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 30
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231
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
as shall not only most promote our advantage, but the union and inter- est of all America.
As the army, collecting from different colonies, is for the general de- fence of the rights of America, we would beg leave to suggest to your consideration, the propriety of your taking the regulation and general direction of it, that the operations may more effectually answer the pur- poses designed.
The Committee appointed to prepare instructions to the delegates who are going to New Hampshire, reported the following, which was accepted, viz :
Resolved, That the Hon. Joseph Gerrish, Esq., and Col. Ebenezer Saw- yer, who are by this Congress chosen a committee to wait on the dele- gates of the colony of New Hampshire, are hereby empowered and directed, to take such methods, and make such application to the said congress, as shall, in the judgment of said committee, appear most con- ducive to the union of the colonies, and the most direct way to induce said Congress of New Hampshire, to raise their proportion of men to defend the colonies. And it is also Resolved, That the said committee be furnished with a copy of the application of this Congress to the hon- orable members of the Continental Congress, which the said committee is directed to deliver the president of the congress of that colony, and to do all that they can to procure the approbation of that colony to our assuming government, and to communicate to said congress such of the proceedings of this Congress as they shall think conducive to the good of the whole.
Ordered, That the said delegates be furnished with a copy of the es- tablishment for the Massachusetts army, and rules and regulations for the same, and form of the oath for the officers and soldiers.
A letter from Col. Thomas Legate, dated Cambridge, May 16, 1775,1 was read, and committed to Col. Foster, Mr. Parker, and Mr. Bliss.
The Committee appointed to bring in a resolve for supplying the sol- diers with two twenty shilling bills for a month's advance pay, again reported.
The order of the day [was] moved for.
Ordered, That Col. Foster, Major Bliss, and Mr. Bent, be a com- mittee to sort and count the votes for a member of this Congress, to go to Philadelphia with the application of this Congress, to the Conti- nental Congress.
(!) This related to the organization of the train of artillery in the provincial army. .
-
232
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 16,
The committee reported, that Doct. Benjamin Church was chosen.
The committee appointed to take under consideration the letter from Col. Legate reported; which report being read and amended, was ac- cepted, and is as follows, viz :
1
Whereas, it is of the utmost importance, that the men who shall be enlisted into the artillery company should be well qualified for that em- ployment, and it being impossible to enlist the men for the artillery at large, in the colony, so soon as the service requires, therefore, Re- solved, That the officers of the artillery be allowed to enlist the men from the several regiments already engaged, when the men are willing to engage in tliat service, until the whole artillery establishment shall be completed, always provided, that suclı enlistments shall be no pre- judice or hindrance to the officers with whom such men are already en- listed, in entitling them to their respective commissions ; and that not more than four men be taken from any one company : and the officers of the train of artillery are directed to use their endeavor, to enlist as many ||men,|| who are not under any previous engagement in the army, as they can, speedily ; and the officers, from whose regiment or com- pany any person is enlisted into the train of artillery, are also directed to fill up their said regiment or companies with all convenient speed, by enlisting other soldiers in the place of those enlisted into the train of artillery.
Ordered, That Mr. Gerry, Mr. Pitts, Doct. Taylor, the President, and Mr. Batchelder, be a committee to consider what measures it would be expedient to take, relative to the prisoners in Boston, and the inhab- itants which are there kept in duress.
The committee appointed to apply to the committee of safety for a list of officers, &c., reported, verbally, that they had no other list than what they had before sent to the congress : that they had received no returns, and knew not how many had enlisted, or whether any regi- ments were completed.
Ordered, That Col. Barrett, Doct. Taylor, and Mr. Fuller, be a com- mittee to take into consideration a petition from the inhabitants of Ca- naan and Norridgewock, on Kennebeck river, and report.1
The committee who were appointed to consider the information from Dartmouth, reported ; the report was recommitted for further exami- nation and inquiry into the affair.
Ordered, That Mr. Freeman and Doct. Holten be added to the com- mittee appointed to examine Hutchinson's letters.
Adjourned till to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.
(1) This petition, like most others from the eastern part of the province, appears to have been for supplies of arms, ammunition, and provisions.
233
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
[WEDNESDAY,] May 17, 1775, [A. M.]
