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 44
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By order of Congress.
President.
368
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 21,
Ordered, That Col. Gerrish, Major Hawley, Doct. Taylor, Mr. Dur- fee, and Mr. Jewett, be a committee to consider the expediency of di- recting General Ward, to call Col. Glover's regiment, now stationed at Marblehead, to the camp at Cambridge, and report.
The committee on the petition of Robert Haskell, reported : The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
'The committee appointed to take into consideration the petition of Robert Haskell, beg to report by way of resolve,
Resolved, That the petitioner, Robert Haskell, be, and he hereby is permitted to proceed from Beverly to Nova Scotia, in a fishing vessel about 17 years old, that he hath procured for that purpose ; also to carry three or four persons with him, and the following provisions, viz. : one barrel of pork ; two of bread ; sixteen gallons of molasses ; sixteen gallons of rum; a half bushel of beans or peas ; and two bushels of salt; but no more provisions of any kind whatever : and that such proceed- ing will not be contrary to the resolve passed by the Grand American Congress, the 17th of May last, or any other resolve that honorable Congress have yet published.
Resolved, That Col. Phiney, be admitted into this house, to inform the Congress of the state of the regiment enlisted in the county of Cumberland.
The committee appointed to consider the expediency of directing General Ward, to call to the camp at Cambridge, the regiment at Marblehead, reported. The report was [ªaccepted]1.
Ordered, That Col. Sayer wait on General Ward with it.
Ordered, That Mr. Sayer, draw, in the form of a resolve, the report of the committee relative to the estates of the refugees.
Ordered, That the president sign the resolve relative to the violation of the sabbath, which passed the 16th instant.
Ordered, That Doct. Jones, Capt. Stone, and Capt. Bragdon, be a committee to consider the petition of Thomas Twining.
Mr. Sayer reported a resolve relative to the estates of the refugees, which was accepted, and ordered to be printed in the Cambridge, Watertown, and Worcester papers, and is as follows, viz. :
Whereas, the property of somne persons who have left their habita- tions in sundry towns in this colony, and have discovered themselves to be enemies to the rights of this colony, and the continent of Ameri-
a [accepted and is as follows.]
(1) The resolution, unfortunately lost from the journal and files, appears to have directed the re- moval of the regiment from the coast to the camp, as soon as the troops could abandon their post with safety to the inhabitants.
369
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
ca, in general, and have taken refuge in Boston, and other places, un- der the protection of the enemies to said colony and continent : there- fore, Resolved, that it be recommended to the selectmen and commnit- tees of correspondence of the several towns and districts of this colony, where any property is to be found belonging to any of the aforesaid per- sons, that they take the same into their care, and make the best improve- ment thereof in their power ; and also, that it be recommended to the said committees or selectmen, to use their endeavor, that no strip or waste be made on such property, and to keep an account of all the rents and profits arising from the same, and to be accountable for the same, to this, or some other Congress or assembly of this colony, when thereto required; they having a reasonable allowance made for their trouble.
Afternoon.
Ordered, That Major Hawley, Mr. Gerry and Major Fuller, be a committee to bring in a resolve, for the purpose of calling the general assembly at another time than that at which it is to be held, if the exi- gencies of the times should make it necessary.
Resolved, That another major general be chosen by this Congress, in addition to the two already, chosen, and that six o'clock, this after- noon, be assigned for such choice.
Ordered, That Major Fuller, Col. Farley and Mr. Wheeler, be a committee to inquire how and where materials for making good paper, proper for bills of credit, may be had, if any such bills should be emit- ted.
Ordered, That Capt. Bragdon and Col. Davis, be a committee to apply to Mr. Paul Revere, desiring him to take care, that he does not leave liis engraving press exposed, when he is absent from it; and said committee are directed to take the plates into their hands, and deliver them to this Congress, when the notes are all struck off.
The committee who were appointed to confer with the Indians, re- ported as follows, viz. :
The committee appointed by the honorable colony Congress, now sit- ting, to treat with the chiefs from tlie Penobscot tribe, after an intro- duction on their part, received from the [chief of the] Indians the fol- lowing address, viz. :
The representation he now makes, and the engagements he enters into, are in behalf of the whole tribe he represents.
His heart is good, honest, and upright, in all he says.
