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 52
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Whereas, it is necessary, that further provision be made for the suf- fering poor of the towns of Boston and Charlestown, therefore, Resolu- ed, that such person or persons as shall produce a certificate from any or either of the selectmen or overseers of the poor of the said towns, that they are of the poor of the town to which the said selectmen or overseers do, or did in March last, belong, that then the commissaries, in the towns of Watertown and Roxbury, are hereby directed to deliv- er, out of the province stores, to them, a sufficiency of provisions to car- ry then to the place of their destination, the commissary to take a re- ceipt from such selectmen or overseers therefor.
And it is recommended to the inhabitants of this province, to treat such poor with humanity, by affording them shelter in their houses from the weather, and, if desired, to exchange such provisions with them as said poor may have occasion for on their way.
Ordered, That the foregoing resolve be published in the Water- town, Cambridge, and Worcester newspapers.
Adjourned to four o'clock, P. M.
At four o'clock, P. M., the Congress met, and adjourned to Monday morning, eight o'clock.
MONDAY, JULY 3, 1775.
Ordered, That the committee of safety, who were appointed a com- mittee to take into consideration the expediency of a new emission of . notes or bills of credit, be directed to sit, and report as soon as possi- ble.
Resolved, That the resolve of the first instant, ordering the rules and regulations of the army to be read monthly, be reconsidered.
Resolved, That the receiver general be directed to pay to Mr. Josiah
Wherefore, yeur petitioner humbly hopes, that his case, together with the case of his fellow suf- ferers, may, by the honorable Congress, be represented to the grand Continental Congress, that they, in their great wisdom, may take such measures as to them shall seem fit, to alleviate their suffer- ings, and that what is thus destroyed in the general cause, may not fall so very heavily on any indi- vidual."
(1) The letter ef Alexander Sheppard, Jun., related to compensation for surveys of landa in the province, new the state, of Maine.
444
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[July 3,
Stevens, the sum of two pounds, in colony notes or bills of credit, pay- able to said receiver, for his services in bringing a number of letters to this Congress, taken out of a vessel from London.
Afternoon.
A vote of the Congress of New Hampshire [was] read, and Messrs. Child and Ashley, the bearers thereof, [were] admitted on the floor.1 They produced a letter from Messrs. Bucknam and Wales, to Col. Bay- ley, of New Hampshire, and his answer.
Ordered, That Messrs. Dexter, Col. Lincoln, Doct. Church, Mr. Pitts, and Capt. Bragdon, be a committee to confer with Messrs. Child and Ashley, from the province of New Hampshire.
Ordered, That the addition of the words " overseers of the poor," be added to the resolve of yesterday, respecting the poor of the towns of Boston and Charlestown.
Ordered, That Mr. Cutt, Col. Farley, and Col. Dwight, be a com- mittee to take into consideration the petition of Thomas Morton, [for leave to export fish.]
Ordered, That a letter for Thomas Irving, Esq., be opened, and or- dered to be committed to the committee who were to take under con- sideration, what should be done with the letters from London.
The petition of the selectmen of Abington, [relating to donations for the poor of Boston,] was read, and committed to Col. Mitchell, Mr. Lothrop, and Mr. Ellis.
Major Goodwin, who was appointed to bring in a resolve for direct- ing the committee of supplies to furnish the non-commissioned officers, who lost their clothes and blankets, in the late engagement, with clothes and blankets, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows :
Whereas, in consequence of a letter from General Ward, provision was made, by a resolve of this Congress, for private soldiers who had lost their clothes and blankets in a late engagement, but no provision was made for non-commissioned officers in similar circumstances, therefore, Resolved, that the committee of supplies be, and they hereby are directed, to furnish said non-commissioned officers with clothes and blankets, in such manner and form as they were directed by said resolve to supply said privates.
Adjourned to Tuesday morning, eight o'clock.
(1) The communication from New Hampshire related to the establishment of friendly inter- course and union with the people of Canada.
4.15
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
TUESDAY, JULY 4, 1775.
Ordered, That the honorable the president, Hon. Major Hawley, and Mr. Greenleaf, be a committee to prepare a letter to Governor Trumbull, desiring him to forward to this colony, as soon as may be, whatever flour may arrive at Connecticut for the use of the army.
A letter from Col. Gridley was read, [relating to the commissions of officers,] and ordered to lie on the table.
Ordered, That Mr. Pickering, Mr. Partridge, and Mr. Goodwin, be a committee to prepare a letter to General Washington, informing lim of the provision this Congress has made for the sick and wounded of the army.
An account of Ephraim Fenno was read, and committed to Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Jewett, and Col. Dwight.
