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 48
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
Ordered, That Mr. Thatcher be appointed to apply to the brother
(1) The letter from the committee of Albany follows :
" ALBANY, COMMITTEE CHAMBER, 23D JUNE, 1775. " BRETHREN,-
We have received a vague and uncertain account from your colony, of an engagement, which your troops liave liad with the enemies of our country, at or noar Charlestown. As we feel our- selves deeply interested in every event affecting the general weal of America, it gives us great pleasure, that, though with the loss of many brave men, you have been able, if our information be true, to drive, with considerable loss, the tools of tyranny and oppression baek to their asylum. Strongly impressed with the warmest disposition to eultivate harmony with you, and, if neces- sary, to afford you all the assistance in our power, we have, therefore, sent you this by Mr. Price, in order to receive from you a circumstantial detail of the late engagement and its conse- quenees. May that God, who has so ofton signally espoused our eause in the arduous struggle for liberty and humunity, still continue to you his gracious guidance and protection."
" We expect daily an attack upon Ticonderoga from Canada."
" We are at a loss to know what must be done with the donations collected in this city for the poor of Boston, and beg to be informed by you, as tho chief of the contributions are in grain, whe- ther we shall dispose of it here, and convert it into eash, or otherwise wait your directions. We _ are, brethren, your very humble servants.
By order of the committee, SAMUEL STRINGER, Chairman."
To the Provincial Congress of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, if sitting ;
ortherwise to the Committee of War at Cambridge or elsewhere.
(2) The resolve relating to abseonding soldiers is inserted In the Journal of June 28 following.
(3) The letter of Isaae Stone charges one of the bakers of the army with using the flour furnish- ed fiom the stores of the province for the supply of his own customers.
404
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 27,
of our late president for such papers belonging to this Congress, as he may have in his possession.
Ordered, That Doct. Taylor, Col. Coffin, and Capt. Webster, be a committee to consider a letter from General Thomas respecting a pe- tition for liberty to permit provisions to be carried to those who were taken prisoners by Gage's troops, on the 17th instant, now in Boston.
A number of letters were presented to the Congress by Mr. Palfrey, lately arrived from England, some of which were read, and then the whole were committed to Doct. Taylor, Mr. Partridge and Capt. Brown.1
Ordered, That Mr. Bigelow be appointed to go to Cambridge, to inquire if there are any blank commissions at the committee of safety's room.
Ordered, That Mr. Webster, Mr. Partridge, and Capt. Goodman, be a committee to receive and sort the votes for four gentlemen to be added to the committee of supplies.
The committee having attended that service, reported, that Col. James Prescott, Col. Elisha Porter, Major Brooks, and Capt. Vose, were chosen.
Major Brooks, having requested that he might be excused, was ex- cused, and Col. Barrett was chosen in his room.
Ordered, That the secretary make out a proper certificate of the choice of the abovenamed four gentlemen on the committee of sup- plies.
The committee on the account of Mr. Paul Revere reported : the report was recommitted.
A letter from General Ward was read, nominating Col. William Henshaw, to be an adjutant general in the Massachusetts army, where- upon, Ordered, that a commission be made out for him accordingly.
Ordered, That the Hon Major Hawley, Mr. Pickering, and Col. Porter, be a committee, to prepare letters to the Continental Congress, requesting their aid in furnishing us with gunpowder : and also to prepare another letter to Governor Trumbull, requesting him to take some steps for collecting powder from the several towns in the colony of Connecticut, to be sent to head quarters at Cambridge, as this colo- ny is now doing.
A letter from General Thomas was read, nominating Mr. Samuel Brewer, to be an adjutant general in the Massachusetts army : where- upon Ordered, that a commission be made out for him accordingly.
(1) The letters from England, so far as the contents of all can be inferred from the few preserved, gave information of the embarkation of regiments of troops, and the preparations of the administra- tion to reduce the colonies to subjection.
405
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Resolved, That Mr. Ezekiel Chever be appointed store keeper of the ordnance in the room of Major Barber, who has declined accept- ance of that trust, and that 5 o'clock P. M. be assigned for consider- ing the expediency of augmenting the pay of the store keeper of the ordnance.
Ordered, That Capt. Holmes, Capt. Brown, and Capt. Batchelder be a committee to examine Ensign Robert Campbell, lately arrived from England, and now a prisoner in this town, and to report what is proper to be done with him.
Afternoon.
Ordered, That Capt. Farley, Capt. Dwight, and Mr. Webster, be a committee to prepare an address to the several towns in the colony, who may be applied to, to furnish the ariny with powder.
