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 40
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" The infringements which have been committed upon the most sacred rights of the crown and the people of Great Britain, are too many to enumerate on one side, and are all too atrocious to be palliated on the other. All unprejudiced people who have been witnesses of the late transactions in this and the neighboring provinces, will find, upon a transient review, marks of premeditation and conspiracy that would justify the fulness of chastisement : and even those who are least ac- quainted with facts, cannot fail to receive a just impression of their enormity, in proportion as they discover the arts and assiduity by which they have been falsified or concealed. The authors of the present unnatural revolt, never daring to trust their cause or their actions to the judgment of an impartial public, or even to the dispassionate reflection of their followers, have uniformly placed their chief confidence in the suppression of truth : and while indefatigable and shameless pains have been taken to obstruct every appeal to the real interest of the people of America, the grossest for- geries, calumnies, and absurdities that ever insulted human understanding, have been imposed upon their credulity. The press, that distinguished appendage of public liberty, and when fairly and im- partially employed, its best support, has been invariably prostituted to the most contrary purposes : the animated language of ancient and virtuous times, calculated to vindicate and promote the just rights and interest of mankind, has been applied to countenance the most abandoned violation of those sacred blessings ; and not only from the flagitious prints, but from the popular harangnes of the times, men have been taught to depend upon activity in treason, for the security of their persons and properties : till, to complete the horrid profanation of terms and of ideas, the name of Gop has been introduced in the pulpits, to excite and justify devastation and massacre."
" The minds of men having been thus gradually prepared for the worst extremities, a number of
331
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Resolved, That Mr. Sullivan have liberty to use the horse in Mr. Fowle's pasture in this town, which was taken lately from Noddle's island, for his journey to Ticonderoga.
Adjourned till to-morrow morning, eight o'clock.
armed persons, to the amount of many thousands, assembled, on the 19th of April last, and, from beliind walls and lurking holes, attacked a detachment of the king's troops, who, not expecting so consummate an act of phrenzy, unprepared for vengeance, and willing to decline it, made use of their arms only in their own defence. "
" Since that period, the rebels, deriving confidence from Impunity, have added insult to outrage ; have repeatedly fired upon the king's ships and subjects, with cannon and small arms ; have possessed the roads, and other communications by which the town of Boston was supplied with provisions ; and with a preposterous parude of military arrangement, they affect to hold the army besleged ; while part of their body make daily and indiscriminate invasions upon private property, aad with a wantonness of cruelty ever incident to lawless tumult, carry depredation and distress wherever they turn their steps. The actions of the 19th of April are of such notoriety, as must baffle all attempts to contradict them ; and the flames of buildings and other property from the islands and adjacent country, for some weeks past, spread a melancholy confirmation of the subse- quiat assorti > 11."
" In this exigency of complicated calamities, I avail myself of the last effort within the bounds of my duty to spare the effusion of blood, to offer, and I do hereby, in his majesty's name, offer and promise his most gracious pardon to all persons who shall forthwith lay down their arms, and return to the duties of peaceablo subjects : excepting only from the beaefit of such pardon, SAMUEL ADAMS and JOHN HANCOCK, whose offences are of too flagitious a nature to admit of any other considera- tion than that of condign punishment."
" And, to the end, tbat no person within the limits of this proffered mercy, may plead ignorance of the consequence of refusing it, I, by these presents, proclaim, not oaly the persons above named aad excepted, but also all their adberents, associates and abcttors ; meaning to comprehend in these terms, all and every person, and persons, of what class, denomination, or description soever, who have appeared ia arıns against the king's governmeat, and shall not lay down the same as before mentioned ; and likewise all such as shall so take arms after the date hereof, or shall, ia any wise, protect or coaceal such offenders, or assist them with money, provision, cattle, arms, ammunition, carriages, or any other necessary for subsistence, or offence ; or shall bold secret correspondeace with them, by letter, message, signal, or otherwise ; to be rebels and traitors, and as such to be treated."
" And wbereas, during the continuance of the present unnatural rebellion, justice cannot be adınin- istered by tho common law of the land, the course whereof lias, for a long time past, been violently impeded, and wholly interrupted, from wheace results a necessity for using and exercising the law martial ; I have, therefore, thought fit, by the authority vested in me by the royal charter to this province, to publish, and I do hereby publish, proclaim and order, the use and exercise of the law martial, within and throughout this province, for so long a time as the present unhappy occasion shall necessarily require ; whereof all persons are hereby required to take notice, and govern them- selves, as well to maintain order and regularity among the peaceable inhabitants of the province, as to resist, encounter, and subdue the rebels and traitors above described by such as shall be called upon for those purposes."