The English are a people old and strong; but they are children and weak. They have a large tract of land, which they have a right to
47
370
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 12,
call their own, and have possessed, accordingly, for many years. These lands have been encroached upon by the English, who have, for miles on end, cut much of their good timber. They ask that the Eng- lish would interpose and prevent such encroachiments for the future ; and they will assist us, with all their power, in the common defence of our country ; and they hope, if the Almighty be on our side, the ene- my will not be able to deprive us of our lands.
They request that Capt. Lane be an agent for them, to settle all matters relative to the above difficulties respecting their lands.
They desire a commissary may be sent among them, of whom they may purchase goods. They desire provisions, powder, &c., may be sent them, which they will buy at a reasonable rate.
They say, they have been much imposed upon by our traders, and desire such evils may be, by us, prevented.
Ordered, That the request of the Indians, as mentioned in said re- port, be considered by the committee aforesaid.
Ordered, That Mr. Haven administer the oaths to General Heath, as colonel, and as major general of the Massachusetts army.
The president then delivered General Heath a commission as colo- nel, and another as a major general of the Massachusetts army.
Ordered, That Mr. Pickering, Mr. Lothrop and Mr. Pitts, be a committee to deliver commissions to the following officers in General Heath's regiment, viz. : Jotham Loring 2d, major : Charles Cushing, captain : Elias Whitton, lieutenant : Benjamin Beal, ensign.
Ordered, That the president, Major Hawley, Mr. Gerry, Col. Thompson, Capt. Goodman, Col. Lincoln and Col. Freeman, be a committee to inquire into the reason of the present want of discipline in the Massachusetts army, and to report to this Congress what is the most proper way to put said army into a proper regulation.
A commission was delivered to Col. Benjamin Ruggles Woodbridge, as colonel of a regiment in the colony army.
Ordered, That commissions be delivered to the officers of Col. Woodbridge's regiment, agreeably to a list by him exhibited to the committee of safety.
The order of the day [was] moved for.
Ordered, That Col. Lincoln, Mr. Pitts and Mr. Lothrop, be a com- mittee to receive, sort, and count the votes for another major general : which committee reported, that they had attended that service, and that Joseph Fry, Esq., was chosen.
Ordered, That Mr. Phillips be appointed, forthwith to wait on Col.
371
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Fry, to inform him of such choice, and to know if he will accept that trust.
The committee appointed to consider the request of the Indians, now in Watertown, reported : the report was accepted, and is as fol- lows, viz. :
We, the delegates of the people of this province, assembled in Con- gress, being appointed to transact the public business, have no doubt that any engagement we shall make, for and in behalf of our constitu- ents, will, on their part, be faithfully ratified and adhered to. We do not doubt of the integrity and honest intentions of our brethren of the Penobscot tribe, and hope, on their part, that they entertain no jeal- ousy of the uprightness and fidelity of us, their brethren. The inhabi- tants of this colony disdain to make use of unjustifiable force or arti- fice, to rob their unsuspecting brethren of their rights; and are heartily disposed to prevent any injuries and encroachments upon their neigh- bors, and to restrain and chastise such invaders as have evidenced any such unjustifiable dispositions. And we hereby strictly forbid any person or persons whatsoever, from trespassing or making waste, upon any of the lands and territories, or possessions, beginning at the head of the tide on Penobscot river, extending six miles on each side of said river, now claimed by our brethren, the Indians of the Penobscot tribe, as they would avoid the highest displeasure of this Congress.
We thank our brethren of the Penobscot tribe, for their generous offers of friendship and assistance in our present war with our brethren in Great Britain, who are endeavoring, by murder and violence, to rob us of our lands and property, and hereby engage to [support] their just claims against every invader. As soon as we can take breath, from our present fight, we will take care that our brethren, the Penobscot tribe, shall be furnished with a proper commissary, who shall be direct- ed to furnish them with provisions, ammunition, and goods, at a rea- sonable rate ; and proper and effectual measures shall then be taken, to prevent any dishonest persons from carrying on a fraudulent traffic with them.
We accept of Capt. Lane, as an agent, appointed by our brethren of the Penobscot tribe, who is hereby authorized and empowered to take cognizance, and make report to this Congress, or any future assembly of this colony, of any molestation or depredations, which the Indians of the Penobscot tribe may hereafter sustain, from any person whatso- ever; so that seasonable and effectual measures may be taken to afford those, our brethren, such redress as their circumstances may require. To the Fountain of all Justice we dare appeal, that our intentions are
·
372
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 21,
equitable towards all our neighbors, and on that Almighty Being we rely, that, while we are struggling against rapine and tyranny, we shall be supported in the conflict, and our just endeavors be finally crowned with success.
