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 41
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And that the said Jonathan Brewer has levied eight companies, amounting, inclusive of officers, to the number of 397 men, who choose to serve under him, the said Jonathan, as their chief colonel ; and that 302 of the said men are armed with good firelocks; and that all the said men, excepting 27 who are on the road hither, are posted at Cam- bridge and Brookline; and the said Brewer supposes, from accounts he has received, that one Capt. Murray is on the road from Hatfield hither with a full company :
And that the said Col. Henshaw has 'returned to us, that he has a prospect of several companies arriving shortly here, who, he supposes, would be inclined to serve under him as their chief colonel :
And that general Heath, and Col. Robinson, have made no returns to us, your committee, of their levies, or whether they are willing to serve in the said army as colonels :
And upon these facts, your committee are clearly of opinion, that the safety of the country, and the promoting the public service, make it highly necessary and expedient, that the said colonels Glover, David Brewer, Woodbridge, Little, and Jonathan Brewer, be, without any delay, commissioned as chief colonels in the army aforesaid : and that their field officers, captains, and subalterns, be also commissioned, as soon as a list of them can be settled, inasmuch as your committee are fully satisfied from good documents, that all the men contained in the 19 regiments already organized, together with all the men levied by the said Colonels Glover, D. Brewer, Woodbridge, Little, and Jona- than Brewer, together with an allowance of 450 men, which may have been enlisted by general Heath, and the like number by Col. Robinson, will fall considerably short of amounting to 13,600 men ; and also, because your committee apprehend that this Congress may, without any injustice to the field officers already commissioned, or any other, make such orders, that the amount of the pay of the whole
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army may not be unreasonably enhanced by a greater number of regi- ments, than, by the last establishment it was intended the army should consist of; all which is most humbly submitted by your committee.
JOSEPH HAWLEY, per order.
Adjourned to Friday morning, 8 o'clock.
FRIDAY, June 16, 1775.
Resolved, That this Congress will take into consideration a resolve offered to the Congress by the committee of supplies, through the hands of Major Fuller, relative to supplying the soldiers with rum.
The resolve was accordingly considered and accepted, and is as follows, viz :
Whereas, by a resolve of Congress, relative to the allowance of sol- diers, no provision is made for the delivery of rum, or spirituous liquors, upon extraordinary occasions : Resolved, That the commanding offi- cer of the army, the lieutenant general, the major generals, and the brigadier generals, be, and hereby are respectively empowered, to draw on the commissary for spirituous liquors, for such soldiers, as from time to time, they may think necessary to supply therewith ; provided always, that the said general officers shall not allow any soldiers spirit- uous liquors as aforesaid, unless upon extraordinary duty, or other- wise particularly circumstanced.
Ordered, That the Hon. Major Hawley, Hon. Col. Gerrish, Hon. Col. Warren, Col. Prescott, Col. Farley, Mr. Aiken, and Doct. Hall, be a committee to consider a resolve of the committee relative to an augmentation of the army, a supply of arms to the soldiery, &c., and re- port thereon.
[The] order of the day [was] moved for, for further considering the report of the committee, respecting the expediency of fitting out some armed vessels : Voted, that there be a further assignment thereof, viz : to three o'clock, P. M.
Ordered, That John Row, captain; Mark Pool, lieutenant ; Ebene- zer Cleveland, ensign ; be commissioned in Col. Bridge's regiment.
Ordered, That Col. Richmond, Doct. Taylor, and Mr. Partridge, be a committee to draw a complaisant letter to Gen. Whitcomb, to desire a more explicit answer respecting his acceptance of the post of first major general, [who reported the following :]
WATERTOWN, June 16, 1775.
SIR :- Your letter wherein you express yourself willing to continue in the service of this colony, until the army is regulated and properly encamped, and then rely on a discharge, was read with much concern
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by this Congress, who earnestly hope you will continue in office till the conclusion of the campaign, and must beg your further and more ex- plicit answer.
Col. Jonathan Brewer [was] sworn and commissioned.
Col. David Brewer [was] sworn and commissioned.
Col. Glover [was] sworn and commissioned.
