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 28
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We think it our duty to remonstrate to your excellency, that, from the papers communicated to us by the said selectmen, it appeared, that the inhabitants were promised, upon surrendering their arms, that they should be permitted to leave the town, and carry with them their effects. The condition was immediately complied with, on the part of the people ; since whichi, though a number of days have elapsed, but a very small proportion of the inhabitants have been allowed to take the benefit of your covenant.
We would not affront your excellency by the most distant insinua- tion, that you intended to deceive and disarm the people, by a cruel act of perfidy. A regard to your own character, as well as the fatal consequences which will necessarily result from the violation of your solemn treaties, must ||ªsuggest|| sufficient reasons, to deter a gentle- man of your rank and station from so injurious a design. But your excellency must be sensible, that a delay of justice is a denial of it, and extremely oppressive to the people now held in duress.
This Congress, though not the original party in the treaty, have taken every step in their power to facilitate the measure, and, in the whole of their conduct, have endeavored to evidence a disposition to act upon the principles of humanity and good faith, and still indulge hopes, that the confidence of the inhabitants of Boston, in your excel- lency's honor and faithfulness, is not misplaced; and that, notwith- standing any disagreeable occurrences, naturally resulting from the confused state of the colony, which this Congress have discounte- nanced, and endeavored to rectify, your excellency will no longer suf- fer your treaty with a distressed people, who ought by no means to be affected thereby, to be further violated.
The committee appointed to take into consideration the expediency of establishing ||a regiment|| of the train, reported.
Part of the establishment reported was accepted ; the consideration of the residue was referred to a future time.
Resolved, That the resolve which this Congress passed at Concord, the 13th ultimo, directing the committee of safety to engage a suitable number of persons, for forming six companies of the train, be so far reconsidered, as that it be, and hereby is Resolved, that the committee of safety be directed to engage a suitable number of persons, and form ten companies of the train, for the artillery already provided by this
214
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 10,
colony, to enter immediately on constant discipline, and be in readi- ness to enter the service of the colony ; and that said committee be, and they are hereby empowered, to draw on the public treasury, for said companies, a suitable consideration for their services.
The petition of Timothy Langdon1 was read, and ordered to lie on the table till some of the eastern members should be present.
Ordered, That the secretary be directed, pursuant to a request of the committee of safety, to furnish them with copies of all such re- solves as have passed the Congress in any ways relative to the duty en- joined them.
The secretary pro tempore represented to the Congress, that the multiplicity of the business of his office was such, as made it necessa- ry that he should have some assistance; whereupon, Ordered, that Capt. Stone, of Oakham, assist him in that service.
The committee appointed to inquire into the state of the army, and to settle the appointment of the field officers, reported a letter from head quarters.
The committee appointed to inquire into the complaint of the se- lectmen of the town of Worcester, against Samuel Paine and William . Campbell, reported; which report was accepted, and ordered to be transcribed, and delivered to Capt. Jonas Hubbard and Mr. Edward Crafts, who exhibited the above complaint, together with a printed re- solve of Congress, lately passed, for disarming the disaffected inhabit- ants of the colony. The report is as follows, viz. :
The committee appointed to hear the complaints, exhibited by the selectmen of Worcester, against William Campbell and Samuel Paine, have attended that service, heard the parties, and beg leave to report, that we find the charges against them proved by depositions, and con- ceded by them ; and that William Campbell has been guilty of leaving the town of Worcester without a permit from the selectmen, contrary to his own engagements : and that the said Samuel Paine has, in one instance, propagated reports with regard to our Massachusetts soldiers' rifling the house of Mr. Bradish, instead of the regular troops, and that those which were quartered in the colleges were lousy, and desert-
(1) This petition represented, that the committee of safety, formed from ten towns in the coun- ty of Lincoln, after consultation, came to the determination, that the king's masts, in the dock yard at Georgetown, should not be removed or fitted for use, and received assurances from Edward Par- ry, Esq., who had procured the timber, that it should remain : that when the result of the delibe- rations of the committee were known, Col. Samuel Thompson of Brunswick, with twenty armed inen, seized Mr. Parry, and compelled him to give bonds, with the penalty of £2000, to abide in the town until the pleasure of Congress could be known, and exacted money for the refreshment of the captors : and prayed that the bonds might be cancelled, and Mr. Parry discharged from false impris- onment.
