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 37
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a [inadmission.]
(1) The petition of Loammi Baldwin represented, that Gen. Ward had approved of a proposal for taking surveys of the ground between the camp of the Massachusetts army and the posts of the British troops, and requested the loan of mathematical instruments from the apparatus of Harvard College, to be used in the execution of this service.
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303
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
gress relative to said poor ; and such persons shall be considered as part of their assignment. And, whereas, it is found extremely difficult for the committees at Charlestown and Roxbury to remove said poor to the several towns and districts to which they are destined, for want of teams to go such a distance as is necessary in many cases, it is further recommended to the selectmen of each town and district in this colony, that they assist in removing said poor, upon every necessary occasion, when it is in their power, to the several places of their as- signment, keeping a particular account of their trouble and expense, and the names of the persons they assisted, and they shall be paid in manner as before provided. And the committees at Charlestown and Roxbury, who were appointed by this Congress to make provision for such poor as might come out of the town of Boston, are desired to procure a list of said poor from the committee of donations for future use : and also, to take the advantage of the teams that may come from the westward, for the removal of said poor by every opportunity in their power.
Ordered, That the committee appointed to inquire into the circum- stances of bringing four prisoners from Cambridge, be directed to make such provision for them as is necessary, till further orders from this Congress, and that Mr. Robinson be added to the committee, and that said committee report what they think would be best to be done with them.
Adjourned to Wednesday morning, eight o'clock.
WEDNESDAY, June 7, 1775.
Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Col. Parker, Mr. Webster, Major Ful- ler and Col. Prescott, be a committee to wait on General Ward, re- questing him to exhibit to this Congress a return of the number of men in the Massachusetts army, and that Mr. Sullivan, Doct. Holten and Mr. Cushing be a committee, to bring in a resolve for this purpose.
The committee appointed to consider what is best to be done with the four prisoners brought from Dartmouth, via Cambridge, reported : the report was recommitted.
A petition from the inhabitants of Machias was read and committed to Mr. Batchelder, Col. Otis, Mr. Nichols, Mr Lothrop and Mr. Web- ster, to consider thereon and report.1
(1) The following is the petition mentioned in the text. It was subscribed by Jonas Longfellow and thirty-seven other citizens.
To the Honorable Congress of the Massachusetts Bay :
"GENTLEMEN :- With the highest satisfaction, we now consider you as the guardians of this
304
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 7,
The committee appointed to inquire what is become of the original letter from the Stockbridge Indians, reported, that they think it proba- ble, from what they have on inquiry heard, that it is in the hands of the Hon. Mr. Hancock.
The committee appointed to consider of Col. Gridley's letter to the committee of safety, beg leave to report in part, that an ordnance store- keeper be immediately appointed, and recommend that Major Nathaniel Barber be appointed to that employment, and beg leave to sit again, to report a proper establishment, as also to report what further [ªsteps] are necessary to be taken as requested in Col. Gridley's letter.
Ordered, That commissions be delivered to the lieutenants and en- signs of Col. Mansfield's regiment, agreeably to the list by him exhib- ited.
Ordered, That Mr. Edwards, Col. Porter, Doct. Whiting, Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Goodridge, be a committee to consider the letters from the Stockbridge Indians, and report.
extensive and wealthy province, and relying on your wisdom, the wisdom of the Continental Con- gress, the justice of our cause, and the tender mercy of our fathers' God, we promise ourselves, in due time, a happy deliverance from the iron chains of tyranny, which were forming for us, and from servitude equal to Egyptian bondage."
" As a part, therefore, of your charge, we, the distressed inhabitants of Machias, beg leave to approach your presence, and to spread our grievances at your feet. We dare not say we are the foremost in supporting the glorious cause of American liberty ; but this we can truly affirm, that we have done our utmost to encourage and strengthen the hands of all the advocates for America with whom we have been connected; that we have not even purchased any goods of those persons, whom we suspected to be inimical to our country, except when constrained by necessity ; and tbat none on the continent can more cheerfully risque all that is dear to them on earth, when called, in support of those precious privileges which God [gave,] and our venerable ancestors, as a most in- valuable legacy, have handed down to us."