The committee on Col. Henshaw's petition for an allowance for his journey to Connecticut, reported : [which report was] amended and accepted, and is as follows, viz :
The committee appointed to consider the within account, beg leave to report that they think it reasonable to allow Col. Joseph Henshaw, for his expenses, £4 7s .; horse travel for him and servant, £1 5s .; time, £2 16s .- £8 8s .; deduct 2s. per day from the sum charged for the time of Col. Henshaw and his servant, 14s .- £7 14s. Receiver general directed to pay it. SAMUEL HARDING, Chairman.
Doct. Hall and Doct. Jones were added to the committee to exam- ine surgeons for the army. Resolved, that any three of said committee shall be a quorum.
Ordered, That cominissions be delivered to two companies in Col. Nixon's regiment, agreeably to his list exhibited.
[Afternoon.]
Ordered, That Col. Otis and Mr. Johnson be added to the commit- tee who were appointed to consider the late extraordinary proclamation of general Gage.
Ordered, That Mr. Benjamin Ely, be appointed to obtain of the com- mittee of safety, as soon as possible, a list of such gentlemen as they can recommend to be commissioned as officers of the train.
Resolved, That the receiver general be, and hereby is directed to pay to Col. Joseph Henshaw, the sum of seven pounds, fourteen shil- lings, in full for his account reported and accepted by the Congress.
Ordered, That commissions be delivered to the following officers of Col. Nixon's regiment, viz : Capt. Ebenezer Winship, Lieut. William Warren, Ensign Richard Buckminster.
Ordered, That Mr. Orne, Mr. Glover, and Major Brooks, be a com- mittee to consider what may be done with respect to such vessels as are now ready to sail, with fish on board, there being a resolve of this Congress against the exportation of fish, &c .; and in particular the cases of Mr. Ellis Gray and Richard Hinckley which has been laid before this Congress.
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 16,
The committee on the violation of the Sabbath reported ; [which re- port was] accepted, and is as follows, viz :
As it has pleased Almighty God in his providence, to suffer the ca- lamities of an unnatural war to take place among us, in consequence of our sinful declensions from him, and our great abuse of those inval- uable blessings bestowed upon us : and as we have reason to fear, that unless we become a penitent and reformed people, we shall feel still se- verer tokens of the divine displeasure : and as the most effectual way to escape those desolating judgments which so evidently hang over us, and if it may be, obtain the restoration of our former tranquillity, will be, that we repent and return, every one front his iniquities, unto Him that correcteth. us ; which, if we do in sincerity and truth, we have no. reason to doubt but he will remove his judgments, cause our enemies to be at peace with us, and prosper the work of our hands : and as, among the prevailing sins of this day, which threaten the destruction of this land, we have reason to lament the frequent profanations of the Lord's day or the Christian Sabbath; many spending their time in idleness or sloth, others in diversions, and others in journeying, or bu- siness, which is not necessary on said day : and as we earnestly desire that a stop might be put to this great and prevailing evil, it is therefore Resolved, that it be recommended by this Congress to the people of all ranks and denominations throughout this colony, that they not only pay a religious regard to that day, and to the public worship of God thereon, but that they also use their influence to discountenance and suppress any profanation thereof in others : and it is further Resolved, that it be recommended to the ministers of the gospel, to read this resolve to their several congregations, accompanied with such exhortations as they shall think proper : and whereas, there is great danger that the profa- nation of the Lord's day will prevail in the camp, we earnestly recom- mend to all the officers, not only to set good examples, but that they strictly require of their soldiers to keep up a religious regard to that day, and attend upon the public worship of God thereon, so far as may be consistent with other duties.
Ordered, That the foregoing resolve be printed in hand bills, and sent to the several ministers in each town and district in the colony.
General Heath and Col. Robinson returned a list of their companies, and whereas there are several of the same companies returned in each, Ordered, that Mr. Batchelder, Mr. Durfee, Major Perley, Major Fuller of Middleton, Major Bliss, be a committee to consider of the same, and report.
