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 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
Mr. Gerry accordingly brought in an order for this purpose, and after debates had thereon it was ordered to be recommitted.
The committee appointed to prepare the form of a commission for the officers of the colony army, reported. The form which they re- ported was read and accepted, and is as follows :
THE CONGRESS OF THE COLONY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY. To Greeting : We, reposing especial trust and confidence in your courage and good conduct, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you, the said to be of the regiment of foot raised by the Congress aforesaid for the defence of said colony.
175
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a in leading, ordering and exercising the said in arms, both inferior officers and soldiers, and to keep them in good or- der and discipline ; and they are hereby commanded to obey you as their ; and you are yourself to observe and follow such or- ders and instructions as you shall, from time to time, receive from the general and commander in chief of the forces raised in the colony aforesaid, for the defence of the same, or any other your superior offi- cers, according to the military rules and discipline in war, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you.
By order of the Congress,
, the
of A. D. 1775. President pro tempore.
Secretary pro tempore.
Ordered, That a fair copy of the foregoing form of a commission be taken, and transmitted to the press, and that one thousand copies thereof be printed.
Mr. Gerry again reported the form of a pass for the use of the members of this Congress, which was accepted, and six hundred of them ordered to be printed. It is as follows :
TO THE GUARDS OF THE COLONY ARMY.
Pursuant to a resolve of the Provincial Congress, you are hereby ordered to permit a member of said Congress, to pass and repass at all times.
Secretary.
IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, ||Watertown, || May 1, 1775.
Resolved, That the general officer of the army of this colony be, and he hereby is directed to sign a sufficient number of blank passes for members of this Congress, and to deliver the same to the secretary ||of Congress. ||
The committee who were appointed to consider of measures for as- sisting the poor of Boston to move out of said town, having amended their report, again reported : which report being read ||and amended,|| was accepted, and one hundred and fifty copies thereof ordered to be printed, and a copy ||thereof || forthwith transmitted to the committee of donations, in Boston, and that Mr. Gill take the charge of trans- mitting the same. The report is as follows, viz. :
176
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 1,
IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, |Watertown, | May 1, 1775.
Whereas, the inhabitants of the town of Boston have been detained by general Gage, but at length, by agreement, are permitted to remove, with their effects, into the country, and as it has been represented to this Congress that about five thousand of said inhabitants are indigent, and unable to be at the expense of removing themselves :
Therefore, Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby recommended to all the good people of this colony, and especially to the selectmen, and committee of correspondence most convenient to Boston, that they aid and assist such poor inhabitants ||of said town|| (with teams, wag- gons, &c.,) as shall procure a certificate from the committee of dona- tions, that they are unable to remove themselves; and it is further re- commended to the selectmen of the several towns specified in the schedule annexed, to provide for said inhabitants in the best and most prudent way ||and manner, || until this, or some future congress, shall take further order thereon, and that the said selectmen receive, support and employ their proportion of said inhabitants assigned them in said schedule, and no other ; and render their accounts to this, or some future congress, or house of representatives, for allowance, which reasonable accounts shall be paid out of the public treasury : and it is further recommended, to the committee of donations, to apply said donations for the removal of said inhabitants, and for their support whilst removing ; and in case that is insufficient, it is further recom- mended to said committee of donations, that they make up said de- ficiency, and lay their accounts before the Congress for allowance, which reasonable expense shall be paid out of the public treasury of the col- ony : and it is further Resolved, that the inhabitants of Boston thus re- moved shall not, in future, be considered as the poor of said town into which they remove ; and it is to be understood, that if the number of the poor who shall be removed in consequence hereof, should surpass, or fall short of the number herein calculated, the distribution of them shall be increased or diminished, in proportion ||according|| to this regulation :
County of Suffolk .- Wrentham, 89 persons ; Stoughtonham, 32; Medway, 33; Bellingham, 25; Walpole, 31; 215
Middlesex .- Concord,66; Marlborough, 80; Billerica, 54; Fra- mingham, 63; Chelmsford, 49; Sherburne, 31 ; Sudbury, 85; Weston, 41; Westford, 45; Littleton, 41 ; Hopkin- ton, 42; Stow, 36 ; Groton, 61 ; Pepperel, 34; Townsend, 26; Natick, 20; Dracut, 35; Bedford, 29; Holliston, 34;
1775.]
