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 5
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Report of the committee to inquire what provision had been made for shirts, breeches, &c.
469
Report relative to supplying the island of Nantucket with provisions, 470
" 8-Warrants ordered to be made out for the surgeons, 470
Committee to consider what should be done relative to the commissions of the committee of safety, 470
Petition relative to the appointment of commissaries, 470
Committee on a petition from Frenchman's Bay, for provisions, . . Committee to examine the accounts for axes and shovels, 471
471
Col. Walker desired to pay the money in his hands into the treasury, · Committee to consider a proposal of exempting the soldiers from postage on letters,
471
Committee on accounts of Major Bliss and Doct. Church, .
471
Committee to countersign new emission of notes, . 471
Order relative to supplying Gen. Washington with a steward and house- keeper, .
471
Report of the committee on the petition of Col. Jonathan Brewer, 472
Order for paying Matthew Clark's account for repairing boats, . 472
Reports on the accounts of Major Bliss and Mr. John Cook, . 472
Report on the subject of exempting soldiers from postage, 472 Resolve relative to signing the notes, 472
Major Hawley reported a resolve relative to advance pay to the officers of the army, .
473
Report on the subject of stores for the reception of fish, . 473
Resolve relative to employing Mr. Revere in striking off the new emis- sion of notes, .
473 474
Committee to give passes for removing the poor of Boston, .
474
Jonathan Hastings appointed postmaster of Cambridge, . . Letter to the Congress of New Hampshire, . Resolve relative to the sale of spirituous liquors to the soldiers, .
475
Resolve relative to supplying the inhabitants of Frenchman's Bay with provisions,
Resolve explanatory of a previous resolve relative to the refugees,
" 9-Letter from Mr. John Scollay relative to the poor of the town of Boston, and committee thereon,
475 475 476
Committee to consider the difficulties in the way of supplying the Indians at Falmouth, Casco Bay,
477
Resolve for supplying the Penobscot Indians with goods, 477
Report of the committee relative to procuring for the army shirts, breeches, &c., and committees therefor,
478.
Resolve for paying the expenses of Doct. Chuch's journey to Philadel- phia, .
479
Committee to provide a dinner for the clergy, on the 19th instant, 479
Committee to get the resolves for procuring shirts, &c., printed, . . 479 Resolve relative to the poor of Boston and Charlestown, . 479
Committee to bring in a resolve for supplying the Penobscot Indians with gunpowder. July 10-Report thereof, 480
. Resolve relative to Daniel Green, a prisoner, 480
" 10-Order relative to the letter of John Scollay, F
. 48₽
471
Committee to consider an establishment for four master armorers,
474 474
xlii
CONTENTS.
JULY 10-Letter from Gen. Lee relative to an interview with Gen. Burgoyne, and
committee to prepare an answer thereto, .
481
Committee to examine letters from London, 481
Resolve for furnishing Gen. Washington with ten horses, . 481 Elbridge Gerry chosen to attend Gen. Lee on his interview with Gen. Burgoyne,
482
Letter from Gen. Washington, relative to a reenforcement for the army, and committee to consider the same and confer with him upon the subject, 482
Letter to Gen. Lee respecting his proposed interview with Gen. Bur- goyne, . .
483
Committee to consider the circumstances of the town of Hull, . Committee to consider the situation of the public stock of powder, 483
483
Committees on the accounts of John Gill, Moses Lammon and Isaac Bis- sell,
484
Committee of supplies directed to write to Charlestown, and Walpole in New Hampshire, relative to cannon of the colony there, . Order for paying account of Israel Nichols, .
484
484
484 Resolve respecting the safe keeping of Daniel Green, a prisoner, . Report on Capt. Lane's account, . . 484 Resolve for paying Simon Hastings, door keeper to Congress, . 484
" 11-Resolve relative to the donations for the poor of Boston and Charles- town, . Report of the committee relative to the circumstances of the town of Hull, .
485
Resolve in behalf of Capt. Samuel Williams, .