Resolved, That Mr. Edes be desired to print 300 blank commissions, in the form lately made use of for the officers of the army.
A petition from Jonathan Hicks, and Josiah Jones, prisoners in Concord jail, was read, and ordered to lie on the table.1
A letter from S. L. was read, and ordered to lie on the table.2
A petition from the committees of the several townships of Golds- borough, Narragaugus and Number Four, was read, and committed to Capt. Parker, Col. Smith and Capt. Ellis, who are directed to consi- der the propriety of supplying the inhabitants of Machias with some three pounders, and some swivel balls.3
(1) These gentlemen, captured in a sloop bound to Nova Scotia and ordered to be put in confine- ment, by a resolve of Congress, June 10, (page 315,) in their memorial, admit, that they had enter- tained opinions at variance with those of their countrymen : while they refused to assent to the justice of every ministerial claim, they had deemed it inexpedient und unsafo to bear arms against the power of Great Britain. " We declare" they say "before God and man, with perfect sin- cerity, that we do, most affectionately wish prosperity to our native land, and to the inhabitants in general of these American colonies ; and we are ready, at any time, aud at all times, so far as our abilities extend, to do any thing within the limits of justice, that appears to us subservient to this important end." Protesting that it was with the view to avoid danger, and not from want of regard to the cause of the country, that they had taken up their residence in Boston, they earnestly entreat that they may be liberated from imprisonment, on giving obligations to observe a patriotic course of conduct.
(2) A letter, subscribed with the initials S. L., strongly urges the expediency of fitting out armed vessels without delay. The writer apprehended, that the squadron under Admiral Graves, with the small ships of war and tenders, might interrupt the vessels bringing provisions to Massachil- setts, and reduce the army and inhabitants to a state of famine. Ile suggests that a ship, then ready to launch at Danvers, of about 300 tons burden, might be commissioned, and many ships, lying idle at the wharves of the sea coast, might be usefully employed in bringing grain from the southern colonies, transporting powder, cannon, and arms, from Spain or France, and collecting saltpetre from ports where that article could be purchased.
(3) All the eastern towns suffered severely from scarcity of food and deficiency of arms and ammunition. Among the constant applications for relief was that mentioned in the text. In a letter from Col. Enoch Freeman dated at Falmouth. he states : " A man from Deer Island, near
406
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 27,
Ordered, That Capt. Shillaber be directed to bring in a resolve for the purpose of assuring the officers and soldiers, that, notwithstanding the date of the officers' commissions, the pay of both officers and sol- diers shall commence at the time of their enlistment.
Ordered, That commissions be made out to the subaltern officers of Capt. Edward Crafts' company in the train, agreeably to the recom- mendation of the committee of safety.
A letter from Elisha Phelps was read, and ordered to lie on the table. 1
The letter from Mr. Isaac Stone which was this day transmitted to the committee of supplies, was, by that committee, returned, and again read, and thereupon Ordered, that Major Fuller be directed to notify the commissary general to attend this Congress on the subject thereof.
The committee appointed to consider in what way the sea coasts should be protected, reported, whereupon Ordered, that the committee of supplies, and all committees of the house now out, be directed im- mediately to give attendance.
Ordered, That the committee appointed to provide hospitals for the army, be directed to provide another hospital, to be appropriated solely for such of the army as may be taken with the small pox, and to con- sider what measures can be taken to prevent the spreading of that distemper, and that Doct. Rand, and Doct. Foster, be added to the committee.
Resolved, That the resolve passed yesterday, directing how the fire arms should be distributed, be reconsidered. The same being amend- ed, was again accepted and is as follows, viz: Whereas, this Congress has ordered a number of fire arms to be furnished from several towns and districts in this colony, to be forwarded to the army, to supply those who are destitute of arms, but no provision is made for delivering them out, and taking proper receipts for the same, therefore, Resolved, that all the small arms that are, or may be procured by the above order, be delivered to the committee of safety at Cambridge; they to give their receipt for the same, to the person from whom they re- ceive them : that the same be delivered out to such officers, as shall
Penobscot, was here this afternoon, and gives a melancholy account of the distress the people aro in, that way, for want of bread, owing to the stoppage of trade. He heard that several children had died of hunger. What will become of them, God only knows. We are not able to help them or ourselves. I don't know what can be done for them or us, without some vessels of superior force to the tenders should be provided to bring bread."