" We must now inform your honors, that the inhabitants of this place exceed one hundred fam- ilies, some of which are very numerous, and that divine Providence has cut off all our usual re- sources, A very severe drought last fall prevented our laying in sufficient stores; and had no vessels visited us in the winter, we must bave suffered; nor have we this spring been able to procure provisions sufficient for carrying on our business. Our laborers are dismissed ; some of onr mills stand still ; almost all our vessels have forsaken us ; our lumber lies by us in heaps ; and, to complete our misfortunes, all our ports are to be shut up on the first of July next ; we must add, we have no country bebind us to lean upon, nor can we make an escape by flight ; the wilderness is impervious, and vessels we have none."
"To you, therefore, honored gentlemen, we bumbly apply for relief. You are our last, our only resource, and, permit us again to say, you are onr guardians, and we rejoice and glory in being sub- ject [to you]. Pardon our importunity. We cannot take a denial, for, under God, you are all our dependance, and if you neglect us, we are ruined. Save, dear sirs, one of your most flourishing settlements from famine, and all its horrors. We ask not for charity ; we ask for a supply, to be put into the hands of Messrs. Smith and Stillman, or any other person or persons your wisdom may point out, wbo shall obligate themselves to pay tbe wbole amonnt on demand in lumber, tbe only staple of our country."
" That God may long preserve you, and make you happily instrumental in his hand, in bestowing all the sweets of peace and liberty to this much injured country, and even to Great Britain herself, is the constant and fervent prayer of, gentlemen, your most humble petitioners."
" Machias, May 25, 1775."
a [stores.]
305
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
A petition from Col. Brewer, and another from several nominal cap- tains under him, were read and ordered to lie on the table.
Two resolves from the Continental Congress were read, and ordered to be printed in hand bills, and dispersed throughout the colony.
Col. Porter, Col. Tyng and Mr. Jewett, were appointed a committee to prepare a resolve for the purpose of carrying into execution the said resolves.
Resolved, That Mr. Edwards be called in, and admonished by the president : which was done accordingly.
Ordered, That commissions be delivered to Col. Fellowes and the officers of his regiment, agreeably to the list exhibited by his lieutenant colonel.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve, expressive of the duty of the committee who were appointed this day to wait on General Ward, reported. The report was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz .:
Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Col. Parks, Mr. Webster, Major Fuller and Col. Prescott, be a committee to wait on the hon. general Ward, and hold a conference with him on the state of the army, and to desire him to make a return, as soon as may be, to this Congress, of the number and equipments of the troops raised by this colony, and now in the camps at Cambridge and Roxbury, and stationed elsewhere, that due advisement be had thereon.
The Hon. Mr. Spooner, Hon. Mr. Sever, Hon. Col. Bowers, ap- pointed to consider a memorial from the convention of Worcester, being absent, Ordered, that the Hon. Mr. Dexter, Col. Dwight, and Capt. Stone, be appointed in their stead.
A memorial from the selectmen of the town of Salem was read, and committed to Col. Glover, Doct. Taylor and Mr. Wheeler.
The report of the committee appointed to bring in a resolve for giv- ing currency to the bills of credit of the other governments, was read and recommitted.
Ordered, That Mr. Orne, Col. Porter and Mr. Whittemore, be a committee to consider the petition of Benjamin Ames, and seven other companies of Col. Fry's regiment, and report.
The committee on the petition of the inhabitants of Machias report- ed. The report was ordered to lie upon the table for further consider- ation.
[Afternoon,]
Ordered, That Col. Warren, Hon. Mr. Dexter, Col. Gerrish, Col. Otis and Col. Farley, be a committee to confer with the two gentlemen,
39
306
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 7,
members of the Congress of New Hampshire, who have brought a let- ter from that Congress to this.
Resolved, That to-morrow, four o'clock, P. M., be assigned for the choice of two gentlemen to act as major generals in the Massachusetts army.
The report of the committee on the letter from Hopkinton was read : the consideration of it was put off to five o'clock this afternoon.
On the representation of the town clerk of Lunenburg, in his letter to Doct. Taylor, respecting their town's stock of powder, &c., Resolved, that that town be excused from delivering out of their stock any more than one half barrel ; the resolve of the former Congress, directing the selectmen of said town to deliver two [barrels], to the order of the committee of supplies, notwithstanding.