486 486 486
Committee to devise means to raise a temporary reenforcement of the army, . . .
486 487
" 12-Letter to Gov. Trumbull relative to a vessel laden with molasses for the army in Boston, .
Committee to make out warrants for surgeons, ·
Resolve recommending all able bodied men who have left the sea port towns to return to defend them, 488
Committee on a petition from Capt. Noble,
488
Resolves for the payment of sundry accounts for axes, &c., . Report of the committee relative to the reenforcement of the army, .
489
489 Committee to take charge of the medical stores, .
489
Report of the committee appointed to consider the situation of the public stock of powder,
. 489
Committee to examine fifteen prisoners taken at Long Island, 489 .
Committee to enlarge the commission of the committee of safety, .
490 Report of the committee relative to the fifteen prisoners, . .
490
Committee to report an establishment of salt for the army, .
490
Resolve for paying Capt. Noble's pay roll, and letter to him, . Report on the account of Mr. John Gill, . · 491
490
Report of the committee appointed to devise means for raising a tempo- rary reenforcement for the army, 491
485
Allowance of rum to persons cutting grass on the estates of the refugees, Committee to confer with Gen. Washington on the state of the army,
Committee to see that the fish for the use of the army are taken care of, Resolve relative to the whale boats, 487
487 488
.
xliii
CONTENTS.
JULY 12-Resolve recommending the return of able bodied men to the sea port towns, reconsidered, . 492 " 13-Letter from Joseph Reed, secretary of Gen. Washington, relative to a re- enforcement for the army, 493
Committee on a petition from Harpswell, . 493 Committee to examine the account of Mr. Solomon Lothrop, for enter- taining Gen. Washington, . 493 Committee to consider some method of supplying the recruiting officers with money ; and report, 493 494
Col. Benjamin Lincoln appointed president of Congress pro tempore, Petition from Harpswell, and report of the committee thereon, . 494
· Resolve for paying Mr. William Barber £100 for the use of Capt. No- ble's company, .
495 495
Resolves relative to the accounts of Mr. S. Lothrop and Mr. John Gill, . Resolves concerning two prisoners taken at Long Island, 495 495
Committee to consider a resolve relative to horses taken from the enemy, Committee to consider a resolve relative to such soldiers as have enlisted twice, .
495
Committee to bring in a resolve recommending to the inhabitants not to kill their sheep,
Report of the committee upon an establishment of salt for the soldiers, ·
Resolve relative to the horses captured, .
Report of the committee for the protection of sheep,
497
Report of the committee as to what towns the ten prisoners shall be sent to,
497
Committee to revise and explain the commission of the committee of safety, . 498
Report of the committec, 498
Committees to examine certain prisoners from Machias, and to consider the account of the expense of bringing them here, 499
500 Reports of the committees, . ·
Vote of the thanks of Congress to Rev. Mr. Gordon, to the proprictors of the meeting-house, and to the president, . 500, 501 Committee of supplies authorized to furnish supplies to the eastern parts of the colony, 501 .
Resolve relative to the building of whale boats, . 501
" 19-Committee to consider the means of paying Col. Easton's regiment at Ticonderoga, · 501
The Provincial Congress dissolved,
.
.
. 501
THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY AND THE COMMITTEE OF SUPPLIES OF THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1774.
Nov. 2-John Pigeon appointed clerk of the committee of safety, 505 Committee of supplies recommended to procure a quantity of provisions
to be deposited at Worcester and Concord, . 505
" 8-Committee of supplies advised to procure all the ammunition they can, . 505
495 495 496 496 Resolves for the payment of certain accounts, 496 Resolve relative to soldiers who have enlisted twice, .
xliv
CONTENTS.
Nov.8-Mr. Gill desired to get seven large cannon from Boston, . 506 DEc. 20-Voted that the committee of supplies endeavor to procure spades, shov- els, and other warlike implements, . . 506
Committee to examine the public stores, .
506
Committee to write a letter to Henry Gardner, directing him to call for immediate payments of the taxes, 506
1775.