A letter from [Edward] Mott to this Congress, dated May 11, 1775, giving an account of the taking of the fortress at Ticonderoga, was read, together with a letter from Ethan Allen; also an application from Col. Easton, and others : whereupon, Ordered, That Col. Foster, Mr. Sullivan, and Doct. Holten, be a committee to introduce Col. Easton to this house, to give a narrative of that transaction, and that each inember have liberty to ask him any questions.1
Ordered, That Mr. President, Doct. Taylor, Col. Foster, Doct. Hol- ten, and Mr. Cross, be a committee to take the same into consideration, and report.
A resolve from the committee of safety, relative to the seizing the servants and friends to government, improperly so called, was read, and ordered to lie on the table.
Resolved, That three o'clock, P. M., be assigned for the purpose of considering the expediency of making out a commission to Gen. Ward.
The Congress appointed two otlier monitors, viz. : Mr. John Hale and Capt. Woodbridge Brown.
The resolve, and form of an oath to be taken by the general officers, were read, amended and accepted, and are as follow, viz. :
Resolved, That the general officers of the Massachusetts army, now raising for the defence and security of the rights and liberties of this and our sister colonies in America, shall each and every of them repeat, take, and subscribe the following oath, to be administered by [blank] viz. :
I, A. B., do solemnly swear, that, as a general officer in the Massa- chusetts army, I will well and faithfully execute the office of a general, to which I have been appointed, according to my best abilities, in de- fence and for the security of the estates, lives, and liberties of the good people of this and the sister colonies in America, in opposition to ministerial tyranny, by which they are or may be oppressed, and to all other enemies and opposers whatsoever ; that I will adhere to the rules and regulations of said army, established by the Congress of ||the col- ony of | the Massachusetts Bay, observe and obey the resolutions and orders which are or shall be passed by said Congress, or any future congress, or house of representatives, or legislative body of said colo- ny, and such committees as shall be by them authorized for that pur- pose; and that I will disclose and make known to the authority afore- said, all traitorous conspiracies, attempts and designs whatsoever,
(1) The papers relating to Ticonderoga, will be found in the Appendix.
30
234
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 17,
which I shall know to be made, or have reason to suspect are making, against the army, or any of the English American colonies.
Ordered, That Jonas Dix, Esq. be directed to take depositions rela- tive to the destruction of private property, by the king's troops, on the 19th instant, and their driving women in childbed out of their houses, and killing old men unarmed.
Henry Gardner, Esq., informed the house, that he was willing to continue to serve this colony in the office of receiver general.
Ordered, That Mr. Kollock, Deacon Nichols and Mr. Rawson, be a committee to consider what steps are proper to be taken, for the re- lief of such of the inhabitants of Boston as come over to Charlestown, who are not able to take care of themselves.
The committee appointed to consider the account of taking the fortress of Ticonderoga, reported the following resolve, and letter to the assembly of Connecticut, which were accepted, and the letter or- dered to be authenticated and sent forward :
GENTLEMEN :- We have the happiness of presenting our congratu- lations to you, on the reduction of that important fortress, Ticondero- ga; we applaud the conduct, both of the officers and soldiers, and are of opinion, that the advantageous situation of that fortress, makes it highly expedient, that it should be repaired and properly garrisoned. In the mean time, as we suppose that there is no necessity for keeping all the cannon there, we should be extremely glad, if all the battery cannon, especially brass cannon, which can be spared from that place, or procured from Crown Point, whichi, we hope, is, by this time, in the liands of our friends, may be forwarded this way, with all possible expedition, as we have here to contend with an army furnished with as fine a train of artillery as ever was seen in America; and we are in extreme want of a sufficient number of cannon to fortify those impor- tant passes, without which, we can neither annoy general Gage, if it should become necessary, nor defend ourselves against him; we, there- fore, must, most earnestly, recommend this very important matter to your immediate consideration ; and we would suggest it, as our opin- ion, that the appointing Col. Arnold to take charge of them, and bring them down with all possible haste, may be a means of settling any dis- putes which may have arisen between him and some other officers, which we are always desirous to avoid, and, more especially, at a time when our common danger ought to unite us in the strongest bonds of unity and affection.
We are, gentlemen, &c.
