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 32
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
[Ordered, That the consideration of this report be deferred until there is a fuller house.]
[The committee appointed to consider what measures should be adopted in relation to the estates of persons unfriendly to the country, reported the following resolve, which was accepted, and ordered to be published in the newspapers printed in Cambridge and Saleni :]
[Whereas, a number of men, some of whom have, in times past, by the good people of this province, been raised to the highest places of honor and trust, have become inimical to this colony ; and mere- ly on principles of avarice have, in conjunction with the late Gov. Hutchinson, been trying to reduce all America to the most abject state of slavery : and as well to avoid the just indignation of the people, as to pursue their diabolical plans, have fled to Boston, and other places, for refuge :]
[Therefore, Resolved, That those persons, among whom are the mandamus counsellors, are guilty of such atrocious and unnatural crimes against their country, that every friend to mankind ought to forsake and detest them, until they shall give evidence of a sincere re- pentance, by actions worthy of men and christians; and that no per- son within this colony shall take any deed, lease, or conveyance what- ever, of the lands, houses, or estates of such persons. And it is here- by recommended to the committee of inspection, in every town in this colony, to see this resolve fully enforced, unless in such cases as the Congress shall otherwise direct.]
[A letter was received from Gen. Ward, recommending that the ord- nance, arms and ammunition, mentioned in the following list, be im- mediately procured, and sent to head quarters, for the supply of the army of Massachusetts : ]
[30 twenty-four pounders, and if that number of cannon cannot be
32
250
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 22,
obtained, that the weight of metal be made up with eighteen pounders, double fortified : 10 twelve pounders : 18 nine pounders : 21,600 pounds of powder, and 80 balls for each gun : 1500 stands of arms : 20,000 pounds of musket powder : 40,000 pounds of lead : 1700 iron pots :]
[ Ordered, That the letter be referred to the committee of safety.]
[The Congress having'requested the Rev. Doct. Langdon to deliver a sermon before the next Massachusetts Congress, at their meeting in Watertown, on the last Wednesday of this month, and he having sig- nified that he will comply with such request :]
[Resolved, That it is the desire of this Congress, that the reverend ministers of the gospel in this colony, would assemble at that time, agreeably to their ancient custom, and hold a convention as usual, if they think proper : as, in the opinion of this Congress, the cause of religion, and the political interest of this colony, may be served by such meeting.]
[Ordered, That the secretary be directed to cause the foregoing res- olution to be published in the newspapers, as soon as may be.]
[A letter was received from the committee of safety, inclosing a communication from Col. Benedict Arnold, giving information of the surrender of Ticonderoga.]1
[Ordered, That the following letter to Col. Arnold, reported by a committee, be accepted, signed by the secretary, and forwarded in the name and behalf of this Congress, as soon as may be.]
[SIR :- This Congress have this day received your letter of the 11th instant, informing the committee of safety of the reduction of the fort at Ticonderoga, with its dependencies, which was laid before this Con- gress by said committee. We applaud the conduct of the troops, and esteem it a very valuable acquisition.]
[We thank you for your exertions in the cause, and considering the situation of this colony at this time, having a formidable army in the heart of it, whose motions must be constantly attended to; and as the affairs of that expedition began in the colony of Connecticut, and the cause being common to us all, we have already written to the general assembly of that colony, to take the whole matter respecting the same under their care and direction, until the advice of the Continental Congress can be had in that behalf, a copy of which letter we now en- close you.]
[The president communicated the following letter from the Hon' James Russell, commissioner of imposts :]
(1) The letters of Col. Arnold will be found in the Appendix.
251
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
[CHARLESTOWN, May 19th, 1775.
To JOSEPH WARREN, EsQ., President of the Provincial Congress.
SIR :- I yesterday, by Major Fuller, Mr. Whittemore and Mr. Bliss, received a resolve of the Congress, appointing them a committee to call on me, to know whether I have any of the public moneys in my hands ; in answer thereto, I would desire you, Sir, to inform the Provincial Congress, that the light money, for several years past, since the in- crease of light houses, and more especially since the obstructions of the last year upon our trade, has not been sufficient to defray the ex- pense of said houses ; and I have, consequently, been under a necessi- ty to apply the money arising from the impost for that purpose. Ever since I received the favors of my country in being chosen to the im- post office, I have done all in my power to discharge my duty therein, to their satisfaction. The means of procuring oil, by the unhappy and increasing troubles of our country, appearing very uncertain and precarious, I have endeavored to purchase as large a stock as I could ; and as the impost bill expired on the first of March last, the public moneys I have in my hands, will not be more than sufficient to enable me to pay for the oil contracted for, to complete the stock for the present year.
