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 36
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To Col. Samuel Gerrish :
A number of gentlemen have presented a petition to this Congress, in behalf of themselves and the men they have enlisted, praying that Capt. Moses Little and Mr. Isaac Smith may be appointed and com- missioned as two of the field officers over them. Six of the said peti- tioners are returned by you as your captains, as appears by your return, and the petition has been committed to a committee, to hear the peti- tioners and report to the Congress ; and it is, therefore, Ordered, that the said Col. Samuel Gerrish be notified, and he is hereby notified, to attend the said committee, at the house of Mr. Learned, in Watertown, the 3d day of June instant, at eight o'clock in the forenoon.
293
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Read and accepted, and Capt. Thatcher was desired to carry this resolve to Col. Gerrish this evening.
The committee appointed to consider the subject of the letter from the selectmen of Hopkinton, again reported. The consideration of the report was ordered to be put off till to-morrow morning, eleven o'clock.
The committee appointed to wait on the Rev. Mr. Gordon, report- ed, that they had informed Mr. Gordon that this Congress had ap- pointed him their chaplain, and that Mr. Gordon told them he would attend this Congress to-morrow morning.
The committee appointed to consider the expense Mr. Phelps had been at, in supplying the Massachusetts forces at 'Ticonderoga, exhib- ited an account, which they looked upon was not supported by any vouchers, and therefore submitted the matter to Congress. Ordered, that the consideration of the saine be put off to to-morrow morning.
The Congress then adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning.
SATURDAY, June 3, 1775.
Ordered, That Col. Palmer, Col. Davis, Mr. Glover, Deacon Gould and Mr. Webster, be a committee to consider a resolve of the commit- tee of safety, respecting a person in Brookline, who is broke out with the small pox, and that they sit forthwith.
The committee appointed to consider the situation and circunstan- ces of the islands and sea coasts, reported :
Ist. That the petition of Col. Lithgow be committed to the conımit- tee of supplies :
2d. A resolve on the subject of Mr. Nye's letter, [which is as fol- lows : ]
[Whereas, the forces under the command of general Gage, are fre- quently plundering and making depredations on the islands and sea coasts of this province, particularly on the island of Nashawn, and others adjacent ; whereby, not only individuals, but the public, are much injured, and our enemies strengthened. Resolved, therefore, that it be recommended to all those persons occupying the islands or sea coasts aforesaid, which are exposed to be ravaged or plundered, and cannot be defended by the inhabitants; to remove all their hay, cattle, horses, sheep, &c., so far into the country, or otherwise dis- pose of them, that they may be out of the way of our implacable ene- inies ; also, that it be recommended to the committee of correspon- dence, in each town and district, or selectmen, where no such commit- tee is chosen, to take effectual care that this resolve be immediately,
294
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 3,
strictly and fully executed, and that all persons who refuse to comply herewith, be viewed as disposed to furnish our enemies with such un- removed hay and stock, and shall therefore be held as inimical to the liberty and rights of this country.]
The committee appointed to consider a resolve of the committee of safety, reported the following resolve, which was accepted, viz. :
Whereas, a person is now broke out with the small pox, at Brook- line, on the road between Cambridge and Roxbury, whereby the pub- lic in general, and the camps in particular, will be greatly endangered, if said person is suffered to remain in said house :
Therefore, Resolved, That said person be immediately removed to the house of Ebenezer Smith in Little Cambridge, wherein the small pox has lately been ; and that the selectmen of Brookline are hereby directed to remove said person to said house, in the most careful man- ner, at the expense of said town of Brookline; and the selectmen of Cambridge are hereby directed to receive said person into said Smith's house.
Ordered, That Mr. Gerry, Hon. Mr. Spooner, Major Bliss, Hon. Mr. Sever, Col. Freeman, Col. Farley and Col. Richmond, be a com- mittee to consider a resolve of the committee of safety, relative to a reenforcement of the Massachusetts army, for the protection of the sea coasts, &c .; and that this committee be directed to confer with the committee of safety on the subject of it; and that those gentle- men, who have been appointed and commissioned as general officers, be invited to the conference.
Also, Resolved, That eight o'clock, on Monday morning next, be assigned for such conference, to be held at Cambridge, and that the committee of safety, and the said general officers, be served with a copy of this resolve.
