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 39
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32
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Resolved, That two persons be appointed to repair to the fortress of Ticonderoga, to examine into the state of that fortress, and of affairs there, and to act in such a manner as they shall be directed by this Congress, and that four o'clock in the afternoon be assigned for the choice of such persons, by ballot, and that the Hon. Major Hawley, Hon. Col. Warren and Mr. Sullivan, be a committee to prepare in structions for such delegates.
The committee who were appointed to consider the expediency of establishing a number of armed vessels, reported : the consideration of the report was put off to ten o'clock to-morrow morning.
Hon. Mr. Dexter, one of the committee who were appointed to pre- pare letters to the Continental Congress, New York and the New England governments, being absent, Ordered, that the Hon. Mr. Spooner be appointed in his room.
Ordered, That Mr. Sayer be directed forthwith to fill up and deliver commissions to the officers of Col. Whitcomb's regiment.
Ordered, [That] Mr. ["Holten], Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Colvill, be a committee to consider the petition of Mr. Ebenezer Prout.
Ordered, That Doct. Whiting, Doct. Taylor and Mr. Parks, be a committee to consider some method of supplying the several surgeons of the army with medicines.
The committee appointed to prepare a letter to the Continental Con- gress, &c., reported the following, which was accepted, viz. :
May it please your honors :
The views of administration having been made evident, by their conduct for some years past, and the late regulations of civil and ec- clesiastical polity of Quebec having clearly discovered an intention to make use of the Canadians as engines to reduce this continent to sla- very, it has been found absolutely necessary for the preservation of the liberties of America, to take possession of the important pass of Ticon- deroga, and to send forward a sufficient force to hold the same against any attempt which may be made to retake it, and to prevent general Carlton from sending forces by the way of the lakes to annoy and dis- tress the frontiers ; but, as we apprehend, there never has been any in- tention to give the least disturbance to our brethren of Canada, to whom we most sincerely wish the full and free enjoyment of their civil and re- ligious rights. We humbly request, that your honors would take such steps, to prevent any false impressions, which our enemies may attempt to make on their minds concerning our designs, or to remove any such
a [FoIten.]
41
322
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 12,
as have already been made, as you, in your wisdom, shall think most expedient : as we look upon it to be of the utmost importance that there should no jealousies subsist between them and the other colonies. We also have had the most disagreeable accounts of methods taken to fill the minds of the Indian tribes adjacent to these colonies with senti- ments very injurious to us ; particularly we have been informed that Col. Guy Johnson has taken great pains with the Six Nations, in order to bring them into a belief, that it is designed by the colonies to fall upon them and cut them off. We therefore pray you would, with all the speed convenient, use your very great influence in guarding against the evil intended by this malevolent misrepresentation. And we have wrote to our sister colonies in New England, and to New York, re- questing they would make a similar application to you respecting these matters.
We are your most obedient, humble servants.
Resolved, That the vote for choosing two persons to repair to the fortress of Ticonderoga be so far reconsidered, as that there be three persons chosen, instead of two, for that service.
[Afternoon.]
Ordered, That Col. Farley, Major Brooks and Mr. Cross, be a com- mittee to consider and report what is proper to be done with the grass growing on the estates of the refugees at Cambridge, Charlestown, Roxbury and Milton, [who reported as follows :]
The committee appointed to take into consideration the resolve of the committee of safety relative to certain quantities of grass growing on the lands of the refugees in and about Cambridge, have attended that service, and beg leave to report by way of resolve.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the committee of safety, that they appoint some person or persons in the towns hereafter mentioned, viz .: Cambridge, Charlestown, Roxbury and Milton, to cut the grass and secure the hay growing on the estates of the refugees, in the above mentioned towns, in some convenient place, for the benefit of the col- ony, as to them shall seem meet.
Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Hon. Col. Warren and Col. Gerrish, be a committee to consider what is best to be done with respect to a vessel said to be going from Salem to New Providence for fruit and turtle for the army at Boston.
Resolved, That Mr. Gerry have leave to bring in a resolve for pre- venting the exportation of fish and other provisions.