Ordered, That Asa Barns, and other officers of Col. Woodbridge's regiment, recommended by the committee of safety, be commissioned, agreeably to the recommendation of said committee.
The committee on the petition of the selectmen of Abington, report- ed, verbally, that the matter respecting the donations for the poor of Boston, be considered at large.
Ordered, That Col. Mitchell, Capt. Stone, Mr. Kollock, Col. Jones, and Mr. Crane, be a committee for that purpose.
Ordered, That Mr. Jolinson, Mr. Fairfield, and Mr. Crane, be a committee to examine the accounts of those persons who were empow- ered to procure arms for the use of the colony army.
The committee on the petition of Thomas Morton, reported. The report was ordered to lie on the table for the present.
A resolve of the committee relative to the goods of Thomas Hutch- inson, Esq., and others, hid in and about Milton, was read, and com- mitted to Major Bliss, Col. Grout, and Mr. Crane.
Resolved, That three o'clock, P. M., be assigned for the choice of some gentleman to serve on the committee of supplies, in the room of Mr. Vose, who declines serving.
Ordered, That Mr. Jewett, Mr. Lothrop, Capt. Thatcher, Col. 'Jones, Mr. Wheeler, Col. Farley, and Mr. Cross, be a committee to consider the expediency of making a draw bridge of the bridge at Cambridge, agreeably to the request of General Washington, and that said committee be directed to sit forthwith.
At the request of General Washington, communicated by Mr. Gill, Resolved, that no more commissions, for the present, be delivered to any officers of the colony army, those employed, more particularly, for the protection of the sea coasts excepted.
440
THIRD PROVINCIAL, CONGRESS.
[ July 4,
The resolve relative to furnishing the soldiers with conte, was con- sidered, and recommitted for amendment,
Ordered, That Mr. Partridge, Mr. Pickering, and Doct. Taylor, bo a committee, to consider in what manner the late inhabitants of the town of Boston, may choose members to represent that town in the next General Assembly of this colony.
Resolved, That the committee of supplies be, and hereby are direct- ed, to supply the Rev. Mr. Gordon with a good horse to ne during hia service un n chaplain to this Congress.
Ordered, That Doet. Taylor, Doct. Church, and Mr. Johnson, bu a committee to bring in a resolve appointing Doct. [ Andrew] Craigie, a commissary of medical stores, and that said committee be directed to consider what is a proper establishment for his pay.
Afternoon.
A recommendation of the committee of safety relative to an Indian's having a horse, was rend, and committed to Doct, 'Taylor, Mr. Pur- tridge, and Mr. Glover.
Ordered, That Cupt. Brown, Capt. Parker, and Mr. Richmond, be a committee to sort and count the votes for a member of the commit- teo of supplies, in the room of Major Vone, and Capt. Partridge was chosen in the room of Major Vose.
Ordered, That the committee for making out commissions, be di- rected to make out n commission for Samuel Brewer, an adjutant gen- eral, and date it the day of his appointment.
The committee appointed to write a letter to Governor 'Trumbull, reported. The report was rond, and ordered to be recommitted for additions and amendments,
Ordered, 'That any three of the committee of supplies, of which Mr. Gill is to be one, in the absence of Mr. Cheever, be a quorum to do business.
The committee upon the letter relative to the Indian's having n horse, reported. 'The report was accepted, and Is as follows, viz. :
Resolved, That a small horse, taken by Henries Vomhavi, from Nod- dle's Island, be granted to the said Henries for his own use, to encour- ngo his further brave conduct and good behaviour in cump.
Ordered, That Col. Spalding, Mr. Woodbridge, and Mr. Johnson, be a committee to take under consideration the sufferinga of Abraham Nimham.1
Ordered, That Mr. Glover, Doct. "[Taylor,] and Col. Groat, be on
(1) This person nové with some grenadary bą, while employed in the public service, in boring a letter to the Western Indians.
447
THIRD PROVINCIAL, CONGRESS,
1775.]
the committee of conference with the members from New Hampshire, in the room of Mr. Pitts, Col. Lincoln, and Cupt. Bragdon,
Ordered, That Mr. Beat be on the committee for the Abington petition, in the room of Doct, Jonen.
Ordered, That the President, Mr. Langdon, and Major Bliss, be a committee to take into consideration the conduct of the people of Nan- tucket, and report what is expedient to be done with respect to them.
Ordered, That Mr. Wheelock, with letters from the Congress of New Hampshire, be admitted upon the floor.
