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 49
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413
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
stationed as shall be agreed upon by a joint committee appointed by each town upon the sea coast, viz. : two members to be chosen by the town of Falmouth and Cape Elizabeth, one by Scarborough, one by Nortlı Yarmouth, one by Brunswick, and one by Harpswell, and after the division and station is ordered, to be under the direction of the committees of the respective towns where they shall be stationed. And also, that there be raised in the county of Lincoln, three companies, consisting of fifty men each, to be stationed by a committee consisting of members to be chosen, one by each town upon the sea coast in said county, as they shall agree, and then to be under the direction of the committees of correspondence of the respective towns and plantations where they shall be stationed, and of the assessors where no such com- mittees are appointed. Also, Resolved, that a committee of three per- sons be appointed in each county, to give out enlisting orders in their respective counties, where such men are to be raised, and to muster them ; and also, that Col. Phinney be directed to march the whole of his regiment, wlio are equipt with arms, to the camp at Cambridge, and those who are not equipt, to dismiss. Likewise, further Resolved, that the thirty men ordered to be raised from the town of Falmouth, and sta- tioned on the Elizabeth Islands, be augmented to fifty, officers includ- ed, and under the same wages and subsistence, as is hereafter provid- ed, and to remain there for protection of the stocks on those islands ; and that each private soldier of the several companies herein mention- ed, sliall be entitled to the sum of $36 per month, and subsistence as the other companies raised for the colony service, till the further order of this, or some future Congress or House of Representatives; and that the pay of the officers be reduced in the same proportion as the pay of the soldiers, viz. : captains' pay, £5 8s .; 1st lieutenant, £3 12s. ; 2d lieutenant, £3 3s. ; sergeants, £2 4s .; corporals, fifers, and drum- mers, £2.
Resolved, That each soldier who shall enlist, shall furnish himself with a good and sufficient firelock, and that no man shall be mustered as a soldier who is not so furnished, accordingly.
Also, Resolved, That each town where soldiers shall be stationed as above, shall furnish them with ammunition, out of their stocks, for which they shall be paid out of the public treasury of this colony.
A petition of Robert Shillaber [for leave to export fish,] was read, and committed to Capt. Batchelder, Capt Goodman, and Major Fuller, of Middleborough.
Ordered, That Deacon Bayley, Major Goodwin, Mr. Batchelder, Col. Coffin, and Col. Gerrish, be a committee to consider what method
414
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 28,
would be most expedient, by which to supply the soldiers to be raised for the defence of the sea coast, with provisions.
Ordered, That Doct. Taylor, Capt. Stearns, and Mr. Starkweather, be a committee to consider the petition of several officers in Col. Pres- cott's, Col. Fry's, and Col. Bridge's regiments.1
The report of the committee relative to absconding soldiers, was again considered, and accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Whereas, in consequence of [ªan] application made to the Provin- cial Congress, sitting in this town in May last, by the officers of the army, that some effectual method should be taken for the speedy return of absconding soldiers, or such as should tarry beyond the time limited by furlough, it was then Resolved, that it should be, and accordingly was recommended to the committees of correspondence in the several towns and districts in this colony, or to the selectmen, where no such com- mittees were appointed, that they should take effectual care, that such absconding or delinquent soldiers should be sent back immediate- ly to their respective regiments ; yet it appears to this Congress, that the above resolution has not, in every instance, had the desired effect ; therefore, Resolved, that it be further recommended to the several com- mittees of correspondence in each town and district in this colony, or to the selectmen, where no such committees are appointed, that they take the most speedy and effectual care, that said resolve be strictly adhered to and punctually executed ; and it is also recommended to the good people in the several towns and districts aforesaid, to give their utmost aid and assistance to said selectmen or committees in exe- cuting said resolve, as the existence of the army very much depends thereon.
And it is further Resolved, that all necessary expenses, which may accrue by returning said absconding or delinquent soldiers to their re- spective regiments, be paid, and deducted out of the wages of said soldiers.
Ordered, [That the foregoing resolves] be printed in the Cambridge, Watertown, and Worcester papers.
The committee appointed to consider what preparations are neces- sary to be made relative to making paper bills of credit, reported. The report was ordered to lie till there is a fuller house.
