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 27
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a |discover.|
203
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
the firmest confederacy. We are |thoroughly|| aware of the mischiefs too general a removal might produce ; but we have so much confi- dence in the disinterested virtue of our countrymen, as to indulge hopes that Mr. Barrett's example will not become infectious. We highly approve the steady patriotism and manly jealousy of our breth- ren in Hopkinton, and are, with much esteem,
Gentlemen, yours, &c.
Ordered, That the president pro tempore, Doct. Church, Doct. Tay- lor, Doct. Holten and Doct. Dunsmore, be a committee to examine such persons as are, or may be, recommended for surgeons for the army now forming in this colony.
Resolved, That the persons recommended by the commanding offi- cers of the several regiments, be appointed as surgeons to their respec- tive regiments, provided they appear to be duly qualified upon examin- ation.
A letter from the committee of correspondence, in Portsmouth, was received by a messenger, express. The messenger was admitted on the floor.1
Ordered, That said letter be committed, for an answer, to Doct. Church, the president and Capt. Foster.
A letter from Gen. Ward was read ; whereupon,
Ordered, That Col. Danielson, Doct. Church, Col. Foster, Mr. Bliss and Mr. Rawson, be a committee to take the subject thereof into consideration, and report.
Leave of absence was ||ªgiven|| to Mr. Partridge.
The committee on the letter from Portsmouth, in New Hampshire, reported the following answer, which was read and accepted, and or- dered to be copied and sent :
a |granted.||
(1) The letter was addressed to the president of Congress, and is as follows :
PORTSMOUTII, May 6, 1775.
SIR :- We have received intelligence, that Mr. Edward Parry, of this town, together with Mr. John Barnard and Mr. Wilson, are now confined in irons, in the county of Lincoln ; for what cause we have not been able to explore.
But, from the past conduct of Mr. Parry, in this town, we are convinced he never merited such treatment ; and, that it cannot but meet with the disapprobation of your Congress, which have constantly manifested, in all their proceedings, a contrary temper.
We trust the Congress will exert their influence to procure the immediate release of that gen- tleman, and wish that humanity and candor may distinguish all our noble struggles in the cause of liberty.
By order of the committee.
I am your most obedient servant,
WILLIAM WHIPPLE.
204
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 8,
GENTLEMEN :- The Congress have considered the subject of your express ; are surprised that a gentleman, of the character you have mentioned, should have such just reason to complain of unmerited se- verity, from any of our brethren in this colony. From a regard to justice, as well as to your recommendation, gentlemen, we shall not fail to make immediate inquiry into this transaction ; and if any out- rage has been offered to innocent persons, the perpetrators, you may be assured, will be properly censured, and the sufferers meet with all that redress which it may be in the power of this Congress to obtain. Be assured, gentlemen, we shall be studious to maintain that character for humanity, which, we would wish, may ever be the characteristic of Americans ; and [we] cannot but applaud those generous and be- nevolent sentiments, which influenced you in your application.
We are, &c.
The committee who were appointed to prepare the form of an oath, to be taken by the general officers, reported : the consideration where- of was referred to some future time.
Ordered, That Col. Mosely and Major Bliss be, and are hereby em- powered and directed, to collect all the province arms which are in the county of Hampshire; and that Doct. William Whiting be em- powered and directed to collect all the province arms which are in the county of Berkshire.
Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M.
[Afternoon.]
Resolved, That Capt. Trueman Wheeler,. of Great Barrington, be desired to assist Doct. Whiting in collecting the province arms which are in the county of Berkshire.
Mr. Sawyer informed the Congress, that Gen. [John] Whitcomb, on account of his various avocations, could not accept of the office of muster master to which he had been appointed. Whereupon,
Resolved, That this Congress will now proceed to the choice of another person, by ballot, in his room; and that Mr. Sawyer, Esquire Dix and Major Fuller, be a committee to sort and count the votes.
On a motion made, Resolved, that this last resolve be reconsider- ed, and that to-morrow morning, eleven o'clock, be assigned for the choice of a muster master, in the room of Gen. [John] Whitcomb, who declines that trust.
