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 43
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Resolved, That said committee be directed to inquire at what rate, per month, Doct. Spring will let the same.
Resolved, That the secretary be directed to subscribe the name of the late president, to all commissions that are to be delivered out to the officers of the army, bearing date the 19th of May.
The report of the committee appointed to consider General Ward's
.
358
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 20,
letter relative to spears, was again read and accepted, and it is as fol- lows, viz. :
The committee appointed to take into consideration a letter from the general, informing that a number of the soldiers in the late action, lost their clothes and blankets, and also proposing that the soldiers in the intrenchments be furnished with lances and spears, have attended that service, and beg leave to report by way of resolve.
[Resolved,] That the committee of supplies be, and they are hereby directed, to furnish those destitute soldiers with clothes and blankets, as soon as may be, who shall produce from the colonel of the regi- ment they belong to, certificates of their having lost such clothes and blankets in the late engagement : and that a committee be chosen, immediately to procure, from such as can most speedily and conveni- ently supply them, a sufficient number of good spears, not exceeding 1500, either by purchase or hire ; and that the same be transmitted to the army at Cambridge as soon as possible ; all which is humbly sub- mittted.
ELISHA PARKS, per order.
Adjourned to eight o'clock, to-morrow morning.
TUESDAY, June 20, 1775.
The committee appointed to consider the request of Col. Phiney, reported.
The report was ordered to lie on the table till the matter respecting armed vessels is considered.
Ordered, That Major Brooks, Col. Mitchell, Mr. Ellis, Mr. Kol- lock, Deacon Fairbanks, Mr. Perry, and Major Fuller, be a committee to purchase spears, agreeably to a resolve which passed the .Congress yesterday ; said committee to proceed on the business forthwith ; to consult with and receive directions from the general, respecting the form, &c., of the spears ; and to engage payment for the same, in bills of credit of this colony.
The committee on the resolve of the Continental Congress respect- ing government, reported a letter to the several towns in the colony, which was read and accepted, and ordered to be printed in hand bills with the resolve of the Continental Congress at large : and Mr. Whit- ney, Col. Freeman, Capt. Stone, Doct. Church, and Deacon Cheever, were appointed a committee to ascertain the number to be printed; to get them printed, and to disperse the same to the several towns and districts in this colony : and also to consider in what manner the late inhabitants of the towns of Boston and Charlestown, should choose
359
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
members to represent then. The resolve of the Continental Congress and the letter to the towns, follow, viz. :
IN CONGRESS, FRIDAY, June 9, 1775.
Resolved, That no obedience being due to the act of parliament for altering the charter of the colony of Massachusetts Bay, nor to a gov- ernor and lieutenant governor, who will not observe the directions of, but endeavor to subvert that charter ; the governor and lieutenant gov- ernor are to be considered as absent, and their offices vacant. And as there is no council there, and the inconveniences arising from the sus- pension of the powers of government are intolerable, especially at a time when general Gage hath actually levied war, and is carrying on hostilities against his majesty's peaceful and loyal subjects of that colo- ny ; that in order to conform, as near as may be, to the spirit and sub- stance of the charter, it be recommended to the Provincial Congress, to write letters to the inhabitants of the several places, which are enti- tled to representation in assembly, requesting them to choose such rep- resentatives ; and that the assembly, when chosen, should elect coun- sellors ; which assembly and council should exercise the powers of government, until a governor of his majesty's appointment will consent to govern the colony according to its charter.
A true copy from the minutes.
CHARLES THOMPSON, Secretary.
By order of the Congress. JOHN HANCOCK, President.
COLONY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
In observance of the foregoing resolve of the Hon. Continental Con- gress, now sitting at Philadelphia, these are to request you, forthwith, to cause the freeholders and other inhabitants of your town, that have an estate of freehold in land, within this province or territory, of forty shillings per annum, at the least, or other estate to the value of forty pounds sterling, to assemble, at such time and place as you shall appoint, then and there to elect and depute one or more freehold- ers, resident in the same town, according to the numbers set and limi- ted by an act of the general assembly, entitled an act for ascertaining the number and regulating the house of representatives, to serve for, and represent them in a great and general court or assembly, to be con- vened, held, and kept, for the service of the said colony, until the end of the day next preceding the last Wednesday of May next, if necessa- ry, and no longer, at the meeting-house in Watertown, upon Wednes- day, the 19th day of July next ensuing the date hereof, and to warn
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360
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 19,
the person or persons so elected by the major part of the electors pres- ent at such 'election, to be timely notified, by one or more of the con- stables of your town, to attend the service of this colony in the said general court or assembly, on the day above prefixed, by nine o'clock, in the forenoon, and so from day to day, during their session and ses- sions. Hereof we desire you not to fail, and make return of this let- ter, with the name or names of the person or persons so elected or de- puted, and of their being notified, unto the said general assembly, at the time and place abovementioned for its meeting.
