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 3
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Monitors appointed,
Form of an oath to be taken by the general officers, .
Jonas Dix appointed to take depositions relative to the destruction of private property by the king's troops at Concord,
233 234
Committee to consider what steps are necessary for the relief of certain inhabitants of Boston, .
234
Letter to the assembly of Connecticut, and resolve relative to the capture of the fortress at Ticonderoga, .
234 235
Committee appointed to revise the commission of the committee of safe. ty directed to sit forthwith,
Committee directed to bring in resolve for taking bonds of the postmas- ters, and appointing oaths for the postmasters and riders, . 236
" 18-Committee to consider the practicability of employing surgeons to the army out of the clergy of the colony, .
236
Committee to bring in a resolve recommending to the inhabitants of tho colony not to choose any person to represent them who has a com- mission in the army, . 236
Committee to inquire if Hon. James Russell, impost master, has any pub- lic moneys in his hands,
236
Committee to bring in a resolve recommending to the inhabitants to have no dealings with the mandamus counsellors, or other enemies of the colony, .
236
Committee to inquire into the subject of a resolve of the committee of safety respecting Lady Frankland, 936
Letter from the committee of correspondence of Falmouth relative to the situation of that town, . 237
Committee to prepare a commission for General Ward, . · Report of the committee relative to the prisoners at Dartmouth, . 235 235
.
Application to the Continental Congress respecting the exercise of civil government by the Massachusetts Bay, 229 231 232
xxiv
CONTENTS.
MAY 18-Report of the committee relative to the attack upon the king's ships in the harbor of Falmouth by Col. Thompson, . . 237
Members of the committee of safety, 238 Committee to inquire where the treasurer may procure money for advance pay to the soldiers,
238
Report of the committee upon the resolve of the committee of safety re- specting Lady Frankland, 238
" 19-Col. Warren directed to procure a list of the officers who are prepared to receive their commissions, .
239 Letter of the committee of correspondence of Connecticut respecting the taking of Ticonderoga, 239 Resolve permitting Lady Fraukland to remove or otherwise dispose of her goods,
Mr. Gerry reported an answer to a letter from the committee of corres- pondence of Connecticut,
Commission of the committee of safety,
Resolve appointing Mr. John Pigeon a commissary for the army, . Commission for General Aitemas Ward, .
Committee to get the depositions and narrative of the excursion of the king's troops to Concord, printed,
240 240 240 242 243 243
Resolves relative to the commissions of the officers, and the rank and number of the regiments in the colony army, 243
Resolves passed for granting commissions to Samuel Gerrish and other officers,
" 20-Committee to confer with Mr. Revere respecting an alteration in the val- ue of notes to be emitted, · Petition from the inhabitants of Deer Island,
Report of the committee appointed to consider the situation of the pris- oners in Boston, and the inhabitants there kept in duress,
Resolve for the payment of advance pay to the soldiers in the provincial army,
Committee to consider what measures are necessary for the organization of the provincial army,
Resolve for the issue of paper money by the receiver general, and form of the notes, .
246 Report of the committee appointed to consider the practicability of pro- viding chaplains for the army, . . 247
Commissions delivered to certain officers of the army, and resolves rela- tive thereto,
248
" 22-Report of the committee on the petition from the inhabitants of Deer Island, .
Letter from General Ward recommending that certain ordnance, arms, and ammunition be procured, . 249
Resolve inviting the clergy to hold a convention during the next session of the Provincial Congress, agreeably to their ancient custom, · 250
Letter to Col. Benedict Arnold, . ·
250
Letter from Ilon. James Russell, commissioner of imposts, respecting public moneys in his hands, . 251
244 244 244 244 245 246
Loss of the record of the Second Provincial Congress during the last eight days of its existence, 248 249 Report of committee, and resolve relative to business transactions with the mandamus counsellors and other persons unfriendly to the coun- try, 249
CONTENTS.
XXV
MAY 22-Committee to tako the above letter into consideration, .
251
" 23-Letter from Brownfield asking for arms, powder, &c., 251 Report of a committee respecting the depredations of the British troops on tho islands and sea coasts, 25%
Resolves respecting the trial of certain persons charged with crimes com- mitted in the camp,
252 253 253 253
" 24-Resolve respecting Ebenezer Cutler of Northiborough, .
Report of the committee upon the organization of the army, . Report of Mr. Gerry respecting the appointment of additional armorers, Committee to effect the removal of the poor of the town of Boston, and resolve respecting their powers,
254
Committee to deliver out the commissions of the officers and to adminis- ter the oath to them,
255
Address to the inhabitants of the Massachusetts Bay relative to an issue of notes by said colony,
255
Resolve for drafting from the towns a quantity of powder, in conformity to said report, .