235
1775.] SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
This Congress, having received authentic intelligence, that tlie fort at Ticonderoga, is surrendered into the hands of Col. Ethan Allen and others, together with the artillery, and artillery stores, ammunition, &c., thereunto belonging, for the benefit of these colonies, occasioned by the intrepid valor of a number of men under the command of the said Col. Allen, Col. Easton of the Massachusetts, and others, and by the advice and direction of the committee for that expedition, the said Col. Allen is to remain in possession of the same, and its dependen- cies, until further order :
Resolved, That this Congress do highly approve of the same, and the general assembly of the colony of Connecticut are hereby desired to give directions, relative to garrisoning and maintaining the same for the future, until the advice of the Continental Congress can be had in that behalf; and, as this colony is in want of some battering cannon for their defence, immediately, it is further Resolved, that the president of this Congress be desired to write to the general assembly of the colony of Connecticut, desiring that they would give orders for the immediate removal of some of those cannon to this colony, for the purpose aforesaid.
Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M.
[Afternoon.]
The committee appointed to consider the petition from the inhabit- ants of Canaan and Norridgewalk, reported; the question being put, - whether the report shall be accepted, and it passed in the negative ; thereupon, Resolved, that the petitioners have leave to withdraw their petition.
Ordered, [That] Col. Foster, Mr. Sullivan and Capt. Farley, be a committee to prepare a commission for Gen. Ward.
The committee appointed to consider of the verbal information from Dartmouth, reported verbally, that the inhabitants of Dartmouth be advised to conduct themselves, with respect to the prisoners they have taken, agreeably to the direction of the committee of inspection for that town. After a long debate, it was Moved, that the consideration of this matter should subside ; and the question being put, it passed in the affirmative, and the matter accordingly subsided.
Ordered, That the secretary be directed to inform the gentlemen from Dartmouth of the determination of the Congress, respecting the information from Dartmouth, and the reason thereof.
Ordered, That the committee appointed to revise the commission of the committee of safety, sit forthwith, and report as soon as may be ; that Mr. Sullivan be excused, and that Col. Foster and Deacon Fisher be added to this committee.
236
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 18,
Resolved, That Doct. Church be allowed one servant to attend him in his journey to Philadelphia.
Ordered, That the letters relative to taking the fortress of Ticonde- roga, be delivered to the committee of safety.
Ordered, That the committee appointed to prepare an establishment for post offices, &c., be directed to bring in a resolve, for the purpose of empowering the committee, who were appointed to agree with the post riders, &c., to take bonds of the post masters, and appoint oaths to be taken by the post masters and post riders ; and that Col. Foster be excused, and Capt. Stone and Mr. Greenleaf be added to the com- mittee.
Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning.
[THURSDAY,] May 18, 1775, A. M.
The committee who were appointed to revise the resolves respecting the committee of safety, reported ; whereupon, Resolved, that three o'clock in the afternoon be assigned for the choice of a committee of safety, to consist of thirteen members, and for the further considera- tion of said report.
Ordered, That Capt. Rawson, Mr. Bullen and Col. Farley, be a committee to consider the practicability of employing chaplains for the army, out of the number of clergy of this colony.
Ordered, That Col. Warren, Mr. Gardner and Mr. Sullivan, be a committee to bring in a resolve, recommending it to the inhabitants of this colony, not to choose any person to represent them in Congress, who has a commission in the army.
Ordered, That Major Fuller ||of Middleton,|| Mr. Whittemore and Mr. Bliss, be a committee to wait upon the Hon. James Russell, Esq., impost master, to know if he has any public moneys now in his hands.
Ordered, That the president, Mr. Sullivan and Col. Warren, be a committee to bring in a resolve, recommending to the inhabitants of this colony to make no purchases, nor receive any conveyances of es- tates, from the mandamus counsellors, or other inveterate enemies to the rights of this country, and that they have no dealings of any kind with such persons.
Ordered, That Mr. Gardner, Doct. Taylor and Mr. Kollock, be a committee to consider and inquire into the subject matter of a resolve of the committee of safety, respecting Lady Frankland.1
Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M.
(1) Sir Henry Frankland was the proprietor of extensive estates in Hopkinton, where he had a country residence previous to the Revolution, and maintained the splendor of an English nobleman. On the commencement of hostilities, his lady became alarmed at the movements of the people, and asked and obtained leave to remove to Boston with a small portion of her effects.
237
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
[Afternoon.]
Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Col. Foster, Doct. Holten, Mr. Brag- don and Capt. Batchelder, be a committee to take into consideration a letter from the committee of correspondence for the town of Falmouth, and such parts of a letter from the Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq., to the secretary, as he may communicate.1
(1) The committee of correspondenco of Falmouth addressed the committee of safety of the Provincial Congress, on the 15th of May, as follows :
" Muy it please your honors :
W'e, the committee of correspondence in Falmouth, would beg leuve to represent to your honors, the situation and circumstances of this town and county; and if there is any impropriety in our doing it, your candor will excuse it."