The resolve was accordingly read and accepted, and ordered to be
323
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
printed in hand bills, and sent to the several maritime towns in this colony, and is as follows, viz. :
Whereas, the enemies of America are multiplying their cruelties to- wards the inhabitants of the New England colonies, by seizing provi- sion vessels, either the property of, or intended to supply them, and also by plundering the stock of cattle, sheep, &c., on their sea coasts ; [therefore] Resolved, that it be, and it is hereby, recommended to the inhabitants of the towns and districts in this colony that they forthwith exert themselves to prevent the exportation of fish and all other kinds of provision, excepting such only, as shall be intended to supply the inhabitants of the colonies aforesaid, and as, in the opinion of the selectmen, and committee of correspondence, and committees of safety of the towns where the same shall' be stored, may, with prudence, be shipped for conveyance by water for the purpose aforesaid. And it is strongly recommended to the selectmen, committees of correspondence, and committees of safety, thoughout the colony, that they cause this resolve to be strictly executed.
The committee appointed to consider some method for supplying the surgeons in the army with medicine, reported : the report was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
The committee appointed to take into consideration a complaint that the surgeons in the armny are not properly furnished with medicines, have attended that service, and beg leave to report : that whereas, it appears that there is not, as yet, a sufficient number of medicine chests provided, to furnish each regiment with a distinct chest ; and whereas, the committee of supplies are making provision for the supplying of each regiment with such medicine chests as soon as possible : there- fore, Resolved, that the committee of supplies be, and hereby are direct- ed, immediately to furnish the surgeon of the first regiment at Cam- bridge, and also the surgeon of the first regiment at Roxbury, each of them, with a medicine chest, for the present; and that all the other surgeons in the army at Cambridge and Roxbury, have free recourse to the said chests, and be supplied from them, from time to time, as they shall find occasion, until more ample provision shall be made for them : all which is humbly submitted, and the committee beg leave to sit again. WILLIAM WHITING, per order.
Ordered, That the same committee be appointed to examine into the medical stores, and niake a list of what is necessary for the supply- ing each regiment, that the same may be laid before the committee : and that the same committee consider what medicines are necessary, and bring in a list of what medicines are in the medicinal store : and
324
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 12,
that they be directed to report what instruments are necessary for the surgeons of the army.
The committee appointed to consider what is best to be done rela- tive to a vessel going from Salem to New Providence, reported : the report was read and accepted, and is as follows :
Whereas, this Congress has been informed, that a schooner belong- ing to the Ervings, in Boston, is fitted out, under color of being char- tered by one Thompson, who has lately fled from Medford to Boston ; but is really destined to Salem, and from there to New Providence, to get fruit, turtle, and provisions of other kinds, for the sustenance and feasting of those troops, who are, as pirates and robbers, committing daily hostilities and depredations on the good people of this colony, and all America; it is, therefore, Resolved, that Capt. Samuel McCobb, a member of this Congress, be immediately despatched to Salem and Marblehead, to secure said Thompson, and prevent said vessel from going said voyage, and cause the said Thompson to be brought to this Congress : and the committees of correspondence, safety and inspec- tion of said towns, and all the good people of this colony, are directed to give the said Capt. McCobb all needed assistance therein.
Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Capt. Stone and Major Bliss, be a committee to count and sort the votes for three gentlemen as a com- mittee to meet committees from the other governments of New Eng- land, at Worcester, on the 28th of June current.
The committee, having attended that service, reported, that the Hon. Mr. Dexter, the Hon. Major Hawley and the Hon. Mr. Sever, were chosen. The Hon. Major Hawley and the Hon. Mr. Sever, having desired to be excused, and having offered their reasons therefor, they were excused accordingly ; whereupon,
Resolved, That ten o'clock to-morrow morning, be assigned for the choice of two persons, in the room of Major Hawley and Mr. Sever, to attend the said convention at Worcester, on the 28th of June current.
Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Capt. Stone and Major Bliss, be a committee to count and sort the votes for three gentlemen to go to Ti- conderoga.