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 177
Tewksbury, 28; Acton, 32; Dunstable, 30; Lincoln, 29;
Wilmington, 25 ;
·
1016
Plymouth .- Bridgewater, 81 ; Abington, 22; Halifax, 12; . 115
Bristol .- Taunton, 103; Rehoboth, 129; Dartmouth, 113; Norton, 47; Mansfield, 30; Attleborough, 75; Raynham, 31; Easton, 35; Berkley, 25; 588
Berkshire .- Sheffield, 54; Great Barrington, 24; Stock- bridge, 25; Pittsfield, 31; New Marlborough, 30; Egre- mont, 13; Richmond, 23; Lenox, 16; Tyringham, 13; Lanesborough, 32; Sandisfield, 23; Williamstown, 20; East Hoosock, 10;
314
Hampshire .- Springfield, 68; Wilbraham, 31; Northamp- ton, 70; Southampton, 25; Hadley, 30; South Hadley, 23; Amherst, 34; Granby, 17; Hatfield, 35; Whately, 13; Williamsburg, 9; Westfield, 50; Deerfield, 36; Green- field, 24; Shelburne, 14; Conway, 17; Sunderland, 19; Montague, 18; Northfield, 26; Brimfield, 44; South Brimfield, 26; Monson, 23; Pelham, 25; Greenwich, 24; Blandford, 19; Leverett, 4; Palmer, 25; Granville, 44; New Salem, 22; Belchertown, 28; Colrain, 17; Ware, 13; Warwick, 10; Bernardston, 14; Murraysfield, 17; Charlemont, 12; Worthington, 6; Shutesbury, 14; Chesterfield, 22; Southwick, 19; West Springfield, 72; Ludlow, 10; · [788]
Worcester .- Worcester, 82; Lancaster, 103; Mendon, 76; Brookfield, 99; Oxford, 35; Charlton, 35; Sutton, 98; Leicester, 36; Spencer, 31; Paxton, 20; Rutland, 48; Oakham, 14; Hutchinson, 42; Hubbardston, 9; New Braintree, 32; Southborough, 36; Westborough, 38; Northborough, 25; Shrewsbury, 32; Lunenburg, 51; Fitchburg, 19; Uxbridge, 36; Harvard, 50; Dudley, 32; Bolton, 48; Upton, 20; Sturbridge, 45; Leominster, 38; Hardwick, 55; Holden, 26; Weston, 35; Douglass, 22; Grafton, 38; Petersham, 38; Royalston, 8; Westminster, 31; Athol, 20; Templeton, 25; Princeton, 24; Ashburn- ham, 12; Winchendon, 9; Northbridge, 13; [539]
Whole amount,
4903
23
178
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 2,
Ordered, That Mr. Partridge, Mr. Lothrop and Doct. Baylies, be di- rected to assist the secretary in copying the foregoing report.
The committee appointed to confer with William Reed, Esq., re- ported the following [statements of losses sustained by each from the British troops,] presented to them by William Reed, Esq., of Lexing- ton, in behalf of Joseph Loring, Joseph Loring, Jun., Widow Mulli- ken and Joseph Pond, viz. : 1
Whereupon, Ordered, That the committee of supplies be, and they are hereby directed to deliver to said William Reed, Esq., or to his order, for the use of the said Joseph Loring, Joseph Loring, Jun., Widow Mulliken and Joseph Pond, one barrel of pork.
Ordered, That Mr. Hollock, Col. Howe and Capt. White, be a committee to consider what is proper to be done with respect to fur- nishing the army with some present necessaries.
All [the] committees [were] enjoined to sit.
Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning.
[TUESDAY,] May 2, [1775, A. M.]
Resolved, That another president be chosen pro tempore, and that he be chosen by nomination.
Col. Warren was then nominated and chosen.
Ordered, That Mr. Partridge, Doct. Taylor and Mr. || Dix, || be a committee to wait on Col. Warren, and inform him of said choice.