" To these inevitable, but I trust salutary measures, it is a far more pleasing part of my duty to add the assurance of protection and support, to all, who, in so trying a crisis, shall manifest their allegiance to the king, and affection to the parent state : so that such persons as may have been intimidated to quit their habitations in the course of this alarm, may return to their respective call- ings and professions ; aad stand distinct aad separate from the parricides of the constitution, till GOD in his mercy shall restore to his creatures in this distracted land, that system of happiness from which they have been seduced, the religion of peace, aad liberty founded upon law."
" Given at Boston, this twelfth day of June, in the fifteenth year of the reign of his majesty George the third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France aad Ireland, king, defender of the faith, &c. Anno domini, 1775. THOMAS GAGE."
" By his excellency's command, THOMAS FLUCKER, Secretary."
" God save the King."
332
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 14,
WEDNESDAY, June 14, 1775.
Resolved, That the receiver general be and hereby is directed to pay the sum of four hundred pounds to the committee who have been appointed by this Congress to repair to Ticonderoga, to be by said committee appropriated as advance pay to the men enlisted under Col. Benedict Arnold : said committee to be accountable therefor.
Resolved, That the receiver general be, and hereby is directed, to advance the sun of twenty pounds to the committee, who have been appointed by this Congress to go to Ticonderoga, in cash, or bills of credit, at the option of said committee, for their expenses, they to be accountable therefor.
The committee appointed to consider the petition of Abner Graves and others, reported, that the petitioners have leave to withdraw their petition. The report was accepted.
Ordered, That Capt. Stone, Col. Warren, Col. Grout, Mr. North and Col. Otis, be a committee to consider the report of Col. Thomp- son and the petition of Mr. Parry, and report.
Resolved, That the first Thursday in July next, be appointed to be observed as a day of fasting and prayer throughout this colony, and that the Hon. Col. Palmer, Hon. Mr. Sever and Mr. Hopkins, be a committee to bring in a resolve for this purpose.
Ordered, That Col. Robinson, Mr. Webster, Major Fuller, Capt. Holmes and Mr. Edwards, be a committee to consider some way and means of furnishing those who are destitute of arms in the Massachu- setts army.
Ordered, That the committee who were chosen to repair to Ticon- deroga, be directed to revise the papers that respect the fortress there, and take such as they may think they shall want, and that this Congress will not have occasion for.
Ordered, That Mr. Phillips, Mr. Jewett and Mr. Hopkins, be a committee to devise some means for securing the library and apparatus of Harvard College.
Ordered, That Col. Gerrish, Mr. Parker and Mr. Caldwell, be a committee to consider the request of Joseph Palmer (quarter master general) for providing tents or barracks for the army at Cambridge.
Ordered, 'That three o'clock this afternoon be assigned for the choice of a second major general, and the committees who are now out be notified of the same.
Ordered, That the consideration of a report for giving a currency to the bills of credit of the other governments, be referred to four o'clock this afternoon.
[775.]
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
333
Ordered, That Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Lothrop, Col. Smith, Mr. Stearns and Capt. Ellis, be a committee to consider the propriety of supplying the generals of the Massachusetts army at Cambridge and Roxbury, with some necessary household furniture.
Ordered, That Col. Coffin, Doct. Taylor and Mr. Pickering, be a committee to disperse the resolves of Congress relative to the embargo laid upon the exportation of fish, &c.
[Afternoon.]
Upon a motion made, Col. Prescott was chosen to countersign the notes, instead of Col. Foster, absent, who was appointed for that pur- pose.
The order of the day [was] moved for.
Mr. Lothrop, Capt. Cushing and Capt. Dwight, were chosen a com- mittee to count and sort the votes for a second major general, who re- ported that Doct. Joseph Warren was chosen.
Resolved, That Col. Grout, Col. Berry and Col. Otis, be a commit- tee to wait on the Hon. John Whitcomb, Esq., and inform himn this Congress have made choice of him for first major general of the Mas- sachusetts army, and desire his answer to this Congress of his accep- tance of said trust; also, to wait on the Hon. Joseph Warren, Esq., and inform him this Congress have made choice of him for second major general of the Massachusetts army, and desire his answer to this Congress of his acceptance of said trust.