Ordered, ['That] Doct, Church, Mr. Hopkins, and Major Bliss, ho n committee to introduce Mr. Wheelock, and also to deliver a copy of the letter from New Hampshire to his excellency General Washington, and also to draw an answer to the letter from New Hampshire,
The report of the committee upon the account of Mr. White was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
The committee appointed to consider accounts, transmitted to this Congress by the committee of anfety, beg leave to report, by way of resolve, that William White be paid the sum of six pounds, lawful money, for service done by mid William White, by order of the com- mittee of safety, and that the receiver general be directed to pay said Num to the said William White.
The committee appointed to write to Governor Trumbull, reported, The report was read, accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
May it please your honor :
Your favor of the 27th June, we received, and heartily thank you for the information therein given us. The arrival of the flour from New York to Norwich, gives us great pleasure, as we stand in need of largo supplies of that commodity. We request your honor to give or- ders that the same may be forwarded, as soon as possible, to our com- mittee of supplies at Watertown; and any further quantities that may arrive hereafter, we desire may be sent, immediately upon its arrival, to the amine committee; almost all the grain in this colony being already brought in, and our stock not equal to the demands for bread.
We have the pleasure to be able to acquaint your honor, that Gen- erals Washington and Lee, with Mr. Mifflin, aid-de-camp to General Washington, arrived at Cambridge, last Sabbath, in good health, a lit- tle after 12 o'clock, at noon, and have great reason to expect, from their known characters, and their activity, and vigilance, already din- covered, that their presence in the army will be attended with most happy consequences. Our camps at Cambridge and Roxbury are
448
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[July 4,
daily putting on a more defensible appearance; the health in our army is as general as we could expect. Several privates in the Cambridge camp were last week taken down with the small pox, but we have great reason to hope, that the precautions taken on this occurrence, will, by the divine blessing, prevent the spreading of that distemper in the camp.
We are, with the greatest respect, your honor's
Most obedient humble servants.
Ordered, That Col. Grout, Mr. Langdon, and Doct. Taylor, be a committee to take into consideration the letter from Mr. Sheppard, relative to the eastern plans of the sea coasts.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve for appointing Mr. Craigie, medical commissary, reported. [The report] was read, and is as follows, viz. :
Resolved, That Mr. Andrew Craigie be, and he is hereby appointed a medical commissary and apothecary for the Massachusetts army, and that said Craigie be allowed five pounds per month, for his services as abovesaid.
Ordered, That the committee for making out commissions make out a warrant for Mr. Craigie, medical commissary.
The committee appointed to take into consideration the loss of In- dian Nimham, reported. The report was read, accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
The committee appointed to consider the losses of Abraham Nim- liam, in his journey to Cagnawauga, in carrying a message to the Indians, beg leave to report by way of resolve : That the said Abra- ham Nimham be paid the sum of thirty-six shillings, lawful money, and that the receiver general be directed to pay the said sumn to Jahleel Woodbridge, Esq., and he to account with the said Abraham Nimham.
Resolved, That this Congress will attend to matters of the greatest importance, that they may finish the business and dissolve, sometime before the sitting of the General Court.
Ordered, That the matter contained in a resolve of the committee of safety, relating to the effects of refugees, being before provided for by this Congress, subside.
Adjourned to Wednesday morning, 8 o'clock.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1775.
A letter from William Tollman, of Dartmouth, was read, and com- mitted to the committee appointed to consider at large of the donations for the poor of Boston.
449
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
The report of the committee on the petition of Thomas Morton was read, and accepted, and is as follows, viz. : The committee appointed to consider the memorial of Thomas Morton, beg leave to report by way of resolve :
Resolved, That the prayer of the memorial be granted, and that William Powell, Esq., late of Boston, have leave to export one thousand quintals of Jamaica old codfish, to the West Indies, and that the com- mittee of correspondence in Newburyport see that the said William Powell, Esq. strictly complies with the resolutions of the continental and provincial Congresses.
Ordered, That Mr. Greenleaf, Col. Richmond, Doct. Taylor, Mr. Glover, and Capt. Holmes, be a committee to wait upon General Waslı- ington, to inform him that this Congress liave it in contemplation to rise this week, and to know if he has any matter to lay before the Congress.