Ordered, That Col. Lincoln, Major Fuller, of Newton, Mr. Single- tary, Mr. Durfee, and Mr. Dexter, be a committee to consider what
a [our]
(1) These petitions related to the organization of the regiments and the rank of the officers.
415
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
method is best to be taken for providing each of the soldiers with a coat.
The form of a warrant for the surgeons was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
The Congress of the Massachusetts Bay, to A. B. Greeting.
Being informed of your skill in surgery, and reposing especial trust and confidence in your ability and good conduct, we do, by these pre- sents, constitute and appoint you the said A. B., to be surgeon of the regiment of foot, whereof - is colonel, raised by the Congress aforesaid, for the defence of said colony. You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a surgeon to the said regiment, in all things appertaining thereunto, observing such orders and instruc- tions as you shall, from time to time, receive from the colonel of said regiment, according to military rules and discipline established by said Congress, or any your superior officers, for which this shall be your sufficient warrant.
By order of the Congress, President.
Dated at Watertown.
Ordered, That the committee- appointed to make out commissions for the officers of the army, be directed to make out warrants for the surgeons agreeably to the above form, as soon as they have been exam- ined and appointed.
Ordered, That Deacon Fisher, Col. Thompson, and Mr. Wiswall, be a committee to bring in a resolve for the purpose of preventing the unnecessary ["expenditure] of gunpowder.
The committee appointed to consider the petition of Mr. Obrian, re- ported verbally ; that the petitioner be served with a copy of the re- port of this Congress on the petition of a number of the inhabitants of Machias. The report was accepted, and the petitioner had leave to withdraw his petition. .
The report of the committee relative to making the notes and bills of credit of this and the other colonies, a tender, being amended, was accepted, and ordered to be authenticated and printed in the Cam- bridge, Watertown, and Worcester papers, and is as follows : Where- as, a former Congress of this colony, ordered their receiver general to issue notes and bills upon the credit of this colony, for the payment
a [expenso]
416
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 28,
and supply of their army, and other necessary expenses of this colony ; and whereas, divers others of the sister colonies have issued notes or bills, for the payment of their respective forces; and it is necessary, that the notes and bills of this and the sister colonies should have free currency ; therefore, Resolved, that the notes and bills of the colony of Rhode Island, at and after the rate of six shillings and nine pence an ounce for silver, and the bills and notes of this and all the other colo- nies, excepting Nova Scotia and Canada, at and after the rate of six shillings and eight pence an ounce for silver, shall be taken and re- ceived, and accounted a good and sufficient tender for the payment of all debts, and the damages that may arise upon the non-performance of any promises, and also be received into the public treasury of this col- ony, without any discount or allowance whatever. And if any person whatever, shall refuse to take any of the notes or bills of the colonies aforementioned, at the rates before expressed, for any debt, or in satis- faction for the damages sustained by reason of the non-performance of any promise, or shall ask, demand, or receive, any discount, gratuity, or premium, for receiving any of the bills or notes aforementioned, he or she so offending, shall be deemed an enemy to the country. And the several committees of correspondence, inspection, and safety in their respective towns, are required to return the names of all persons who shall contravene this resolve, to this or some future Congress, or House of Representatives, that they may take order tliereon as to theni shall seem meet.
The resolve relative to the commencement of the pay of the officers and soldiers, was considered, and recommitted, and Mr. Batchelder and Major Fuller added to the committee.
Ordered, That Mr. Webster, Major Perley, and Mr. Mighill, be a com- mittee to bring in a resolve for the purpose of recommending to the governor and company of the colony of Connecticut, to suffer the in- habitants of the eastern parts of this colony, to purchase and carry out of said colony such provisions as their necessitous circumstances may require.
Resolved, That the committee appointed to prepare a letter to the Continental Congress, be empowered and directed to communicate it to the committee of supplies, and then to forward the same to the del- egates of this colony at said Congress, without reporting it to this Con- gress, said delegates to communicate it to the Continental Congress, if they think proper.