. Given under my hand, this nineteenth day of June, anno domini, 1775.
By order of Congress.
President.
To the selectmen of the town of Attest, Secretary. /
Resolved, That 3 o'clock, P. M. be assigned for the choice of a ma- jor general in the room of the late Doct. Warren, and also for the choice of one brigadier general.
Several letters from Penobscot, viz. ; from Mr. John Lane, and oth- ers, were read and committed to Capt. Webster, Col. Farley, Capt. Holmes, Doct. Taylor, and Major Perley.1
Doct. Gunn was appointed to report a resolve on the proposal mnade by the committee of safety, relative to the killed and wounded in the late battle.
A petition from the district of Woolwich 2 was presented and read : and thereupon, Resolved, that the petitioners have leave to withdraw their petition.
Upon a motion made, Resolved, that the house of Mr. Hunt, at Cam- bridge, be hired for a hospital, and that the committee appointed to treat with Doct. Spring, be a committee to hire the same.
(1) The substance of the communications from Penobscot, is contained in a letter from Gen. Preble.
" FALMOUTH, June 15, 1775.
" HONORED SIR :- Mr. Lane is returned here, with four of the Penobscot tribe ; we have furnished them with carriages to convey them to you, and Mr. Lane with money to pay their expenses. Oro. no, the chief man, seems to he sensible, and hearty in our cause : he reserves what he has chiefly to say, till he comes to the Congress. We gave them assurances that they might depend upon being provided for, while there, as well as on their return back again, wished them a pleasant journey, and that the event might be happy to them and us. We suppose Mr. Lane will give account of the expense, therefore we have sent none."
" Wishing success to our righteous cause, we are, your honors, most obedient humble servants, the committee of correspondence, JEDEDIAH PREBLE, Chairman."
" Hon. Joseph Warren, President." .
(2) This petition was for a supply of powder.
361
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Ordered, That Doct. Church, Doct. Taylor, and Doct. Whiting, be a committee to consider what method is proper to be taken to supply the hospitals with surgeons: and that the saine gentleinen be a com- mittee to provide medicines, and all other necessaries for the hospitals.
The report of the committee on the expediency of establishing armed vessels, was considered, and after debate, the matter was ordered to subside.1
The committee appointed to confer with Doct. Spring, relative to the use of his house for another hospital, reported : the report was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
The committee appointed to consider of the expediency of establish- ing another hospital for the sick and wounded of the army, having at- tended that service, beg leave to report, that they judge it is really ex- pedient to have another established, and they judge that the house of Doct. Spring, in Watertown, is convenient for that purpose ; and that he is willing said house should be improved by the province for that use, but that he cannot at present ascertain the damage it may be to him, but is willing to submit that matter to the judgment of a com- mittee to be hereafter appointed by this honorable Congress or the house of assembly. By order, J. HALL.
Ordered, That Doct. Church, Doct. Taylor, and Mr. Pickering, be a committee to consider the petition of Mr. Pigeon, commissary general.
Ordered, That Mr. Wheeler, Doct. Whiting, and Capt. Pilsbury, be a committee to consider a petition of Col. John Patterson, [who re- ported as follows :]
The committee appointed to take into consideration the petition of Col. Patterson, have attended that service, and beg leave to report by way of resolve.
[Resolved,] That the committee of supplies be directed to give imme- diate orders for the supplying said destitute soldiers with blankets, agreeably to the said petition.