A number of papers from the committee of safety, respecting Col. Jonathan Brewer, were read.1
Resolved, That the further consideration of the papers relative to Col. Jonathan Brewer, be referred to the afternoon, three o'clock.
Afternoon.
Ordered, That a commission be prepared, and delivered to Col. John Nixon.
Ordered, That Mr. Greenleaf, Capt. Bragdon and Mr. Sawyer, be a
(1) The committee of safety charged Col. Brewer with having obtained the men enlisted into the regiment he had formed, from others corps, by wrong representations ; and with converting private property to his own use without proper authority.
295
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
committee to consider the petition of a number of persons of the town of Dartmouth.1
The committee on the petition of Jacob Gerrish and others, report- ed verbally : agreeably to which report,
Resolved, That the petition be so far granted, as that the petitioners be directed to apply to the committee of safety, for a recommendation to this Congress, to commission Capt. Moses Little as colonel of a regiment in the Massachusetts army.
Ordered, 'That Col. Dwight, Hon. Mr. Sever, Col. Farley, Major Bliss and Mr. Edwards, be a committee to take into consideration a letter from Col. James Easton, and report.
[The] order of the day [was] moved for.
The papers respecting Col. Brewer were read. After debate,
Moved, That the matter subside; the question being put, it passed in the negative. Moved, that the petitioner be admitted on the floor ; the question was put, and it passed in the negative.
Resolved, That Tuesday next, at eight o'clock, A. M., be assigned for hearing Col. Jonathan Brewer, on the subject of certain papers laid before this Congress by order of the committee of safety, and that the committee of safety, as also Col. Brewer, be served with a copy of this resolve, and that Col. Brewer be directed to bring with him a re- turn of the number of men enlisted in his regiment, distinguishing how many are present at head quarters, and how many are absent.
Agreeably to an order of Congress, a colonel's commission was de- livered to Col. John Nixon.
The committee on the petition from Dartmouth, reported. The re- port being amended, was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
On the petition of David Shepherd and others, from Dartmouth, representing that uneasiness has arisen on account of said petitioners fitting out sundry vessels for whaling voyages, and for the West Indies, Resolved, that the petitioners be informed, that this Congress know of no objection to their pursuing the above voyage, or any other where they are willing to risk their interest, provided that the owners and
(1) The petition of David Shepherd and eighteen others, dated Dartmouth, June 1, 1775, shows, " that the subscribers have, at great expense, fitted out some of our vessels for whaling voyages, and one or two with lumber, &c. for the West Indies, some of which are now ready for sen, being advised thereto by the committee of correspondence of the town, and not being restricted therefrom by the Continental or Provincial Congress, the advice and directions of whom we are de- termined to abide by in this affair ; notwithstanding which, some people manifest uneasiness that we should send our vessels to sea, and will not be satisfied unless we have the advice of the honorable the Provincial Congress, now sitting, thereon, which will quiet the minds of the people, and give them and us satisfaction relative to the matter. Therefore, the petitioners pray advice and direc- tion."
296
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 3,
masters of such vessels strictly adhere to the resolutions of the Conti- nental Congress.
Ordered, That a messenger be forthwith sent to the receiver general with the following letter, viz. :
SIR :- The absolute necessity of paying the colony forces immedi- ately, having been duly considered by this Congress, and not being able to make necessary payments, to prevent the troops from returning home, without your being present ; you are therefore directed, upon the receipt of this order, immediately to repair to this place, and make the utmost despatch in completing the signing of the bills wanted for the above purposes.
P. S .- The Congress is just informed, that a gentleman at Salem has £500, which he is willing to lend the province; which would be of the greatest importance to pay immediately to the soldiers, and might prevent the greatest mischiefs.
Resolved, That Mr. Phillips be desired to repair to Salem to Mr. Becket, desiring him to bring, or send, the money he has offered to lend the province, to this place, to-morrow morning, and take a note therefor from the receiver general.
Ordered, That Capt. Stone be directed to apply to Mr. Revere, de- siring him to attend the business of stamping the notes for the sol- diers, all the ensuing night, if he can, and to finish them with the greatest despatch possible; and also to despatch a messenger to Major Fuller, desiring him to attend to countersign them.
Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow morning.
SUNDAY, June 4, 1775.
Resolved, That Col. Henshaw be admitted to give an account of his proceedings at Connecticut, where he was sent by the last Congress on the affair of Ticonderoga.