Col. Warren accordingly attended, and, after offering his reasons for ' excuse, Moved, that a committee be appointed to wait on Doct. Joseph Warren, informing him of the absence of the Rev. Mr. Murray, who has lately officiated as president ||of this Congress,|| and to know ||of Doct. Warren|| if he can now attend the Congress in that station. Whereupon, Ordered, that Doct. Dunsmore be a committee for that purpose.2
Ordered, That Col. Gerrish, Col. Warren, Hon. Mr. Dexter, Mr.
a | Dicks.|
(1) These statements have shared the fate of many of the most interesting documents of the time, and are not on the files. From some representations subsequently made, it appears, that the loss sustained by Deacon Joseph Loring, was estimated to be £720; that of Mrs. Lydia Mulliken, £431; including buildings, household furniture and wearing apparel. The house of Deacon Lor- ing, near the spot where the brigade of Lord Percy joined the retreating detachment under Lieut. Col. Smith, is stated by himself to have been the first destroyed by the troops, in Lexington, on the memorable 19th of April. From the nature of the relief granted by Congress, it may be presumed, that some of the petitioners had suffered so severely as to be without the means of providing food.
(2) The reply to the invitation of Congress is brief :
" Doct. Warren presents his respects to the honorable Provincial Congress : informs them that he will obey their order, and attend his duty in Congress in the afternoon."
Cambridge, May 2, 1775.
179
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Gill, and Capt. Brown of Abington, be a committee to consider the propriety of taking measures for securing the records of those coun- ties which are more immediately exposed in this day of danger.
Ordered, That the Hon. Mr. Dexter, Col. Warren and Mr. Gill, be a committee to prepare a draught of a letter to the delegates of Con- gress, now in Connecticut, giving them instructions with respect to the arrival at this colony of two gentlemen from the assembly of Connec- ticut, with an address to genéral Gage, and a commission to treat with him respecting a cessation of hostilities, &c.
Ordered, That Capt. Stone of Oakham, Deacon Rawson and Ma- jor Fuller of Newton, be a committee to draw up the form of an oath to be taken by the officers and soldiers of the army now forming in this colony.
The committee |who were|| appointed to consider what |ªis|| proper to be done with respect to furnishing the army with some present ne- cessaries, reported : the report was read, and ordered to lie on the ta- ble for the present.
A letter from Manchester to Doct. Taylor, respecting a computa- tion of the taxes paid by Great Britain and America, &c., was read :
Whereupon, Ordered, That Mr. Webster, Deacon Cheever, and Capt. Stone ||of Framingham,|| be a committee to take the said letter into consideration, and make report.
The committee who were appointed to prepare a letter to the dele- gates of this Congress at Connecticut, reported : which report being read, was unanimously accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
GENTLEMEN :- Although this Congress entertain the highest opin- ion of the virtue and public spirit of the colony of Connecticut, and have not the smallest doubt of the attachment of the general assembly of that colony to the glorious cause of freedom, now threatened with total destruction by a corrupt ministry ; yet, the arrival of two gentle- men of the first character from that colony, with an address to general Gage, and a commission to treat with him on the subject of American grievances; and to propose, as we are informed, a cessation of hostili- ties, at a time when that gentleman can be considered in no other light than as an instrument in the hands, and under the absolute direction of administration, to subjugate, and, for that detestable purpose, to spread slaughter and || desolation| among his majesty's loyal subjects ; of his disposition to do which, he has recently given a flagrant proof, in massacring a number of innocent people, who were in the peace
a ||might be.||
b ||destruction. ||
180
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. . [May 2,
of God and the king ; and by other acts of injustice and cruelty ; we cannot but be greatly alarmed for the consequences. Any interrup- tions of that happy union of the colonies which has taken place, would prove of the most fatal tendency, and we cannot but view every kind of negociation between any colony and the chief instrument of minis- terial vengeance here, as being likely to operate towards such an in- terruption. We apprehend that things are now reduced to such a state, that nothing but an immediate recourse to arms, and a steady and persevering exertion in military operations, can possibly prevent our destruction, and that a recourse to any other method is, at best, nu- gatory and vain. Any proposals, either to parliament, to the ministry, or to their agents here, made separately by a single colony, may pro- duce most tremendous events with regard to America; and we ap- prehend nothing could be more pleasing to our enemies than the making such proposals. We are so deeply impressed with the sense of the importance and absolute necessity of a thorough union of the colonies, and particularly with respect to the raising and supporting an army, to act with the utmost vigor at this alarming crisis; and so fear- ful of any measures taking place, whereby the common cause may be endangered, that we have unanimously concluded it necessary to sug- gest to you our fears respecting the effects of this embassy from Con- necticut to [general] Gage; and we expect ||that|| you will make a proper representation of the sentiments of this Congress to their assem- bly, in hopes that you will receive such an explanation of their mo- tives, and such assurances of their intention immediately to co-operate with this colony, as may remove every gloomy apprehension, and con- firm us in that high estimation in which we have ever held the respec- table colony of Connecticut.
