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 42
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Whereas, the hostile incursions this country is exposed to, and the frequent alarms we may expect from the military operations of our en- emies, make it necessary that the good people of this colony be on their guard, and prepared at all times to resist their attacks, and to aid and assist their brethren : therefore, Resolved, that it be, and hereby is recommended to the militia, in all parts of this colony, to hold them- selves in readiness to march at a minute's warning, to the relief of any place that may be attacked, or to the support of our army, with at least twenty cartridges, or rounds of powder and ball; and, to prevent all
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
confusion or delay, it is further recommended to the inhabitants of this colony living on the sea coasts, or within twenty miles of them, that they carry their arms and ammunition with thein to meeting on the sabbath, and other days when they meet for public worship.
Resolved, That all vacancies occasioned by the officers going into the arıny, or otherwise, in the several regiments of militia, be immedi- ately filled up : and it is recommended to the regiments, where such vacancies are, to supply them, in manner and form as prescribed by the resolutions of Congress.
· Ordered, That the resolve before mentioned, brought in by said committee last mentioned, be immediately printed in handbills, and that the number be three hundred.
Voted, That Capt. Goodman, Mr. Brown, and Major Bliss, be and hereby are appointed a committee, to get said three hundred handbills printed, and distribute the same to the several towns and districts in this colony.
Resolved, That Doct. Moses Gunn, be and hereby is appointed to countersign the large notes, instead of the Hon. Joseph Warren, Esq.
Col. Jonathan Brewer's list of officers in his regiment, was presented : Ordered, that a commission be delivered to each of the said officers, except to Joseph Stebbins, who has but 21 men in his company.
Col. David Brewer's list of officers in his regiment, was presented : Ordered, that a commission be delivered to each of said officers.
Resolved, That Capt. Holmes, Major Brooks, and Capt. Smith, be a committee to confer with the printers, Edes, Hall, and Thomas, and know of them respectively, upon what terms they will print landbills, and also such pieces as may be desired by this Congress to be put in the weekly papers, and make report to this Congress in writing, with all convenient speed.
The petition of sundry persons from Egamagon Reach was read, and committed to the committee on the state of the sea coasts, [who re- ported as follows :]
On the petition of a number of the inhabitants of Egamagon Reach, No. 4., so called, praying for a small supply of provisions :
Resolved, That it be recommended by this Congress to the com- mittee of safety of the town of Salem, or to the like committee or com- mittees of correspondence of any other towns within this province, to supply Messrs. Robert Byard and Alexander Greenlaw, of said Ega- magon Reach, No. 4., for the present relief of the said inhabitants, with the following articles, viz. : forty bushels of Indian corn, and five barrels of pork; and take in return for the same, cord wood, or such
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 17,
other payment as the said Robert Byard, and Alexander Greenlaw, may be able to make; and in case they, the said Bayard and Green- law, 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 Byard and Greenlaw shall refund the same as soon as may be.
Several of the committee who were appointed to consider the state and circumstances of the sea-coasts, viz. : Hun. Mr. Sever, Hon. Mr. Spooner, Col. Cutt, and Capt. Maynard, being absent, Ordered, that Major Hall, Mr. Aiken, Capt. Morton, and Capt. King, be appointed in their stead.
Resolved, That the vote for choosing brigadier generals from the colonels who have been commissioned by this Congress, be so far re- considered, as that Col. Heath, though he has not yet received his com- mission, may be eligible to that office.
The committee appointed to consider the resolutions of the commit- tee of safety, reported the following resolve and schedule, which were accepted .
Whereas, some of the inhabitants of the new plantations in this col- ony, 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 army now raising in this colony, to whom the resolve of Congress, dated May 9, 1775, empowering the selectmen to supply the inhabitants of their respective towns with arms, &c., did not extend ; and, by that means, many of such men are not provided with sufficient arms : therefore, Resolved, that the inhabitants of the several towns and districts in the counties specified in a list hereunto annexed, who may have good and sufficient firelocks, be and hereby are most earnestly advised, as soon as possible, to provide and deliver to such person or persons as are to be now appointed by this Congress to receive the same, the full number of good, effective firelocks, specified in the said list for each town and district to supply, for which firelocks every owner thereof shall receive such sum, in the bills of credit of this colony, as the person or persons now to be appointed by this Congress to receive such firelock, and the owner thereof, shall agree to be the value of the same, within forty days after the delivery of such firelock. For all which firelocks delivered as aforesaid, the person to be ap- pointed by this Congress to receive the same, shall give his receipt therefor in the form following :
35
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
The day of 1775.