The committee having attended that service reported, that the Hon. Mr. Spooner, Hon. Col. Foster and Mr. Sullivan, were chosen.
Resolved, That the choice of two major generals, be referred to to- morrow morning, eleven o'clock.
Ordered, That the petition from the county of Cumberland, laid on the table by the committee who were appointed to consider of it, be
325
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
cominitted to the committee who were appointed to consider the cir- cumstances of the sea coasts.
The report of the committee of safety, relative to the claims of those who stand as candidates for commissions in the army, &c., was read, and, with the papers accompanying it, was committed to the Hon. Ma- jor Hawley, Col. Farley, Capt. Greenleaf, Doct. Taylor, Capt. Stone, Mr. Partridge and Col. Sayer.
The committee on Mr. Prout's petition reported, that he have leave to withdraw it. The report was accepted.
It was moved and seconded, that the resolve for choosing commit- tees to meet committees from the other governments in New England, at Worcester, the 28th current, be reconsidered : and it was thereupon Resolved, that the further consideration of this motion be referred to ten o'clock to-morrow morning.
The petitions of Col. Brewer and his officers, being read, were com- mitted to the committee to whom were this day committed the report of the committee of safety, and the papers accompanying it.
The committee on the petition of Davis & Coverly, reported : the report was read and accepted, and is as follows :
Whereas, application has been made to this Congress by Messrs. Davis & Coverly, merchants of Boston, representing that they have a quantity of English goods now in Boston, and that Henry Barns, of Marlborough, has a quantity of English goods, nearly of the same quality, in said Marlborough, and therefore pray that they may have leave to make an exchange : Resolved, that the prayer of said petition be granted, and that the petitioners have leave to make the exchange asked for.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve for appointing a number of armorers, reported.1 The report being read and amended, was [ªaccepted.]
TUESDAY, June 13, 1775.
A letter from Governor Trumbull was read, enclosing a letter from Col. Arnold, and three resolves of the Continental Congress : all which were committed to the committee who were appointed to prepare in- structions to the committees that are to repair to Ticonderoga.
Resolved, That there be twenty-three regiments commissioned, ex- clusive of the regiment of matrosses.
Ordered, That Mr. Webster, Col. Richmond and Major Wood, be
a [accepted and is as follows.]
(1) The report has not been entered on the journal, nor is it preserved on the files.
-
326
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 13,
a committee to consider the petition of Abner Graves and others, and that they hear the petitioners, and notify Capt. Dexter of time and place.1
['The] order of the day [was] moved for.
Absent members [were] directed to attend.
Resolved, That the further consideration of the report relative to the establishment of armed vessels, be put off to three o'clock, in the af- ternoon, and that the committee of safety and committee of supplies be notified of this resolve.
Ordered, That Col. Otis and Col. Grout be added to the committee who were appointed to deliver out commissions.
Resolved, That the resolve for the appointment of a convention of committees from the several governments at Worcester, be reconsid- ered, as well as the vote whereby a committee was appointed by this Congress, and the vote assigning a tiine for the choice of two members in the room of two members of that committee who were excused.
Ordered, That Mr. Partridge, Mr. Sayer, and Major Brooks, be a committee to receive and count the votes for the major generals.
Ordered, That only one major general be chosen at a time, and that the gentleman first chosen be the first major general.
Resolved, That the committees who may at any time be appointed to receive and count votes for the choice of any person to any office or appointment, be strictly enjoined to allow no member to shift or change a vote after it is put into the hat.
The committee appointed to receive the votes for the first major gen- eral, reported, that Col. John Whitcomb was chosen.
Resolved, That the choice of the second major general be referred to five o'clock in the afternoon.
An account of Mr. Charles Cotton was read, and committed to Mr. Pickering, Mr. Batchelder, and Mr. Dwight.
An account from Mr. Taylor, was likewise exhibited, and committed to Col. Richmond, Mr. Singletary, and Mr. Hale, to examine, consider of, and report upon.
Two accounts of Mr. John Brown were also read, and committed to Mr. Hale, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Vose, Col. Thompson, and Major Bliss.