215
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
ed in great numbers; which, however indiscreet, does not appear to us to be done with any bad design, and that he ouglit to be dismissed imme- diately ; and that the said Campbell may be returned to the town of Worcester, to be dealt with, by the committee of correspondence of that town, agreeably to a resolve of this Cougress, passed the 8th in- stant. The matter, however, we think not important enough to be broughit before this Congress.
The consideration of the petition of Timothy Langdon was again resumed, and ordered to lie on the table.
Ordered, That Capt. McCobb, Mr. Lewis and Doct. Perkins, be a committee to take under consideration the several applications made to this Congress, from the eastern parts of the province, for arms and ammunition.
Adjourned till to-morrow niorning, eight o'clock.
THURSDAY, May 11, 1775, A. M.
The petition of James Cargill, of Newcastle, committed to the com- mittee who were appointed to consider the |several|| applications to this Congress for ammunition, &c.
The committee appointed to take into consideration the several ap- plications to this Congress for a supply of ammunition, &c., reported : the report was recommitted, and the committee directed to inspect the list of returns of the town's stock of powder, &c., that it may be known whether this Congress can, with prudence, recommend to any town which may be stocked therewith, to supply those towns which are destitute.
Adjourned to twelve o'clock this day.
[Noon ]
The Congress met at twelve o'clock, ||"according|| to adjournment.
The committee appointed to consider the several applications made to this Congress for ammunition, and to inspect the list of returns, &c., reported. The report was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Whereas, the towns of Falmouth and Arundel, and the district of Cape Elizabetlı, being sea port places, and much exposed to the rage of our enemies, and not having a sufficient quantity of gunpowder to defend themselves in case of any long attack ; and the town of Ando- ver being well stocked with gunpowder, and not so much exposed ;
Therefore, Resolved, and it is hereby recommended to the selectmen of the town of Andover, that they deliver to Mr. Joseph McLellan, of Fal- mouth, two half barrels of gunpowder, for the use of the town of Fal-
a ||agreeably.||
-
216
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 11,
mouth, in the county of Cumberland ; also to deliver to Mr. Zebulon Trickey, of Cape Elizabeth, one half barrel of gunpowder, for the use of Cape Elizabeth ; also to deliver to Mr. John Hovey, of Arundel, two half barrels of gunpowder, for the use of said Arundel, they pay- ing them for said powder, which shall be replaced, if needed, as soon as the colony magazine can be supplied.
Whereas, the towns of Brunswick, Pownalborough, Bristol and Newcastle, being sea port places, in the eastern parts of this colony, and much exposed to the rage and incursions of our unnatural ene- mies, and not having a sufficient quantity of gunpowder to defend themselves, in case of any attack ; and the towns of Marlborough, Sudbury and Framingham, being well stocked with gunpowder, and not so much exposed;
Therefore, Resolved, and it is hereby recommended to the selectmen of the above mentioned several towns, that they deliver as follows, viz. : the selectmen of Sudbury, one half barrel of gunpowder, to Nathaniel Larrabee, for the use of Brunswick : the selectmen of Marlborough, two half barrels of gunpowder, one to Joseph Tinkham, for the use of Pownalborough, the other to Lieut. John Farley, for the use of New- castle : the selectmen of Framingham, one half barrel of gunpowder, to Thomas Bracket, for the use of Bristol : they paying them for said powder, which shall be replaced, if needed, as soon as the colony mag- azine can be supplied.
Ordered, 'That each person now in waiting, who has made applica- tion to this Congress for powder, be served with a copy thereof.
Information being made to this Congress, that two men of war, with troops, had sailed from Boston to New York, with a design, as is sup- posed, of frustrating a design of the inhabitants of that colony and Connecticut, to secure the arms and ammunition now in the fort at New York ;
Ordered, That Mr. Gerry, Col. Warren and Col. Lincoln, be a com- mittee to prepare a letter to the committee of correspondence of New York, informing them of the sailing of said men of war, and inserting such articles therein as will put the people upon their guard against any attempt that may be made against them by said ships.