" The alarming attempt of Col. Thompson, to take the ship Canceaux, Capt. Henry Mowat, com- mander, now in this harbor, has occasioned very great uneasiness in this town, as it has a tendency to bring on us certain ruin, by the admiral's resenting it, in such a manner, as to block up our har- bor before the timo. We havo no force to oppose or prevent it, no fortifications, no ammunition, no cannon, and, if provisions are stopped from coming in here, the town is ruined, as well as the coun- try, which depends upon the town for supplies, of which, at present, there is a great scarcity. We think Col. Thompson's attempt wus rash and injudicious, if not unjustifiable, as we cannot learn he had any authority from you or the Congress ; we are sure it was contrary to the will, and without any orders from his superior officers in the militia, though solicited for by him, and the people here secined to be laid under contribution to subsist his inen. We hope care will be takeo that every attack upon our enemies, through the province, shall be conducted by proper officers, orderly, regu- larly, and with proper authority, lest it should occasion a civil war among ourselves. It is true, in defending ourselves, which may be sudden, immediate and resolute opposition, in the best manner that can be suddenly thought of, should be adopted ; but we are afraid, that if any number of men, at any time, and in any manner, may collect together, and attack any thing, or any person they please, every body may be in danger. Sat verbum sapienti."
" We are also concerned, lest there should a good deal of confusion arise, from a number of our men in the country, possessing themselves of the enlisting papers, lately printed, some calling them- selves colonels, some majors, appointing their own officers, adjutants, chaplains, chirurgeons, &c., &c., without having, as we can learn, any written orders for so doing : for they seem to contend, already, who shall be chief officers ; und they are uncertain, whether the men they enlist are to be stationed here, for our defence, or march to the camp at Cambridge, to make up the standing army."
" Enlisting papers, we understand, were sent to Gen. Preble, but he, not having any written orders, did not act in the affair. If the army can be completed without drawing men froin hence, as we have all along been made to understand was the case, we cannot help thinking it would be most prudent ; however, we shall not he backward, if there is real occasion for our men ; and, in that case, we humbly suhmit, whether it would not be best, that some person or persons should be ap- pointed, to conduct the affair according to orders. We hope we shall be excused for thus troubling your honors, as we were solicited to do it by a number of gentlemen."
" We are, with great vencration, your honors' most obedient humblo servants.
ENOCH FREEMAN, per order."
The committee to whom the communications, in relation to Col. Thompson, were referred, re- ported the following letter to that gentleman, which, however, was not accepted.
" SIR :- This Congress have received information, that the committee of correspondence of the town of Falmouth, on hearing that you were about making an attack on the Caoceaux, inan of war, lying in the harbor of that town, desired you to forbear any proceedings of that kind, which you promised to do ; but that you afterwards took the captain of said ship of war, and detained the Ilon. Jedediah Preble and Enoch Freeman, Esquires, as hostages for the return of the said captain ; and that you levied contributions of money, und other things, from the subjects there, and took a boat belonging to the said Canceaux."
" Though this Congress approves of your general zeal for this country, yot it appears that your
238
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 18,
The order of the day was moved for.
Ordered, That Capt. Brown, Mr. Bayley and Mr. Baker, be a com- mittee to sort and count the votes for a committee of safety.
The committee appointed to count and sort the votes for a commit- tee of safety, reported, that the following gentlemen were chosen, viz. : Hon. John Hancock, Esq., Doct. Joseph Warren, Doct. Benjamin Church, Capt. Benjamin White, Col. Joseph Palmer, Mr. Richard Devens, Mr. Abraham Watson, Mr. John Pigeon, Col. Azor Orne, Hon. Benjamin Greenleaf, Esq., Mr. Nathan Cushing, Doct. Samuel Holten, Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq.
The report was recommitted for filling up the blanks.
Ordered, That Mr. Kollock, Doct. Taylor and Col. Davis, be a committee to inquire where the treasurer may procure money for the muster masters to supply the soldiers with advance pay.