The committee likewise reported, verbally, that it is their opinion, the said Indians should have, each of them, two yards of blue broad- cloth, and one piece of ribbon, and have their expenses paid, out and home : which report was accepted, and the committee of supplies di- rected to furnish said Indians with the said ribbon and cloth.
A copy of a letter from the president of the New York Congress to Major General Wooster, at Greenwich, forwarded to head quarters at Cambridge, was read, and committed to the committee just now ap- pointed to consider some methods for regulating the army immediately.1
(I) The letter of the New York Congress was forwarded by Gov. Trumbull, with the communi- cations which follow :
" LEBANON, Juno 19, 1775, A. M., 7 o'clock.
" SIR :- Inclosed are copies of notes taken by the Provincial Congress at New York, of the in- telligence brought by Capt. Thompson, of the embarkation of four regiments from Ireland for New York, in consequence whereof Major General Wooster is requested by that Congress to march imme- diately within five miles of the city ; and the latter informs me, that Capt. Sears informed him, that the people of New York intend to quarter our troops in the city. The military stores, which were at Turtle Bay, have fallen into the hands of General Wooster, consisting of too many articles to be enumerated ; among which are, about five hundred good horse harnesscs, a very considerable num- ber of 13 and 10 inch carcasses, [shells and pots,] all well charged, a very great plenty of grape shot, cannon balls from 24 pounders down to 3, &c., &c."
" The Provincial Congress of New York forwarded, for the use of your camp at Cambridge, 655 lbs. of powder, which came as far as Stanford. They desired the same quantity miglit be forwarded from our oastern magazines. The governor, with his council here, ngreed, on Saturday last, to send forward ten harrels of powder, containing 1100 lbs., from Norwich. Immediately after receiving the letter of Mr. Gerry, of 17th June, at 7 and 8 o'clock, P. M., I sent to Norwich directions to forward the same, night and day. The remainder of Col. Parson's regiment were ordered to march, forth- with, to join the rest at camp, with one pound powder, three do. ball, and six flints eacb. I have sent to hasten them on. I have, this moment, received advice from Col. Arnold at Crown Point, of 13th instant, that the Indians of the Cagnawaga tribe are determined not to assist the king's troops, and have passed a law, that the first of their tribe, who takes uparms against us, shall be put to death ; which he says, is confirmed by five chiefs of that tribe there with their families, and they press hard for our army to march into Canada, as they are much disgusted with the regular troops. Three Indians, sent by him to Canada, it seems, have been much abused by the regulars, and are returned, nnd confirm that account : it is also confirmed, he says, by a gentleman of probity at Montreal ; and that numbers of the Canadians have expected our army there, and are impatient of our delay, being determined to join us as soon as sufficient force appears to support them : that Gov. Carlton, by every art, can raise no more than twenty Canadians of the noblesse : that he threatens to burn Montreal, if the merchants won't defend the city, in case of an attack : that he has only 550 effective men, and thinks it would be very easy to possess ourselves of the whole country." " Col. Hinman writes, that he is in quiet possession of Ticonderoga, and does not find that there are any enemies about him."
"I am, with great truth and regard, gentlemen, your obedient, humble servant,
JONA. TRUMBULL."
" Joseph Warren, Esq., President of the Massachusetts Congress, and Elbridge Gerry, Esq., chairman of the committee of supplies at Massachusetts."
373
1775.]
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. '
Ordered, That commissions for the several officers of the train of artillery hereafter mentioned, be prepared and delivered, viz. : To Col. Richard Gridley, colonel : Mr. William Burbeck, lieutenant colonel . Mr. David Mason, Ist major : Mr. Scarborough Gridley, 2d major.
Resolved, That commissions be delivered to the several officers of the train of artillery, agreeably to the list exhibited by the committee of safety, except to Mr. John Wiley's company : and that the said committee be desired to recommend some persons for that company anew.
Ordered, That Mr. Lothrop, Mr. Pickering and Col. Sawyer, be a committee to prepare commissions for the several officers of the train, agreeably to the foregoing resolve of Congress.
Notes of the Intelligence brought by Capt. Thompson.