Ordered, That this committee prepare said letter, and forward it forthwith, without waiting to report to this Congress, said committee laying before this Congress, as soon as may be, a copy of said letter.1 Adjourned to four o'clock, P. M.
(1) The following letter was sent to the committee of inspection of New York, subscribed by Elbridge Gerry, James Warren and Benjamin Lincoln :
" GENTLEMEN :- We are directed by the Congress of this colony, who are just informed that
1
217
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
[Afternoon.]
Met at four o'clock, according to adjournment.
Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow morning.
FRIDAY, May 12, 1775, A. M.
Moved, That a committee be appointed to consider the expediency of recommending to the selectinen of the several towns in the colony, to furnish such as inay enlist in their respective towns, with necessa- ries for their march to head quarters. The question was put, and it passed in the negative.
Ordered, That Capt. Stone, Col. Warren and Mr. Sullivan, be a committee, to take into consideration an extract of a letter from the Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq., of Falmouth, to Samuel Freeman.1
two men of war, tho Asia, and one other ship, with three or four companies of troops on board, sailed yesterday from Boston for your place, to give you the earliest notice thercof. It is supposed that they have orders to secure the ammunition and military stores in the fort of your eity. Your noble exertions in the common eanse, have given the Congress reason to think, that timely infor- mation, relative to this matter, would be important to you. The post is now waiting, which pre- vents us from indulging an inclination for enlarging.
We arc, respectfully, gentlemen, yours, &c."
(1) The extraets which follow are from a letter of Hon. Enoch Freeman, dated Falmouth, May 5, 1775, probably relating to the subjects presented for tho consideration of Congress :
" We have lately licard that the Penobscot indians are highly exasperated at Capt. Goldthwaite, for suffering the tender to dismantle the fort there, and carrying off the powder : and truck trade is stopped, as we are informed ; and that there were a number of men round abont there, going to take Goldthwaite, for delivering up the fort, into their custody, but what they intend to do with him I dont lacar. Perhaps it would be prudent for the Congress to send down there, and secure the indi- ans in our interest, by keeping the truek trade open, supplying them powder, or any other method in their wisdom, upon mature consideration they may think best. A hint on this head is enough."
" The selectmen of this town have this moment agreed with one Jabez Matthews and one David Dinsmore, of New Gloucester, to go over to Quebec, to make discovery whether any Canadians are in motion to come on our baek settlements, or to exeite the indians to do it ; and I have wrote to Mr. Remington Holby, of Vassalborough, to procuro one or two to go with them, as hunters ; and they are charged to bo eautieus not to let the Canadians have reason so much as to suspect their business, and they will depend on your endeavoring to get the Congress to order them adequate satisfaction out of the public fund. If they discover any evil designs, we shall be glad to know it, that we may prepare accordingly for our defence. If they find there is no design upon us, it will be a great satisfaction to this eastern country."
" I could write a good deal in favor of sending such an embassy, but as my time is almost wholly taken up on publie matters, I have little time to spare."
References, in the journal, to original papers, too often lead to the repetition of the same sad tale of loss and destruction. The letter of the Hon. Enoch Freeman, mentioned on page 220, undoubtedly related to a transaction fully detailed in the following communication from Gen. Jede- diah Preble, addressed to the president of the Provincial Congress.
FALMOUTH, May 14, 1775.
"HONORED SIR :- The committee of correspondence in this town, beg leave to inform you, that sonic time past, we reecived adviecs from Georgetown, that Col. Thompson was fitting two ves- sels there, with design to attempt the taking the king's ship Caneeaux, stationed in this harbor, commanded by Capt. Mowat, a gentleman, whose conduct since he has been here, has given no grounds of suspicion he had any design to distress or injure us ; but, on the other hand, he has af-
28
218
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 12,
Ordered, That Capt. Stone, Col. Warren and Mr. Sullivan, above mentioned, be a committee to take into consideration the expediency of taking measures for raising a company or two of indians.
Resolved, That to-morrow morning, at ten o'clock, be, and is now assigned, for the purpose of choosing some person to preach a sermon to the Congress, on the 31st May instant.