P. S .- If the assembly should be dissolved, it is expected that you will tarry to treat with the next assembly.1
To Jedediah Foster, Timothy Danielson and John Bliss, Esquires.
(1) Doct. Samuel Johnson and Col. Oliver Wolcot were commissioned to deliver the following letter from the governor, in bchalf of the general assembly of Connecticut, to general Gage.
To his excellency Thomas Gage : 1
HARTFORD, April 28, 1775.
" SIR :- The alarming situation of public affairs in this country, and the late unfortunate transac- tions in the province of the Massachusetts Bay, have induced the general assembly of this colo- ny, now sitting in this place, to appoint a committee of their body to wait upon your excellency, and to desire me, in their name, to write to you relative to these very interesting matters."
" The inhabitants of this colony are intimately connected with the people of your province, and esteem themselves bound, by the strongest ties of friendship, as well as of common interest, to re- gard whatever concerns them. You will not, therefore, be surprised, that your first arrival in Bos- ton, with a body of his majesty's troops, for the declared purpose of carrying into execution certain
181
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
On a motion made, Ordered, That, at three o'clock this afternoon, this Congress do take into consideration the precepts issued by gene- ral Gage for calling a general assembly.
acta of parliament, which, in their apprehension, were unconstitutional and oppressive, should have given the good people of this colony a very just and general aların ; your subsequent proceed- ings In fortifying the town of Boston, and other military preparations, greatly increased the appre- hensions for the safety of their friends and brethren ; they could not be unconcerned spectators of their sufferings, in that which they esteemcd the common cause of their country ; but the late hos- tile and secret inroads of some of the troops under your command into the heart of the country, and tho violences they have committed, have driven them almost into a state of desperation. They feel now, not only for their friends, but for themselves, and their dearest interests and connections. We wish not to exaggerate ; we are not suro of every part of our Information ; but, by the best intelli- genco tbat wo have yot boen able to obtain, the late transaction was a most unprovoked attack upon tbe lives and property of his majosty's subjects, and it has been represented to us, that such out- rages have been committed as would disgrace even barbarians, and much more Britons, so highly famed for humanity as well as bravery. It is fearcd, therefore, that we are devoted to destruction, and that you have it in command and intention to ravage and desolate the country. If this is not the case, permit us to ask, why have these outrages been committed ? Why is the town of Boston now shut up ? and to what ond are all the hostile preparations that are daily making, and why do we continually hear of fresh destinations of troops for this country ? The people of this colony, you may rely upon it, abhor the idea of taking arms against the troops of their sovereign, and dread nothing so much as the horrors of civil war ; but, at the same time, we beg leave to assure your excellency, that as they apprehended themselves justified by the principle of self-defence, so they are most firmly resolved to defend their rights and privileges to the last extremity ; nor will they be restrained from giving aid to their brethren if any unjustifiable attack is made upon them. Be so good, therefore, as to explain yourself upon this most important subject, as far as is consist- ent with your duty to our common sovercign. Is there no way to prevent this unhappy dispute from coming to extremities ? Is there no alternative but absolute submission, or the desolations of war ? By that humanity which constitutes so amiahle a part of your character, for the lionor of our sovereign, and by the glory of the British empire, we entreat you, to prevent it, if it be possi- ble : surely it is to be hoped that the temperate wisdom of the empire might, even yet, find expe- dients to restore peace, that so all parts of the empire may enjoy their particular rights, honors and immunities. Certainly, this is an event most devoutly to be wished for, and will it not be consist- ent with your duty to suspend the operations of war on your part, and cnable us on ours to quiet the minds of the people, at least till the result of some further deliberations may be known ? The importance of the occasion will, we doubt not, sufficiently apologise for the earnestness with which we address you, and any seening impropriety which may attend it, as well as induce you to give us the most explicit and favorable answer in your power.
I am, with great csteem and respect, in behalf of tho general assembly, Sir, &c.,
JONATHAN TRUMBULL."
The reply of general Gage, a dignified and alle paper, follows :
BOSTON, 3d May, 1775.