Ordered, That Major Bliss, Deacon Whitney and Col. Patterson, be a committee to give notice to such members of this Congress as are now at Cambridge and Roxbury, and other absent members whom
.
205
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
they can notify, that a matter of the greatest importance is to be taken into consideration, at three o'clock, to-morrow afternoon, and to direct their attendance at that time.
The committee who were appointed to bring in a resolve recom- mending the disarming certain persons in the colony, reported ; which report was read, amended and accepted, and is as follows, viz. : €
" Whereas, there are divers persons now in this colony, who have, by their conduct, discovered themselves to be enemies to the rights of mankind, and the interest of America ; and whereas, our very peculiar situation renders it absolutely necessary, not only to discriminate them from those who have shewn a disposition to be friendly to their country, but || likewise|| to put it out of their power to join with the open and avowed enemies of America, in their endeavors to ||injure, · and|| subjugate their countrymen to the full operations of the tyranni- cal system of the British adininistration, and the ruin and destruction concerted by the British parliament against the secolonies : therefore,
Resolved, That it be, and hereby is recommended, to the several committees of correspondence, in the several towns and districts where such committees || have been appointed,|| and to the selectinen of such towns and districts as have not appointed them, to inquire into the principles and conduct of such suspected persons, and that they cause all such to be disarmed, who do not give them full and am- ple assurances, in which they can with safety confide, of their readi- ness to join their countrymen, on all occasions, in defence of the rights and liberties of America ; and likewise, that they take effectual steps to put it out of the power of such persons to obstruct, by any means whatever, the measures which shall be taken for the common defence ; and it is also hereby recommended, to the good people of this colony, that they take effectual care to secure obedience to the several resolves of Congress for the regulation of the militia, and cause a due regard to be paid to the orders of the several military officers, who have been elected by the suffrages of the several companies and regi- ments, agreeably to the resolves of Congress.
Ordered, That Major Fuller, Doct. Taylor and Mr. Webster, be a committee to get the resolve last mentioned printed, and dispersed through the several towns and districts in this colony.
Ordered, That the committee who were appointed to take into con- sideration the subject matter of the letter from Gen. Ward, now send a written message, by the messenger in waiting, to the general, inform-
a {jalso.|1
b ||reside.]]
206
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 8,
ing him that they are considering the same, and will make report as soon as possible.
Ordered, That said committee sit forthwith.
Ordered, That Mr. Fisher be added to said committee, in the room of Mr. Bliss, who is going to Cambridge on other business of the Con- gress.
Ordered, That Mr. Lothrop, Doct. Taylor and Mr. Webster, be a committee to bring in a resolve, recommending to the inhabitants of this province to save their straw.
Ordered, That Col. Mosely, Esquire Davis, Col. Walker, Deacon Hovey, Mr. Lewis, Capt. McCobb and Major Smith, be a committee to confer with the committee of safety, with respect to settling the ap- pointment of field officers, and to sit forthwitlı.
Mr. Gerry, by leave of Congress, brought in a resolve, empowering the committee of supplies to furnish commissaries ||with necessaries|| for the army, &c., which was recommitted.
The committee appointed to consider the letter from Gen. Ward, reported an answer thereto, which was amended and accepted, and is as follows :
SIR :- This Congress received your letter of this day, and the com- plaint enclosed, informing that several persons, falsely pretending to have your order to search for fire-arms, have committed robbery on private property ; we have taken the matter ||ªinto|| consideration, and are of opinion that such criminals ought to meet with condign punish- ment. The persons suspected to be the offenders are one Saunders, Samuel Mallows, Jacob Whittemore, Edward Bugby and Ebenezer Smith, all of Roxbury, with two other persons unknown. Therefore, Sir, you are directed to apprehend the abovesaid persons, by a number of men under your command, and cause them to be carried before the committee of safety, who are hereby empowered and directed to exam- ine them touching their offence, and search for, and, if possible, to find the goods, and direct that they are immediately replaced from whence they were taken. And if, on examination, the said persons are found guilty of the said robbery, the committee of safety are here- by directed to imprison them till the further order of Congress.