Received of A. B. firelock , to the use of the colony of the Mas- sachusetts Bay, of the value of ; which sum the receiver general . of the said colony is directed, in forty days after the date hereof, to pay to the said A. B. or order, in bills of credit of this colony.
And the said receiver general, upon such receipt being produced to him, is empowered and required to pay, out of the treasury of this col- ony, the sum specified in such receipt, in the bills of credit aforesaid, to the person named therein, or his order ; and, furthermore, the se- lectmen and committees of correspondence of the several towns and districts aforesaid, are hereby most earnestly requested to afford all pos- sible aid and assistance to the persons to be appointed by this Con- gress, to procure thie said firelocks ; that so the said arms may be sup- plied to our army with the greatest expedition. And the persons to be appointed to procure said firelocks, are hereby severally empowered and directed to employ such wagoners and teamsters as shall be necessary, with great despatch, to convey the same to the army, and to order the receiver general of this colony to pay, out of the treasury of the same, in bills of credit as aforesaid, such sums as they shall agree on and draw for ; and the said receiver general is hereby authorized and di- rected to pay the orders so drawn.
Worcester County .- Worcester, 30; Lancaster, 32; Mendon, 24; Brookfield, 31 ; Oxford, 11; Charlton, 11; Sutton, 31 ; Leices- ter, 12; Spencer, 10; Paxton, 6; Rutland, 15; Oakham, 6; Hubbardston, 2 ; New Braintree, 10; Southborough, 12; West- borough, 12; Northborough, 8; Lunenburg, 16; Fitchburg, 6; Uxbridge, 11 ; Northbridge, 5; Harvard, 16; Dudley, 10; Hutchinson, 13 ; Bolton, 15; Upton, 6 ; Shrewsbury, 22; Stur- bridge, 12; Leominster, 12; Hardwick, 17; Western, 11; Hol- den, 8; Douglass, 7; Grafton, 12; Petersham, 12; Royal- ston, 2; Westminster, 10; Athol, 6 ; Templeton, 8 ; Princeton, 8; Ashburnham, 3; Winchendon, 3 ;
Hampshire .- Springfield, 26 ; West Springfield, 25; Wilbraham, 11; Northampton, 25 ; Southampton, 10; Hadley, 11; South Hadley, 9; Amherst, 12; Granby, 7; Hatfield, 14; Westfield, 19; Deerfield, 15; Greenfield, 10; Sunderland, 9; Montague, 8; Northfield, 10; Brimfield, 15; South Brimfield, 10; Mon- son, 8; Pelham, 14 ; Blandford, 9; Palmer, 11 ; Granville, 16; New Salem, 9; Warwick, 5; Ashfield, 8; Southwick, 8; 334
514
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 17,
Suffolk .- Wrentham, 25; Medway, 10; Bellingham, 6; Walpole, 4; Medfield, 4; . . 49
Middlesex .- Marlborough, 20; Littleton, 6; Hopkinton, 9; West- ford, 6; Groton, 7; Shirley, 2; Pepperell, 4; Townsend, 4; Dracut, 5; Acton, 5; Dunstable, 5; Tewksbury, 4; Chelms- ford, 7; Billerica, 7; Stow, 4; Framingham, 3; Wilming- ton, 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; total, 1065
Resolved, That four o'clock, P. M. be assigned for choosing com- mittees to receive and purchase fire arms agreeably to the foregoing re- solve.
Afternoon.
A letter from the president of the Continental Congress, and a re- solve containing several recommendations to this and the other colo- nies, and two letters, one to the Lieut. Gov. of Rhode Island, and one to the Provincial Congress of New Hampshire, brought express by Mr. Fessenden, were read; whereupon, Ordered, that Capt. Morton take charge of the letter to New Hampshire, and Mr. Slead that to Rhode Island, to deliver them immediately, and return to the Congress as soon as may be.
Resolved, That the Hon. Col. Warren, Hon. Major Hawley, Hon. Col. Gerrish, Mr. Gerry, Col. Prescott, Deacon Cheever, Capt. Brown, . and Capt. Robinson, and the secretary of the Congress, be a commit- tee to notify and call together the members of this Congress in any extraordinary emergency, at any other time, or to any other place, than [that] to which it may stand adjourned.