Resolve respecting a dispute between Cols. Henshaw and Jonathan Ward of Gen. Ward's regiment, as to the post of lieutenant colonel,
Letter from Mr. Dexter,
Letter from Gen. Thomas accepting the office of lieutenant general of the provincial army,
Resolve respecting absconding soldiers, .
# 26-Letter to the Provincial Congress of New York, .
Resolve directing the Hon. James Russell to pay all public moneys to Henry Gardner, Esq. .
Resolve for a post rider from Cambridge to Exeter, N. H.
Resolve authorizing the muster masters to accept all able bodied men, notwithstanding they are not furnished with arms and accoutrements, Charges against Mr. Jonathan Brewer of Waltham, and report of the committee relative thereto,
" 27-Committee of safety directed to write to Col. Arnold,
Report of a committee relative to certain charges against Lieutenant Col. Brown, .
Report of the committee relative to the establishment of a court of in- quiry, .
262
Letter to the governor and company of the colony of Connecticut respect- ing the fortress at Ticonderoga, 263 263
Letter to Col. Benedict Arnold relative thereto,
Col. Joseph Henshaw appointed to repair to Hartford, to confer with the assembly of Connecticut respecting the fortress at Ticonderoga, and afterwards to proceed to Ticonderoga, 264
" 29-Letter to the Continental Congress upon the necessity of maintaining that fortress,
265
Letter to the governor of the colony of Connecticut relative to the for- tresses at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, 266
Papers relating to Jonathan Brewer referred to the committee of safety,. 270 270 Letter to the Provincial Congress of New Hampshire, · Officers commissioned by Congress, 270
D
258 258 258
260 260 260
261 261 261
" 25-Report of the committee appointed to inspect the towns' stocks of pow- der, and consider what proportion could be spared, . 256 257 257 257
xxvi
CONTENTS.
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF MASSACHUSETTS.
1775.
MAY 31-Convened in Watertown. Samuel Freeman chosen secretary, and Jo- seph Warren, president,
273
List of delegates, 273
Committee to return thanks to the Rev. Doct. Langdon for his election sermon, .
280 280
Committee to consider the returns of members from Eastham, · Convention of clergymen, . Committee to take into consideration the papers relating to the fortress at Ticonderoga, . 281
281
Letter from the committee of correspondence of New Hampshire to the committee of Newburyport, . 281
JUNE 1-Report of the committee appointed to consider Gen. Thomas' letter rel- ative to advance pay to the soldiers, . . 282 ·
282 Monitors appointed,
Report of the committee, and resolve, relative to sending the poor of Bos- ton to certain towns in the country, 283
Proposal of the clergy for furnishing the army with chaplains, 283
Committee to make inquiries concerning the armorers, 284 284
Letter from the selectmen of Hopkinton, .
Report of the committee appointed to consider the letter from New Hampshire, . Letter from the committee of safety of Salem, respecting Mr. Stephen Higginson,
285
Report of the committee relative to the return of members from East- ham,
285
Report of the committee respecting Mr. Higginson, 285
Order for printing three hundred passes for members of Congress, 286
Hon. Mr. Dexter directed to inquire respecting the public moneys in the hands of Mr. Russell. His report, 286
Report of the committee relative to the use of a horse taken from the reg- ulars by Mr. Emerson, . 286 287
Letter to Col. Benedict Arnold relative to his conquests at Ticonderoga, Letter to the Hon. William Williams, speaker of the house of assembly of Connecticut, upon the same subject,
288 288
Letter, concerning same, to the Provincial Congress of New Hampshire, " 2-Resolve recommending to the town of Eastham to choose a delegate to this Congress, 289
Committee to report a resolve making further provision for distributing the poor of Boston, 290
Committee to consider a memorial from the county of Worcester, 290, 305, 313 Report and resolve respecting the appointment of chaplains for the army, 290 Committee to consider the situation of the seaport towns and islands, 290
Rev. Mr. Gordon chosen chaplain to the Congress, 291 · Report of the committee respecting armorers, 291 Committee to consider the petition of Capt. Jacob Gerrish and seven oth- er captains of the army, . 291, 292
Col. Richmond appointed to countersign the colony notes,
291
284
xxvii
CONTENTS.