JAN. 5-The last vote, relative to the immediate payment of the taxes, reconsid- ered,
507 Mr. Cheever to procure cannon and carriages, . ·
507
"' 25-Cannon, &c. to be deposited in Worcester and Concord, . 507
Committee of supplies directed to procure certain military implements and stores, 507
Committees adjourn to Cambridge, 508
FEB. 3-The chairman of the committee of supplies directed to report their trans- actions to the Congress, ·
508
" 13-Voted to purchase all the powder that can be obtained,. 508
Committee to procure from Col. Robinson certain cannon, &c. belonging to the province, and deposit the same at Concord, 508
" 21-Committees meet at Charlestown, . .
Voted to procure ten tons of brimstone,
509
Committee of supplies directed to purchase all kinds of warlike stores for an army of 15,000 men, .
509
The powder at Concord to be removed to Leicester, 509
Committee to make an inventory of medical stores necessary for the ar- my,
509
" 22-Votes directing the committee of supplies to procure bell tents, field tents, lead balls, cartridges, and certain stores, 510 . Mr. John Pigeon chosen commissary of storcs, 510 . Abraham Watson and Moses Gill, committee to take possession and see to the removal of certain province arms, 510 ·
Order for assembling the Congress, 510
" 23-Committee to draft a letter to the officers of the militia, . 510
Committee to draft a letter to the members of Congress, . Order for distributing the field pieces, 511
511
Committee to draft a letter to the colonels relative thereto,
511
Committee to inquire into the state of Major Paddock's company of ar- tillery, . 511
" 24-Artillery companies to consist of thirty-two privates, ·
511
Committee of supplies to procure certain stores, . .
511
Committee to inquire where doctor's chests can be procured, 512 Mr. John Goddard appointed wagon master, 512 Committee relative to couriers, 512
Eight field pieces, with ammunition, &c., to be deposited at Leicester, . 512
MARCH 7-Vote authorizing the purchase of medicinal stores, 512
Watch to be kept over the provincial magazines, . 513 . Adjourned to Concord, .
513
" 23-A ton of bullets to be lodged at Concord, . 513
Letter from Plymouth representing the unprotected state of the town, 513
APRIL 1-The stores at Concord not to be removed without orders from the com- mittee of safety, .. 514
509
xlv
CONTENTS.
APRIL 5-Committee of supplies to furnish an exact account of all the provisions and stores, .
514
" 14-Votes relative to the cannon at Concord and powder at Leicester, ·
514
Col. Thomas Gardner chosen of the committee of safety, 514
" 17-Officers to the companies of artillery appointed, . .
515
Vote relative to the cannon, and an artillery company at Coneord, .
515 Establishment for the companies of artillery, .
515 Certain warlike implements to be sent to Groton and Acton, .
515 Adjourned to Menotomy, .
" 18-Capt. Timothy Bigelow requested to attend the meeting of the eom- mittee at Menotomy, .
516
Votes relative to the removal and deposit of the ammunition and provis- ions, .
516
Six ammunition earts to be provided, .
516
The companies of matrosses stationed in the several towns,
516
Votes for the purchase, removal and deposit of ammunition, warlike stores and implements, 517
The medicinal chests ordered to be placed in certain towns for safety, · 517
" 19-Letter to Col. Barrett relative to the powder at Leicester, 518
" 20-Circular to the several towns for assembling an army, 518
Letter to the colonies of New Hampshire and Connecticut,
518
Letter from Doct .: Warren to Gen. Gage, relative to the removal of the inhabitants from Boston, 519
" 21-Form of enlistment for the soldiers, 519
Resolve for enlisting an army of eight thousand men, and for the organi- zation thereof, .
520
Votes relative to removing certain field pieces, and preparing them for ac- tion, .