The order of the day [was] moved for :
Whereupon, committees were chosen to purchase arms agreeably to the resolve passed in the forenoon : the names of the committees cho- sen are expressed in the following resolve, viz. :
For the county of Worcester : Capt. William Page of Hardwick, Capt. Abiel Saddler of Upton, Mr. Hemmenway of Shrewsbury :- For the county of Hampshire : Major Benjamin S. Ely of West Spring-
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
field, Major Jolin Bliss of Hadley :- For the county of Suffolk : Capt. Lemuel Kollock of Wrentham :- For the county of Middlesex : Col. Simeon Spaulding of Chelmsford, Capt. Josiah Stone of Framingham : -For the county of Plymouth : Major Ebenezer White of Rochester : -For the county of Bristol : Col. George Williams of Taunton.
Adjourned to Sunday morning, eight o'clock.
SUNDAY, June 18, 1775.
Resolved, That the records and papers of the Provincial Congress be secured and taken care of, at the discretion of the secretary ; and that the committee of supplies be, and hereby are directed, to procure a horse for the secretary, that he may have one ready for that purpose on any emergency.
A petition from the committee of Waldoborough for powder, was read ; whereupon, Resolved, that the petitioners have leave to with- draw their petition.
Ordered, That Mr. Lothrop appoint some messenger to go to Doct. Church, for the letters it is said he has brought from Philadelphia.
Ordered, That Major Hawley, Col. Warren, Mr. Kollock, Mr. Ed- wards, Col. Gerrish, Doct. Church and Col. Otis, be a committee to prepare a letter to the Continental Congress on the late attack of the king's troops at Bunker's hill, &c., and such other matters as they may think proper, and report to this Congress : and also that they take into consideration a letter from the president of the Continental Con- gress, and several recommendations of the said Continental Congress therein enclosed, received by Mr. Fessenden, and another letter from the said president, with a resolve enclosed relative to a mode of gov- ernment for this colony ; and also to inquire of the committee of sup- plies, what steps they have taken to procure powder from the other governments of New England.1 '
(1) The letters of the Hon. John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, with the reso- lutions enclosed, except that inserted in the journal, are copied below. The despatches for the governments of Rhode Island and New Ilampshire, covered transcripts of the same documents.
" PHILADELPHIA, June 10th, 1775
"GENTLEMEN :- In consequence of your application to this Congress for advice respecting a form of government to be adopted in the Massachusetts Bay, under your present circumstances, I am directed by the Congress to transmit you their resolution thereon, which is here enclosed. I am also to inform you that the Congress have been so pressed with business, that they have been prevented determining upon the other matters mentioned in your letters to them : but they will very soon come under their consideration, and their resolutions thereon shall be forwarded to you."
" I also enclose you a resolve of Congress, for furnishing our army with flour ; this you will keep secret, at least as far as the nature of it will admit, as the publication may give an alarm, which may prevent the good effects of it."
" Last ovening, Mr. Fessenden, your express, arrived, with your despatches of June 4th, which I 45
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 18,
Ordered, That the committee of supplies be directed to write to Rhode Island and New Hampshire, touching the article of powder ; also to send to each of said governments a copy of the recommenda- tions of the Provincial Congress.
shall this morning lay before the Congress, and, when considered by Congress, their determination shall he immediately transmitted you."
" I am, with much esteem, gentlemen, your most obedient, humhle servant,
JOHN HANCOCK, President."
" To the gentlemen of the Provincial Congress, Massachusetts Bay."
"IN CONGRESS, June 9th, 1775.
" Resolved, That the Provincial Convention of New York he requested to convey, as soon as possi- ble, to Providence, in Rhode Island, or to any port in the government of Massachusetts Bay, five thousand barrels of flour, for the use of the continental army."
" That the committee of correspondence at Providence, or in the government of Massachusetts Bay, where the said flour may he carried, be desired to receive the same, and to forward it to the camp hefore Boston, as soon as may he, and to lodge such parts thicreof as cannot immediately he sent thither, in places of security."
" That this Congress will make provision for defraying the expenses incurred for this service."
" Secret as the nature of it will admit, for fear of an alarm heing given, and a stop. J. H."
" PHILADELPHIIA, June 10th, 1775.