Ordered, That the committee just now appointed to confer with the committee of safety, respecting the appointment of field officers, be in- structed to inquire into the state of the army at Cambridge and Rox- bury, and if they find the numbers ||thereof | reduced, as is reported to
a |seriously into.||
3
207
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
this Congress, that they advise the committee of safety to send out immediately for reenforcements.
Resolved, That the consideration of the expediency of assuming government, which was to have been entered upon to-morrow after- noon, be postponed to Friday next, at three o'clock, P. M., and that the committee who were just now appointed to confer with the com- mittee of safety, be directed to give notice hereof to the several mem- bers of this Congress who are now at Cambridge and Roxbury.
||'Then|| adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning.
[TUESDAY,] May 9, 1775, A. M.
Resolved, That the receiver general be, and he is hereby directed, to give public notice of the resolve, lately passed by this Congress, for borrowing money on the credit of the colony, and assign certain time and place when he will attend that business.
The Congress granted permission to Col. Trumbull, to have a copy of the resolve of this Congress, relative to the ["inhabitants] moving out of Boston.
Henry Gardner, Esq., receiver general, requested that this Congress would excuse him from serving any longer in that office; the consid- eration thereof was ordered to subside for the present.
Mr. Gerry brought in again a resolve respecting the supply of the soldiers, which was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Whereas, it hath frequently happened, that sutlers, whilst permitted to supply soldiers in the service of this colony, have vended their goods at extravagant rates, and thereby, in a great measure, deprived the families of such soldiers of the benefit of their wages; therefore,
Resolved, That the committee of supplies be, and they hereby are directed and empowered, to purchase and supply the commissary, for the time being, with such goods, wares and merchandize as they shall, at any time, judge necessary for supplying the colony forces, and to draw on the public treasury therefor. And the commissary aforesaid, as also`his deputies, who shall be accountable to him, are hereby di- rected and empowered to supply, at the first cost, the soldiers who shall belong to the regiments in which they shall be stationed, with such articles as their respective captains shall, at any time, order ; and to keep and render to the captains aforesaid, true and exact accounts thereof, any time before the making up of the muster rolls. And the said captains are hereby directed to give orders for such articles only as they judge ||requisite and|| necessary for their respective soldiers,
a [troops.]
208
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 9,
not exceeding one half of the wages that shall, at any time, be due to them, and to cause the same to be deducted from their wages, on making up the muster rolls.
Ordered, That Doct. Church, the president, Col. Dexter, Col. War- ren and Mr. Gerry, be a committee to prepare a spirited application to general Gage, respecting his treatment of the inhabitants of Boston.
Ordered, That the same gentlemen be a committee, to consider what provision shall be made for furnishing such enlisted soldiers, as are unprovided with fire arms, with such effective fire arms as are ne- cessary for them to carry into the field.
Ordered, That Col. Barrett, Doct. Holten and Col. Danielson, be a committee to take into consideration a printed false account of the late excursion of the king's troops to Concord.
The order of the day [was] moved for.
Ordered, That Col. Farley, Doct. Holten and Col. Danielson, be a committee to sort and count the votes for a muster master.
The committee appointed to sort and count the votes for a muster master, in the room of Col. John Whitcomb, who declined accepting that trust, reported, that Col. Asa Whitcomb was chosen.
A motion was made and seconded, that a committee be appointed to take into consideration the expediency of restraining the people of this colony from supplying the inhabitants of Boston with provisions. Af- ter debate, the question was put, and it passed in the negative,
Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M.
[Afternoon.]
On a motion made, that the resolve passed yesterday, assigning Fri- day next, three o'clock, P. M., for the consideration of the expediency of assuming government, [be reconsidered,] and that an earlier day be assigned for that purpose. The question was put, and it passed in the negative.
Ordered, That Mr. Pickering be added to the committee appointed to take into consideration an equal representation of this colony, in the room of Mr, Rawson, absent.
Ordered, That Mr. Sawyer, Col. Foster and Mr. Dix, be a commit- tee to take into consideration the expediency of establishing post offi- ces and riders in this colony.
The committee who were appointed to prepare a remonstrance to general Gage, reported. The report was ordered to lie on the table till the further orders of this Congress.
The same committee, agreeably to their appointment, reported a re- solve, relative to furnishing those enlisted soldiers with fire arms who
209
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
are unequipt therewithı; which, after debate, was ordered to be recom- mitted.