Ordered, That Mr. Orne and Mr. Vose, be of the committee ap- pointed to collect the letters of the late Governor Hutchinson, in the room of Doct. Perkins and Mr. Ellis, who are absent.
The committee appointed to inquire into the circumstances of the four prisoners, reported. The report was amended and accepted, and is as follows :
[The committee appointed to take into consideration the circum- . stances of four prisoners brought to this Congress on the second day of June instant, said to be taken at Dartmouth, since the nineteenth of April last, beg leave to report : that it is the opinion of this committee, that the said four prisoners, viz. : Richard Luckus, mate of the ship Falcon, John Dunkinson, surgeon's mate, Jonathan Lee and Robert Caddy, be sent to Concord, to the care of the selectmen of said town, to be by them secured and provided for, agreeably to their rank, at the expense of this colony, until they receive some further order, from this or some other Congress or house of representatives of this colony.]
The committee appointed to confer with the gentlemen from the New Hampshire Congress, reported, verbally ; whereupon, Ordered, that said committee be directed to reduce their report to writing.
The report of the committee on the petition from the inhabitants of Machias, being again read, was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
The committee appointed to consider the petition of the inhabitants of Machias, beg leave to report, that it be recommended by this Con- gress to the committee of correspondence of the town of Salem, or to the like committees of any other towns within this province, to supply Messrs. Gardner & Smith, of said Machias, for the present relief of the said inhabitants, with the following articles, viz. : one hundred bushels of indian corn; ten barrels of pork and beef; one cask of mo-
.
307
1775.]
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
lasses ; and one cask of rice; and take, in return for the same, wood, or such other payment as the said Gardner and Smith may be able to make: and in case they, or their constituents, the above said inhabi- tants, should not make satisfaction for the same in a reasonable time, it shall be allowed and paid out of the public treasury of this province, and the said inhabitants shall refund the same as soon as may be. Your committee further report, that a recommendation go from this Congress to the governor and company of the colony of Connecticut, to suffer the inhabitants of the eastern parts of this colony, to purchase and carry out of said colony of Connecticut, such provisions as their necessitous circumstances may require.
The committee appointed to confer with the gentlemen from New Hampshire, having reduced their report to writing, the same was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Resolved, That an application be made by this Congress to the Con- tinental Congress, desiring them to take such measures as to them shall appear proper, to quiet and conciliate the minds of the inhabitants of Canada, and the several tribes of Indians adjacent to these colonies, and prevent any unfavorable apprehensions, from the military prepara- tions of the several colonies in America, and that the other three New England colonies, with the colony of New York, be desired to join in such an application.
Resolved, That letters be immediately written to the colonies of Con- necticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, desiring them, severally, to appoint committees, to meet a committee appointed by this Con- gress, at the town of Worcester, in this colony, on Wednesday, the 28th day of June current, in order to settle and determine the number of men to be raised on the present emergency, by each of the New England colonies ; and likewise to determine where they shall be sta- tioned and employed.1
(1) The resolutions were founded on propositions of the Provincial Congress of New Hampshire, communicated by delegates attending on the assembly of Massachusetts, and expressed in the fol- lowing letter :
In Provincial Congress, at Exeter, June 3, 1775.
" GENTLEMEN :- Having undoubted evidence of tho attempts of the British ministry to engage the Canadians and savages in their interest, in the present controversy with America, and of actual movements in Canada in consequence thereof, we have thought it necessary that measures should be immediately taken, to defend, and quiet the minds of the people more especially exposed in the frontiers ; and accordingly have resolved to send a number of troops as soon as may be ; three com- panies, for the present, to be employed where and in such manner as may best answer that import- ant end.
" We thought it expedient to give you the earliest intelligence of what we have done in this way, earnestly praying, and nothing doubting, but that you will concur in such measures, as, in your wisdom, you shall judge reasonable and necessary for the defence and safety of the back set- tlements, for whom both you and we must very sensibly feel.
308
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 7,
Whereupon, Ordered, that the president, Hon. Mr. Sever, and the Hon. Mr. Dexter, be a committee, to prepare an application to the Continental Congress, and a letter to each of the colonies of Connecti- cut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, and a letter to New York, agreeably to the foregoing resolve.