A list of surgeons who have been examined and approved of, by a committee of this Congress, was laid before the Congress, and read, and is as follows :
Doct. David Jones, surgeon; Samuel Blanchard, mate, in Col. Ger- rish's regiment ; Aaron Putnam, mate, in Col. Fry's regiment ; Joseph Hunt, mate to Doct. Joseph Foster, in Cambridge hospital; Jacob Bacon, mate in Col. Scammon's regiment; Harris Clary Fridges, mate; Edward Durant, surgeon, Col. Mansfield's regiment; Josiah Harvey, mate, Col. Fellow's regiment ; Abraham Watson, Jr., surgeon, William Vinal, mate, Col. Gardner's regiment ; Doct. John Georges, mate, General Heath's regiment; Doct. Isaac Spafford, surgeon, Col. Nixon's [regiment] ; Doct. John Crooker, surgeon in Col. Scammon's regiment ; Doct. Walter Hastings, surgeon in Col. Bridges' [regi- ment]; Doct. Timothy Child, surgeon, in Col. Patterson's [regiment] ; Doct. Levi Willard, surgeon, in Col. Reed's [regiment] ; Doct. Daniel Parker, surgeon, in Col. Walker's [regiment]; and Doct. Thomas Kittridge, surgeon, in Col. Fry's regiment.
Thereupon, Ordered, That warrants be made out for them agreea- bly thereto.
Resolved, That the order of Congress relative to the date of the war- rants for the staff officers, be so far reconsidered, as that the warrants for the surgeons be dated the 28th June, ultimo.
Ordered, That the committee who were appointed to deliver out commissions to the officers of the army, be a committee to prepare, and lay before this Congress, a list of such as have been commission- ed.
57
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450
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[July 5,
A form of a warrant for a medical commissary, was read and accept- ed, and is as follows, viz. :
The Congress of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, to Greeting.
We, being informed of your skill in medicine, and reposing especial trust and confidence in your ability and good conduct, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you the said -, to be medical commissary and apothecary to the army raised by this Con- gress, for the defence of this colony. You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a medical commissary and apothe- cary in all things appertaining thereto, observing such orders and in- structions as you shall, from time to time, receive from any your su- perior officers, according to the rules and discipline established by said Congress, for which this shall be your sufficient warrant.
By order of Congress, President.
Ordered, That Col Smith, Mr. Plympton, Mr. Ellis, Mr. Bigelow, Deacon Stone, Capt. Brown, Major Fuller, and Capt. Stone, be a com- mittee to procure two hundred axes with helves, immediately, for the use of the army, and when procured, to forward them immediately to General Washington, or his order, and lay before the Congress a list of the persons of whom they shall be procured, with the price agreed on, and that the committee assure the persons of whom they may pro- cure said axes, that they shall be paid for, as soon as the Congress can make provision therefor.
The committee appointed to consider in what manner the late in- habitants of the town of Boston, should choose representatives, report- ed. The report was accepted, and is as follows, and was ordered to be sent immediately to Mr. William Cooper ; viz. :
As it appears to this Congress, fit and reasonable, that the good peo- ple of the town of Boston, though at present in a dispersed state, should have a just and equal representation in the great and general assembly of this colony ; and as the choice of representatives for that purpose, in legal town meeting, convened, in the common and ordinary way, is, at present, utterly impracticable, therefore, Resolved, that Mr. William Cooper, town clerk of Boston, be, and he hereby is empowered and di- rected, by notifications, under his hand, in the several newspapers, im- mediately to notify and give warning to the freeholders and others who
451
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
were inhabitants of the said town of Boston, and were qualified ac- cording to law, to vote for representatives in May, 1774, and are now dispersed, to assemble and meet at the meeting-house in Concord, on Tuesday, the 18th day of July, instant, at three o'clock, in the after- noon, then and there, to elect and depute one or more freeholders ill said town, according to the numbers limited by a law of this colony, to serve for, and represent them in a great and general court or assembly, to be convened, held, and kept, for the service of said colony, until the day next preceding the last Wednesday of May next, if necessary, and no louger, at the meeting-house in Watertown, upon Wednesday the 19th instant, by nine o'clock, in the forenoon, and so, from day to day, during their session or sessions. Hereof he is desired not to fail, and make return of this resolve, with the name or names of the person and persons elected or deputed by a major part of the electors present, unto the great and general assembly, at the time and place above mentioned for its meeting.
The committee appointed the 2d instant, to prepare a letter to the Hon. James Russell, Esq., reported. The draft prepared, was accept- ed, ordered to be signed by the president, and forwarded, and is as fol- lows, viz. :
Sir :- The present necessity for cash is such, that it is necessary for this Congress to direct you to pay in to Henry Gardner, Esq., receiver general of this colony, all the public money in your hands or care, be- longing to said colony, without further delay.
By order of Congress,
- -, President.
To the Hon. James Russell, Esq., of Dunstable.
Ordered, That Capt. Holmes, Capt. Carpenter, Mr. Glover, Mr. Jewett, and Mr. Parker, be a committee to consider some method to prevent conveying intelligence to our enemies, and also to put a stop to supplying them with provisions.