520
Companies to consist of fifty men, . 520
520
" 22-The stores ordered to be removed from the seaport towns, 521
Commissary general directed to inspect the entrenching tools, 521
Letter from the committee of safety to a committee of the inhabitants of Boston, 521
" 24-Letter to the Congress of New Hampshire, 521
Resolve relative to the inhabitants of Malden and Chelsea firing upon the British seamen, . 522, 523
" 25-Col. Freeman directed to secure the whale boats at Cape Cod, 522 . Resolve for enlisting troops in New Hampshire, . 522 .
Resolve relative to the size of the companies, . .
522
" 26-Fifteen prisoners to be removed from Coucord to Worcester, .
522
Congress recommended to make an establishment for armorers, . .
523
Resolve relative to the enlistments into the armny, .
523
" 27-Capt. Derby directed to procced, with despatches, to London, 523
Reconimendation to appoint two majors to each regiment, . Letter to the colonies of Rhode Island and Connecticut, . .
523
Order for preventing intelligence being carried to the British, .
524
Letters to the selectmen of Boston, .
524
" 28-Vote relative to an establishment for post riders, . . 525 President Langdon appointed chaplain to the army, . 525
515
.
Order for the removal of certain provisions from Salem to Cambridge, . The general officers ordered to make returns of officers and men, 521
522 Escort for the members of the Continental Congress, .
523
xlvi
CONTENTS.
APRIL 28-The commissary general directed to provide quarters for troops from Connecticut, . 525
Votes relative to giving out enlisting orders, 525
Agreement of Gen. Gage with the inhabitants of Boston relative to their removal, .
526
Committee thereon, 526
" 29-Committee upon a vote of the Congress relative to the removal of the inhab- itants of Boston, . 526
Circular to the several towns calling for recruits for the army, .
526
Votes relative to a reenforcement of the army, . .
526 Expresses to have power to impress horses, 527 Vote relative to the removal of the sick into the hospital, .
527
The commissary ordered to provide for Col. Arnold's company, 527
Gen. Thomas ordered to seize Gov. Hutchinson's papers, 527
Letters from Hon. John Hancock, at Worcester, . 527
Vote relative to the companies at Medford and Dartmouth, 528 Mr. Watson ordered to make inquiry relative to the colony arms, . Order for securing the cannon in case of an excursion of the king's troops, 528 528 599 529 529
" 30-Information from Col. Arnold relative to the fortress at Ticonderoga, .
Committee to form a plan for the liberation of the inhabitants of Boston, Officers to grant permits to citizens to enter Boston, ·
Resolve authorizing persons to go into the town of Boston, . 529
Order to Col Samuel Gerrish relative thereto, .
529
Andrew Craigie appointed medical commissary, .
530
Joseph Pierce Palmer recommended to the office of quarter master gen- eral,
530
MAY 1-Resolve for making the paper currency of the colonies of Connecticut and Rhode Island a currency in this colony, .. 530
Rev. Mr. Gordon authorized to have free access to the prisoners, for ex- amining them, .
530
" 2-Committee to confer with Gen. Ward relative to Col. Arnold's attempt upon Ticonderoga,
530
Vote relative to a number of recantations from Marblehead, 531
Order for paying money and delivering ammunition to Col. Arnold, 531
Two companies to be raised in Braintree for the defence of the coast of said town,
531
Letter from Gen. Thomas relative to the seizure of Gov. Hutchinson's papers,
Resolve relative to the removal of citizens into Boston with their effects, Votes relative to Col. Arnold's expedition,
Commissary general directed to take care of the stores belonging to Gen. Brattle and others,
Letter to the governor and company of Connecticut relative to a confer- ence of their agents with Gen. Gage, 532
" 3-Two companies to be raised for the defence of the sea coast of Malden and Chelsea,
533
The quarter master general directed to protect the property of the refu- gees, . . Instructions to Col. Benedict Arnold, 534
534
" 4-Vote authorizing certain companies to be raised for the defence of the sea coast of Braintree, Hingham and Weymouth, 534
. Petition of the selectmen of said towns, .
535
531 530 53º 532
xlvii
CONTENTS.