Resolved, That to-morrow, 5 o'clock, P. M., be assigned for the choice of three members of this Congress, as a committee, to meet committees from the colonies of Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, agreeably to the foregoing resolve.
The committee appointed to confer with the committee of safety, on the subject of their resolve relative to a reinforcement of the army, re- ported, [as follows : ]
[The committee appointed to consider a resolve of the committee of safety, of the 2d instant, relative to a reinforcement of the Massachu- setts army, have attended that service, and having, agreeably to the order of Congress, conferred with the committee of safety and general officers upon the subject matter of the resolves, beg leave, upon mature deliberation, to report, that it appears to the committee inexpedient and unnecessary for this colony to augment, at present, the forces already voted by it to be established for the defence of this and the other American colonies.
ELBRIDGE GERRY, Chairman.]
Whereupon, Resolved, That to-morrow, nine o'clock, be assigned for the consideration of the said report, and that the committee of safety, the committee of supplies, and the several committees for this Congress, be notified of this assignment, and be desired to attend at that time, if they can with conveniency.
Ordered, That the Hon. Col. Warren, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Gerry, the president, Col. Freeman, Mr. Pickering, Mr. Batchelder, Hon. Mr. Dexter and Mr. Greenleaf, be a committee, to consider the expediency of establishing a number of small armed vessels, to cruise on our sea
" We furthermore think it suitable, just to suggest, that we have some apprehensions, lest our military manœuvres in the frontiers, should raise a jealousy in the minds of the Canadians, and awaken their fears of direct intentions of hostilities against them. We should give them the most positive assurances upon this head, that we desire nothing more than our own security ; and that it is our most hearty wish to remain in steady terms of friendship with them. And in order to the more regular, harmonious, and effectual prosecution of the important object aforesaid, as also other valuable purposes, that we conceive it may answer, we would humbly move for a conference by a committee, with a committee from you, at sucb time and place as you shall please to appoint, and to consider of an address to be forwarded to the Canadians : and put it in the power of this, Congress to join with you, and, if it might be, with the other New England colonies, and New York, that this negotiation might answer the most effectual purpose. By order of Congress. . I am your most obedient, humble servant, MATTHEW THORNTON, President."
To the Hon. Provincial Congress of the Massachusetts Bay.
309
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
coasts, for the protection of our trade, and the annoyance of our ene- mies : and that the members be enjoined, by order of Congress, to observe secrecy in this matter.
Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Col. Porter, Hon. Mr. Sever, Mr. Greenleaf and Mr. Partridge, be a committee to consider at large on some ineasure for [^commissioning] the officers of the army.
Ordered, That the secretary be directed to serve General Ward with a list of the officers of the army, commissioned by this Congress.
Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning.
THURSDAY, June 8, 1775.
An account of the taking a sloop which sailed from Boston for An- napolis for hay and other stores for the use of the army at Boston, from the committee of the town of Arundel,1 was read, as also several letters which were found on board said sloop. Whereupon,
Resolved, That the thanks of this Congress be given to said commit- tee for their care and judicious conduct in this affair.
The order of the day [was] moved for.
Resolved, That this Congress will resolve itself into a committee of the whole house, which was done accordingly.
The committee of the whole house, by Col. Warren, their chairman, reported, that the committee have not sufficient time to deliberate on a matter of such importance, and therefore desire leave to sit again ; which report was accepted by the Congress.
Afternoon.
The committee of the house reported, that it was the opinion of said committee, that the report of the committee, who were appointed to confer with the committee of safety, on the augmentation of the army, be accepted ; which report was accordingly accepted by this Congress.
Ordered, That a cominission be delivered to Thomas Poor, Esq., as major of a regiment under the command of Col. Fry.
· a [commissionating.]