I am your most humble servant,
JAMES RUSSELL.]
[Ordered, That Doct. Taylor, Mr. Hale and Mr. Kollock, be a com- mittee to take the foregoing letter into consideration, and, in particu- lar, to inquire into Mr. Russell's right of making the contract therein mentioned, and the circumstances of it, and report as soon as may be.]
TUESDAY, May 23, 1775.
[The committee appointed to consider the letter from Brownfield, reported, that they find by the bearer of the letter, that the inhabitants have some arms, powder, &c, and are not in immediate danger, ex- cept from indians, who are friendly at present ; and the state of our affairs calls for such large supplies, that the consideration of their re- quest should be deferred till the sitting of the next Congress.]
[The report was accepted, and Mr. Israel Hobart was directed to inform the bearer of the letter of the action of the Congress thereon.]
[The committee appointed to bring in a resolve respecting the dep- redations of the British troops on the islands and sea coasts, reported as follows :]
252
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. [May 23,
[Whereas, the forces under the command of general Gage and ad- miral Graves, are frequently plundering and making depredations on the islands and sea coasts of this province, from whence they plunder or purchase hay, cattle, sheep, and many other things, to the injury, not only of individuals but also to the great damage of the public, and thus strengthen the hands of our enemies :]
[Therefore, Resolved, That it be recommended to the several towns and districts on the sea coasts of this colony, and to all those persons. living on the several islands on said coasts, that they remove their hay, cattle, sheep, &c., that are exposed to those ravages, and cannot be sufficiently guarded, so far into the country as to be out of the way of those implacable enemies to this people. Also, that it be recommend- ed to the committees of correspondence in each town and district, and to the selectmen where no such committee is chosen, that they take effectual care that this resolve be immediately and strictly put into ex- ecution, and that all persons who refuse to comply with the aforegoing resolve, shall be held as incorrigible enemies to the rights and liberties of this country.]
[This report being read and amended, Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be referred to the next Provincial Congress.]
[Whereas, Edward How hath been brought before this Congress, and charged with crimes committed in the camp, and as this Congress do adjudge the head quarters of the army to be the most suitable and proper place to try the said Edward, and determine what is adequate to his demerits :]
[Therefore, Resolved, That the said Edward How, be sent under a guard to head quarters, and that he be there dealt with as the nature of his offence doth require.]
[Ordered, That Capt. Brown be directed to see that said How is sent to head quarters, with a copy of the foregoing resolve.]
[Whereas, Thomas Nichols, a negro man, hath been brought before this Congress, and there being no evidence to prove any matters or things alleged against him :]
[Therefore, Resolved, That the said Thomas be sent to the town or district where he belongs, and that the committee of correspondence, or selectmen of said town or district, take such care of the said Thomas, that he may be dealt with as they, in their judgment, shall think proper.]
[Ordered, That Capt. Kingsbury be directed to appoint some per- sons to conduct the abovementioned negro to Natick, agreeably to the foregoing resolve.]
253
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
[The committee appointed to consider what further measures are necessary to be taken for the organization of the army, presented their report, which was read, accepted, and is as follows :]
[The committee appointed on the 20th of May current, to consider what further orders are necessary to be taken and passed, that the army now raising by this province, for the necessary defence thereof, may be effectually officered and organized, have attended that service, and beg leave to report, that they are humbly of opinion, that, for the end aforesaid, it is necessary that, over and above the general already appointed for the said army, and commissioned by Congress, the fol- lowing officers, not yet ordered by Congress, should be chosen and commissioned, to wit: one lieutenant general, two major generals, four brigadiers generals, two adjutants generals, and two quarter mas- ter generals; and that this Congress, before they shall rise, and as soon as shall be convenient, proceed to choose and commission such lieutenant general ; but that the choice of the rest of the officers above specified, should be referred to the beginning of the first session of the next Congress ; and they beg leave to subjoin, as their opinion, that it will be proper that such brigadiers general should be chosen and taken, of and from among the colonels, who may be commission- ed by Congress.