Resolved, That all persons who have the care of any prisoners de- tained at Concord, Lexington, or elsewhere, be, and hereby are direct- ed, to give the Rev. Mr. Gordon free access to them, whenever he shall desire it; and it is recommended to all civil magistrates, and others, to be aiding and assisting him in examining, and taking depositions of them, and others, without exception.
Ordered, That the establishment for a train of artillery be recom- mitted.
Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan be added to the committee appointed for revising the [commissions of the] committee of safety and committee of supplies, in the room of Doct. Holten, absent.
forded his assistance to sundry vessels in distress. As we thought such an attempt had the appear- ance of laying a foundation for the destruction of this town, the committee of correspondence met, and wrote to the committee of correspondence at Georgetown, desiring they would prevent their coming ; we also wrote to Col. Thompson, desiring him to desist from such an attempt, as it would throw this town into the greatest confusion imaginable ; we sent an express, and received his an- swer that he had dropped the design of coming. But, on Monday night, [May 10,] he landed upwards of sixty men, on the back side of a neck of land joining to the town, who came there in a number of boats, and lay undiscovered till about the middle of the next day ; at which time, Capt. Mowat, the doctor of the ship and parson Wiswall, were taking a walk on said neck, when a detachment of Col. Thompson's party rushed from their concealment, surrounded the gentlemen, and made them prisoners, and conducted them to the coloncl, who was with the main body, on the back side of the neck. Capt. Hog, who now commanded the ship, immediately clapped springs on his cables, she lying within musket shot of the town, and swore if the gentlemen were not released by six o'clock, he would fire on the town. He fired two cannon, and, although there was no shot in them, it frightened the women and children to such a degree, that some crawled under wharves, some ran down cellar and some out of town. Such a shocking scene was never before presented to vicw here. The gentlemen who were in custody, were conducted to a public house, where Capt. Mow- at declared, if he was not released, it would be the destruction of the town. Every gentleman pres- ent used his utmost endeavors to accommodate the matter. Col. Thompson consented that a com- mittee should be chosen, consisting of officers from his party and gentlemen from the town, to con- sult in what manner the affair could be accommodated ; but, as it was late, the committee chose to defer the consideration of it till next morning. Capt. Mowat then requested he might go on board his ship that night, and he would pawn his word and honor that he would return next morn- ing, at what time and at what place should be appointed. Col. Thompson consented, provided Col. Freeman and Brigadier Preble would pass their words that the several gentlemen should return ac- cording to their promises, and also pawn their word and honor, if the gentlemen failed of coming, that they would deliver themselves up, and stand by the consequences, which was consented to. Capt. Mowat not coming according to his promise, which was to have been at nine o'clock the next morning, the sponsors appeared according to promise, and were confined. Capt. Mowat wrote to them, and let them know he had fully determined to have complied with his promise, but he had sent his man on shore, to carry some dirty linen to his washing-woman, and to bring off some clean : that said man made oath, that two of the body, under arms, one of which swore, by all that was sacred, the moment he come on shore he should have what was in his piece, and the other, that he
219
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Resolved, That the several committees be enjoined to sit, and that this Congress be adjourned to this afternoon, three o'clock.
[Afternoon.]
The committee appointed to consider measures for establishing post offices and post ||ªriders, || reported. After some debate, the matter thereof was ordered for the present to subside.
The order of the day was moved for.
The absent members were ordered to be called in.
It was then Moved, That the sense of the Congress be taken on this question, viz. : Whether there is now existing in this colony a necessi- ty of taking up, and exercising the powers of civil government, in all its parts.
After some debate, it was Resolved, that this Congress will now form itself into a committee of the whole house, for consideration of the question in debate.
The committee having considered thereon, the president, on a mo- tion made, ['resumed] the chair. The committee then, by the Hon. Jo- seph Warren, Esq., their chairman, reported, " that a committee be raised, for the purpose of reporting to the Congress an application to the Continental Congress, for obtaining their recommendation for this colony to take up and exercise civil government, as soon as may be, and that the committee be directed to ground the application on the necessity of the case ;" which report being read, was accepted, by a very large majority ; whereupon, Ordered, that the president, Doct.