"GENTLEMEN :- By order of the Congress, I transmit you the inclosed resolutions, passed by the Congress this morning. The necessity of the present emergency requires a specdy compliance with the first, and I need not inform you that the nature of the service requires it to be done with as much secrecy as possible."
" I am also directed by the Congress to request you will please to transmit to them, as soon as may he, an estimate of the powder, arms, and ammunition in your colony, including private as well as public stocks."
" By Doctor Church, this morning, I forwarded you the resolution of Congress respecting the mode of government."
" I am your most obedient servant,
JOHN HANCOCK, President."
" The inclosed letters for the lieutenant governor of Rhode Island, and the gentlemen of New Hampshire, please immediately, on receipt, to send off hy express ; pray don't fail."
" To the members of the Provincial Congress, Massachusetts Bay."
" IN CONGRESS, June 10, 1775.
" The Congress earnestly recommend to the several colonies of New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and the internal towns of the Massachusetts Bay, that they immediately furnish the American army before Boston, with as much powder, out of their town and other public stocks, as they can possibly spare, keeping an exact account of the quantity supplied, that it may be again re- placed or paid for hy the continent : this to he effected with the utmost secrecy and despatch."
" Resolved, That it ho recommended to the committees of the several towns and districts of Mas- sachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and the eastern division of New Jersey, to collect all the saltpetre and brimstone in their several towns and districts, and transmit the same, with all possible despatch, to the Provincial Congress of New York."
" That it he recommended to the Provincial Congress of New York, to have the powder mills in that colony put into such a condition, as immediately to manufacture into powder, for the use of the continent, whatever materials may he procured in the manner above directed."
" Resolved, That it he recommended to the several inhabitants of the colonies, who are possessed of saltpetre and sulphur for their own use, to dispose of them, for the purpose of manufacturing gunpowder."
" Resolved, That the saltpetre and sulphur, to be collected in consequence of the resolves of Congress for that purpose, he paid for out of the continental fund."
" A true copy from the minutes. CHA'S THOMPSON, Sec'y."
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
[Afternoon.]
Ordered, That Col. Thurston, Col. Parks and Doct. Corbett, be a committee to consider a petition from Egamagon Reach; and also a petition fromn Deer Island, [for supplies of provisions.]
Adjourned to Monday morning, eight o'clock.
MONDAY, June 19, 1775.
Ordered, That Mr. Bonney, Mr. Foster and Col. Thompson, be and hereby are appointed a committee to repair immediately to Cambridge, and inquire what methods are taking to supply the army at the intrench- ments with victuals and drink, and take effectual care that they be well supplied without delay.
Ordered, That Col. Parks, Deacon Fairbanks and Doct. Whiting, be, and hereby are appointed a committee to take into consideration a letter from General Ward, respecting the supplying the soldiers with blankets and other articles lost in battle, also for providing spears for defence.1
Doct. Hall, Doct. Jones and Mr. Bigelow, were appointed a com- mittee to consider the expediency of establishing another hospital for the sick and wounded of the army, and ordered to sit forthwith.
Deacon Bailey, Capt. Goodman and Mr. Fisher, were appointed a committee, to inquire of the committee of supplies, how far they have proceeded to supply the soldiery with blankets, &c., and make report.
Capt. Goodrich, Mr. Aikin and Capt. Dwight, were appointed to consider a letter from the Hon. Jedediah Preble and Hon. Enoch Freeman, respecting Col. Phiney's regiment being commissioned for the defence of the sea coasts.2
(1) Two letters were received from Gen. Ward, on the 19th of June, addressed to the president of Congress.
" CAMBRIDGE, June 19, 1775.
"SIR :- The honorable Congress are hereby informed, that, in the late action, many of the soldiers lost their blanketa and clothes ; they are now in a very suffering condition on that account, and must, in order to fit them for duty, be immediately supplied, especially with blankets ; and many that were not in the action are destitute of blankets."
" It is requested, that the troops may be supplied also with a large number of spears or lances, for defending the breastworks. In the late action, spears might have saved the intrenchment.
By order of the general.
JOSEPH WARD, Sec'ry."
" HEAD QUARTERS, June 19, 1775.
"SIR :- I must earnestly entreat the Congress to furnish the train of artillery, with a company of artificers immediately, as the army suffers greatly for want of them. This ought to have been one of the first establishments, and I hope the Congress will not delay the matter a day longer. I am, sir, your most obedient, humble servant, ARTEMAS WARD."