JUNE 2-Committee to consider what is best to be done with the horses taken from Noddle's island, and report relative thereto, . 292
" 3-Committee to consider a resolve of the committee of safety respecting a person affected with the small pox, 293 Report of the committee appointed to consider the situation of the sea- port towns, 293 294
Resolve respecting a person at Brookline broke out with the small pox, . Committee to consider the subject of a reenforcement of the army for the protection of the sea coasts, 294
Petition from the town of Dartmouth and resolve thereon, 295 . Report of the committee on the petition of Jacob Gerrish, 295 ·
295
Committee to consider a letter from Col. James Easton, . . Resolve assigning a time for hearing Col. Jonathan Brewer, 295 Letter to the receiver general respecting the signing of the colony notes, 296
Order relative to stamping and countersigning them, ·
296
" 4-Resolves for the payment of troops from Berkshire, 296
Committee to make inquiries respecting the colony notes, and orders re- specting said notes, 297
" 5-Orders respecting countersigning and numbering the notes, ·
297
Resolve appointing a committee to examine some mineral earth brought from Brookfield, and the report thereon, 298,299
Committee to confer with the general officers respecting the health of the army, 298 Committee to consider what should be done respecting intercepted letters, and their report relative thereto, 298 Committee to consider a proposal relative to the removal of the poor of Boston, 299
Resolves for obtaining information of the committee of supplies respect- ing military stores and powder, .
299 Order relative to an examination of the mineral earth at Brookfield, 299 Committee to bring in a resolve for giving currency to the bills of eredit of the other colonies, . . 299, 300
Resolve for loaning a horse to the Rev. Mr. Emerson, 299
Committee to confer with the committee of safety on the state of the ar- tillery, . 300, 315
Resolve for the custody of certain prisoners,
300
Committee to make an establishment for an allowance of provisions to the soldiers, 300 . 300 Order relating to the prisoners, 301
" 6-Committee to devise means for supplying the army with necessaries, .
301 Proceedings of Congress relating to the case of Col. Jonathan Brewer, . Order upon the petition of Loammi Baldwin for a loan of mathematical instruments, 302
Report of the committee relative to making provision for the poor of Bos- ton, 302
" 7-Committee to wait on Gen. Ward for a return of the number of men in the Massachusetts army, . 303, 305
Petition from the inhabitants of Machias, and committee to report there- on. Their report, . 303, 306 The committee to consider the state of the artillery report, and ask leave · to sit again, · 504 Committee to consider the letters from the Stockbridge Indians, . · 304
xxviii
CONTENTS.
JUNE 7-Committee to prepare a resolve for printing two resolves of the Continen- tal Congress, .
· · 305
Mr. Benjamin Edwards admonished for disrespectful language respect- ing the committee of safety, . . 301, 305 Order for commissions to be delivered to the officers in Col. Fellows' reg- iment, 305 ·
A petition from the selectmen of Salem committed, .
305 Committee to confer with the delegates from New Hampshire, · 305 .
Representation from the town of Lunenburg respecting their supply of powder, 306
Report of the committee appointed to inquire into the circumstances of prisoners from Dartmouth, . 303, 306 Report of a committee to confer with the delegates from New Hampshire, 307 Letter from the Provincial Congress of New Hampshire, . .
307
Committee to prepare letters to the Continental Congress and each of the New England colonies, 308
Report of the committee appointed to consider the augmentation of the army,
308
Committee to consider the expediency of establishing a number of small armed vessels for the protection of the sea coasts, . 308, 317
Committee to consider some measure for commissioning the officers of the army, . 309, 315 " 8-Account of the taking of a sloop with stores for the army at Boston, from the selectmen of Arundel, 309
Report of the committee to consider some measures for commissioning the officers of the army, 310
Committee to consider a petition from the county of Cumberland, 310
Committee to consider the account for transporting stores to Ticonde- roga, .
310
Letter from the Stockbridge Indians, 311 .
Reply of Congress, 311 ·
Resolve for sending messengers and belts to said Indians, 312
" 9-Petition from the selectmen of Manchester, 313
Committee to consider what shall be done with some prisoners brought from Arundel, . 313
Report of the committee appointed to bring in a resolve for enforcing two resolves of the Continental Congress relative to exportations to the British provinces, . 313
Report of the committee on the petition from the county of Worcester, . 314
Leave of absence granted to two members, 315
Committee of safety required to certify the names of the candidates for the command of regiments, . 315
" 10-Report of the committee and resolves respecting Josiah Jones and Jona- than Hicks, two prisoners brought from Arundel, . 315
Committee to consider how many artificers may be necessary for the army, . 317, 333 Committee to bring in a resolve for the appointment of armorers, 317 Allowance of provisions to the soldiers of the Massachusetts army, 317 Report of the committee to inquire into the state of the army, ·
318 Committee to consider the subject of furloughs to the soldiers, .
318 Petition from the freeholders of Williamsburg, . 318
xxix
CONTENTS.