(1) Capt. Phelps was sent to Connecticut for the purpose of procuring aid in transporting cannon from Tyconderoga to the camp near Boston. He stated that Gov. Trumbull declined anthorizing the removal of the guns from the northern fortress, withont the direction of the Continental Con_ gress.
407
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
produce orders therefor, from the Honorable General Ward, they giv- ing receipts for the same, to the said committee of safety, to be returned in good order, unless lost in the service of the colony. And every soldier who shall receive any such fire arm, shall give liis receipt for the same, to the officer from whom he shall receive it, to be returned as aforesaid ; and the officer shall return the said receipts to the com- mittee of safety ; and in case the same shall not be returned, at the close of the campaign, or sooner, the value of the said fire arm, shall be deducted out of the wages of the person receiving the same; and that the committee of safety shall appraise all such arms, as have not already been appraised, and take an account of the whole.
Ordered, That Col. William Henshaw, an adjutant general, take the oath appointed to be taken by the officers and soldiers of the Massa- chusetts army, and that a commission as adjutant general be delivered to him.
The committee appointed to examine Ensign Robert Campbell, reported the following resolve, which was accepted. The committee appointed to take into consideration the case of a prisoner, bound to Boston to join the army under the command of General Gage, have ex- amined said prisoner, and his account of himself is, that his name is Robert Campbell, about seventeen years old, son of Lieut. Col. Al- exander Campbell, who is now lieutenant governor of Fort George, in Inverness, and is of one of the first families in Scotland. Said Robert Campbell further says, he was born in the army, and now has a recom- mendation for an ensign's commission in the 35th regiment.
Resole:d, That Robert Campbell be sent immediately to the care of the selectmen of Concord, to be by them put under keepers, or into prison, and provided for, as their prudence shall direct, until the fur- ther order of this Congress, or some future house of representatives, and that he be delivered to Col. Barrett, to be conveyed to said select- men of Concord.
An account of Simeon Fish, and John Toby, of the expenses of bringing Ensign Robert Campbell from Falmouth to this Congress, was read, and committed to the committee, who were appointed to examine said Campbell.
The committee appointed to inquire into the state of the several towns stocks in the counties of Hampshire and Worcester, reported a schedule, containing an account of the stocks of several towns in said counties, which was committed to Mr. Singletary, Mr. Nye, and Mr Cut, who were directed to consider what quantity should be drawn from each town, for the use of the army.
408
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 28,
The committee appointed to consider the letter of General Thomas, relative to the request of a number of our wounded friends, in captivity in Boston, reported : the report was accepted, and a copy of it ordered to be sent to General Thomas, and is as follows, viz : the committee appointed to consider the request of a number of our wounded friends, now in captivity in Boston, beg leave to report, that General Thomas be requested moderately to supply said prisoners with fresh meat, in case he can convey it to them, and them only.
The report of the committee appointed to consider some means for protecting the sea coasts, was again read and considered, and after debate, the further consideration of it was put off till to-morrow morning.
Adjourned to to-morrow morning 8 o'clock.
WEDNESDAY, June 28, 1775.
The committee appointed to prepare an answer to the letter from Albany, reported.
Ordered, That Col. Lincoln bring in a resolve, making five of the committee of supplies to be a quorum, or in defect of five, that any three may be a quorum, provided the chairman be one of the three.
[Col. Lincoln reported a resolve, which was read, accepted, and is as follows, viz :]
Whereas, The public interest often makes it necessary, that a very considerable number of the committee of supplies should be absent on business of the colony, and as no orders can be paid by the receiver general, but such as are signed by the said committee, or the major part of them ; by reason whereof, the public service may be obstructed, and greatly delayed; for prevention of which, it is Resolved, That three of said committee of supplies, the chairman, David Cheever, Esq. being always one of the three, shall, when there are less than five present, be considered as a quorum; and all orders, bargains, and contracts, by them made, shall be held good, to all intents and purposes, as fully as though the whole of said committee were present, and assenting to such orders, bargains, and contracts. And the receiver general of this colony be, and is hereby directed to govern himself accordingly.