Ordered, That Mr. Starkweather, Capt. Partridge, and Col. Dexter, Mr. Singletary, and Col. Coffin, be a committee to examine into the
417
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
conduct and books of Mr. John Pigeon, cominissary general, Mr. Pigeon having desired that a committee miglit be appointed for that purpose, and that said committee consider the expediency of furnishing Mr. Miller, a deputy commissary, with a horse.
Resolved, That tomorrow morning, ten o'clock, be assigned for the purpose of considering the proposal of the commissary general, for an allowance of molasses to the soldiers.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve relative to thie com- mencement of the pay of the officers and soldiers, reported the follow- ing, which was accepted, and ordered to be published in the papers, and is as follows, viz. :
Resolved, That each commissioned officer in the colony army shall draw pay, according to the present establishment, from the time of his first engaging in the public service or receiving beating orders, and that each non-commissioned officer and private draw pay from the time of his enlisting in said service; also, that such of the minute men and militia, as marched into the field on the 19th April, and soon after, and have remained there, and since engaged in said army for the de- fence of the colony, shall be paid for their service, agreeably to the present establishment, from the time of their first marching into the field.
Ordered, That Doct. Taylor, Mr. Hall, Major Brooks, Mr. Par- tridge, and Deacon Fisher, be a committee to consider the written proposal of Doct. Whiting, relative to saltpetre.1
Adjourned to eight o'clock, tomorrow morning.
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1775.
A petition from Mr. John Calef? was read, and committed to Major Fuller, Col. Coffin, Mr. Hopkins, Capt. Parker, and Mr. Mighill.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve for the purpose of recommending to the governor and company of Connecticut, to sup-" pły the eastern country with provisions, reported : the report was ac- cepted.ª 3
A letter from the committee of safety, enclosing a letter from Mr. Samuel Smith, chairman of the committee of Northfield, was read, and ordered to be sent to the committee of supplies.4
a [and is as follows.]
(1) Doct. Whiting recommended, that information in relation to the manufacturo of saltpotre should be obtained from skilful persons in New York.
(2) This petition was for leave to send a ship fitted out in Salem, upon a foreign voyage.
(3) The substance of the resolve is stated in the text : the original has not been preserved.
(4) The committee of Northfield inforined Congress, that two small cannon belonging to Massa- 53
418
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 29, -
The committee appointed to consider the petition from Narragua- gus and other towns at the eastward, reported. The report was or- dered to subside, and the petitioners had leave to withdraw their peti- tion.1
Ordered, That the President, Major Hawley, Doct. Whiting, Mr. Hopkins, and Mr. Greenleaf, be a committee to prepare an address to Generals Washington and Lee, to be presented to them on their arri- val here.
The committee appointed to consider the petition of officers belong- ing to Col. Prescott's, Col. Fry's and Bridge's regiments, reported : which report was accepted.ª 2
Ordered, That the resolve passed the 19th instant, relative to spears, &c., be recommitted to Major Goodwin for amendment.
The committee appointed to consider a proposal made by Doct. , Whiting, for sending some person to New York, to advise with Doct. Graham and others, and procure from them directions for the manu- facture of saltpetre, reported; which report was ordered to lay on the table, and Mr. Phillips and Doct. Whiting were appointed to confer with Mr. Professor Sewall, on the subject matter contained therein.
The committee appointed to consider some methods for supplying the soldiers, stationed on the sea coasts, with provisions, reported. The report was amended and accepted, and is as follows, viz .: Re- solved, that the selectmen of the several towns or plantations on the sea coast, or, where there are no selectmen, the assessors of such place where any such soldiers shall be stationed for their defence, be, and they hereby are directed, to supply the officers and soldiers with suitable provisions for their support, so long as said men continue in the colony service, and do their duty of soldiers in their several sta- tions, for which provisions, the said selectmen or assessors shall be paid, out of the public treasury, the sum of five shillings for each man, per week, who shall be so supplied. And it is recommended to the owners of the Elizabeth Islands, to supply the soldiers that may be stationed on said islands, for which they shall be allowed, out of the treasury aforesaid, the same sum per week, which is allowed for the
a [and is as follows.]
chusetts, and a double fortified gun of New Hampshire, were left at Fort Dummer when that for- tress was dismantled, and a cannon at Fort Hinsdale, above Northfield ; all four pounders, which might be conveyed to the army.