All which is humbly submitted by your committee, who ask leave to sit again,
JOSEPHI HAWLEY, per order.]
WEDNESDAY, May 24, 1775.
[Ebenezer Cutler, of Northborough, having been brought before this Congress, on complaint of sundry persons, for uttering sundry ex- pressions against the liberties of the good people of this colony, and the same having been inquired of by a committee, who reported, among other matters, that all the expressions of which he is accused, were uttered some time ago, and that the said Ebenezer had requested that he might have the same privilege of going into the town of Bos- ton, without his effects, as other persons have, by the order of Con- gress :]
[The report was accepted, and it was thereupon Resolved, that he have liberty for so doing.]
[Mr. Gerry, from the committee to consider the propriety of ap- pointing some additional armourers, reported as follows, viz. : ]
[Resolved, That the committee of supplies be empowered and di- rected to appoint such and so many armourers, in addition to those
254
[May 24,
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
already appointed, as may be wanted by the army of this colony ; pro- vided the whole number, including those already appointed, shall not exceed fifteen, and that the said armourers, as also those already ap- pointed by the committee of safety, shall each receive four pounds per month, and be entitled to billeting as soldiers, they providing their own tools ; and the said armourers are hereby directed to keep true accounts of the expense of repairing the fire arms of the soldiers, to qualify them to pass muster. And the committee of supplies are here- by empowered and directed to discharge such armourers as are or may hereafter be appointed, when they shall think it for the interest of the colony so to do.]
[The report being read and amended, Ordered, that Mr. Whitte- more, Capt. Dwight and Mr. Kollock, be a committee to bring in a resolve for the appointment of a number of armourers as aforesaid, and for the establishment of their pay.]
[It being made to appear to this Congress, that the major part of the committee, appointed to effect the removal of the poor of the town of Boston, to the place to which they are destined, are removed out of the towns of Charlestown and Roxbury to which they belonged ; Re- solved, that Messrs. Isaac Foster, Nathaniel Gorham, Edward Good- win, John Frothingham, Joseph Hopkins, Col. Joseph Williams, Mr. Nathaniel Patten, Mr. Lewis Fay, Mr. James Bridge, Jr., Major Na- thaniel Ruggles, Mr. Noah Brown, Mr. William Gridley, or any three of them, being present, be a committee for all the purposes, and with all the powers, to which the said committee were appointed.]
[And it being also made to appear, that said committee cannot pro- ceed unless further provision be made in that behalf; therefore, Re- solved, that said committee, or any three of them, shall have full power to procure, upon the credit of this colony, in the most frugal manner, as much provision as they shall find necessary to support those poor persons to the places of their destination ; and the said committee are further empowered to procure teams to carry such persons and their effects to those places; and if such teams cannot be hired, to impress them for that service, and all the charges arising by the measures be- fore directed, shall be paid out of the donations to the poor of said town of Boston, now in the hands of the committee who were ap- pointed to receive and dispose thereof; and if that should be insuffi- cient, the remainder shall be paid by this colony; and the committee hereby appointed to the service aforesaid, are hereby directed to lay before the next Congress, an account of the charges arising in pursu-
255
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
ance of the above commission, that whatever shall appear to be rea- sonable and just, may be liquidated and allowed.]1
[Ordered, That Col. Joseph Cushing, Mr. Ellis and Mr. Crane, be a committee to fill up and deliver to the colonels of each regiment, the commissions for the officers of their respective regiments, when said committee shall be notified, by the secretary of this Congress, that the Congress have approved of the persons to be commissioned ; and that blank commissions be put in the hands of said committee, prop- erly authenticated, for that purpose; and that when said commissions are filled up, they be delivered by said committee to the colonel, on his applying for the same, he engaging that he will not deliver such commissions to the respective officers, until they shall have taken the oath appointed to be taken by them, by order of this Congress ; and that William Holden, Esq., be appointed to administer the oath to the officers stationed at Roxbury, and James Prescott, Esq., be appointed to administer the oath to the officers stationed at Cambridge.]