Ordered, That Capt. Stone ||of Framingham, || be added to the com- mittee who were appointed to consider of some measures to be taken with respect to the county records, in the room of Mr. Brown, of Ab- ington, now absent.
The committee appointed to consider the expediency of establishing post offices and riders, in this colony, reported : whereupon, || Order- ed,|| that the further consideration thereof be referred to to-morrow morning, ten o'clock.
The committee appointed to consider the false account of the late excursion of the king's troops, reported; which report being read, amended and completed, was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Whereas, a printed paper, said to be a circumstantial account of an attack, which happened on the 19th of April, 1775, on his majesty's troops, by a number of the people of the province of the Massachu- setts Bay, has been read in this Congress, which contains, among many falsehoods, the following paragraph, viz. :
" When Capt. Parsons returned with the three companies over. the bridge, at Concord, they observed three soldiers on the ground, one of them scalped, his head much mangled, and his ears cut off, though not quite dead."
Resolved, That Col. Barrett be, and hereby is directed, to make strict inquiry of the persons who saw the three soldiers aforemention- ed lying at the said bridge, and also of those who buried them, and take their depositions, that so the truth or falsity of the aforesaid as- sertion may be ascertained.
The committee appointed to consider of some method for furnishing those soldiers with fire arms, who are not therewith equipt, again re- ported ; the report was read ||and accepted, || and is as follows, viz ..:
Whereas, a few of the inhabitants of this colony, who are enlisted into its service, are destitute of fire arms, bayonets, and other accou- trements ;
Resolved, That the selectmen of the several towns and districts in this colony be, and hereby are, directed and empowered to examine into the state of the equipment of such inhabitants of their respective towns and districts as are, or may be, enlisted into the service of this colony, and where any are deficient in arms or accoutrements, as afore- said, it is recommended to the selectmen to supply them out of the town stock, and in case of a deficiency there, to apply to such inhabi-
a ||resolved .! |
27
210
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 10,
tants of their respective towns and districts as, in their opinions, can best spare their arms or accoutrements, and to borrow or purchase the same for the use of said inhabitants so enlisted : and the selectmen are also directed to take a bill from such persons as shall sell their arms and accoutrements, in the name of this colony, and receipts from the soldiers to whom they shall cause them to be delivered, and render the same to the committee of supplies for this colony: and each sol- dier, so supplied, shall pay for the use of such arms and accoutrements, out of his wages, the sum of six shillings : and if he does not return the said arms and accoutrements, there shall be deducted from his wages, at the time of making up the muster roll, the full value of said arms and accoutrements, as appraised by the selectmen, at the time of borrowing or purchasing the same; and it is strongly recommended to such inhabitants of the colony as the selectmen, as aforesaid, shall ap- ply to for arms or accoutrements, that they supply the colony with the same. And, as many arms in this colony which are now useless may, by small repairs, be rendered fit for service, Resolved, that a sufficient number of armourers, not exceeding twenty, be appointed by the com- mittee of safety, to mend and repair such arms as shall be brought to them by the soldiers enlisted into the Massachusetts army.
Ordered, That Mr. Webster, Major Fuller and Mr. Batchelder, be a committee to get this resolve published and dispersed.
Adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o'clock.
WEDNESDAY, May 10, 1775, A. M.
Ordered, That the committee appointed to confer with the commit- tee of safety, upon the general state of the army, be directed particu- larly to confer with them on the propriety of removing the whole or part of the cannon and stores, now at Cambridge, further back into the country.
Resolved, That the general officers be, and are hereby directed, forthwith to call in all the soldiers who are already enlisted in the ser- vice of this colony, and that they give immediate orders to all the en- listed soldiers, and all others now in the camp at Cambridge and Rox- bury, that they do not depart till the further orders of this Congress.
A petition from the committees of correspondence, and the cominit- tees of inspection, for the town of Pownalborough, was preferred by Joseph Tinkham :
Ordered, That this petition lie on the table.
Ordered, That the resolve passed by this Congress the 23d ulti- mo, recommending to the selectmen of the several towns in this colo-
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SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
ny, to furnish each non commissioned officer and || soldier|| with a blanket, be fairly copied by the secretary, and printed in a hand bill, and sent to the selectmen of the several towns and districts in the col- ony.