The committee on the petition of Mr. Pigeon, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Resolved, That Mr. John Pigeon, commissary general, requesting a dismission from his said office, being under a mistake, have liberty to withdraw his petition ; that the conduct of said commissary general in his office, has been such as to merit the approbation of this Congress,
(1) The resolve reported by the committee, provided for fitting out a number of armed vessels not less than six, to mount from eight to fourteen carriage guns, to cruise under the orders of the commit- tee of safety, for the protection of the commerce and property of the towns of the sea-coast against the depredations of the enemies of the province, and for the capture and destruction of its foes.
46
362
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 19,
and of the public in general ; and that said John Pigeon be desired to attend his business as commissary general in the service of this prov- ince.
At the request of Mr. Pigeon, the commissary general, Ordered, that Doct. Holten, Mr. Devens, and Col. Palmer, be a committee to consult, and with their advice, assist Mr. Pigeon in such matters as appertain to his office.
Resolved, That there be one deputy commissary appointed to each regiment, and that Mr. Pigeon, the commissary general, be desired to lay before the Congress a list of persons proper to be appointed for this business, and to propose an establishment for their pay.
Ordered, That Mr. Edwards, Mr. Hopkins, Doct. Taylor, Mr. Batchelder, and Doct. Church, be a committee to confer with four In- dians, this day arrived from Penobscot, under the conduct of Mr. John Lane, and to provide proper entertainment for them while in this place, and for their return home.
Ordered, That Mr. Pickering, Mr. Langdon, and Col. Sawyer, be a committee to consider the desire of Capt. George Dodge for liberty to export a quantity of old Jamaica fish.
On a motion made in behalf of Capt. Thomas Mason and Capt. George Dodge, that they might have liberty from this Congress to ship off for the West Indies, one hundred and thirty hogsheads of last year Jamaica cod fish, or a quantity not exceeding the same :
Resolved, That it appears to this Congress, that the detention of said fish can be of little or no service to this colony, and that they be al- lowed to export the same : and the committee of safety for the town of Salem is directed to see that this resolve be effectually carried into ex- ecution, and that no other provisions, except for the vessel's use, be shipped off in the same.
Resolved, That five o'clock, P. M., be assigned for the choice of some person to preach an election sermon on the 9th of July next.
[Afternoon.]
The committee appointed to consider a petition from the committee chosen to take care of the poor at Charlestown, reported; the report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
The committee chosen to take the within petition into consideration report, that it is their opinion, that the poor of the town of Charles- town be provided for by the selectmen of the several towns to which they remove, until the further order of this or some future Congress, or house of representatives.
363
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Ordered, That Col. Cushing, Major Perley, Col. Prescott, Col. Bar- rett, and Deacon Fisher, be a committee to inquire into the grounds of a report which has prevailed in the army, that there has been treachery in some of the officers; and that, if they find that such report is with- out foundation, they bring in a resolve for quieting the minds of the people, in respect thereof.
Ordered, That the committee appointed to consider the request of Capt. George Dodge, should likewise consider a request made by Dea- con Cheever, in behalf of Mr. Russell, for a similar purpose.
On a motion made in behalf of Mr. Thomas Russell, merchant, that he might be allowed to ship off from this colony, one hundred hogs- heads of last year's Jamaica fish, for the West Indies :
Resolved, That it appears to this Congress, that the detention of said fish can be of little or no service to this colony, and that he be al- lowed to export the same ; and as part of said fish is now at Salem, and part at Newburyport, it is further Resolved, that the said Russell be allowed to send or transport the fish which is at Salem to Newbury- port, in order to be shipped off as aforesaid : and the respective com- mittees of safety of both said towns, are directed to take care, in their own departments, that this resolve be effectually carried into execution, and that no other provisions, except for the vessel's use, be shipped off in the same.
The order of the day [was] moved for.
Ordered, That Capt. Webster, Mr. Wheeler, and Mr. Fox, be a com- mittee to receive and count the votes for a major general.
The committee having attended that service, reported that Col. Heath was chosen.
Resolved, 'That eleven o'clock, to-morrow morning, be assigned for the choice of four brigadier generals.
A return of a member, (viz. : Mr. Beriah Norton,) from Edgartown, was read, and considered; and the question being put, whether Mr. Norton be regularly returned a member for said town, it passed in the negative.