The committee who were appointed to consider the resolve of the committee of safety, respecting Lady Frankland, reported : whereupon Resolved, that Mr. | Abner|| Craft be, and hereby is directed, forthwith to attend this Congress. Mr. Craft accordingly attended, and having heard the allegations against him, and having made his defence, with- drew. The Congress then Resolved that he should be gently admon- ished by the president, and be assured, that the Congress were deter- mined to preserve their dignity and power over the military. Mr. Craft was again called in, and the president politely admonished him, agreeably to the resolve of Congress.1
Resolved, That Lady Frankland be permitted to go into Boston with the following articles, viz. : seven trunks ; all the beds, and furniture · to them ; all the boxes and crates ; a basket of chickens and a bag of corn ; two barrels and a hamper ; two horses and two chaises, and all the articles in the chaise, excepting arms and ammunition ; one phae- ton ; some tongues, hams and veal ; sundry small bundles. Which articles, having been examined by a committee from this Congress, she is permitted to have them carried in, without any further examination. [Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning.]
eonduet, in taking the captain of the ship, against your promise, and your levying money, or other things, of the people, is, by no means, justifiable : and it is therefore expected, that you attend the next congress that shall be held in this colony, and to do your character justice in this matter, and that you return said boat, and stay all further proceedings of this kind in the mean time."
(1) Notwithstanding the permission given by the committee to Lady Frankland, to carry with her the articles of property mentioned in one of the resolves, some excitement arose among the inhabitants of the vicinity, from the preparations made for her departure. An armed party arrested her jour- ney, and detained her person and effects, until the action of Congress liberated them from captiv- ity. The censure, so lightly inflicted, seems to have been incurred, for the indiscreet zeal, which interposed to prevent the enjoyment of the privileges granted by the resolve.
239
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
[FRIDAY,] May 19, 1775, A. M.
Resolved, That Col. Bond be, and hereby is directed, to appoint a guard of six men to escort Lady Frankland to Boston, with such of her effects as this Congress have permitted her to carry with her ; and Col. Bond is directed to wait on Gen. Thomas, with a copy of the re- solves of this Congress respecting Lady Frankland.
Resolved, That Mr. Ezekiel Hall, of this town, be recommended to the generals of our colony army, in order to have such aid as they can afford him, in going into or out of Boston, or sending some suitable person there, which appears to be necessary, in order to save some of his valuable effects, which, there is reason to fear, were exposed by the late fire.
Ordered, That Col. Warren wait on Gen. Ward, directing him to attend this Congress forthwith, to receive his commission ; and also on the committee of safety, for a list of such colonels and other offi- cers, as they shall report to be prepared for receiving their commis- sions.
A letter from the committee of correspondence llof Connecticut|| was read, respecting the taking of Ticonderoga ; whereupon, Ordered, that Mr. Gerry prepare an answer thereto, informing them what steps this Congress have taken relative to that affair.1
(1) The committee of correspondence write from Hartford, May 16, 1775. The letter is sub- scribed by Erustus Wolcot, William Williams, Satnuel Bishop and Samuel H. Parsons.
"GENTLEMEN :- We were yesterday informed of the success of an expedition, undertaken and set on foot hy some individuals of this colony, in a secret manner, against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, the particular account of which you will have received before this comes to liand ; immedi- ately on the receipt of this news, an express was despatched frou hence to the Continental Con- gress, for their advice in this important matter ; posts were also sent to Albany, to the committee of correspondence for that city, requesting them to afford their aid in maintaining that pass, till the opinion of the colonies can be known. We understand an expedition against the same place hath been undertaken under the authority of your province ; but, the adventure being set on foot by some private gentlemen in this colony, and success having attended their enterprize before the forces fram the Massachusetts Bay enine up, some question arose about the right to command and hold this important pass. We consider all the colonies, and the New England colonies especially, as brethren, united together in one joint interest, and pursuing the same general design; and that whatever expedition, in furtherance of the grand designs, may be undertaken by any one of the col- ouics, or body of men, in citlier of them, ought to be considered as undertaken for the joint benefit of the whole confederate colonies, and the expenses of tho enterprize, and cost of maintaining and defending the same, are to be borne by all, iu proportion to their abilities. This is not a time for the colonies to contend about precedence ; but we hope all will wish to put to a helping hand, and mu- tually afford each other all necessary assistance against our common enemy. Some parts of your province are conveniently situated to furnish men, &c., for maintaining our possession ; we doubt not you will exert yourselves to secure every advantage which may accrue from this successful at- tempt, in which we hope the city and county of Albany, and the colony of Connecticut, will co- operate with you ; but of this we cannot assure you, as our calls are very many, &c.
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