MAY 4-Petition from Brunswick for powder and arms, . . 535
Resolve relative to assuming tlie powers of government, 536
Letter to the colony of Connecticut relative to the marching of three or four thousand of their men, . 536
William Cooper appointed clerk to the committee, .
536
Eiglit fire-arms received for the use of the colony and distributed, . 536
Letter to the inhabitants of New York, .
537
Letter to the governor and company of Rhode Island, . Vote relative to the men enlisted into the army, . 537
Vote relative to the removal of the regiments from Plymouth to the camp at Roxbury,
537
Committee to confer with the council of war relative to the arrival of troops from England, .
538 538
" 7-Recommendation to Congress respecting the nomination of surgeons, . Proceedings relative to damages to the property of refugees, Seleetmen of Chelsea desired to prevent provisions from being carried into the town of Boston, 538
538
Letter to the committee of safety of Albany, 538
" 9-Congress desired to prepare a new commission for the committee of safe- ty,
539 540
Order for the immediate reenforcement of the army, . A court of inquiry, for the trial of accused persons, recommended, . Resolve recommending the appointment of master carpenters for making whale boats and other vessels,
540
" 10-Vote relative to the defence of the sea coast of Cohasset, 540 540
Communications relative to certain intended movements of the British troops, and order thereon, 541
Letters to the colonels of the army for calling in the troops to the camps at Cambridge and Roxbury, .
541 541
Orders for seizing and securing certain boats,
542
The colonels with their regiments ordered to repair forthwith to Cam- bridge, .
. 542
" 11-Mr. William Cooper, Jr. appointed clerk to Doct. Warren, · 542
" 12-Mr. Charles Miller appointed deputy commissary, ·
542
Vote for supplying Mr. Isaialı Thomas with printing paper, 542
Report of a joint committee appointed to reconnoitre the highlands in Cambridge and Charlestown, . .
543 543
Resolve relative to the seizure of the officers of the crown,
" 13-Gen. Thomas appointed to deliver out medicines to the siek soldiers at Roxbury,
544
Resolve relative to a number of men enlisted under Col. Jonathan Brewer, 544
Resolve relative to one Thomas Nichols, a negro, 544
" 14-The commissary of medical stores directed to impress beds and other ne- cessaries for the sick, . 545
Resolve for purchasing a quantity of tar, . 545
Resolve relative to one Josiah Martin suspected of favoring the tyrannical designs of administration, .
545
· Resolve relative to the live stock on the islands, . ·
545
Committee to procure a particular account of the ordnance and military . stores,
545
Letter to the president of the Provincial Congress enclosing the same,
537
xlviii
CONTENTS.
MAY 14-Vote relative to the treatment of persons escaping from their imprison- ment in the town of Boston, . 546
Resolve for dismissing certain men of Col. Fellows' and Col. Porter's regi- ments, . 546
" 15-List of the ordnance and military stores of the province, .
547 Vote relative to a company from Malden, .
548
The commissary general directed to furnish nine Indians of Col. Porter's regiment with provisions, for their return home, 548
Vote giving Lady Frankland liberty to pass into Boston, 548
House for the use of the committee of safety, 548
Recommendation to Congress relative to the records of the county of Middlesex, 549
Mr. John Goddard appointed wagon master, and empowered to impress wagons and cattle for the public service, 549
" 16-Order for removing a prisoner, who is a paper maker, from Worcester to Milton, .
549
Resolve relative to the whale boats, .
550
Establishment for ten companies of matrosses, .
550
" 17-Resolves relative to certain ordnance and stores, . 550
Committee to request of Congress that the duty of the committee of safe- ty may be precisely stated, 550
Committee to see that the college walls are kept in repair, 551
Resolve relative to the removal of the inhabitants of the colony into Boston,
551
Votes relative to Capt. Edward How, and a fraud practised upon the chair- man of the committee, 551 551
Resolve for preventing intelligence being carried into the town of Boston,
" 19-Colonels Gerrish and Learned recommended to Congress to be commis- sioned, .