Ordered, That the secretary transmit to General Heath a certificate of his being chosen by this Congress a major general in the Massachu- setts army, and to desire his acceptance, and that he would attend this Congress, as soon as may be, to receive his commission.
Ordered, That Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Lothrop, and Mr. Sayer, be a committee to make out a commission for Major General Heath.
Ordered, That Col. Freeman, Mr. Webster, and Doct. Taylor, be a committee to prepare the form of a return, to be printed on the back of
364
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 20,
the letter to be sent to the several towns and districts for choosing rep- resentatives.
Ordered, That Deacon Fisher, Capt. Stone, and Capt. Thatcher, be a committee to consider a letter from the committee of safety relative to their recommendation of Mr. John Wiley as captain of a company of the train of artillery, and that they notify the said Wiley to be heard thereon.
Ordered, That Capt. Batchelder, Mr. Hopkins, and Major Fuller, be a committee to consider a petition from Robert Haskell.1
Ordered, That Capt. Brown be of the committee, in the room of Major Hall, to agree with Mr. Hunt for his house in Watertown, to be used as a hospital.
Ordered, That Deacon Nichols, Deacon Fisher, and Mr. Hinsdale, be a committee to distribute Doct. Langdon's sermons, one to each minister in the colony, and one to each member of the Congress.
The committee appointed to prepare the form of a return to be printed on the back of the letters to the selectmen of the several towns and dis- tricts, &c., reported. The report was read, and accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Pursuant to the letters within written, the freeholders and other in- habitants of the town of , qualified as is therein directed, upon due warning given, assembled and met together, the day
of , 1775, and did then elect and depute to
serve for and represent them, in the session and sessions of the great and general court, or assembly, appointed to be convened, held, and kept, at the meeting-house in Watertown, upon Wednesday, the nine- teenth day of July, 1775; the said person being chosen by the major part of the electors present at said meeting. Dated at
aforesaid, the day of , Anno Domini, 1775.
Selectmen of
The person chosen as aforesaid notified thereof, and summoned to attend accordingly, by me,
Constable of
(1) Robert Haskell represented, that he was a native of Beverly, where he resided until 1762, when he removed to Yarmouth in Nova Scotia, and cultivated a small farm. Returning to Bev- erly in 1773, he engaged in the coasting trade ; but the wreck of his vessel, and the loss of her cargo, had deprived him of the means of support, and rendered him desirons of returning to his lands. Hav- ing contracted for his passage in an old ship, the committee of safety of Beverly had refused their permission for his departure on the contemplated voyage. He prayed that Congress would give him liberty, under the unfortunate circumstances of his condition, to revisit his home and family.
365
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
The committee appointed to prepare a letter to the Continental Con- gress, reported. The report was read, paragraphi by paragraph, and accepted, and ordered to be transcribed, authenticated, and sent for- ward, [and is as follows, viz :]
To the Honorable, the Continental Congress, now sitting at Philadel- phia :
May it please your honors :
Having been favored with your resolve respecting the assumption of government in this colony, we seize the earliest opportunity to express our grateful ["sentiments] for that compassion, seasonable exertion, and abundant wisdom, evidenced in your recommendation to this people on that head, and for the generous provision you have made for our sup- port, in our efforts for the defence of the common liberty and essential rights of the whole continent. As we are plunged into the accumula- ted distresses of a domestic war, our constant attention to the calls of our brethren in the field, will leave us but little time to contemplate the acts of ordinary legislation; but, as we are impressed with the in- dispensable necessity of rescuing this people from the danger they are in, of falling into a state of anarchy, and that our public resolutions may be taken and executed with greater despatch, we shall apply ourselves, with all diligence, to fulfil your benevolent intentions, and establish the form of government recommended by your honors ; that so, order and government may be restored to this disturbed community.