Ordered, That Mr. Lothrop, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Fessenden, be a committee to consider the expediency of appointing Ensign Foley to be an armorer in the Massachusetts army, in addition to the number
(1) The petition related to military rank and organization.
327
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
which this Congress have ordered to be appointed, and to consider what his pay shall be, if they think it proper he should be appointed.
The committee on Charles Colten's account, reported ; whereupon, Resolved, that the receiver general be, and hereby is directed, to pay to Mr. Charles Colten out of the public treasury, the sum of ££13 18s. 8d. in full for his account this day exhibited to, and allowed by, this Con- gress.
The committee appointed yesterday to consider the report of the committee of safety, reported the following resolve, which was ac- cepted; and Capt. Stone, Capt. Dwight, and Mr. Kollock, were or- dered to give due information thereof to the colonels therein mentioned, viz :
Resolved, That Colonels Glover, Heath, David Brewer, Robinson, Woodbridge, Henshaw, Little, Jonathan Brewer, be directed, by next Thursday morning, at 8 o'clock, to make a true return to the commit- tee on the claims and pretensions of the several gentlemen claiming to be commissioned as colonels; of the number of captains, who, with their respective companies, do choose to serve under the above named gentlemen respectively as colonels ; and of the number of men ; and of the number of effective fire-arms in each company ; and of the place or places where said companies are : on pain of forfeiting all pretensions to a commission of a colonel, in case of making a false return.
Afternoon.
An account of Mrs. Dorothy Coolidge was read, and committed to Doct. Taylor, Col. Thompson, and Mr. Bent.
[The] order of the day [was] moved for.
The report of the committee on the expediency of establishing a number of armed vessels was considered, and after a very long debate, the further consideration of it was referred to Friday next, at eleven o'clock, A. M.
The committee who were appointed to prepare instructions to the gentlemen chosen by this Congress to repair to Ticonderoga, reported : the report was read, and accepted, and is as follows, viz .:
To Walter Spooner, Jedediah Foster, and James Sullivan, Esquires :
You are directed to proceed, as soon as may be, to the posts of Ti- conderoga and Crown Point, by the road through the new settlements, called the New Hampshire Grants ; that you carefully observe the quality of the said road, and judge of the feasibleness of transporting provisions by the said road to the waters of Lake Champlain ; that you
.
328
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 13,
take with you copies of the commission and instructions of the com- mittee of safety to Col. Benedict Arnold, and inform yourselves as fully as you shall be able, in what manner the said Col. Arnold has exe- cuted his said commission and instructions.
That you make and give to the said Arnold, and any men whom he shall, by virtue of the said commission and instructions retain in the service of this colony, such orders as to you shall seem meet : provided always, that you do not authorize the said Arnold to engage and re- tain in the pay of this Colony, as soldiers, a greater number than that specified in his said commission and instructions, and provided that the said Arnold and his men whom he has retained are free and willing to continue at one or both of the said posts, under the command of such chief officer as is, or shall be appointed by the government of Connecti- cut ; and in case you shall order such number of inen to be continued at or near the said posts in the pay of this colony, as you shall judge it necessary there should be, that you appoint a committee of one or more persons, in the pay of this colony, to provide supplies for such men, and a commissary to deal out such supplies to them : which commit- tee and commissary you are to appoint in writing under your hands.
And you are to determine and order, respecting the said Arnold's continuing in the commission and pay of this colony, as to you shall appear most for the general service and safety, after having made your- selves fully acquainted with the spirit, capacity, and conduct of the said Arnold. And in case you shall judge it proper to discharge the said Arnold, that you direct him to return to this colony, and render his ac- count of the disposition of the money, ammunition, and other things which he received at his setting out upon his expedition, and also of the charges he has incurred, and the debts which he has contracted in behalf of this colony, by virtue of the commission and instructions aforesaid.