The committee appointed to consider some measures for preventing the violation of the sabbath, reported : the report was recommitted.
The committee appointed to devise some measures for securing the library and apparatus of Harvard College, reported : the report was re- committed for amendment.
Mr. Sinith, Mr. Lothrop and Major Brooks, were chosen on the committee appointed to take into consideration the artificers, which may be necessary for the army in pay of this colony, instead of Major Hawley, Capt. Stone of Framingham, and Hon. Mr. Spooner, absent.
Major Davis [was] chosen instead of Hon. Mr. Spooner, absent, on the committee appointed to consider a petition from Charlestown.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve for a day of fasting and prayer, reported : the report was recommitted for amendment, viz : that the following things might be mentioned : blessing on the Conti- nental Congress; unity of the colonies ; health ; fruitful seasons ; &c., &c.
Col. Richmond, per order, reported the following resolve :
Whereas, it appears to this Congress, that it is absolutely necessary
334
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 15,
that proper officers be put in commission to command the train of ar- tillery, and that it be done without delay : Resolved, that the committee of supplies be directed forthwith to recommend such officers to this Congress, as they shall think proper for the purposes aforesaid.
The consideration of the currency of the notes for the payment of soldiers, [was] assigned to to-morrow morning, nine o'clock.
Mr. Samuel Thatcher was appointed to number the notes, instead of Mr. Samuel Phillips, who is otherwise engaged.
Resolved, 'That the receiver general be, and hereby is directed, to supply Col. Robinson to-morrow, with such money for advance pay for the soldiers, as he was to have received this day.
THURSDAY, June 15, 1775.
Ordered, That Mr. Gridley's letter respecting officers of the train, and artificers, be committed to the committee who were appointed the 10th instant, to consider how many artificers were necessary, &c.
Ordered, That Col. Barrett, Capt. Dwight and Capt. Page, be a committee to consider what measures it would be proper to take, that the army may be supplied with no provisions but what are good in kind.
The resolve relative to securing the library and apparatus of Harvard College, was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Whereas, it is expedient that those apartments in Harvard Hall, under the immediate charge of the professor of philosophy and libra- rian of Harvard College, be evacuated, Resolved, that the library, ap- paratus, and other valuables of Harvard College, be removed, as soon as may be, to the town of Andover ; [and] that Mr. Samuel Phillips, Mr. Daniel Hopkins, and Duminer Jewett, Esq., be a committee to consult with the reverend, the president, the Hon. Mr. Winthrop and the libra- rian, or such of them as may be conveniently obtained, and with them to engage some suitable person or persons in said town, to transport, receive, and take the charge of the above mentioned effects ; that said committee join with those gentlemen, in employing proper persons for packing said library, apparatus, and such other articles as they shall judge expedient, and take all due care that it be done with the greatest safety and despatch : and as the packages shall be completed, that they give notice to those engaged to receive them : the charges to be laid before this, or some future Congress, or house of assembly of this province ..
Ordered, That the letters prepared for the Continental Congress,
335
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
New York, and the several governments in New England, be authenti- cated and sent forward as soon as may be. They are as follow, viz. :
Considering the exposed state of the frontiers of some of the colo- nies, the danger that the inhabitants of Canada may possibly have disagreeable apprehensions from the military preparations making in several of the other colonies, and the rumors that there are some appearances of their getting themselves in readiness to act in a hostile way, this Congress have made application to the Hon. Continental Congress, desiring them to take suchi measures as to them shall appear proper, to quiet and conciliate the minds of the Canadians, and to pre- vent such alarming apprehensions. We have also had the most disa- greeable accounts of methods taken to fill the minds of the Indian tribes adjacent to these colonies, with sentiments very injurious to us : par- ticularly 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 have therefore desired the Hon. Continental Congress, that they would, with all convenient speed, use their influence in guarding against the evil intended by this malevolent misrepresentation. And we desire you to join with us in such application.
To the Continental Congress, New York, and the several governments in New England.