Resolved, That Col. Asa Whitcomb be directed to pay the advance pay to those companies of Col. Patterson's regiment, who came from the county of Berkshire, out of the first money he may receive from the receiver general.
Resolved, That Col. Lemuel Robinson be directed to pay the ad- vance pay to the three companies of Col. [Fellow's] regiment; which came from the county of Berkshire, out of the first money he may re- ceive from the receiver general.
Ordered, That the papers exhibited by Col. Henshaw be put into
.
1775.]
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
297
the hands of the committee of safety, and the committee of this Con- gress, who are appointed to confer with them to-morrow morning.
Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Hon. Mr. Spooner and Col. Prescott, · be a committee to inquire what number of colony notes are struck off, how many are signed, whether the press is now going, and to make a thorough inquiry in this respect, and report at the adjournment.
Ordered, That Doct. Whiting be appointed to employ a messenger, to be sent to Major Fuller, directing his attendance to the service of countersigning the notes, immediately.1
Ordered, That Capt. Bragdon and Col. Thompson, be appointed to attend Mr. Revere whilst he is striking off the notes for advance pay to the soldiers, night and day, [ªalternately,] till they are all struck off.
The committee on Col. Easton's letter, reported, that it was their opinion it would be best to commit it to the committee who were ap- pointed to confer with the committee of safety, to-morrow morning : it was accordingly given to the Hon. Mr. Spooner.
Ordered, That the key and billet delivered to this Congress, from Major Fuller, by Capt. Stone, be put into the hands of the committee who were appointed to make inquiry respecting the colony notes.
Adjourned to twelve o'clock.
[Noon.]
Met at twelve o'clock.
Ordered, That Col. Richmond be excused from serving on the com- mittee who were appointed to confer with the committee of safety, be- ing engaged in countersigning the notes, and that Col. Gerrish attend that service in his stead.
Adjourned to four o'clock, afternoon.
[Afternoon.]
Met at four o'clock, and adjourned to Monday morning, eight o'clock.
MONDAY, June 5, 1775.
A petition from Truro for powder was read.
Resolved, That the petitioners have leave to withdraw their petition.
Ordered, That Col. Foster be, and hereby is appointed, to counter- sign the $20, $14, and $6 notes.
Ordered, That Mr. Pickering, Mr. Phillips and Mr. [`Goodwin, ] be ap- pointed to number the notes which are preparing for advance pay for the soldiers. Mr. Pickering, to number the sheets struck off on the first plate; Mr. Phillips, those of the second; and Mr. [ Goodwin,] those of the third.
a [alternatively.] b [Gooding.]
(1) Major Fuller was detained, by sickness, from attendance on the committee.
38
298
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 5,
Ordered, That the letter from Gov. Trumbull, just received and read, be committed to the committee of safety, and the committee ap- pointed to confer with them.
Ordered, That Col. Foster bring in a resolve, appointing some per- sons to examine and inspect the mineral earth, brought by him to this place.
Col. Foster brought in a resolve accordingly, which was accepted, and is as follows :
Resolved, That Doct. Whiting, Deacon Baker and Col. Grout, be a committee to inquire into the nature and quality of the said mineral earth, and in such inquiry to consult the Hon. Joseph Warren, Esq. and Mr. Professor Sewall, and such other persons as they may think proper, and report to this Congress as soon as may be.
Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Greenleaf, Mr. Partridge, Col. Cushing and Mr. Edwards, be a committee to hold a conference with the general officers of the American army, and to inquire of them whether there is any thing this Congress can do to preserve the health of said army.
A petition, signed by Phillip Hubbard and others, was read, and or- dered to lie on the table.
Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Col. Cushing, Capt. Holmes, Mr. Part- ridge and Mr. Currier, be a committee to consider what order it would be proper for this Congress to take relative to any letters which have been or may be intercepted.
Ordered, That Mr. Edwards, and Mr. Stone of Lexington, be ap- pointed to inquire what is become of a letter said to be sent by the Stockbridge Indians to this Congress.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve respecting intercept- ed letters, reported ; the report was read and accepted, and is as fol- lows, viz. :
Whereas, it has been represented to this Congress, that several let- ters, and packets of letters, of public concernment, wrote to and by the avowed enemies of this country, have fallen into the hands of sun- dry persons in this colony ; and, whereas, it appears absolutely neces- sary that all such letters should be immediately laid before this Con- gress, for their consideration ; therefore, Resolved, that all persons who now are, or shall hereafter be possessed of such letters, shall lay them, as soon as may be, before this, or some future Congress, for their ad- . visement thereon.