552
Letter to the several colonels for the returns of the state of their regi- ments, .
552
Several armorers appointed, 553
Samuel Barrett, of Boston, recommended by the committee to the favor and good opinion of his countrymen, . ·
553
" 20-Resolve relative to the admission of slaves into the army, 553
Col. Joseph Read's regiment recommended to be commissioned, 553
Letter to Gen. Preble relative to the enlistment of troops in the county of Cumberland, . 554
" 23-Resolve relative to securing the stock on the islands and sea coasts, · Order to the innkeepers, &c. for supplying certain agents of the colony with necessaries upon their journey, . 555
554
Report and proceedings relative to Doct. Nathaniel Bond, of Marble- head, . 555
Letter from Hon. Benjamin Greenleaf, declining his appointment as a member of the committee of safety, . 555 State of. the New England army, and resolve thereon, 556 . .
. " 21-Mode of making returns of the regiments, . .
556
" 22-Express riders discharged from the service of the colony, .
557
Letter from the. committee of supplies to Congress relative to the dis- · charge of their duties, 557
547
Vote relative to the Hampshire companies under Col. Stark, .
Order for imprisoning Capt. Jolin Walker of Worcester, 547
.
.
-
xlix
CONTENTS.
MAY 24-Recommendations to Congress to take some order respecting the remo- val of the stock from the islands, 557 The commissary general directed to furnish certain persons and troops with supplies, 557 " 26-Several of the colonels are recommended by the committee to the Con- gress to receive commissions, . 558
" 27-Order for securing animals put into the enclosures of Thomas Oliver and Jolın Vassal, 558
Letter to the Provincial Congress relative to the conduct of Major Abijal Brown of Waltham, .
559
" 28-A number of guns were received from Grafton, 559
" 29-Proceedings of the committee in relation to certain charges against Rob- ert Temple, Letter from Mr. Temple, .
559
560
Col. Fellows' regiment recommended for commissions, . 560 .
Resolve relative to a volume of Gov. Hutchinson's letters, . 560
" 30-Order for removing from Chelsea certain cannon and stores,
561
" 31-The committee met at Watertown to attend the election sermon of the Rev. Doct. Langdon, 561
JUNE 1-Immediate returns required of the number of men in camp, .
561
" 2-Col. Nixon's regiment recommended to be commissioned, 561
" 3-Col. Gridley required to make return of the artillery, 561
" 5-Col. Glover's regiment recommended to be commissioned, 562
Resolve relative to the regiment of the train, 562
" 9-Resolve relative to the repair of fire-arms by the armorers, 562
" 10-Col. John Glover directed to remain with his regiment at Marblehead, 562 Resolve relative to the grass growing on the estates of the refugees,
563
A return of gentlemen commissioned, and of candidates for commissions, as colonels, 563 565
" 12-Three armorers appointed, .
" 13-The colonels ordered to make immediate returns of the state of their reg- iments, .
565
Report of the quantity of powder in the possession of the committee of supplies,
566
Debates and determinations of the committee to be kept in profound se- crecy, · Resolve relative to Daniel Adams, a lunatic, .
566 566
Resolve relative to the destruction of the property of the refugees, 566
Representation from the quarter master general, respecting a great want of tents and barracks, . 566
" 14-Committee to proceed to the house of Thomas Ireland, of Charlestown, to search for an infamous woman named Jackson, . Gen. Heath's regiment recommended to be commissioned, . Loss of Mr. Nathaniel Mulliken, at the battle of Lexington, .
567
567
567
" 15-Allowance of provisions to the soldiers in the army, 568 . Committee to confer with the council of war and general officers, relative to the fortification of Bunker hill and Dorchester neck, 568 Resolve relative to the reenforcement of the army, 568
Resolve relative to the occupation of Bunker's hill and Dorchester neck, 569
" 16-Committee to inquire whether any tents or houses are to be obtained for the troops, 569
. Officers in Col. Gridley's regiment of the train, .
569
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