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 35
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[The committee presented the following report, which was read and accepted : ]
Whereas, the poor of the town of Boston, by a resolve of Congress passed the first day of May last, are confined to a certain number of towns and districts in this colony, as appears by a schedule annexed to said resolve, and some of said poor having relations and connections in other towns and districts than are mentioned in said schedule, and being desirous to go and reside in such places, it is, therefore, Re- solved, that the poor of Boston may be removed into any other town or district in this colony, where the selectmen of such town or district shall see fit to receive them, all such towns and districts observing the rules, regulations and directions given in the resolve aforesaid, and shall be entitled to the same rewards and privileges as mentioned in said resolve.
Ordered, That Deacon Fisher, Mr. Spaulding, Mr. Stickney, Mr. Partridge and Major Perley, be a committee to consider the proposal of the reverend gentlemen of the clergy, now in convention at Water- town, [which is as follows :]
To the Hon. Joseph Warren, Esq., President of the Provincial Con- gress of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, S.c. :
SIR :- We, the pastors of the congregational churches of the colo- ny of the Massachusetts Bay, in our present annual convention, grate- fully beg leave to express the sense we have of the regard shewn by the honorable Provincial Congress to us, and the encouragement they have been pleased to afford to our assembling as a body this day. Deeply impressed with sympathy for the distresses of our much in- jured and oppressed country, we are not a little relieved, in beholding the representatives of this people, chosen by their free and unbiassed suffrages, now met to concert measures for their relief and defence, in whose wisdom and integrity, under the smiles of Divine Providence, we cannot but express our entire confidence.
As it has been found necessary to raise an army for the common safety, and our brave countrymen have so willingly offered themselves to this hazardous service, we are not insensible of the vast burden that their necessary maintenance must [devolve] upon the people. We,
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 1,
therefore, cannot forbear, upon this occasion, to offer our services to the public, and to signify our readiness, with the consent of our seve- ral congregations, to officiate, by rotation, as chaplains to the army.
We devoutly commend the Congress, and our brethren in arms, to the guidance and protection of that Providence, which, from the first settlement of this country, has so remarkably appeared for the preser- vation of its civil and religious rights.
SAMUEL LANGDON, Moderator.
At the Convention of the Ministers of the Massachusetts Bay, June 1, 1775 :
" The convention, taking into consideration the method of furnishing the army with chaplains, agreeably to the offer they have made to the honorable Congress, think it most expedient, that a sufficient number of persons should be chosen out of their number, by the officers of the army, to officiate statedly, rather than by quick rotation, in that character ; and the convention depend, that the parochial duties of those ministers who shall serve in the army, will be performed by their brethren in the vicinity.
A true copy. Test : AMOS ADAMS, Scribe."
Ordered, That Major Fuller, Col. Cushing and Major Whittemore, be a committee to inquire how many armourers are already appointed in the Massachusetts army, and how many more are necessary.
Ordered, That Major Brooks, Capt. Stone and Mr. Crane, be a committee to consider the letter from the selectmen of the town of Hopkinton, and that they sit forthwith.1
The committee appointed to consider the letter from the committee of correspondence for the colony of New Hampshire, reported, ver- bally, that it was their opinion, that it would be expedient to forward, forthwith, a copy of said letter to the committee of correspondence for the colony of Rhode Island, and another to the colony of Connec- ticut, and that the several members of the sea port towns, or of the towns adjacent, should write to the committee of such sea port towns, informing them of the subject of said letter.
(1) This letter states, that a false alarm having been spread in the town of Hopkinton and the country adjoining, the people were called from their labors, and much and useless loss of time and expense incurred ; to prevent a repetition of such alarms, a meeting of the inhabitants was held, and a committee of safety, consisting of Gilbert Dench, Samuel Park, Ebenezer Claflin, Samuel Hayden and Jonathan Hale, appointed, to determine when it should be necessary for the people of the town to march on any alarm ; and desired the Congress to establish some signal, by which au- thentic intelligence might be distinguished from false reports.
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Ordered, That Col. Thompson, Col. Freeman and Mr. Jewett, be a committee to consider a letter from the committee of safety for the town of Salem, and report.1
The cominittee on the Eastham returns, reported, that in their opin- ion neither of the members were legally chosen ; the report, after de- bate, was not accepted.