A further time was assigned to make choice of brigadier generals,
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
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quarter masters general, and adjutants general, viz. : to-morrow morn- ing, eleven o'clock.
Col. Coffin, Mr. Stephen Hall and Col. Davis, were chosen a com- mittee to consider the petition of James Kirkwood.
The committee on the petition of Ellis Gray and Richard Hinckley, &c., reported : the two reports were accepted, and are as follow :
The committee appointed to take under consideration the petition of Messrs. Ellis Gray and Richard Hinckley, relative to eighty hogsheads of Jamaica cod fish, laden on two vessels bound to the West Indies; the one of which would have sailed before the resolve of this honorable Congress forbidding the exportation of fish was published, had she not been detained by the elopement of her hands, beg leave to report : that being fully convinced, from the accounts given us by Mr. Gray and Mr. Hinckley, that the fish those gentlemen were about to export, is of such a kind, being old Jamaica fish, as, if detained, cannot possibly be of any advantage to this colony, but must perish, the colony being plentifully supplied with new fish, that perinission be given by this Congress, to the owners of said vessels, for their proceeding on their voyages ; provided, there is no other kind of provision on board, ex- cept what is for the ship's use; and further, that toleration be given to all other owners of vessels, for their departure, who shall convince this Congress, or a committee thereof, that their vessels and cargoes are in the same predicament, as no possible advantage can accrue from their detention.
J. ORNE, per order.
The committee appointed to examine the bearer of a certificate from - Newburyport, setting forth, that Jonathan Titcomb and Stephen Hoop- er, Esq., of Newburyport, have shipped on board two vessels, 130 hogsheads of Jamaica fish, which is said to be old fish, beg leave to report : that they are fully convinced, the fish above mentioned is of such a kind as is expressed in the certificate, and that the vessels who have laden it, have no other provisions but a supply for the ship's use ; and, as such, are of opinion that the owners of said vessels be tolerated to despatch them on their voyages, agreeably to a resolve of this Con- gress just now past, granting indulgence to the owners of vessels in such predicament for so doing.
J. ORNE, per order. The committee appointed to consider a late extraordinary proclama- tion, signed, Thomas Gage, reported [as follows :]
[IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, Watertown, June 16, 1775.]
[Resolved, That the following proclamation be signed by the presi- dent, printed and published throughout this colony.]
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
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[By the Provincial Congress.]
[The confidence which our countrymeu have reposed in us, lays us under the strongest obligation to watch and guard against all the ma- lignant designs of their inveterate enemies.]
[That the British administration have formed, and have been for sev- eral years executing, a plan to enslave this and the other American colonies, is a proposition so evident, that it would be an affront to the understanding of mankind to adduce proofs in support of it. We shall therefore only advert to those unhappy circumstances, which have been the immediate causes of plunging this people into the horrors of war and desolation. When a fleet and army were sent forth to deprive us of every thing that man holds dear : when the capital of this colony became a garrison, and fortifications were erected upon the only land entrance into the metropolis : when the commander of the army so far manifested his designs against us, as to send out his soldiers in the night, to remove the public magazines of the colony from their safe lodgment in the country, and place them under the command of a for- eign army : when he evidenced his enmity to the liberties of this coun- try, by sending a detachment from that army against the peaceable inhabitants of one of our principal towns, only because they were assembled, quietly to concert measures to save themselves from ruin : when we were totally deprived of the benefit of a legislative body : when the whole system of distributive justice was so mutilated, that there could be no reason to hope for any advantages from it : when an act of parliament was passed, which the general of the army resolved to execute, by which our countrymen were given up as a prey to a · lawless soldiery, who were screened from punishment here, for the mur- ders they might commit : in fine, when the army and navy breathed nothing but blood and slaughter, and all our accounts from England but too strongly proved the inhuman intentions of those in power ; it became us as men, as freemen and as christians, to take some steps to preserve our own lives and properties, as well as to secure the inheri- tance, purchased at no less a price than the blood of many thousand of our brave ancestors, entire and undiminished for succeeding genera- tions. The Congress, whom this people then chose, recommended it to them, to provide themselves with such articles for their defence as the law of the land required, and further recommended it to them, to appropriate some part of their property for the purchasing such stores, to be laid up in public magazines, as might be useful for the general defence, in case an attack should be made upon us by the army. The recommendation was cheerfully complied with, and stores were pro-