(2) The letter from the Hon. Jedediah Preble and Hlon. Enoch Freeman follows :
" FALMOUTH, June 14, 1775.
" HONORED SIR :- These wait on you by Colonel Phiney, who informs us, he has ordered the
356
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 19,
The committee appointed to consider the expediency of establishing certain officers for taking care of the ordnance stores, viz., storekeep- er, conductors, and clerk ; also, the establishment of a company of ar- tificers, &c., reported : the report was amended and accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
The committee appointed to consider the expediency of establishing certain officers for taking care of the ordnance stores; also what arti- ficers, and the number, that may be necessary for the army, and in what way they shall be established, have attended that service, and beg leave to report as follows: That, in addition to the storekeeper al- ready appointed by this Congress, there be established four conduc- tors of stores, and two clerks for the ordnance department; and a company of artificers, to consist of a master carpenter or overseer, with 49 privates; and the committee of safety be desired to recom- mend to this Congress, fit persons for the offices abovenamed; and if any such privates, who are now engaged in either of the regiments of the Massachusetts ariny, are inclined to join the abovesaid company, they may have leave so to do, they relinquishing their pay as soldiers, from the time they engage as artificers, and be equipt with fire arms, and accoutrements; and the overseer, when appointed, be ordered to consult the chief engineer with respect to the number of each kind of artificers that may be necessary, and that he complete his company, and make return thereof to this Congress, with all possible despatch. Your committee, furthermore, beg leave to report an establishment for the officers and privates above mentioned, viz, :
The storekeeper, $80 per month : four conductors, each $48 do. : one master carpenter, or overseer, $80 do. : two clerks, each $48 do. : 49 privates, they to find their own tools, $50 do. each. All which is humbly submitted.
ELISHA PARKS, per order.
Resolved, That three o'clock, P. M., be assigned for the choice of a president of this Congress, in the room of the Hon. Joseph Warren, Esq., supposed to be killed in the late battle of Bunker Hill.
The committee appointed to take into consideration the resolve of
men lately enlisted in this county, to guard the sea coasts and islands within said county, to secure the cattle and sheep from the ravages of cruisers from the navy : but, as no provision is made for their subsistence, it cannot be expected they can continue to do duty without. We refer you to Colonel Phiney for particulars. Four Indian chiefs arrived here this day, with Captain Lane, from the Penobscot tribe. We hope their expectations will be answered, which will laya founda- tion for the securing to our interest the whole tribe."
"We are, honored sir, your most obedient, humble servants,
JEDEDIAH PREBLE, ENOCH FREEMAN."
Hon. Joseph Warren, Esq., to be communicated.
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
the honorable Continental Congress, respecting the method of estab- lishing civil government in this colony, reported : [The report was] read and debated, and Resolved, that the further consideration of said report be put off until Doct. Church, who was at Philadelphia at the time said resolve of the Continental Congress passed, shall be present.
The committee appointed to take into consideration a letter from General Ward, respecting supplying the soldiers with blankets, &c., lost in battle, and providing spears &c., reported : The report was re- committed.
Col. Prescott and Mr. Wheeler, were added to the committee cho- sen to fill up commissions for the officers of the army.
Afternoon.
[The] order of the day [was] moved for.
Ordered, That Col. Prescott, Doct. Hall, and Col. Otis, be a com- mittee to receive, sort, and count, the votes for a President.
The committee having attended that service, reported, that the Hon. James Warren, was chosen.
Resolved, That nine o'clock to-morrow morning, be assigned for the consideration of the report of the committee on the establishing armed vessels.
The committee appointed to inquire of the committee of supplies, what they had done relative to providing blankets and coats, reported, verbally ; that they had conformed to the resolve of Congress relative thereto, and looked upon it to be their duty, to pay such orders as the selectmen might draw on them for the blankets they should purchase, but that they had only paid one town as yet.
Resolved, That the same committee report to this Congress, the price proper to be given for blankets throughout the whole colony, and that the committee of supplies be directed to suspend the payments for blankets till some further day, and that the said committee bring in a resolve expressive of the reason thereof.
The committee appointed to consider the expediency of establishing another hospital for the armny, reported, that a house belonging to Doct. Spring, of this place, may be had for that purpose, whereupon,
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