Resolved, That this last vote be reconsidered, and that a recommen- dation be sent to the town of Eastham, to choose one or more mem- bers, as to them shall seem meet, to represent them in this Congress.
Afternoon.
The committee appointed to consider the letter from the committee of safety of the town of Salem, reported; which report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
The committee appointed by the honorable Provincial Congress, to take into consideration the letter from the committee of safety, and town clerk, for the town of Salem, respecting the answers of Mr. Ste- phen Higginson to questions asked him before the House of Commons of Great Britain, &c., beg leave to report : that they have critically examined that matter, and are of opinion that the intentions of said Higginson, in those answers, were friendly to the inhabitants of Salem and Marblehead, and to the colonies in general, and that he ought to be honorably acquitted by this Congress, and recommended to the favor of the public.
(1) A petition against the fishery bill, having been presented in the House of Commons of Great Britain, in the spring of 1775, setting forthi that a great number of innocent persons, particularly in the island of Nantucket, would be reduced by it to extreme distress, " Mr. Stephen Higginson, a native of Salem, in New England," says a London paper, " was called to the bar, to prove the al- legations in the petition. He stated that the colonies of Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island, did not collectively produce sufficient for the subsistence of their inhabitants, and that they received considerable from the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsyl- vania and New York ; that there were then employed in the eod fisheries about 700 vessels, from 15 to 70 tons, which carried about 4200 men, and that about one half of that number were employed on shore in curing the fish ; that about 350 vessels from 50 to 180 tons, were employed in conveying the fish to market, which carried about 3000 men ; that if the eod fisheries should be prohibited, about 10,000 men must be under the necessity of seeking employment; and that as the major part of them would not settle at Halifax, on account of its being a military governinent, they must either stay at home and want bread, emigrate to the southward, or go to the French at Miquelon and St. Pierre ; and as many of the inhabitants at and near Marblehead were Portuguese, Dutch, and other foreigners, it was not unlikely but they might easily be indueed thereto." The above statements of Mr. Iligginson were printed in the Essex Gazette, vol. vii, number 353, and gave offence to many of the inhabitants of Salem and Marblehead, as being designed to injure the province. Upon the return of Mr. Iligginson from London, he immediately presented himself before the committee of safety of Salem, who, after an examination, were entirely satisfied of his innocence and good intention in the matters complained of, and reeominended that he wait on the Provincial Congress, and obtain the decision of that body to quiet the minds of the people. Tbe communications of Richard Derby, Esq., chairman of the committee of safety, and of Timothy Pickering, Jr., Esq., clerk of the town of Salem, presented these faets for the consideration of Congress.
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 1,
Ordered, That the Hon. Mr. Dexter, be directed to inquire of the receiver general, if he has received the money from the Hon. Mr. Russell, agreeably to the resolve of the last Congress.
Ordered, That Deacon Bayley, Capt. Holmes and Col. Thompson, be a committee to draw up a resolve, recommending to the town of Eastham to choose a new member or members to represent them in this Congress.
Ordered, That three hundred passes, of the following form, be printed, viz. :
TO THE GUARDS OF THE COLONY ARMY :
Pursuant to a resolve of the Provincial Congress, you are hereby ordered to permit - - , a member of said Congress, to pass and repass, with such as may accompany him, at all times.
June 1775.
- - -, President.
Hon. Mr. Dexter reported to the Congress, that he had made in- quiry of Mr. Gardner, the receiver general, as directed, and that the receiver general informed him he had not seen Mr. Russell since the order of Congress, respecting his paying the public moneys he has in his hands to Mr. Gardner.
The committee appointed to consider the letter from the selectmen of Hopkinton, reported : the report was recommitted, and Mr. Phil- lips, Mr. Partridge, Col. Richmond and Mr. Sawyer added to the com- mittee.
Ordered, That Doct. Taylor, Hon. Mr. Dexter and the Hon. Col. Bowers, be a committee to consider the application made to this Con- gress by Col. Barrett, in behalf of the Rev. Mr. Emerson, for the use of one of the horses taken from the regulars, during the absence of the Hon. Thomas Cushing, Esq., who has Mr. Emerson's horse now in the public service.