And in case you shall find any men at the said posts properly re- tained, and engaged there in the service of this colony, that you cause them and their arms to be mustered, and that to such as shall pass mus- ter, you pay out of the money which you shall receive from our receiver general for that purpose, the same advance pay as is by order of Con- gress paid to such men as are retained and mustered to serve within the colony ; and in case you shall not find any men at the said posts, prop- erly engaged and retained in the service of this colony, or that the number which you shall find so retained, shall be much short of the number which said Arnold was empowered to enlist, that then you, if you shall judge that the effectual security of the said posts shall require
329
1775.]
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
it, and if you shall also find a proper person in those parts, fit and suit- able for the command of four hundred men, or such less number, as to- gether with such as you shall find ordered and posted there by any other colony or colonies, and shall also find that soldiers çan be raised in those parts so seasonably, as that thereby the effectual maintenance of the said posts may be served or promoted ; you are to appoint meet persons to be officers and commanders for such a number of men as you shall order to be enlisted, and give the necessary orders for raising, enlisting, and maintaining them, for such term as you shall judge neces- sary for defence of said posts, and also appoint some sufficient and faithful man as muster inaster and pay master of such men, and leave sufficient money in his hands for that purpose, taking proper receipts and his security that the money so left shall be applied to that use. And you are to take a careful survey of the ordnance stores, and ord- nance at those posts, together with all other articles necessary for the maintenance thereof, and report the state thereof to this Congress. And if you shall find it necessary to purchase powder for the men who shall be retained there on the part of this colony, that .you procure the same, and so much as you shall judge needful, in the best and most ex- peditious way you can, on the credit of this colony. And in general, you are hereby fully empowered to do every thing, in behalf of this col- ony, for the effectual securing and maintaining those posts which you shall judge necessary, equal to the importance of the same.
You are further directed, when you shall have transacted what you are by the foregoing instructions authorized to do and transact, at the posts abovesaid, by the very first opportunity, to advise the General American Congress thereof, as also of your opinion of the necessity and importance of maintaining the said posts for the general defence of these colonies : and when you shall have made yourselves fully ac- quainted with the state and condition of the said posts, and the dispo- sitions and establishments which you shall find are made for maintain- ing of them, if you shall judge that any further provisions are neces- sary for securing and maintaining them, you are directed, fully and re- spectfully, to signify your thoughts thereon to the General Congress. You are also directed to advise the general convention of the colony of New York, and the governor of the colony of Connecticut, respect- ively, of what you shall order and transact, by virtue of the said in- structions.
The committee appointed to consider the expediency of appointing Ensign Falley, of Col. Danielson's regiment, an armorer in the Massa-
42
330
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 13,
chusetts army, in addition to the number already ordered, and to con- sider what his pay shall be, if it is thought proper by this Congress, he should be appointed, have attended that service, and beg leave to re- port as follows, viz :
That, whereas, it has been represented to your committee, that the armorers, or many of them, who are already established, are very im- perfect in the business they profess, and that the above said Falley is a complete master of the same ; in consideration of which, your commit- tee think it of the highest importance, that he (the said Falley) should be employed in said department, and be allowed and paid forty shil- lings per month, in addition to his pay as an ensign, and be under the same rules and regulations as the other armorers already appointed, or to be appointed ; all which is humbly submitted.
ISAAC LOTHROP, per order.
Ordered, That the president, Col. Warren, Col. Palmer, Mr. Sever and Doct. Taylor, be a committee to consider the subject matter of a late extraordinary proclamation of general Gage.1
(1) The celebrated proclamation of general Gage was promulgated June 12, 1775.
By his excellency, the honorable Thomas Gage, Esq., governor and commander in chief, in and over his majesty's province of Massachusetts Bay, and vice admiral of the same :
A PROCLAMATION.
" Whereas, the infatuated multitudes, who have long suffered themselves to be conducted by cer- tain well known incendiaries and traitors, in a fatal progression of crimes against the constitutional authority of the state, have, at length, proceeded to avowed rebellion ; and the good effects which were expected to arise from the patience and lenity of the king's government, have been often frustrated, and are now rendered hopeless, by the influence of the same evil counsels ; it only re- mains for those who are entrusted with supreme rule as well for the punishment of the guilty as the protection of the well affected, to prove they do not bear the sword in vain."
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