" Capt. Thompson arrived at New York, Tuesday, 13th June, 1775; left Cork, in Ireland, on the 6th of May last, and informs, that six regiments had sailed, in 24 transports, for Boston, ono regiment of horse included, which sailed 30th April. Three regiments were embarked, and the fourth em- barking, to sail for New York, with the first fuir wind. The regiments were all full, 700 men each, filled by drafts from the regiments that remain. Their places were to be filled by new recruits. The general report was, that these four regiments were coming to New York, and some captains, and other officers belonging to the troops, told Capt. Thompson in person, that they were coming to New York. One regiment arrived ut Cork, from Kilkenny, the day Capt. Thompson sailed, which was the last regiment to embark for New York. fle saw 12 large transports destined for New York : he heard that 16 were to sail : one general officer was to come to New York."
" The troops coming to New York are to protoet the people's property, and assist against mohs : the report in Ireland was, that those troops had been wrote for by persons here. The troops, in general, disliked the service : somo officers had sold out : no ships of war were coming with the transports : a report prevailed in Ireland, that nine new regiments were to be raised. He heard that 30,000 Russians were ready at a moment's warning. The people of Ireland, in general, are well affected to the Americans, and are averse to the Americans' being taxed by the parliament of Great Britain. Capt. Mellvaino sailed (before Capt. Thompson) for Philadelphia, and has the numbers of the regi- Inents coming to America."
" PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, New York, 17th June, 1775."
" SIR :- Being well informed that four regiments, containing near three thousand effective men, have sailed, In transports, for this city, we took the liberty to request the assistance of those brave sons of freedom who are under your command. We are, this instant, further informed, that the Mercury, ship of war, was cruising upon our coast, and is now at Sandy Hook, to order those trans- ports to Boston immediately, and did, on Tuesday last, thirty leagues to the southeast of the Ilook, deliver her orders to the old Spy, man of war, now a transport, with part of the forty fourth regi- ment on board, which immediatoly altered her courso. From hence, we conclude, that a very capi- tal stroke is meditated against our brethren of tho Massachusetts Bay. You best can determine, sir, whether it is proper, on this occasion, for the forees under your command to march westward; but we are led to believe, that it is of more important consequence to secure the several passes with which nature hath bounteously fortified the eastern country, that, if some unexpected chanco of war should prove fatal to us, in the first contest, the enemy may, by such means, receive a check in his career of vengeaneo. We beg you to transmit this intelligence to the provincial camp with the utmost despatch. Wo ure, sir, your most humble servants.
By order of the Congress. PETER V. B. LIVINGSTON, President." " To Major General Wooster, at Greenwich."
" The above is a true copy of a letter just received from the Provincial Congress of New York, and now forwardod by express.
By order of General Wooster.
JAMES LOCKWOOD, Sec'ry."
374
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 22,
Ordered, That Major Whittemore wait upon Col. Gridley, to desire him to attend this Congress, to-morrow, to receive his commission.
Ordered, That Deacon Nichols, Mr. Bent and Deacon Fisher, be a committee to consider the petition of Capt. Briant Morton.
Ordered, That Col. Gridley's list of staff officers be committed to the committee just now appointed to prepare commissions for the offi- cers of the train.
Adjourned to Thursday morning, nine o'clock.
THURSDAY, June 22, 1775.
Ordered, That the secretary, Col. Cushing aud Mr. Wheeler, be a committee to make a list of such officers of the army, as have been commissioned, and also to inquire who have not yet received their commissions.
Ordered, That an ensign's commission be delivered to Mr. Stephen Frost, of Capt. Locke's company, in Col. Gardner's regiment.
Ordered, That the selectmen of the town of Ashby, be directed to deliver the selectmen of the town of Townshend one half barrel of powder, provided they have two half barrels, the selectmen of Towns- end giving a receipt for the same.
Ordered, That the petition of Col. Paul Dudley Sergent be commit- ted to Col. Parks, Major Fuller of Middleton, and Mr. Nye.
Ordered, That the petition from Penobscot [for ammunition and provisions] be recommitted.
Ordered, That Doct. Francis Kittridge be desired to attend the hos- pital, as a surgeon, till the further order of Congress, and that Mr. Kendall be desired to inform Doct. Kittridge of his appointment.
Ordered, That the colonels of the several regiments in the Massa- chusetts army, be directed to recommend, immediately, suitable persons for surgeons and surgeons' mates.