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
cured, in the most peaceable and quiet manner, and deposited in mag- azines, where they were to have continued without the least injury or disturbance to any one, unless drawn out by necessity, to save the country from destruction. But the possibility of our making resistance to the bloody schemes of our adversaries was the source of continual terror to the traitors, wliose aim was to enslave this country, and gen- eral Gage, after many little pilferings, and several humiliating disap- pointments in his attempts to rob the people, at length determined to destroy the magazines at Concord ; he sent the grenadiers and detach- ments of light infantry of every regiment, about one thousand in number, secretly, by night, over Charles river. On their way, some of the officers captured, and otherwise infamously abused several of the inhabitants, and, when the body arrived at Lexington meeting- house, which was very early in the morning of the ever memorable nineteeth of April, they, in a most barbarous and infamous manner, fired upon a small number of the inhabitants, and cruelly murdered , eight men. The fire was returned by some of the survivors, but their number was too inconsiderable to annoy the regular troops, who proceeded on their errand, and, upon coming up to Concord, began to destroy, by fire and water, the stores and magazines, until a party of them again fired upon and killed two more of the inhabitants. The native bravery of our countrymen could now no longer be re- strained ; a small party, consisting of about two or three hundred men, attacked them with such spirit and resolution as compelled them soon to retreat. At Lexington, they met a reenforcement of regular troops, consisting of about eight hundred, with two field pieces, commanded by Lord Percy ; this, however, did not encourage them to keep their ground : but they continued their route towards Charlestown, marking their way with every species of desolation and cruelty which their haste would permit. The burning and robbing of houses, the abuses and barbarities offered to defenceless women and children, the wanton slaughter of the aged and helpless, will be perpetual memorials of the base spirit which actuated the perpetrators. Upon their arrival at Charlestown, our countrymen quitted the pursuit, and the next day suffered them, without annoyance, to cross the river, and return to Boston. This action of the troops destroyed every hope of coming to any accommodation with them; we, therefore, were compelled to raise an army to prevent such bloody excursions in future ; an army is, there- fore, raised and appointed for that purpose, and we are, with the greatest reluctance, obliged to declare, that we have now nothing to depend upon, under God, to preserve America from slavery and destruction, but our
44
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 16,
own arms. To these we have been forced to make our appeal, and by these we are determined to maintain our rights : and we are obliged to declare, and do now publicly declare, all persons, who shall afford any aid, assistance, or relief, or hold any manner of communication of any kind whatsoever, with general Gage, admiral Graves, or the army, or navy, or any one of those now under their command, who are sta- tioned in our metropolis and the harbor of Boston, or elsewhere, or any persons who are known, or shall hereafter be known, to have afforded such aid, or to have had such communication with them, or either of them, to be enemies and traitors to their country, and they shall be proceeded against and treated as such ; excepting only, such of the un- happy inhabitants of Boston, as have, by a treacherous and most infa- mous breach of faith in general Gage, been prevented from removing out of the town of Boston, whose peculiar circumstances this Congress will, at all times, make due allowance for, so long as they shall avoid doing any thing to obstruct or counteract such steps as this Congress shall think fit to take ; but the said inhabitants are strictly forbidden, whatever may be the consequence of their refusal, to be in any, the least degree, instrumental in assisting the enemy, or opposing the country, as they would avoid the penalties due to the enemies thereof. From a real tenderness to our fellow men, we most sincerely regret the unhappy situation of the soldiery and sailors in the army and navy now stationed in the town and harbor of Boston, and assure them, upon that faith, which never has been, and we trust never will be violated, that, upon their quitting the infamous service in which they are, as we must in charity suppose, contrary to their own inclinations and principles engaged; we will receive them as brethren and fellow sub- jects, and protect them against every attempt that may be made by our enemies to force them again into the disgraceful and inhuman service, in which they are now employed.]