Voted, To accept the report for directing the committee of safety to take immediate care to provide houses for the soldiers near the camp in Cambridge, if tents cannot be had, at the expense of the colony. It is as follows, viz : The committee appointed to take under considera- tion the petition of the quarter master general, and committee of safe- ty, have attended that service, and report, that the committee of safety be directed to take immediate care to provide houses for the soldiers near the camp in Cambridge, if tents cannot be had, at the expense of the colony.
Ordered, That to-morrow, at three o'clock in the afternoon, be as- signed for the choice of four brigadier generals, two adjutant generals, and two quarter master generals.
Ordered, That the petition of Ephraim Perry, and four others, in- habitants of Fox Island, be committed to the committee appointed to consider the circumstances of the sea coasts.
Voted, To accept the report for advising a number of towns and districts, as per schedule annexed to the report, who have fire-arms, to deposit the same with their respective town or district treasurers, for the use of the army. It is as follows, viz :
-
336
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 15,
Whereas, some of the inhabitants of the plantations in this colony not incorporated, and some of the inhabitants of the neighboring colonies, together with a number of the late inhabitants of the town of Boston, have enlisted into the arıny now raising in this colony ; therefore, [ are] not provided with arms by a resolve of Congress, dated May 9th, 1775, empowering the selectmen to supply the inhabitants of their respective towns, with arms, &c. : therefore, Resolved, that the inhabitants of the several towns and districts in the counties of Worcester, Hampshire, and other counties specified in a list hereunto annexed, who may have good and sufficient fire-arms and bayonets, be advised hereby, immedi- ately to deposit the same with the respective town or district treasur- ers, to the number at least of so many in each town or district, as is specified in said list, for which arms and bayonets, or arms alone, where bayonets are not to be had, each owner shall receive so much as his arms and bayonets shall be valued [at], by the selectmen of the town or district in which he dwells, of the treasurer of said town or district, in bills of credit of this colony, within thirty days after the arms are delivered, for which bills are to be taken, in the name of this colony, attested by the selectmen aforesaid. And the amount of such bills, with an order from such treasurer, the committee of supplies of this colony are hereby ordered to pay, together with the expense of transporting said arms to the store of said committee in Watertown. And further, the selectmen and committees of correspondence, together with the treasurers of the towns and districts aforesaid, are hereby di- rected to give their aid in collecting and transporting said arms with the greatest despatch.
County of Worcester .- Worcester, 30; Lancaster, 32; Mendon, `24; Brookfield, 31; Oxford 11; Charlton, 11; Sutton, 31; Leicester, 12; Spencer, 10; Paxton, 6; Rutland, 15; Oakham, 6; Hubbardston, 2; New Braintree, 10; Southborough, 12; Westborough, 12; Northborough, 8; Shrewsbury, 22; Lunen- burg, 16; Fitchburg, 6; Uxbridge, 16; Harvard, 16; Dudley, 10; Hutchinson, 13; Bolton, 15; Upton, 6; Sturbridge, 12; Leominster, 12; Hardwick, 17; Western, 11; Holden, 8; Douglas, 7; Grafton, 12; Petersham, 12; Royalston, 2; West- minster, 10; Athol, 6; Templeton, 8; Princeton, 8; Ash- burnham, 3; Winchendon, 3; 514
Hampshire .- Springfield, 22 ;. West Springfield, 23; Wilbraham, 10; Northampton, 22; Southampton, 8; Hadley, 9; South Hadley, 7; Amherst, 10; Granby, 5; Hatfield, 11; Whateley,
-
337
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
4; Williamsburg, 3; Westfield, 16; Deerfield, 12 ; Greenfield, 8; Shelburne, 4; Conway, 5; Sunderland, 7; Montague, 6; Northfield, 8; Brimfield, 13; South Brimfield, 8; Monson, 6; Pelham, 12; Greenwich, 8; Blanford, 5; Palmer, 8; Gran- ville, 14; New Salem, 6; Belchertown, 8; Colraine, 5; Ware, 4; Warwick, 3; Bernardston, 4; Murrayfield, 5; Charlemont, 3; Ashfield, 4; Worthington, 2; Shutesbury, 4; Chesterfield, 6; Southwick, 6; , 334
Suffolk .- Wrentham, 25; Medway, 10; Bellingham, 6; Wal- pole, 8; 49
Middlesex .- Marlborough, 20; Littleton, 10; Hopkinton, 10; Westford, 10; Stow, 7; Groton, 8; Shirley, 4; Pepperel, 6; Townshend, 5; Dracut, 7; Holliston, 6; Acton, 5; Dunsta- ble, 4 ; 102
Plymouth .- Bridgewater, 25; Middleborough, 16; 41
Bristol .- Attleborough, 10; Rehoboth, 15; . 25
Worcester, 514; Hampshire, 334; Suffolk, 49; Middlesex, 102 ; Plymouth, 41; Bristol, 25 : in all, . 1065
Voted, To accept the report for providing a magazine of fire-arms for this colony : also, that said report be printed in the several news- papers, viz :
Whereas, it is necessary that this colony be provided with a maga- zine of arms which are good and sufficient ; therefore, Resolved, that any person or persons, who may have such to sell, shall receive so much for them, as the selectmen of the town or district in which he or they may dwell, shall appraise said arms at, upon the delivery of the same to the committee of supplies at Watertown, and exhibiting a cer- tificate of said appraisement, attested by said selectmen, to the com- mittee aforesaid; provided said delivery be made within one month from the date hereof.