We think it our indispensable duty to inforin you, that reenforcements from Ireland, both of horse and foot, being arrived, the number un- known, and having good intelligence that general Gage was about to take possession of the advantageous posts in Charlestown, and on Dor- chester point, the committee of safety advised, that our troops should prepossess them, if possible ; accordingly, on Friday evening, the 16th instant, this was effected by about twelve hundred meu. About day- light, on Saturday moning, their line of circumvallation, on a small hill south of Bunker's hill, in Charlestown, was closed. At this time, the Lively, man of war, began to fire upon them. A number of our ene- mies' ships, tenders, cutters, and scows, or floating batteries, soon came up : from all which the fire was general by twelve o'clock. About two, the enemy began to land at a point which leads out towards Noddle's island, and immediately marched up to our intrenchments, from which they were twice repulsed ; but, in the third attack, forced them. Our
a [resentments. ]
366
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 20,
forces, which were in the lines, as well as those sent for their support, were greatly annoyed on every side, by balls, and bombs, from Copp's hill, the ships, scows, &c. At this time, the buildings in Charlestown appeared in flames, in almost every quarter, kindled by hot balls, and are since laid in ashes. Though this scene was most horrible, and altogether new to most of our men, yet many stood and received wounds by swords and bayonets, before they quitted their lines. At five o'clock, the enemy were in full possession of all the posts within the [isthmus.] In the evening and night following, General Ward extended his in- trenchments, before made at the stone house, over Winter hill. About six o'clock, P. M., of the same day, the enemy began to cannonade Roxbury, from Boston neck and elsewhere, which they continued twen- ty four hours, with little spirit and less effect.
The number of killed and missing on our side is not known; but supposed by some to be about sixty or seventy, and by some, consider- ably above that number. Our most worthy friend and president, Doct. Warren, lately elected a major general, is among them. This loss we feel most sensibly. Lieut. Col. Parker, and Major Moore, of this colo- ny, and Major McClary, from New Hampshire, are also dead. Three colonels, and perhaps one hundred men are wounded. The loss of the enemy is doubtless great. By an anonymous letter from Boston, we are told, that they exult much in having gained the ground, though their killed and wounded amount to about one thousand ; but this ac- count exceeds every other estimation. The number they had engaged is supposed to be between three and four thousand. If any error has been made on our side, it was in taking a post so much exposed.
As soon as an estimate can be made of public and private stocks of gunpowder in this colony, it sliall be transmitted without delay ; which, we are well assured, will be very small, and by no means adequate to the exigencies of our case.
We apprehend, that the scantiness of our stock of that article cannot fail to induce your honors still to give your utmost attention to ways and means of procuring full supplies of it. We feel ourselves infinitely obliged to you for your past care in this respect.
We beg leave humbly to suggest, that, if a commander in chief over the army of the United Colonies should be appointed, it must be plain to your honors, that no part of this continent can so much require his immediate presence and exertions, as this colony.
Ordered, That the Hon. Major Hawley, and Mr. Phillips, be a com- mittee to draw up a resolve, to be sent to General Ward, suggesting to
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THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
him the expediency of drawing part of the forces stationed at Roxbury, to the camp at Cambridge.
The said committee reported the following letter, which was accept- ed, and ordered to be sent, by Mr. Thaxter, to the camp at Cambridge, immediately :
SIR :- This Congress, considering the present situation of the ene- my, and that of the division of our army at Cambridge, think proper to suggest to your serious consideration, whether it is not proper and ex- pedient, that there should be an immediate draft of a regiment or more from the Roxbury camp to that at Cambridge. Your good sense will undoubtedly incline you to consult General 'l'homas, before you deter- mine absolutely on this measure; but we conceive the consideration of this inatter ought not to be delayed a moment.
To the Hon. General Ward.
Adjourned to Wednesday morning, eight o'clock.
WEDNESDAY, June 21, 1775.
Resolved, That the vote of this Congress for ranking the major gen- erals agreeably to the order of their choice, be reconsidered.
The commission prepared for General Heath, was presented to Con- gress, read, and accepted, and is as follows :
The Congress of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, to the Hon. Wil- liam Heath, Esq. Greeting.
We, reposing especial trust and confidence in your courage, and good conduct, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you, the said William Heath, to be a major general of all the forces raised by the Congress aforesaid, for the defence of this and the other American colonies.
You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a major general, in leading, ordering, and exercising the said forces in arms, both inferior officers and soldiers, and to keep them in good order and discipline : And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their major general : And you are, yourself, to observe and follow such orders and instructions, as you shall, from time to time, receive from the general and commander in chief of said forces, or any other your superior officers; and to demean yourself according to military rules and discipline established by said Congress, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. Dated at Watertown, the 21st of June, 1775.
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