should never return on board again with his life : and that two more of his men made oath, they heard several of the men under arms say, the moment he came on shore they would have his life ; this was what he wrote to plead an excuse for not complying with his promise. Col. Thompson told the two gentlemen under confinement, that he must have some provisions and refreshments for his men, which they procured, to the amount of thirteen or fourteen pounds, lawful money, on which they were dismissed. About ten o'clock, he sent an account to them for time and expense, amounting to £158 18s. lawful money, and gave them till next morning, nine o'clock, to return an an- swer, which they did in the negative ; he said he would have satisfaction before he left town. He then seized all the goods he could find, belonging to Capt. Coulson and William Tyng, Esq ; they also carried off one boat belonging to Coulson, and one other to Capt. Mowat ; they also obliged Capt. Pote to furnish them with some provisions, and a small matter of cash ; they also brought one man on his knees, for speaking disrespectfully of the colonel and his men. Col. Thompson, we doubt not, is a true friend to his country, and a man of courage and resolve ; but our town lies so much exposed to the navy that, had he succeeded in his attempt, which there was not the least probability of, it must have proved the destruction of this town, and the country back, who are now in the greatest distress for want of provisions. We have only related plain facts, that the honor- able members of the Provincial Congress may not be imposed on with false accounts, to whom please to communicate this letter.
We are, with great esteem, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants.
JEDEDIAH PREBLE, Chairman."
a ||roads.||
b [assumed.]
220
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS ..
[May 12,
Church, Mr. Gerry, Col. Warren, Mr. Sullivan, Col. Danielson and Col. Lincoln, be a committee to prepare an application agreeably to said report.
A letter from Col. Quincy ||of Braintree,|| to the president, was read ; whereupon, Resolved, that Gen. Ward be, and hereby is direct- ed, to order four respectable officers to escort the president of this Congress to Col. Quincy, at Braintree, to-morrow morning.
Ordered, That Major Fuller, Mr. Goodwin and Deacon Whitney, be a committee to estimate the damages done at Concord, Lexington and Cambridge, by the king's troops, on the 19th ultimo, so far as re- spects private property only.
Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Doct. Taylor and Mr. Lewis, be a committee to take into consideration a letter from the Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq., dated May 10, 1775, to his son, Mr. Samuel Freeman.1
Resolved, That the further consideration of the report of the com- mittee who were appointed to bring in a resolve respecting the estab- lishment of post offices and post riders, be resumed to-morrow morn- ing, nine o'clock.
Resolved, That the establishment for a train of artillery, which has been accepted by this Congress, be reconsidered, and that the follow- ing report, for such an establishment, be accepted, viz. :
Resolved, That the following establishment be made for ten compa- nies of matrosses :
Captain, .
£6 10s. 0 per month.
Captain Lieutenant,
5 10
0 0
1st Lieutenant,
4 10
Two 2d Lieutenants, each
3 12 0
Serjeants, each
2 10 0
Corporals, each
2
6
0
6 Bombardiers, each
2
4
6
6 Gunners, each
2
4
0 66
32 Matrosses, each
2
3 0
Adjourned till to-morrow morning, eight o'clock.
[SATURDAY,] May 13, 1775, A. M.
Met according to adjournment.
The petition of the selectmen of the town of Topsham, in the county of Lincoln, respecting their being supplied with powder, [was] read, and Ordered, that the same be committed to Capt. McCobb, Mr. Lewis and Doct. Taylor.
(1) See the note to page 217 ante. The letter mentioned in the text is not on the files of Congress.
221
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
'The order of the day, respecting the further consideration of the report of the committee appointed to bring in a resolve respecting the establishing post offices, &c., was taken up, and the blanks for post masters being filled up, ordered to subside till the report on the letter from Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq. was read.
The committee appointed to take into consideration a letter from the Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq., dated May 10, reported; and after a long debate thereon, [the report] was ordered to be recommitted for amendment.
Moved, That a committee be appointed to count and sort the votes, for a cominittee, to be chosen by ballot, to appoint post riders ; [the] time assigned for that purpose [was] voted to be three o'clock, P. M.
The order of the day was moved for, to choose a gentleman to preach the serinon on the 31st May.
Moved, That a committee be chosen to count and sort the votes. Col. Warren, Capt. Jennison, Major Bliss, were chosen.
The committee chosen to count and sort the votes, reported that the Rev. Doct. Langdon was chosen.
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