(1) The scarcity of provisions and the deficiency of arms were assigned as the reasons for de- clining to make the appropriations requested by the petitioners.
(2) The report appears to have pointed out a mode of adjusting difficulties which had arisen in relation to the rank of some of the officers of the regiments.
419
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
supply of the soldiers to be stationed in the other parts of the sea coast.
Ordered, That Mr. Hobart, Col. Farley and Mr. Webster, be a com- mittee to inquire of the committee of supplies, in wliat manner the military stores in Watertown are guarded, and that they take effectual care that they be properly guarded, and that there be not so large a quantity kept together, as there now is in one place.
A letter from the committee of safety, respecting Gen. Ward's ordering them to deliver out small arms to such officers as may apply, was read; the consideration whereof was referred to 9 o'clock, to- morrow morning.
The committee on the petition of Mr. John Calef, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz .: It appearing to this Congress inconsistent with the best interest of this colony, that the within mentioned ship should proceed on her voyage as requested by the within memorialist, therefore, Resolved, that the said ship do not accordingly proceed on said voyage, till further order from this Con- gress, or some future house of representatives.
Afternoon.
Ordered, That Col. Freeman, Doct. Taylor and Mr. Lothrop, be a committee to consider in what manner enlisting orders and commis- sions shall be given to the officers of the several companies to be sta- tioned on the sea coasts.
Mr. Palfrey was introduced to this Congress, who brought with him a number of letters, which were brought from England by Capt. Jenkins.1
Resolved, That Ensign Campbell, now a prisoner at Concord, be sent for to this Congress, and that Doct. Taylor and Capt. Stone be directed to search his packages, and see that he is brought to this - Congress, and that Mr. Partridge be directed to bring in a resolve empowering said gentlemen to [perform] this service.
Ordered, That the letters directed to gentlemen in Rhode Island, be sent to the officers of the Rhode Island forces; those to Connecti- cut to the officers of the Connecticut forces; and those directed to New Hampshire, to the officers of the New Hampshire forces.
Ordered, That Doct. Whiting, Mr. Webster and Col. Freeman, be a committee to take under consideration a resolve of Congress, em- powering the committee for procuring guns, to draw on the treasurer,
(1) Some of these letters contained the expression of friendly sentiments, others information of the preparations for reducing the colonies to obedience ; and among them were many addressed to in- dividuals on affairs of business and trade.
1
420
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 29,
for the value of what they purchase, and to report what alterations are necessary to be made therein.
Ordered, That Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Phillips and Col. Farley, be a committee to supervise the letters brought to this Congress by Mr. Palfrey.
Resolved, That the committee of supplies be directed to furnish the committee appointed to go to Concord, with horses.
Mr. Partridge, agreeably to order, reported the following resolve, which was accepted.
Resolved, That Doct. Taylor, and Capt. Stone of Framingham, be a committee, whose duty it shall be to repair to the town of Concord, and make search, or cause strict search to be made, into the pockets and packages of Ensign Campbell, now a prisoner at Concord, and is suspected of having letters of public concernment concealed in his possession ; and that they cause said Campbell to be brought imme- diately to the door of this Congress, in order for examination, if they judge it necessary.
The committee appointed to prepare an address to the several towns in the counties of Hampshire and Worcester, recommending them to supply the army with powder, reported. The report was ac- cepted, and is as follows, viz. :
To the several Towns in the Counties of Hampshire and Worcester:
This Congress, taking into their most serious consideration, the great want of powder in our public magazines, and considering how much depends on that important and most necessary article, which, under God, if provided, may prove the salvation of America; and as your towns lay the least exposed to the ravages of our enemies, there- fore, it is most earnestly recommended by this Congress, to the select- men of each town and district in the county of Worcester, that they deliver the whole of the towns' stocks, in said county of Worcester, to Mr. John Caldwell, Mr. Amos Singletary and Deacon Israel Nichols, a committee appointed by this Congress to receive the same ; and it is likewise recommended to the selectmen of each town and district in the county of Hampshire, to deliver their respective towns' stocks of powder, to Capt. Noah Goodman, who is appointed by this [Congress] to receive the same from said county of Hampshire ; ex- cept so much as is allowed to be kept in each town, which will appear by the schedule hereunto annexed, and that it be replaced, as soon as
421
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
the state of the colony magazines will admit thereof, or otherwise will be paid for in money.1
Ordered, That Mr. Caldwell, Mr. Singletary and Deacon Nichols, be a committee to procure powder from the several towns in the coun- ty of Worcester, agreeably to said schedule, and Capt. Goodman, from the county of Hampshire.