The committee appointed to consider the request of Mr. Emerson, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
The committee appointed to consider the request of the Rev. Wil- liam Emerson of Concord, respecting the use of a horse taken upon the 19th of April last, from one of the regulars, by Mr. Isaac Kittridge of Tewksbury, Capt. Nathan Barrett, and Henry Flint of Concord, beg leave to report, by way of resolve, that said horse be delivered to said Emerson, by the person or persons in whosesoever possession he may be found, he, the said Emerson, paying a reasonable price for
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
keeping said horse, and Mr. Emerson is hereby permitted to keep and use said horse, till the further order of this Congress.
The committee appointed to consider the papers relating to Ticon- deroga, &c., reported a letter to Col. Arnold, another to the Hon. William Williams, Esq., speaker of the assembly of the colony of Connecticut, and another to the Provincial Congress of New Hamp- shire, which were read and accepted, and ordered to be authenticated, and sent forward, and are as follow, viz. :
Letter to Col. Benedict Arnold :
SIR :- This Congress have received yours of the 19th and 23d of May ult., per Capt. Brown and Capt. Phillips, a copy of which has been sent to New Hampshire ;1 they highly approve of, and take great satisfaction in the acquisitions you have made at Ticonderoga, Crown Point, on the lake, &c. As to the state you are in respecting men, provision, &c., we have advices from Connecticut and New York, that ample preparation is making, with the greatest despatch, in those two colonies, from whence you may depend on being seasonably sup- plied. They are sorry to meet with repeated requests from you, that some gentleman be sent to succeed you in command; they assure you, that they place the greatest confidence in your fidelity, knowledge, courage, and good conduct ; and they desire that you, at present, dis- miss the thoughts of quitting your important command at Ticondero- ga, Crown Point, Lake Champlain, &c., and you are hereby requested to continue your command over the forces raised by this colony, posted at those several places, at least until the colony of New York or Con- necticut shall take on them the maintaining and commanding the same agreeably to an order of the Continental Congress.
To Col. Benedict Arnold,
Ticonderoga.
P. S .- We have just received intelligence, by a letter from Gov. Trumbull, that the general assembly have ordered a thousand men to march immediately to reenforce the ariny now at Crown Point, Ticon- deroga, &c., also [to send] 500 lbs. powder, and also that each soldier is furnished with one pound of powder, &c. The Congress further advise, that in case your present necessity requires it, you make use of the £160 you found on board the sloop, for the service of this colony, you accounting for the same to this or some other congress, or house of
(1) These, with other letters of Col. Arnold, and documents relating to the capture of Ticonde- roga, too voluminous to be annexed to the text as notes, are inserted in the Appendix.
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 1,
representatives of this colony ; and they hereby assure you, that this colony will repay it, whenever it shall be ordered by the Continental Congress ; and that you also complete the raising the number of four hundred men in the pay of this colony, if you judge it necessary.
[ To the House of Assembly of Connecticut :]
GENTLEMEN :- We gratefully acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 27th ult. We fully concur in opinion with you, that maintain- ing a post at Ticonderoga or Crown Point, is of the utmost import- ance : therefore, take particular satisfaction, that you have, on this subject, so early, and repeatedly expressed your minds to the Conti- nental Congress.
By private intelligence of the 29th ult., sent to Capt. Joseph Trum- bull, we are informed, that the Provincial Congress of New York, do not understand the resolve of the Continental Congress, concerning said fortresses, to extend so far as wholly to dismantle them ; but so far, only, as to supply any fortifications that may be built at the south end of Lake George ; which resolve, in this sense of it, they are, with despatch, executing : therefore, in our present distressing situation, we have postponed sending further assistance to |ªCol.| Arnold, especially since New York have not requested it.
To the Hon. William Williams,
Speaker of the House of Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut.
[ To the Provincial Congress of New Hampshire : ]
GENTLEMEN :- We send you enclosed, a copy of a letter from Col. Arnold, commander of the troops at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, together with a copy of a letter from the speaker of the house of rep- resentatives for the colony of Connecticut, by which you will be ac- quainted with the present situation of those fortresses, and the meas- ures necessary to be taken for securing and defending so valuable · acquisitions.