Afternoon.
Ordered, That Mr. Parker, Col. Thompson, and Mr. Aiken, be a committee to apply to the committee of supplies, and the generals of the army, and inquire whether the army is sufficiently supplied with ammunition.
Ordered, That Daniel Davis, Esq., be on the committee appointed to take care of the estates of the refugees, in the room of Mr. Partridge, who is absent.
43
338
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 15,
The committee appointed to examine and consider two accounts exhibited to this Congress by Mr. John Brown, reported : The report on each of them, was accepted, and is as follows, viz : The committee appointed to examine the within account, beg leave to report, that the same be laid on the table till Mr. Brown exhibits an account of particu- lars with his journal.
JOHN HALE, per order.
The committee appointed to examine the within account, beg leave to report, that it does not appear to them that the within mentioned services were rendered in consequence of an application by any person employed by this colony. JOHN HALE, per order.
Ordered, That Col. Warren, Mr. Sever, and Col. Otis, be a com- mittee to consider the application of the Reverend Dr. Langdon, pres- ident of Harvard College, and report thereon.
The committee appointed to consider the claims and pretensions of several colonels in the army, reported : which report was accepted : whereupon, Ordered, that Col's. Glover, David Brewer, Woodbridge, Little, and Jonathan Brewer, be commissioned as colonels in the Massachusetts army, and that [Joseph] Haven, Esq., administer the oath prescribed by Congress. The report is as follows, viz :
The committee appointed to consider the claims and pretensions of the several gentlemen hereafter named, who suppose that they have just grounds to expect of this honorable Congress, that they should re- ceive commissions appointing them severally to be chief colonels in the Massachusetts army, now raising for the defence of the rights of this and the neighboring colonies, namely : Col. Glover, Gen. Heath, Col. David Brewer, Col. Robinson, Col. Woodbridge, Col. Little, Col. Henshaw, and Col. Jonathan Brewer, beg leave to report the following state of facts to this Congress, viz : That the colonels Glover, David Brewer, Woodbridge, Little, Henshaw, and Jonathan Brewer, have exhibited their claims to your committee, and according to the returns which the said gentlemen have respectively made to us, the said Col. Glover has levied ten companies, making in the whole 505 men, inclu- sive of officers ; and about three quarters of the said number armed with effective firelocks; who are willing and choose to serve in the said army, under him the said Glover ; all now at Marblehead :
That the said David Brewer has levied nine companies, amounting, inclusive of officers, to the number of 465 men, who choose to serve under him as their colonel; and that 307 of the said men are armed with effective fire-arms; and that said companies, excepting 34 men who are on their way to head quarters, are posted at Roxbury, Dor- chester, and Watertown :
That the said Woodbridge has levied eight companies, amounting,
339
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
inclusive of officers, to the number of 354 men, who choose to serve under him as their chief colonel, and that 273 of the said inen, are armed with good effective firelocks, and that all the said men, except- ing seven, are now in the camp at Cambridge; the said seven men are on the road hither :
And that the said Little has raised eight companies, according to General Ward's return, amounting, inclusive of officers, to the number of 509 inen, who choose to serve under him as their chief colonel ; and all the said men are armed with good effective firelocks, and 382 of them with good bayonets, fitted to their firelocks; and that seven of the said companies are at the camp in Cambridge, and one company at Cape Ann, by order of the committee of safety :
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