JUNE 10-Committee to consider the expediency of establishing a number of armed vessels, 318 Address to the Continental Congress, 319
" 12-Committee to consider measures for preventing a violation of the Sab- bath, . ·
330
320
Committee to consider a petition from the committee of Charlestown, . Resolve for the appointment of persons to repair to the fortress of 'Ticon- deroga, . 321,322 Committee to consider some method for supplying the surgeons with med- icines, . , 321 Letter to the Continental Congress respecting Canada and the Indians, . 321 Committee and resolve respecting grass growing on the estates of the ref- ugees, . · 322
Resolve for preventing the exportation of fish and other provisions, 322
Report of the committee appointed to consider some method of supply- ing the surgeons with medicines, .
323
Ordered to examine the medical stores, 523
Report of a committeo respecting a vessel going from Salem for provis- ions for the army in Boston, 324 Committee to meet committees from the other New England governments at Worcester, . . 324, 325 Committee to repair to Ticonderoga, . 324
Petition from the county of Cumberland committed, .
324
Report of the committee relative to the candidates for commissions in the army, read and recommitted, . 325
Report on the petition of Davis and Coverly respecting their goods in Boston, . 325
Committee respecting the number of armorers, report, 325
" 13-Letter from Governor 'Trumbull read and committed, 32.5
. Resolve for commissioning twenty-three regiments, .
325
Committee to consider a petition of Abner Graves and others respecting military rank, 325
Resolve reconsidering the resolve for the appointment of a convention of committees of the New England colonies, · Col. John Whitcomb chosen a major general, . Several private accounts read and committed, and reports thereon, 326, 327, 338 Committee to consider the expediency of appointing an additional ar- morer, . 326
326
326
Instructions to the gentlemen chosen to repair to Ticonderoga, . . Report of the committee on the expediency of appointing Ensign Foley an additional armorer, . 330
Proclamation of General Gage, promising pardon to all persons who shall lay down their arms, excepting Samuel Adams and John Han- cock, and committee thereon, . 330
" 14-Resolves for the payment of advance pay to the soldiers under Col. Ar- nold, and for the expenses of the committee appointed to repair to Ticonderoga, . Report on the petition of Abner Graves, ·
332
332 Committee on the petition of Mr. Parry, .
. 332,375 . Committee to bring in a resolve for appointing a day of fasting, . . 332
Resolve respecting returns from gentlemen claiming to be commissioned as colonels,
327 327
XXX
CONTENTS.
JUNE 14-Committee to consider some way of supplying arms to the soldiers who are destitute of them, - Committee to devise means for sccuring the library of Harvard College, Committee to consider a request of Mr. Palmer for providing tents and barraeks for the army,
332 332
332 Committee to consider the propriety of supplying the generals of the ar- my with household furniture, - .
333
Col. Foster ordered to countersign the notes, -
-
-
333
Doct. Joseph Warren chosen a major general, -
333
Committee to inform Generals Whitcomb and Warren of their appoint- ment, .
333
Report of the committee to bring in a resolve for a day of fasting and · prayer, read and reeommitted, - 333 333
Resolves for commissioning officers for the train of artillery, - Mr. Samuel Thateher appointed to number the notes, -
-
" 15-Col. Gridley's letter respecting artificers committed, -
- Committee to consider measures for supplying the army with good pro- visions,
334 334 334
Resolve relative to securing the library and apparatus of Harvard Col- lege, -
334
Letter to the Continental Congress and the several governments of New England, respeeting danger from Canada and the Indians, - 335
Report of the committee to consider means for providing barraeks for the soldiers,
335
Report of the committee and resolve for proeuring fire-arms from the sev- eral towns for supplying the army, 336
Report for providing a magazine of fire-arms, 337
Committee to ascertain whether the army is supplied with ammunition, - 337 338
Committee to consider the application of Doet. Langdon,
Report of the committee to consider the elaims and pretensions of the colonels of the army, -
" 16-Resolve for supplying the soldiers with rum,
338 340
Committee to consider a resolve for an increase of the army, a supply of arms to the soldiers, &c. - Committee to draft a letter to Gen. Whitcomb, and report of the same, - Commissions delivered to several officers of the army, - 341
340
340
Allowance to Col. Henshaw for the expenses of his journey to Connecti- cut - -
341
Committee to examine the surgeons, -
-
341
Col. Otis and Mr. Johnson added to the committee to consider the proc- lamation of General Gage, 341
Committee to consider what shall be done with vessels ready to sail with fish on board. Report, - 341,343 Report of the committee on the violation of the Sabbath, 342 -
Committee to consider the returns of the companies in Col. Heath's and Col. Robinson's regiments, - 312 -
Committee to consider the petition of James Kirkwood, - - 343, 374, 378 Proelamation of the Provincial Congress, offering pardon to all offenders against the rights of the people, except Thomas Gage, Samuel Graves tlie mandamus counsellors, and others, -
344
Committee to fill commissions for the officers of artillery, -
347
Col. Heath ordered to be commissioned, -
-
1
347
-
xxxi
CONTENTS.