" SIR :- I am to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th April last, in behalf of tho general assembly of your colony, relative to the alarmning situation of public affairs in this country, and the late transactions in this province. That this situation is greatly alarming, and that these transactions are truly unfortunate, are truths to be regretted by every friend to America, and by ov- ery well wisher for the peace, prosperity and happiness of this province. The intimate connection and strong ties of friendship between the inhabitants of your colony and the deluded people of this province, cannot fail of inducing the former to interpose their good offices, to convince the latter of the impropricty of their past conduct, and to persuade them to return to their allegiance, and to seek redress of any supposed grievances, in those decent and constitutional methods, in which alone they can hopo to be successful."
" That troops should be employed for the purpose of protecting the magistrates in the execution of their duty, when opposed with violence, is not a new thing in the English, or any other govern- ment. That any acts of the British parliament are unconstitutional or oppressive, I am not to sup-
182
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 2
Resolved, That Capt. Goodman be ||"desired|| to take the charge of transmitting, forthwith, the letter to the delegates of this colony now in Connecticut.
pose ; if any such there are, in the apprehension of the people of this province, it had been happy for them if they had sought relief, only the in way which the constitution, their reason and their interest pointed out."
" You cannot wonder at my fortifying the town of Boston, or making any other military prepara- tions, when you are assured, that, previous to my taking these steps, sueli were the open threats, and such the warlike preparations throughout this provinee, as rendered it my indispensable duty to take every precaution in my power, for the protection of his majesty's troops under my command, against all hostile attempts."
" The intelligence you seem to have received, relative to the late excursion of a body of troops into the country, is altogether injurious, and contrary to the true state of facts. The troops dis- claim, with indignation, the barbarous outrages of which they are aeeused, so contrary to their known humanity. I have taken the greatest pains to diseover if any were committed, and have found examples of their tenderness, both to the young and the old, but no vestige of eruelty or barbarity. It is very possible, that in firing into houses, from whence they were fired upon, that old people, women or children may have suffered ; but if any such thing has linppened, it was in their defence and undesigned. I have no command to ravage and desolate tho country ; and were it my intention, I have had pretenee to begin it, upon the sea ports, who are at the mercy of the fleet. For your better information I enclose you a narrative of that affair, taken from gentlemen of indis- putable honor and veraeity who were oyo witnesses of all the transactions of that day. The lead- ers here have taken pains to prevent any account of this affair getting abroad, but such as they have thought proper to publish themselves ; and, to that end, the post has been stopped, the mails broke open, and letters taken out ; and, by these means, the mnost injurious and inflammatory ae- counts have been spread throughout the continent, which have served to deceive and inflame the minds of the people."
" When the resolves of the Provincial Congress breathed nothing but war, when those two great and essential prerogatives of the king, the levying of troops and disposing of the publie moneys, were wrested from him, and when magazines were forming, by an assembly of men, unknown to the constitution, for the declared purpose of lavying war against the king, you must aeknowledge it was my duty, as it was the dictate of humanity, to prevent, if possible, the ealamities of a eivil war, by destroying such magazines. This, and this alone, I attempted."
" You ask, why is the town of Boston now shut up ; I can only refer you, for an answer, to those bodies of armed men who now surround the town, and prevent all aeeess to it. The hostile prepa- rations you mention, are such as the conduet of the people of this province have rendered it prudent to make, for the defence of thoso under my command. You assure me, the people of your colony abhor the idea of taking up arms against the troops of their sovereign ; I wish the people of this provinee, for their own sakes, eould make the same deelaration."
" You enquire, is there no way to prevent this unhappy dispute from coming to extremities ? is there no alternative but absoluto submission or the desolations of war ? I answer I hope there is. The king and parliament seem to hold out terms of reconciliation, consistent with the honor and interest of Great Britain, and the rights and privileges of the colonies. They have mutually de- clared their readiness to attend to any real grievances of the colonies, and to afford them every just and reasonable indulgenee, which shall, in a dutiful and constitutional manner, be laid before them ; and his majesty adds, it is his ardent wish, that this disposition may have a happy effeet on the temper and eonduet of his subjeets in America. I must add, likewise, the resolution of the 27th February, on the grand dispute of taxation and revenue; leaving it to the colonies to tax themselves, under certain conditions. Here is surely a foundation for an aeeommodation, to people who wish a reeoneiliation, rather than a destructive war, between countries so nearly connected by the ties of blood and interest ; but I fear that the leaders of this province have been, and still are, intent only on shedding blood."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.