You will, doubtless, agree with us in sentiment, that it is a matter of the greatest importance, that those places remain in our possession, in order to secure our frontiers from the depredations of our enemies, if they should attempt to attack us from that quarter, of which there appears to be great danger.
It was the agreement of this colony, that four hundred men, and £100 in money, should be raised for the reduction of the place; and
a ||Captain.||
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
it is our determination to contribute our full proportion toward secur- ing the acquisition. By the letter from the speaker of the house of representatives for Connecticut, you will find, that that colony have voted to send immediately to their assistance, four companies, and 500 pounds weight of powder; and we suppose the troops are on the march there : and we most earnestly request, that you would contrib- ute your endeavors, likewise, for the speedy and effectual security of the aforementioned places, which, considering the importance of the affair, and the ready disposition which you have discovered for the de- fence of the common cause, leaves us no room to doubt of your com- pliance therewith.
To the Provincial Congress of New Hampshire.
Resolved, That the secretary be, and hereby is empowered, to ap- point some person to assist him in his office.
Adjourned till to-morrow morning, eight o'clock.
FRIDAY, June 2, 1775.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve recommending to the town of Eastham to choose one or more members to represent them in this Congress, reported; the report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Whereas, this Congress, upon examination, judge that the persons returned as delegates for Eastham, in the county of Barnstable, were not legally chosen, and that the allowing either of them a seat in this house would be attended with many inconveniences ; therefore, Re- solved, that it be, and it hereby is recommended, to the said town of Eastham, that they forthwith elect or depute one or more persons, to serve for, and represent said town, in the Provincial Congress, now held at the meeting-house in Watertown, to be chosen by such only as are qualified to vote for representatives in the general assembly, and to be continued by adjournment, as they shall see cause, until the expira- tion of six months from the first sitting of this Congress, and no lon- ger, and to consult, and deliberate, and resolve, upon such further measures, as, under God, shall be effectual, to save this people from impending ruin, and to secure those inestimable liberties, derived to us from our ancestors, and which it is our duty to preserve for pos- terity.
Resolved, That ten o'clock, this forenoon, be assigned for the choice of a chaplain for this Congress.
37
290
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 2,
Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Col. Barrett, Capt. Holmes, Col. Bowers and Col. Sawyer, be a committee to bring in a resolve for making fur- ther provision for distributing the poor of Boston to such towns in the colony as the committee may think convenient.
Ordered, That Col. Gerrish, Mr. Spooner, Mr. Sever, Col. Bowers, and Mr. Fisher, be a committee to take into consideration the petition and memorial of the several committees of correspondence for the county of Worcester, and report.1
The committee appointed to consider the resolve and proposals of the reverend gentlemen of the clergy, reported ; the report was ac- cepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Whereas, it is of the greatest importance that our colony army be furnished with gentlemen to act as chaplains, on whose virtue, firmness and patriotism they can safely rely ; and whereas, the reverend con- vention of the clergy of this colony liave, most nobly and without re- ward, tendered their services in their country's cause :
Therefore, Resolved, That the general and field officers be, and they hereby are empowered and directed, to choose nine gentlemen of the clergy of this colony, to act as chaplains to said army : provided that not more than two of them belong to any one county ; and the gene- ral officers of said army are hereby empowered to determine the regi- ments to which each chaplain shall be desired to officiate; and also, the committee of supplies are hereby directed to make suitable provis- ion for said chaplains during their continuance in camp.
Ordered, That Mr. Spooner, Col. Richmond and Col. Dwight, be a committee to take into consideration the expense Capt. Phelps has been at, in supplying the Massachusetts forces at Ticonderoga, and report.
Ordered, That Doct. Whiting and Doct. Bailies, be added to the committee which was appointed by the last Congress, to examine those persons who might be nominated for surgeons of the Massachusetts army.
Ordered, That Deacon Bayley, Hon. Joseph Gerrish, Esq., Josiah Johnson, Esq., Mr. John Hale, Hon. William Sever, Esq., Col. Joseph Otis, Hon. Jerathmiel Bowers, Col. Cutt, Capt. Stephen Maynard, Col. Thompson, Mr. Joseph North and Timothy Edwards, Esq., be a com- mittee to take into consideration the situation and circumstances of
(1) The purport of this memorial may be inferred from a resolution of the convention of com- mittees of correspondence of the county of Worcester, May 31, 1775: "Voted, That a committee be chosen to draw up a remonstrance to the Provincial Congress, that no man be allowed to have a seat therein, who does not vote away his own money for public purposes, in common with the other members and his constituents."