(1) The committee of Arundel stato, that the sloop Polly, belonging to that town, with Ephraim Perkins, master, while returning from a coasting voyage to Plymouth, was seized by a British arm- ed vessel, carried into Boston harbor, and there detained. The cargo was taken into the custody of General Gage, and the owner obtained payment of the original cost of the articles. A proposition was made to Mr. Perkins, to enter into tho king's service, and accepted, as affording means of escape. The sloop was chartered for Windsor, in Nova Scotia, to receive hay and grain for the supply of the troops, and went out with Josiah Jones surpercargo, and Jonathan Hicks passen- ger. The master sailed directly for Arundel, where he arrived on the 2d of June, and surrendered his companions as prisoners. The papers transmitted to Congress, were the charter party, orders, instructions, and letters subscribed by Major William Shirreff, deputy quarter master general, re- lating to the objects and business of the voyage.
310
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 8,
Resolved, That the choice of two major generals be deferred to four o'clock, to-morrow afternoon.
Ordered, That the committee appointed to consider the expediency of establishing several small armed vessels, sit forthwith.
The committee appointed to consider on some measures for commis- sioning the officers of the army, reported the following resolve, which was read and accepted, and an hundred of them ordered to be printed, and dispersed among the army. It is as follows, viz. :
Whereas, it is necessary to have, as soon as may be, a return of the number and equipments of the forces raised by this colony; and where- as, it is of the utmost importance that such returns should be consistent with the strictest truth: it is therefore Resolved, that if any officer now commissioned in the forces aforesaid, or that shall hereafter be com- missioned therein, shall, wittingly and willingly, after his being so commissioned, make any false return of the numbers or equipments of the men under his command, and shall be thereof convicted before this, or any future Congress of this colony, or before a general court martial of the army raised by this colony, such officer shall be immedi- ately cashiered. And every person now under nomination, or that shall hereafter be nominated to any office in said forces, that shall, wittingly and willingly, make such false return, shall be deemed inca- pable of holding any commission or command in the forces aforesaid, until the last day of December next.
The petition of Col. Henshaw was read, and committed to the com- mittee who were appointed to consider on some measure for commis- sioning the officers of the army.
Resolved, That the choice of three delegates to meet delegates from the other colonies in New England, at Worcester, be put off to ten o'clock, to-morrow morning.
Ordered, That Mr. Cushing of Hanover, Capt. Stone of Oakham, and Dummer Jewett, Esq., be a committee to take into consideration a petition from the committees of correspondence for the county of Cumberland, and that they sit forthwith.
Ordered, That Major Bliss, Major Brooks and Mr. Sayer, be a com- mittee to consider the account of Capt. Phelps, and to consider what sum is necessary to supply Capt. Phelps with, for transporting to Ti- conderoga the pork he has purchased for our forces there, and bringing the cannon from thence.
Ordered, That Mr. Wheeler be appointed to number the small colo- ny notes, in the room of Mr. Goodwin, who has leave to go home.
The committee appointed to consider the letter from the Stockbridge
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Indians, reported the following, which was accepted, and ordered to be authenticated by the secretary, if the president is not in Watertown, and sent forward.1
To the Moheakounuck tribe of Indians, living in and about Stock- bridge :
BROTHERS : We, this day, by the delegate from Stockbridge, first heard your friendly answer to our speech to you, by Capt. William Goodrich ; which answer, we are told, you made to us immediately, by a letter, which we have not yet received. We now reply.
BROTHERS : You say that you were once great, but that you are now little; and that we were once little, but are now great. The Supreme Spirit orders these things. Whether we are little or great, let us keep the path of friendship clear, which our fathers made, and in which we have both travelled to this time.
The friends of the wicked counsellors of our king fell upon us, and
(1) The talk of the Moheakounuck or Muhhekancok indians was delivered by Solomon Uhhaunnau- waumut, their chief sachem, at Stockbridge, the seat of the tribe, April 11, 1775, after a council of two days. The letter of the interpreter, containing the speech, was delayed in transmission or communication to a late period : it is copied below.
"Brothers ! We have heard you speak by yourletter-we thank you for it-we now make answer." " Brothers ! You remember when you first came over the great waters, I was great, and you was little, very small. I then took you in for a friend, and kept you under my arms, so that no one might injure you : since that time we have ever been true friends ; there has never been any quar- rel between us. But now our conditions are changed. You have become great and tall. You reach to the clouds .- You are seen all round the world, and I am become small, very little. I am not so high as your heel. Now you take care of me, and I look to you for protection."
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