JUNE 16-Deacon Plympton appointed to countersign the notes, - 347 Report of the committee on the application of Doet. Langdon, president of Harvard College, - 347
" 17-Committee to consider the expediency of procuring arms and ammunition from Philadelphia. Report thereon, - 348 Report of the committee respecting the_augmentation of the army, and supplying the soldiers with arms, 348
Moses Gunn appointed to countersign the large notes, - .
349
Order for delivering commissions to certain officers, 1
349
Committee to confer with the printers relative to their terms, .
349
Report of the committee on the sea coasts relative to a petition from Eg- amagon Reach for a supply of provisions, - 349
Committee to consider the state and circumstances of the sea coasts, 350
Report of committee and resolve, advised the towns to sell and deliver their fire-arms to a committee of Congress for the use of the army,- 350 .
Letters from the president of the Continental Congress relative to the form of government, supplies, &c. - - 352, 353
Committee to notify and call together the members of Congress in an ex- traordinary emergency, 352
Committee to purchase fire-arms in the several counties, - -
352
" 18-Resolve for the security of the records and papers of Congress, - 353 Petition from Waldoborough for powder, - 353
Committee to prepare a letter to the Continental Congress relative to the battle of Bunker hill, and to take into consideration the letter receiv- ed from the president of the Continental Congress, 353
Committee of supplies directed to write to Rhode Island and New Hamp- shire, touching the article of powder,
Committee to consider petitions for supplies of provisions, -
" 19-Committee to see that the army at the entrenchments is well supplied with provisions,
Letters from Gen. Ward relative to blankets and other articles lost in bat- tle, and committee to consider thercon, 355
Committee to consider the expediency of establishing another hospital for the army,
355
Establishinent for officers to take care of the ordnance stores, and for a company of artificers,
356
Report of the committee respecting the method of establishing civil gov- ernment debated, and consideration thereof postponed, -
357 357
- Report of a committee and resolve respecting blankets, - 357
. Report of a committee for establishing another hospital for the army,
357
Report of the committee relative to Gen. Ward's letter respecting spears for the army, - 357
" 20-Committee to purchase spears for the army, 358
Resolve of the Continental Congress and letter of the Provincial Con- gress to the towns, respeeting a form of civil government for the col- ony, - 359 -
Committee to consider letters from Penobscot, .
.
360
351 355 355
Letter from Hon. Enoch Freeman respecting Col. Phinney's regiment be- ing commissioned for the defence of the sea coasts, and committee relative thereto,
355
Hon. James Warren chosen president of the Congress, - -
xxxii
CONTENTS.
JUNE 20-Committee to report a resolve relative to the killed and wounded in the late battle at Charlestown, . Petition from Woolwich for powder,
360 360
Committee to consider what method is proper to supply the hospitals with surgeons, and to provide medicines, -
361
Report of the committee on the expediency of establishing armed ves- sels, -
361
Report of the committee relative to a house of Doct. Spring for a hospi- tal, - -
361
Committee on the petition of Mr. Pigeon, and report relative thereto, - Report of a committee relative to a petition of Col. Patterson for a sup- ply of blankets, -
361
Resolve for the appointment of deputy commissaries, .
.
362
Committee to confer with four Indians from Penobscot, -
- 362
- Resolve authorizing the exportation of a quantity of old Jamaica fish, - 362, 363 Report relative to the support of the poor of Charlestown, 362
. Committee to inquire into the grounds of a report of treachery among the officers of the army, -
363
Col. Heath chosen a major general, 363
Mr. Beriah Norton declared not regularly returned as a member of Con- gress from Edgartown, 363
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