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
the sea port towns and islands in this colony, which are exposed to the excursions and ravages of the enemy, and in particular to consider the letter of Mr. Stephen Nye to Col. Freeman ; the petition from the town of Kittery ; the resolve of the last Congress relative to the inva- sion of the enemy on our sea coasts, &c .; and a petition from some of the inhabitants of Deer Island, and sit forthwith, and report as soon as may be.1
Order of the day moved for.
Ordered, That Mr. Jones, Mr. Bliss and Mr. Toby, be a committee to receive, sort and count the votes for a chaplain. The committee having attended that service, reported, that the Rev. Mr. [William] Gordon was chosen.
Ordered, That Col. Davis, Mr. Wheeler and Major Bliss, be a com- mittee to wait upon the Rev. Mr. Gordon, informing him that this Congress have made choice of him to officiate as their chaplain during its session in this place.
The committee appointed to inquire how many armourers were ap- pointed, &c., reported, that the committee of safety informed them that there were thirteen appointed, and several others nominated, and that the general officers had agreed that thirteen was a sufficient num- ber, but that they were in want of tools and stock.
Afternoon.
Ordered, That commissions be given to the officers of Col. Scam- mell's regiment, except such captains as have already received their commissions, agreeably to the list by him exhibited.
Ordered, That Col. Prescott, Col. Freeman, Hon. Mr. Spooner, Mr. Partridge, Col. Cushing, Col. Spaulding and Col. Sayer, be a commit- tee to consider the petition of Capt. Jacob Gerrish, and seven other captains in the Massachusetts army.
Ordered, That Col. Richmond be, and hereby is appointed, to coun- tersign the notes, which were ordered to be prepared for the soldiers' advance pay, in the room of Major Fuller, who declines serving fur- ther in.that business.
Ordered, That Deacon Baker, Major Brooks, Mr. Nichols and Col. Grout, be added to the committee who were appointed by the last Con- gress, to draw up some easy and concise method of making salt petre.
(1) All the petitions from the sea port towns, represent, in substance, that the harbors lie open to the enemy, thnt the lives and property of the inhabitants of the Atlantic coast are exposed to danger from the incursions of the British troops : that the want of arms and ammunition prevents prudent preparatinns for defence ; and some papers contain moving descriptions of alarm and peril from the approach of the king's war ships, and of suffering and distress from the scanty supply of food. Such was the general tenor of the memorials mentioned iu the text.
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 2,
Ordered, That the officers of Col. Gardner's regiment be commis- sioned agreeably to the list by him exhibited.
Ordered, That Capt. Parker, Capt. Thatcher, Mr. Jewett, Col. Por- ter and Mr. Singletary, be a committee to consider what is best to be done with the horses lately taken from Noddle's Island.
The committee appointed to take into consideration the petition of Capt. Jacob Gerrish and others, reported, verbally, that they think it expedient that Col. Gerrish be notified to attend said committee, to- morrow morning, at eight o'clock, at the house of Mr. Learned, in Watertown, if he sees cause : thereupon,
Ordered, That the same committee be directed to bring in a short resolve for this purpose.
The committee appointed to consider what is best to be done with the horses taken from Noddle's Island, reported. The report was ac- cepted, and is as follows, viz. :
The committee appointed to consider what shall be done with the horses taken by our forces from Noddle's Island, which belong to our enemies, beg leave to report : that the same horses be delivered to the committee of supplies, to be by them used and improved for the bene- fit of the colony, as they shall think fit, until further order from this or some future congress, or house of representatives.
Ordered, That Col. Farley, Deacon Baker and Mr. Batchelder, be a committee to inquire of the committee of safety, what progress has been made in the raising a regiment for the train.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve, whereby to notify Col. Gerrish to appear before said committee to-morrow morning, re- ported the following, which was read and accepted, and Capt. Thatcher was desired to carry it to Col. Gerrish this evening. It is as follows, viz. :
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