The letter prepared to be sent to the committee of Albany, was accepted, and is as follows :
Gentlemen ; This Congress have received your very obliging letter, by Mr. Price, of the 23d ultimo, and they cheerfully embrace the op- portunity to forward to you by the same hand, as particular an account of the late engagement with the enemies of America, as we, in the
409
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
present hurry of our public affairs, are able to do. On the night of the 16th of June instant, a body of our troops took possession of a hill in Charlestown, where they began some entrenchments ; but as soon as the morning light appeared, they were fired upon by some of the ships in Boston harbor, and also from a battery on Copp's hill, which is on Boston side. Soon after, several ships and floating batte- ries drew up, as near as possible on each side [of] Charlestown neck, in order, with their cannon, to annoy our people, and prevent any recruits going from our main body to their relief. About two o'clock, P. M., a large body of regular troops, consisting of several thousands, commanded by Lord Howe, suddenly crossed Charles river, and land- ed near the hill on which our people were posted. They immediately marched up, in order to force our infant entrenchments : but our peo- ple gave them so warm a reception, that they thought best to retreat ; but soon renewed their attempts; but were repulsed the second time with great slaughter ; but, on their third attempt, our people, being almost destitute of ammunition, as the enemies' constant fire from their ships and floating batteries had prevented any supplies from our main army, were obliged to retreat, with the loss of about 50 men killed, and 200 wounded, as near as has yet been ascertained, and about 30 taken prisoners, many of whom were wounded, and some are since dead of their wounds. The loss on the part of our enemies is much greater ; some persons who were on the field of battle soon after the fight, affirm they saw 800 men dead on the ground, and that there were as many more wounded ; the lowest account we have had, is, 1000 killed and wounded, among whom are 84 commissioned officers. On the same day, the town of Charlestown, consisting of near 500 houses and other buildings, was, by those bloody incendiaries, set on fire and consumed to ashes. We cannot, however, but assure you, gentlemen, that, notwithstanding our present distressed situation, we feel a peculiar satisfaction in finding our patriotic brethren of the city and county of Albany, so cordially interesting themselves in our par- ticular welfare, and so kindly offering us their assistance, as well as manifesting their zeal for the rights and liberties of America in gene- ral. It is our ardent desire to cultivate harmony and friendship with all our neighboring brethren, and, we hope, you will not fail to con- tinue your favors, and we assure you, that we shall always take pleas- ure in conveying to you any intelligence that shall afford satisfaction. As to the benevolent donations you mention, which are collected for our distressed brethren, as the transporting the article you make meil- tion of, is almost impracticable, [we] think it had better be exchanged
52
410
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 28,
for cash, or some necessary specie, which may be more easily trans- ported. We are sorry to hear there is any prospect of an attack upon Ticonderoga, &c., but, we trust, those important fortresses are suffi- ciently garrisoned, and doubt not, but our brave countrymen stationed there, will be able to repulse any force which can be sent against them from Canada. Finally, brethren, we ardently wish, that the great Su- preme Being, who governs all things, may so direct all our military operations, that they may speedily issue in the full restoration and peaceable possession of the natural and constitutional rights and liber- ties of every American.
P. S. Some make the number of our killed and missing to be near a hundred.
The committee on the account of Messrs. Fish and Toby, reported : the report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. : Resolved, that Sim- eon Fish and John Toby be allowed and paid, out of the public treas- ury of this colony, six pounds, seven shillings, for their time and ex- penses in bringing Robert Campbell, a prisoner, from Falmouth to this Congress, and also for their time and expenses back to Falmouth again ; and the receiver general is hereby directed to pay the said sum of six pounds, seven shillings, to the said Fish and Toby, in full dis- charge of their expenses as aforesaid.
The committee who were appointed to consider the resolves of this Congress relative to absconding soldiers, reported : the report was re- committed.
Mr. Pigeon was introduced on the subject of Capt. Stone's letter respecting Mr. More.
Ordered, That Deacon Fisher, Capt. Batchelder and Capt. Stone of Framingham, be a committee, to join with Mr. Pigeon in an inquiry into the conduct of said More, and report to this Congress.
Ordered, That Capt. Batchelder, Col. Coffin and Capt. Goodman, be a committee to bring in a resolve for the purpose of saving provis- ions in the army.
A list of persons recommended as deputy commissaries was read, and committed to Mr. Greenleaf, Capt. Carpenter and Mr. Johnson.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve for giving a currency to the notes or bills of credit of this colony, reported : the report was recommitted for the purpose of introducing the large notes issued by this colony.
Ordered, That commissions be delivered to such officers of Col. Gerrish's regiment as are not yet commissioned.
411
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
A petition of John Obrian was read, and committed to Major Per- ly, Major Fuller of Middleton, and Mr. Cutt.1
The report of the committee appointed to consider some measures for defending the sea coasts was again taken into consideration, amended and accepted, and Col. Freeman, Col. Gerrish and Capt. Carpenter, were appointed to fix the pay of the officers in proportion to that of the soldiers agrecably to said report.