The committee appointed to consider the request of General Washı- ington, relative to making a draw bridge of the bridge at Cambridge, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
The committee appointed to wait on his excellency General Waslı- ington, relative to making the bridge over Charles river, in Cambridge, a draw bridge, have attended that service, and beg leave to report, that his excellency suggested, that he apprehends it to be of great impor- tance, that this business be immediately entered upon ; also, he men-
452
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[ July 5,
tioned, that he did not intend the passing and repassing should be im- peded. His excellency recommends to the Congress the doing it, as they are the best judges of proper persons to be employed. His excel- lency hinted, that it would be agreeable to him, to be consulted as to the manner of its being done. Per order, DUMMER JEWETT.
[The same committee, being directed to bring in a resolve relative to said bridge, reported the following, which was accepted, viz. : ]
Whereas, his excellency General Washington, has signified to this Congress his desire, that the bridge over Charles river, in Cambridge, should be made a draw bridge, and that the Congress would see to the doing of it, immediately, therefore, Resolved, that Capt. Thatcher, Mr. Whittemore, Mr. Temple, Mr. Cross, and Capt. Parker, be a commit- tee to procure materials, and employ a suitable number of artificers, for accomplishing the aforementioned business, agreeably to the direc- tion of his excellency General Washington; the same to be done at tlie immediate expense of this colony ; and, that the committee render to this Congress or some future House of Representatives, their account of said expense.
Resolved, That three o'clock, in the afternoon, be assigned for the choice of some person to serve on the committee of supplies, in the room of Mr. Partridge, who, at his request, has been excused, and that in such choice, the members of the Congress may have liberty to vote for any person who may not belong to the Congress.
The committee appointed to consider of the donations for the poor of Boston, reported. The report was recommitted.
A petition of Jonathan Brewer, [relating to recruits for his regi- ment,] was read, and committed to Deacon Stickney, Doct. Taylor, and Col. Spaulding.
Ordered, That Doct. Taylor, Mr. Lothrop, and Mr. Jewett, be a committee to distribute the pamphlets which contain depositions rela- tive to the battle of Lexington.
Ordered, That Col. Glover be of the committee for stationing the soldiers in the county of Essex, in the room of Mr. Gerry, excused.
The committee appointed to examine the accounts of the committee appointed to procure fire-arms, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Whereas, Messrs. John Bliss, William Page, Abiel Sadler, and Lemuel Kollock, were appointed by this Congress to collect a number of fire-arms, for the use of the colony, and have delivered said arms to the committee of safety, at Cambridge, as appears by receipts from said committee, and have exhibited their accounts for said service,
453
THIRD PROVINCIAL, CONGRESS.
1775.]
which accounts appear to be reasonable : therefore, Resolved, that there be paid by the receiver general, to the several persons aforesaid, the following sums, viz. : to John Bliss, the sum of ££5 11s .; to Wil- liam Page, £6 17s .; to Abiel Sadler, ££5 10s .; to Lemuel Kollock, £3 10s. 8d .; being £21 18s. 8d., in full of the aforesaid account,
Ordered, That the list of persons of whom the arms were procured, be lodged with the receiver general.
Ordered, That Mr. Partridge, Col. Bowers, and Mr. Jewett, be a committee to consider a letter from General Ward.1
The committee appointed to consider the petition of the eighteen Stockbridge Indians, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Whereas, it appears to this Congress, by a petition from the Stock- bridge Indians enlisted in the American army, that they, in their more serious hours, being sensible of their want of prudence in disposing of their money, are desirous that this Congress, in their wisdom, would devise some method to prevent their getting too much strong drink, and they also request that all their wages, that are now due, or shall hereafter be due to them for their services, be paid to Timothy Ed- wards, and Jahleel Woodbridge, Esq., or to their order : therefore, Resolved, that Timothy Edwards, or Jahleel Woodbridge, Esqrs. be, and are hereby empowered, to draw the wages of the aforesaid Indians, and deal out the same as they shall find said Indians have need thereof, according to any order or orders of this Congress, that have been, or shall hereafter be made, for paying all or any part of the wages due to the soldiers, and render an account of their doings to this, or some future Congress, or House of Representatives, when required. And the receiver general is accordingly directed to pay the same to the said Timothy Edwards, or Jahleel Woodbridge, Esqrs., as aforesaid, and take their receipt therefor. And it is also recommended and enjoined by this Congress, that all persons who sell spirituous liquors, be par- ticularly careful not to let said Indians have too much strong drink, as that wholly unfits them for any service.
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