Ordered, That Capt. Brown, Col. Davis and Mr. Fairbanks, be a committee to inquire where safe and convenient stores may be had, for storing what gunpowder is or may be procured for the use of this colony, and that they sit forthwitlı.
An account exhibited by Mr. Ichabod Goodwin, was read, and com- mitted to Deacon Stickney, Capt. King and Mr. Thompson.
The report of the committee on the motion of Doct. Whiting, was again read, amended and accepted, and is as follows, viz .: The com- mittee appointed to take into consideration a motion made for sending some proper person to New York, in order to advise with Doct. Gra- ham and others, and procure from them directions for the manufactur- ing of saltpetre, have attended that service, and beg leave to report, by way of resolve, that Doct. William Whiting be a committee to repair to New York, and confer with Doct. Graham, or any other gentlemen that have had experience in the manufacturing of saltpetre, and that he be directed to procure from him or them, the most minute, partic- ular, and intelligible account, relative to the manufacturing of this ar- ticle, possible, and that, if to be found, he procure and engage some ingenious person, who has been used to work in the business of mak- ing saltpetre, to come immediately to this place, who shall be em- ployed in said business, and that the expenses of said journey to New York, and the travel of said workman to this place, be paid out of the public treasury of this colony.
The report of the committee on the account of Mr. Paul Revere, was read, whereupon, Ordered, that tomorrow morning, ten o'clock, be assigned for the consideration thereof.
The committee on the petition of Robert Shillaber, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz .: Resolved, that Mr. Rob- ert Shillaber be, and he hereby is permitted, to export to the West In- dics, eighty hogsheads of Jamaica fish : provided, that no other provi- sion be shipped with the said fish, except so much as will be sufficient for such a voyage ; and the committee of safety in Salem, are directed to see this resolve strictly complied with.
(1) The vote accepting this report was reconsidered. The revised schedule is inserted in the journal of June 30.
422
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[June 30,
Ordered, That Major Goodwin, Col. Dwight, and Capt. Bragdon, be a committee to prepare instructions to the committee who were ap- pointed to procure powder from the counties of Hampshire and Wor- cester, and that they sit forthwith.
The committee on the account of Major Goodwin, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. : Resolved, that the re- ceiver general be, and he hereby is ordered, to pay to Major Ichabod Goodwin, £2 17s 8d, for his time, horse, and expenses, in going ex- press to Falmouth, by order of the committee of safety.
Adjourned to Friday morning, eight o'clock.
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1775.
Ordered, That Mr. Wheeler, Major Fuller, and Mr. Greenleaf, be a committee to bring in a resolve for the purpose of appointing some per- son to convey one Green, a captive, to Worcester gaol, there to be con- fined till further order of this Congress.
The committee appointed to consider what was best to be done with the supernumerary sheets of colony notes, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz .: The committee appointed to consid- er what shall be done with the supernumerary sheets, struck off from the plate containing the twenty, fourteen, and six shilling bills, have attended to that service, and find, upon examination, that there are one hundred and twenty-seven sheets above the number proposed, which make the sum of two hundred and fifty-four pounds; and beg leave to report, that it is their opinion, that an order of Congress be taken, for committing said sheets to the care of the receiver general, until the further order of the Congress or House of Representatives.
Ordered, That Major Hawley bring in a resolve, directing the com- mittee of safety to consider the expediency of granting a further emis- sion of bills of credit.
A letter from the committee of safety, enclosing one from the com- mittee of safety of Portsmouth, to Doct. Langdon, and an anonymous letter wrote from Boston to Portsmouth, which was intercepted by the said committee at Portsmouth, was read, and Ordered, that a copy of the letter from the committee of safety of Portsmouth, be transmitted to the committee of supplies, and that the anonymous letter lie on the table.1
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