridge, that they may take order thereon ; which report was accepted, and the said letter, together with two anonymous letters from London, were ordered to be sent to the said committee of safety.
Moved, That William Reed, Esq. be admitted in this house, to rep- resent to this Congress the sufferings he met with on the 19th April, at Lexington. The question being put, after debate had thereon, it passed in the negative.
Ordered, That Capt. Bragdon, Capt. Dix and Mr. Gill, be a com- mittee to confer with the abovenamed Esquire Reed, and to make re- port of their conference.
Resolved, That Mr. Gerry have leave to bring in an order of this house, for leave to the several members of this Congress to pass the guards of the colony army without molestation.
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