['The committee appointed to prepare an address to the inhabitants of the Massachusetts Bay, relative to an issue of notes by said colony, reported. The address was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz. : ]
[ To the Inhabitants of the Massachusetts Bay : ]
[FRIENDS AND FELLOW COUNTRYMEN :- With great satisfaction we bear public testimony of your disposition to serve the glorious cause in which America is now engaged, evidenced by your readiness to supply, on the credit of the colony, many necessary articles for the use of the army, and in various other ways; by which you have given convincing proofs that you are heartily disposed to maintain the public liberty.]
[The cause, we have not the least doubt, if you continue to exert yourselves in conjunction with our sister colonies, will finally prevail.]
[This Congress liave opened a subscription for one hundred thousand pounds, lawful money, for which the receiver general is directed to is- sue notes, on interest, at the rate of six per cent. per annum, payable in June, 1777; and as it is of the utmost importance that the money be immediately obtained, that the public credit may not suffer, we most earnestly recommend to such of you as have cash in your hands, which you can spare from the necessary supplies of your families, that you would lend the same to the colony, by which you will put it in
(1) On the sheet containing the foregoing resolves, are endorsed the following names : Mr. Fish- er, Col. Barrett, Capt. Homes, Hon. Col. Bowers, Mr. Sawyer, Hon. Mr. Dexter, Col. Grout, Mr. Webster. Mr. Suyer was subsequently substituted for Mr. Dexter.
256
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 25,
our power to carry into effect the measures undertaken for the salva- tion of the country.]
[That the army should be well supplied with every article necessary for the most effectual military operations, you must all be sensible ; and that if we should fail herein, it may prove ruinous and destructive to the community, whose safety, under God, depends upon their vigor- ous exertions.]
[As you have already, in many instances, nobly exerted yourselves, this Congress have not the smallest doubt, but that you will, with great cheerfulness, crown all, with furnishing as much cash as will be necessary for the good purposes before mentioned, especially when it is considered, that there are now no ways of improving money in trade, and that there is the greatest probability, that the other colonies will give a ready currency to the notes, which will render them, in one respect at least, on a better footing than any notes heretofore issued in this colony. If you should furnish the money that is now needed, you will perform a meritorious service for your country, and prove yourselves sincerely attached to its interests ; but, if an undue caution should prevent your doing this essential service to the colony, the total loss, both of your liberties and that very property which you, by re- taining it, affect to save, may be the unhappy consequence ; it being past all controversy that the destruction of individuals must be involved in that of the public.]
THURSDAY, May 25, 1775.
[The committee ordered to inspect the several towns and district stocks of powder, and consider what towns are well stocked, and what proportion they could spare for the public service, have attended that business, and beg leave to report the following proportion, viz. : ]
[Suffolk-Roxbury 3 barrels, Medfield 1, Wrentham 4, Stoughton 1, Medway 1, Walpole 1. Essex-Marblehead 3, Newburyport 3, New- bury 1, Andover 2, Haverhill 2, Bradford 1-2, Boxford 1-2. Middle- sex-Cambridge 3, Charlestown 3 3-4, Marlborough 3, Framingham 2, Littleton 1-2, Chelmsford 1 1-2, Sudbury 2, Weston 1, Westford 1-2, Groton 1, Townshend 1-2, Dracut 1, Stow 1-2. Plymouth- Bridgewater 4, Middleborough 1. Worcester-Worcester 1, Lancas- ter 1, Mendon 2 1-2, Brookfield 3, Oxford 1 1-2, Charlton 1-2, Sutton 2 1-2, Leicester 1, Westborough 1 1-2, Shrewsbury 2 1-2, Lunenburg 1, Bolton 1. Total-67 3-4 barrels.
DANIEL THURSTON, per order.]
. [Upon the foregoing report, Ordered, that the committee who brought in said report, be directed to bring in a resolve in conformity
257
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
thereto, and that it be inserted in the resolve, that the towns shall be respectively paid for what powder is drawn from their several towns stock, or have it replaced, and that each town be notified of the quan- tity respectively to be taken from its stock.]
[The committee reported a resolve as directed, which was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz. : Resolved, that there be drafted out of the town stocks of powder from each respective town aforesaid, the quantity of powder affixed to the name of the town, for the use of the army in the defence of the colony, and that it be replaced as soon as the state of the colony magazine will admit of it, or otherwise paid for in money, and that the selectmen of each town be forthwith served with an account of the draft made on their town, and that they imme- diately deliver it to the committee of supplies, or their order.]