Ordered, That the petition from Pownalborough, just now read, be delivered to Mr. Joseph Tinkham, agreeable to his request.
Ordered, That Mr. Lothrop, Doct. Taylor and Doct. Holten, be a committee to take into consideration the proceedings of the town of Bristol, presented to this Congress by Mr. Thomas Bracket, in behalf of said town.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve, recommending to the inhabitants of this colony to save their straw, reported ; which re- port was read and accepted, and ordered to be copied, and sent to the printer of the Cambridge newspaper, and to the printer of the Wor- cester newspaper, for publication. || It|| is as follows, viz. :
Whereas, it will be indispensably necessary that large quantities of straw be provided for the use of the army now forming for the defence and protection of this colony ;
Therefore, Resolved, and it is hereby strongly recommended to all such inhabitants of this colony as have, or may have, of that article by them, that, as they regard the lives and health of their brethren, who engage in the service abovesaid, they take immediate care the same be preserved for the purpose above mentioned.
Ordered, That Capt. Foster, Mr. Lothrop and Mr. Pickering, be a committee to transcribe the depositions taken by a committee of this Congress, of the proceedings of the troops, under command of gene- ral Gage, the 19th ultimo, and that they transmit them to Mr. Hall, at Cambridge, to be published in a pamphlet, and that said committee agree with him for the expense of publication.
Ordered, That Col. Barrett attend the business to which he was yes- day appointed, of inquiring into the truth or falsity of a paragraph, taken from a printed account of the action of the king's troops, on the 19th instant.
The committee appointed to consider some measures for securing the county records, reported ; the report was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Resolved, That the committee appointed for each county, on the 12th of April last, be instructed to take proper measures for securing the records of their several counties where they are exposed.
The order of the day was moved for.
a ||private soldier .!! q land.||
212
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. [May 10,
The committee appointed to consider on the expediency of estab- lishing post offices, &c., reported ; the report was recommitted, for the purpose of settling the rates of postage, and taking into conside- ration some method of establishing post offices. Mr. Hall, of Med- ford, and Mr. Cross, were added to the committee ; also Mr. Batchel- der, in the room of Mr. Dix.
Resolved, That the resolve for accepting the establishment for the train, which passed this Congress the 6th instant, be reconsidered, and that Col. Mandell, Capt. Baker, Doct. Taylor, Major Perley and Col. Coffin, be a committee to take into consideration the propriety of es- tablishing a regiment of the train, and that they sit forthwith.
Ordered, That Col. Warren, Mr. Gerry and Col. Foster, be a com- mittee to take into consideration a resolve of the committee of safety, recommending to this Congress to establish a court of inquiry.
Ordered, That Col. Richard Gridley be, and hereby is directed, forthwith to recommend to the committee of safety, for officers of the train of artillery, such persons as he thinks are qualified for that ap- pointment.
On a complaint of the selectmen of the town of Worcester, against Samuel Paine and William Campbell, prisoners from that town, Or- dered, that said prisoners be committed to the care of Capt. Brown, or such persons as he shall appoint, to be kept in custody till the further orders of this Congress.
Ordered, That the committee appointed to transcribe the deposi- tions of the late proceedings of the king's troops, be directed to pre- pare a narrative thereof, as an introduction to the said depositions, which are ordered to be printed.
Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M.
[Afternoon.]
Ordered, That Mr. Gill, Col. Warren, Col. Gerrish, Mr. Dix and Doct. Perkins, be a committee to inquire into the complaint made by the selectmen of the town of Worcester, against Samuel Paine and William Campbell, and report to this Congress.
The consideration of the remonstrance to general Gage was re- sumed : and [the same was] accepted, and ordered to be authenticated, and sent forward. It is as follows, viz. :
To His Excellency Gen. Gage:
SIR :- This Congress have received frequent intelligence, that their brethren, the inhabitants of the town of Boston, have to contend, in their removal therefrom, with numerous delays and embarrassments,
213
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
contrary to the stipulation proposed and agreed to between your excel- lency and the selectinen of that town.
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