The report of the committee respecting absconding soldiers, was put off to three o'clock, P. M.
The committee appointed to consider some method of saving pro- visions in the army, reported : the report was accepted, and is as fol- lows : The committee appointed to consider of the most effectual means to prevent any waste of provision in the army, beg leave to re- port by way of resolve.
Resolved, That the commissary general be, and he hereby is direct- ed, to purchase all the provisions that any of the soldiers may have to spare of their allowance, for the use of our army, and pay a reason- able price for such provision.
Afternoon.
The following gentlemen were appointed a committee to station the troops in the county of Essex, agreeably to the resolve of Congress, which passed in the forenoon, viz. :
Lynn-Mr. Edward Johnson. Manchester-Mr. Andrew Wood- bury. Gloucester-Col. Coffin. Salem-Mr. Pickering. Ipswich- Col. Farley. Newburyport-Capt. Greenleaf. Marblehead-Elbridge Gerry, Esq. Beverly-Capt. Batchelder. Newbury-Col. Gerrish. Salisbury-Capt. Nathaniel Currier.
And the following gentlemen for the county of York, viz. :
York-Capt. Bragdon. Berwick-Major Goodwin. Arundel- Deacon Hovey. Kittery-Edward Cutt, Esq. Wells-Col. Saw- yer. Biddeford-James Sullivan, Esq.
The following gentlemen were likewise appointed, agreeably to said resolve, to give out enlisting orders, viz. :
For the County of Essex-Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Greenleaf, and Col. Farley. For the County of Plymouth-Hon. Col. Warren, Mr. Loth- rop, Capt. Partridge. For the County of Barnstable-Col. Free- man, Col. Otis, Daniel Davis, Esq. For the County of Dukes-
(1) The petitioner represented that the inhabitants of Machins were one thousand souls, who had not provisions, nor any method to procure supplies, in the bad condition of the times. The pro- vision made for their support by Congress, filled them with gratitude : but the quantity furnished was so small, that without further aid they could not subsist, and must be obliged to abandon their habitations.
412
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. [June 28,
Mr. Nye. For the County of Bristol-Mr. Durfee, Hon. Mr. Spooner, Capt. Holmes. For the County of York-Col. Sawyer, Edward Cutt, Esq., Capt. Bragdon. For the County of Cumberland -Hon. Col. Freeman, Col. 'Thompson, Mr. Mitchell. For the County of Lincoln-Mr. D. Sewall, Mr. Langdon, Mr. E. Witcher.
Ordered, That Col. Freeman, Mr. Langdon and Mr. Greenleaf, be a committee to get two hundred of the resolves for stationing compa- nies on the sea coast, printed.
The resolves being completed, are as follow, viz .: The commit- tee appointed to take into consideration and report some way of de- fending and supporting the towns upon the sea coast in this colony, having considered of the same, report the following resolves, viz. :
Resolved, That there be immediately raised in the county of Essex, ten companies, to consist of fifty men each, officers included, to be sta- tioned upon the sea coast in that county, in such manner and propor- tion as shall be agreed upon by a joint committee, consisting of one member to be appointed by this Congress from each of the towns of Lynn, Manchester, Gloucester, Marblehead, Salem, Beverly, Ipswich, Newbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury, in said county, and to be under the direction of the committees of correspondence of each town where they may be stationed. Also, that there be raised in the counties of Plymouth and Barnstable, nine companies, each to consist of the num- ber of fifty men, four of which companies to be stationed in the coun- ty of Plymouth, according to the direction of the field officers of the first regiment of the county of Plymouth, under whose direction they shall be considered ; the otlier five companies to be stationed in the county of Barnstable, in such manner as the field officers of the two regiments there shall agree, and to be under their directions; and that the county of Barnstable shall have the liberty of raising eight of those companies ; likewise, that there be raised in the county of Bristol, in- cluding the towns of Wareham and Rochester, two companies, consist- ing of fifty men each, to be stationed, one company in Dartmouth, and the other company in Wareham and Rochester equally, and to be un- der the direction of the committees of correspondence of the respec- tive towns. Also, that there be raised in the county of York, four com- panies, consisting of fifty men each, to be stationed in that county, ac- cording to the agreement of a joint committee consisting of one mem- ber from each of the towns upon the sea coast in that county, to be chosen for that purpose ; when stationed, to be under the direction of the field officers in that county. Also, that there be raised in the coun- ty of Cumberland, five companies, consisting of fifty men each, to be
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.