[The committee of safety having represented to this Congress, that considerable difficulty exists in the adjustment of Gen. Ward's regi- ment, in consequence of the pretensions of Col. Joseph Henshaw and Col. Jonathan Ward to the post of lieutenant colonel in said regiment, it was Ordered, that said representation, as also the memorial of Col. Henshaw, setting forth his claims to said post, be referred to a com- mittee. The committee having considered the matter, reported a re- solve, which was accepted, and is as follows :]
[Resolved, as the opinion of this Congress, that Col. Ward is best entitled to receive the commission as lieutenant colonel of the regi- ment, which right was disputed by Lieut. Col. Henshaw.]
[Ordered, That the Hon. Mr. Dexter be desired to attend his duty on the committee for countersigning the treasurer's notes, immedi- ately.]
[Mr. Dexter transmitted the following letter to the Congress, which was ordered to be read.]
[DEDHAM, May 25, 1775.
HONORED GENTLEMEN :- I was under the necessity to come home last evening. Had I been at Congress to-day, and been as unwell as I am at present, I should have very poorly performed my duty respect- ing the notes. I found myself so indisposed this morning, that I ven- tured to conclude to tarry till to-morrow morning at home, and sick or well, will endeavor to be early at Watertown for that purpose.
With much regard, I am your very humble servant,
S. DEXTER. ]
[The committee appointed to take into consideration the petition of several persons at Roxbury, reported verbally, that it is the opinion
33
258
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[May 25,
of the committee, that the said petition be sent to Gen. Thomas, and that he be directed to inquire into the causes of the complaint therein contained, and take proper measures for their redress.]
[The report was accepted.]
[The following letter was received from Gen. Thomas, and ordered to be read.]
[ROXBURY CAMP, May 25, 1775.
GENTLEMEN :- I have had the honor of being informed by your committee, that the honorable Congress have made choice of me as lieutenant general of the Massachusetts army, and to know whether I would accept that trust. I am sensible of the great importance of the office, and of my inability of discharging that duty, but since you have done me the honor of appointing me to that important office, shall accept of the same, and attend the Congress to-morrow.
I am, gentlemen, with the most profound respect,
Your most obedient humble servant,
JOHN THOMAS.
To the honorable Provincial Congress.]
[The committee to whom was referred an application from the offi- cers of the army, respecting absconding soldiers, reported. The re- port was read, accepted, and is as follows, viz. : Whereas, application hath been made to this Congress, by some of the officers of the army, that some effectual method may be taken for the speedy return of ab- sconding soldiers, or such as shall tarry beyond the time limited by furlough : therefore, Resolved, that it be, and it hereby is recommend- ed, to the committees of correspondence in the several towns and dis- tricts in this colony, or to the selectmen, where no such committees are appointed, that they take effectual care that such absconding or delinquent soldiers be immediately sent back to their respective regi- ments.]
FRIDAY, May 26, 1775.
[The Hon. Joseph Hawley, from the committee to prepare a letter to the Provincial Congress of New York, now sitting in that colony, re- ported the following, which was accepted, and ordered to be forward- ed.]
[WATERTOWN, May 26, 1775.
GENTLEMEN :- Enclosed are copies of a letter from Col. Arnold, and a list of military stores at Ticonderoga.1 You cannot fail to ob-
(1) The letters of Col. Arnold, and the other documents relating to the capture of Ticonderoga, will be inserted in the Appendix.
259
SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
serve, that Mr. Arnold, for the defence of this colony, is endeavoring that such ordnance as he judges can be spared from that quarter, should be transported to the army in this colony. This step is taken in consequence of orders given to him by our committee of safety. Perhaps this may appear to you extraordinary, but, we trust, you will candidly overlook such a mistake, if it be one, made in the hurry and confusion of war, and, we most solemnly declare to you, that this Congress, and the inhabitants of this colony, are at the utmost remove from any disposition or design to make any the least infraction upon, or usurpation of, the jurisdiction of any of our sister colonies ; and if any of those cannon, &c., taken at the Lake Champlain, should hap- pen, through the exertions of enterprising spirits, to be brought within the allowed limits of this colony, and come to our use, we shall hold ourselves accountable for them to the representatives of the continent, and whenever they shall inform us that they are needed for the general defence, at any other part of the continent, than, in this colony, we shall endeavor, that they be removed thither with the utmost despatch.]
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.