Ordered, That a recommendation from the committee of safety, re- specting aids de camp, be committed to Col. Glover, Major Goodwin and Dr. Whiting.
Ordered, That Major Whittemore, Mr. Davis and Deacon [ªGould,] be a committee to distribute the handbills respecting the due observ- ance of the Lord's day.
Ordered, That Mr. Pickering be appointed, in the room of Col. Coffin, to consider the petition of Mr. Kirkwood, keeper of the light- house on Thatcher's island.1
a [Gool.]
(1) James Kirkwood represented, that he had been deprived of his salary for two years, and had not been remunerated for his disbursements in maintaining the lights on Thatcher's island, and
375
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Ordered, That Mr. Hinsdale, Col. Farley and Capt. Batchelder, be a committee to take into consideration a petition from George Vincent of Salem.
Ordered, That Doct. Whiting be appointed to draft a resolve, that application be made to the committee of safety by every person that is to be appointed a military officer.
Ordered, That the proclamation for a fast be recommitted for amendment, and that Mr. Webster and Deacon Fisher be added to the committee.
Ordered, 'That a hospital be provided for the camp at Roxbury, and that Col. Davis, Doct. Taylor and Doct. Whiting, be a committee to provide one accordingly, and to supply the same.
Ordered, That Major Fuller of Newton, be appointed to take care of the plates, until the further order of this Congress, or some future house of representatives of this colony.
Ordered, That Major Hawley, Mr. Webster and Col. Gerrish, be a cominittee to take into consideration Col. Phiney's regiment.
Ordered, That Mr. Goodman be appointed, in the room of Col. Grout, on the petition of Mr. Parry.
Afternoon.
Ordered, That Mr. Paul Revere's account1 be committed to Col. Farley, Mr. Hall and Mr. Bailey.
Ordered, That Capt. Batchelder, Major Goodwin and Mr. Hobart, be a committee to consider the propriety of commissioning the officers in Col. Gerrish's regiment.
Ordered, That Mr. Pickering be appointed, to fill up commissions for Samuel Patch, as captain, and Zachariah Walker and Joshua Brown, as lieutenants, in Col. William Prescott's regiment.
Ordered, That a letter be sent to General Ward, in answer to his letter, and that Col. Lincoln be appointed for that service.
Voted, That a particular number of men shall be settled, to entitle Col. Phiney to the command of a regiment.
Voted, That Col. Phiney be directed to bring up to the camp four hundred men with effective fire arms, and that a time be limited to bring up one hundred more, at least, with effective fire arms, and in that case [he] to be entitled to a colonel's commission, and not other- wise.
prayed relief from the pecuniary difficulties he experienced by reason of the postponement of the payments due for his services and expenses.
(1) Col. Paul Revere charged for engraving four copper plates of the colony notes, at 6/. each, 241. : aud for printing 14,500 impressions, at 31. 6s. 8d. the thousand, 487, 6s. 8d.
376
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 22,
Ordered, That Mr. Pickering be appointed, to make out commis- sions to the officers in Col. Gerrish's regiment.
Ordered, That the committee of safety be directed, as soon as pos- sible, to prepare and transmit to this Congress, perfect lists of the names of such gentlemen as they judge fit and worthy to be commis- sioned in the several regiments granted by this Congress, and for which the said committee have not already transmitted lists, that so our army may be organized as soon as possible.
On the petition of the selectmen of the town of Townshend, Re- solved, that it be recommended to the selectmen of the town of Ashby, to deliver to the selectmen of the town of Townshend, one half barrel of gunpowder for the use of the inhabitants of said Townshend ; which shall be replaced in the town of Ashby by this Congress, or a house of representatives, so soon as the state of our magazines will admit; or otherwise, said town of Ashby shall be fully paid for said powder, out of the public treasury : provided the said town of Ashby have two half barrels, as has been represented to this Congress.
The committee appointed to consider by what means the army before Boston, may be effectually and most expeditiously strengthened, beg leave to report in part, that they judge it absolutely necessary that the eight companies stationed in the county of Plymouth, belonging partly to General Thomas's regiment, and partly to Col. Cotton's regiment, be immediately ordered to join the army as soon as possible, and that directions be immediately given to General Ward for that purpose.
JOSEPH HAWLEY, per order.1
[The committee reported the following letter to general Ward, which was accepted : ]
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