[And, that our earnest desire to discover our tender regard to our few misguided fellow countrymen, and our readiness to forgive even those who have knowingly offended, we do promise and engage a full and free pardon to all persons who have fled to the town of Boston for refuge, and to other public offenders against the rights and liberties of this country, of what kind or denomination soever ; excepting only from the benefit of such pardon, Thomas Gage, Samuel Graves; those counsellors who were appointed by mandamus and have not signified their resignation, viz., Jonathan Sewall, Charles Paxton, Benjamin Hallowell ; and all the natives of America, not belonging to the navy or army, who went out with the regular troops on the nineteenth of April
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1775.]
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
347
last, and were countenancing, aiding, and assisting them in the robber- ies and inurders then committed ; whose offences are of too flagitious a nature to adınit of any other consideration than that of condign pun- isliment : provided, they take the benefit hereof, by making a surren- der of themselves to any general officer belonging to the Massachusetts army, and subscribe a declaration of their readiness to comply with, support, and abide by, all the resolutions and determinations which are already made by this or any former Congress, or that shall hereafter be inade by this or any future Congress, or house of representatives of this colony, within thirty days from the date hereof. And it is earnestly enjoined upon the selectinen, committees of correspondence, commit- tees of safety, and all other officers, of every town in this colony, that they use their utmost diligence to discover and inake known to this Congress, any person or persons, who shall, in any respect, attempt to do any thing tending to render ineffectual their designs and doings ; and we trust, that the God of armies, on whom we rely for a blessing upon our arms, which we have taken up in support of the great and fundamental principles of natural justice and the common and indefea- sible rights of mankind, will guide and direct us in our designs ; and at last, in infinite goodness to this his injured people, restore peace and freedom to the American world.]
Voted, That Tuesday next, ten o'clock before noon, be assigned for the further consideration thereof.
Ordered, That Mr. Lothrop, Col. Grout and Mr. Crane, be a com- mittee to fill commissions for the field officers of the regiment of artil- lery, as recommended by the committee of safety.
Resolved, That a commission be made out for Mr. Heath, as colonel of a regiment of the Massachusetts army.
Resolved, That Deacon Plympton be appointed to countersign the small notes, instead of Col. Richmond.
The committee appointed to consider the application of president Langdon, reported ; which report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Resolved, That it be and hereby is recommended to as many of the overseers of Harvard College as can be called together, under the pres- ent circumstances of the college and the country, to ineet and join with the corporation of said college, in conferring academical degrees at the approaching season of the annual commencement, on such candidates as may offer themselves and be judged qualified for the same ; and to transact any other important matters relative to that society, in the
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. [June 17,
same manner, and to all intents and purposes, as the whole body of the overseers might do, if present.
Voted, That the receiver general, Henry Gardner, Esq., as also Deacon Plympton, have leave of absence from to-morrow afternoon un- til Monday morning.
L. Adjourned till eight o'clock to-morrow morning.
SATURDAY, June 17, 1775.
The committee on account of Mrs. Coolidge, reported : the report was ordered to lie on the table, till the president came into Congress.
The Congress granted leave of absence to Mr. J. Orne, being bound on a journey to Philadelphia.
The committee appointed to take into consideration the property of some persons, who have left their habitations in sundry towns in this colony, and also have discovered themselves to be enemies to the rights of this colony and the continent, &c., reported.
Ordered, That Mr. Edwards, Col. Thompson and Col. Glover, be a committee to consider upon the expediency and means of procuring fire arms and powder from Philadelphia, and elsewhere ; which com- mittee reported : the report was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
The committee appointed to consider upon the expediency and means of procuring fire arms and powder from Philadelphia and else- where, and to report in the form of a resolve, report accordingly :
Resolved, That the committee of supplies be directed to employ Mr. Joshua Orne, a member of this Congress, for this end, and that they, by letter, desire that the honorable Continental Congress would be pleased to grant to Mr. Orne their aid in the premises.
The committee appointed to take into consideration the resolve of the committee of safety, respecting the, augmentation of the army, and supplying the army with arms, &c., reported in part ; the report was considered and accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
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