Afternoon.
Resolved, That the resolve which passed this Congress, relative to accommodating the Rev. Mr. Emerson with one of the horses taken
299
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
from the regulars, be so far reconsidered, as that it be recommitted, for a plainer description of the horse intended to be delivered to him ; and that Col. Batchelder and Col. Dwight be added to the committee, in the room of Doct. Taylor and Col. Bowers, who are absent.
Ordered, That commissions be delivered to the officers of Col. Nixon's regiment, agreeably to the list by him exhibited.
Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Col. Barrett, Capt. Holmes, Col. Bowers and Col. Sawyer, be a committee to consider the proposal of Capt. Foster, relative to removing the poor, and the goods of the poor, of the town of Boston, into the country.
Resolved, That the committee of supplies be directed to lay before this Congress, in writing, an account of their proceedings, with respect to the memorandum of Gen. Ward for sundry military stores, commit- ted to them by the last Congress.
Ordered, That Capt. Stone, Capt. Smith and Col. Goodrich, be a committee to inquire of the committee of supplies, if they have sent to New York for any of the powder, which, it is said, is lately arrived there.
Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Capt. Holmes, Mr. Sawyer, Col. Grout and Mr. Webster, be a committee to bring in a resolve in addition to the resolve of the last Congress, respecting the poor of the town of Boston, passed the first ultimo, which shall extend to such of the poor of said town, sufferers by the Boston port bill, as were removed out of that town before the date of said resolve.
The committee appointed to inquire into the nature and qualities of the mineral earth, brought by Col. Foster from Brookfield, reported, that it was their opinion, and the opinion of those whom they con- versed with thereon, that it contains a matter useful for the production of nitre, but that there was too small a quantity for an experiment :
Whereupon, Ordered, That this committee be directed to appoint some suitable person, to repair to Brookfield, to make some experi- ment with the mineral earth, which is said to be there in large quanti- ties.
Ordered, That the Hon. Mr. Dexter, Col. Otis, Col. Porter, Capt. Stone of Oakham, and Capt. Stone of Framingham, be a committee to bring in a resolve for the purpose of giving a currency to the bills of credit of all the governments on the continent.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve descriptive of the horse designed for Mr. Emerson, reported ; the report was read and accepted, and is as follows :
Whereas, in a resolve of this Congress, passed the 1st instant, the
300
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 5,
horse appointed for the use of the Rev. Mr. Emerson of Concord, was not so fully described as that Thomas Read of Woburn, the keeper of said horse, could, with safety, deliver him to said Emerson ; therefore, Resolved, that said Read be, and hereby is directed, to deliver a cer- tain sorrel horse, that was taken by the guards, at Roxbury, from an officer of general Gage's troops, on the 20th of April last, to said Emerson, he paying a reasonable sum for the keeping said horse, and said Mr. Emerson is hereby permitted to keep and use said horse, un- til the further order of this Congress.
·
Ordered, That Col. Porter, Capt. Stone of Oakham, Capt. Part- ridge, Col. Otis and Deacon Baker, be a committee to consider the letter from Mr. Gridley to the committee of safety, and to confer with them thereon, and also on the state of the artillery in general.
Resolved, That the four prisoners brought to this Congress by ser- geant John Parker, be committed to the custody of the guard, which is appointed to guard the public stores in Watertown, till further or- ders of this Congress ; and that the commissary be directed to provide what provisions they may stand in need of, till to-morrow morning.
Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan bring in a resolve, for the purpose of discouraging and preventing persons from taking any notes or bills of credit, of this, or the other colonies, under the value specified therein.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve for giving currency to the notes of the other governments, reported : the report was or- dered to lie on the table, till Mr. Sullivan had brought in the resolve for which he was just now appointed.
Ordered, That Col. Cutt, Capt. Parker, Mr. Page, Capt. Morton and Capt. Stone, of Oakham, be a committee to make some establish- ment for an allowance of provisions for the soldiers of the Massachu- setts army.
Resolved, That Friday next, at three o'clock, P. M., be assigned for the consideration of the report of Col. Thompson, relative to his pro- ceedings at Kennebeck.
Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow morning.
TUESDAY, June 6, 1775.
Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Col. Cushing, Mr. Partridge, Mr. Greenleaf and Col. Glover, be a committee, to devise some means whereby the army may be more regularly supplied with the necessaries procured for it by the colony.
[The] order of the day [was] moved for.
Resolved, That those members who are out upon committees be directed to attend.
30
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Resolved, That three o'clock, P. M., be assigned for the choice of a vice president.
Ordered, That Col. Thompson, Major Brooks and Col. Cutt, be a committee to inquire into the circumstances of bringing the four pris- oners to this place yesterday.
Moved, That the Congress take some order at this time relative to the prisoners : the question being put, it passed in the negative.
The papers respecting Col. Brewer were read, and Col. Brewer was then admitted, and, on his request, Resolved, that Capt. Edwards, Capt. Butler, Lieut. Tuckerman, Col. Buckminster, Mr. Cudworth, Thomas Withington and Capt. Gray, be admitted on the floor of this house, as [ªwitnesses] in the cause.
The complaint of the committee of safety being read, and Col. Brewer having had leave of making his defence, he was fully heard therein, as were also the witnesses by him produced, the galleries being first opened for any who were inclined to hear the cause.
Col. Brewer, having offered what he saw fit, withdrew with his wit- nesses, and the galleries being cleared, Resolved, that the further con- sideration of this matter be referred to the afternoon.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve for giving currency to the bills of credit of the other governments, reported : the report was ordered to lie upon the table till the afternoon.
[Afternoon.]
Voted, That the resolve, which passed in the forenoon, for choosing a vice president, be reconsidered.
The Congress [resumed] the consideration of the case of Mr. Brewer; and, after a long and full debate, it was Moved, that the question be put whether the president should be directed to deliver a commission to Mr. Brewer, as colonel of a regiment in the Massachu- setts army, and it passed in the negative : the number of members present being 150, and but 70 for the question.
Mr. Cushing informed the Congress, that Mr. Benjamin Edwards, on hearing, at the door of this house, of the determination of the Con- gress respecting Mr. Brewer, made use of the following expression, viz .: " By God, if this province is to be governed in this manner, it is time for us to look out, and 'tis all owing to the committee of safety, a pack of sappy-head-fellows. I know three of thein myself." Where- upon, Resolved, that Mr. Edwards be directed to attend this house to make answer to the above charge. Mr. Edwards being called in, and
a [evidence.]
b [reassumed.]
302
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 6,
having heard the charge alleged against him, it was Resolved, that Mr. Edwards have leave to withdraw, and that he be directed to attend this Congress to-morrow morning, at ten o'clock.
The petition of Major Baldwin,1 being read and considered, it is thereupon Ordered, that the Rev. president Langdon be requested to furnish Major Baldwin, out of the college apparatus, with [such] instru- ments as he stands in need of, to perform the public services therein mentioned, he giving his receipt therefor, to return the same in good order, as soon as the said services shall be performed.
A resolve of the committee of safety, relative to the [ªadmission] of slaves into the army was read, and ordered to lie on the table for fur- ther consideration.
The committee appointed to bring in an additional resolve, relative to making provision for the poor of Boston, reported : the report was read, amended and accepted, and ordered to be printed in the Cam- bridge, Watertown and Worcester papers ; and is as follows :
Whereas, the provision already made for the removal of the poor of Boston, suffering by the cruel hand of arbitrary power, has not an- swered the salutary purposes intended, and it becomes necessary that further provision be made, therefore, Resolved, that such suffering poor shall be allowed to remove into any town or district in the colony, other than such towns or districts as are already ordered to provide for and receive the number of said poor to them assigned ; and every town and district in the colony, that shall receive and provide necessary support for such suffering poor, shall be indemnified, in every respect, as fully as any other town or district in the colony, provided they ob- serve and comply with directions already given relative to said poor. And, whereas, in the present distressed circumstances and confusion of the town of Boston, some of said poor have or may remove out of said town without proper certificates from the committee of donations, and the town to which such persons remove, may refuse to receive them for want of the same ; Resolved, that it be recommended to the select- men of the several towns and districts in this colony to which such persons may remove, that such provision be made, as is necessary to prevent their suffering, until such certificate can be procured; and such town or district shall be indemnified, as before provided, they observing the directions given in the resolve passed by the last Con-
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