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 55
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The committee appointed to prepare an answer to the letter from the New Hampshire Congress, reported the following, which was ac- cepted, and ordered to be transcribed, authenticated, and sent foward, viz. :
Gentlemen : We received your favor of the 3d instant, by Mr. Wheelock and Col. Beetle, and much rejoice to find, that the honora- ble Congress of New Hampshire, and the good people of your govern- ment in general, are so warmly attached to the common cause.
We highly approve of Mr. Dean's being sent to the Continental Congress, more especially as he is so well acquainted in Canada, and lately came from thence, and we think it is a matter of great importance to New York, and all the New England colonies in particular, and to America in general, to satisfy our friends in Canada, that we are truly friendly to them, and also effectually to prevent our inveterate enemies there from making depredations on our frontiers : and as we have the greatest confidence in the wisdom and vigilance of that honorable body, therefore, we think it most advisable to wait their determina- tion. We are, with great respect, gentlemen,
Your friends in the common cause.
Hon Congress of the Colony of New Hampshire,
475
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
The committee appointed to consider the subject of a letter from General Green, reported. The report was accepted, and is as fol- lows, viz. :
The Congress having taken into consideration the difficulties and troubles which have [arisen] and daily are arising in our camps, by reason of divers evil-minded persons selling spirituous liquors, by which means, it is not in the power of the officers, although a constant exertion has been hitherto made, to prevent the same, in order to keep that steady government in camp so absolutely necessary; therefore, Resolved, that if any licensed person shall, after the 15th instant, presume to sell any spirituous liquors to any soldier, without a permit from the captain, or commanding officer of the company he belongs to, specifying the quan- tity, he shall, for the first offence, forfeit his license, and for the second, suffer such punishment as shall be inflicted on him or her, by a court martial; and any person who is not a licensed person, or whose license is without the limits of said camp, [who] shall presume to retail any spirituous liquor to any of the troops, shall suffer for the first offence, the penalties inflicted by a court martial : this resolve not to extend to any person who shall have a license or permit from the general or commanding officer.
The committee appointed to bring in a list of such towns as might supply the army with shirts, breeches, &c., reported. The report was recommitted for introducing the form of a receipt.
The committee appointed to consider the petition of the inhabitants of Frenchman's Bay, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
The committee appointed to consider the petition of Thomas Don- nell and others, of Frenchman's Bay, have attended that service, and beg leave to report by way of resolve.
Whereas, Mr. Philip Hodgkins has applied to this Congress for a supply of provisions for the inhabitants of Frenchman's Bay, and being at a great distance from the committees of correspondence of that place, therefore, Resolved, that it be recommended, and it is, by this Congress, accordingly recommended, to the governor and company of the colony of Connecticut, that they suffer the inhabitants of French- man's Bay to purchase such provisions in said colony as they stand in need of.
Major Hawley, who was appointed to bring in a resolve explanatory of the resolve of this Congress relative to the refugees, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Whereas, a certain resolve was made and passed, on the 21st day of
476
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[July 9,
June last, respecting the improvement of the estates of several persons who have fled to General Gage, in manner as is expressed in the said resolve, and it being made to appear to this Congress that the said re- solve is taken in such a sense, in divers parts of this colony, as to make it necessary, that some explanation of the said resolve should be made · by this Congress, it is therefore, Resolved, that henceforward the said resolve ought not to be construed to extend to any estates of such per- sons, excepting such estates as are left unimproved and void of any occupant, or possessor, and that no other estate of such person ought to be treated in the manner prescribed in the said resolve, until they shall be regularly indicted and tried for their supposed offences.
Ordered to be printed in the several papers.
Resolved, That eight o'clock to-morrow morning be assigned for the consideration of the expediency of appointing a surgeon general of the Massachusetts army.
Ordered, That the account books of Major Barber be committed to the care of the committee of supplies.
Adjourned to Sunday morning, eight o'clock.
SUNDAY, JULY 9, 1775.
The committee appointed to consider a resolve relative to seizing the crown officers, reported by way of resolve. The report was re- committed, and the secretary was added to the committee, and the committee [were] directed to report by way of letter, and to insert a clause relative to the desire of this Congress, that the Continental Congress would adjourn nearer the seat of action.
The committee appointed to consider a resolve of the committee of safety, recommending the appointment of four master armorers, re- ported. The report was ordered to lie on the table, till the committee for revising the commission of the committee of safety, and the com- mission of the committee of supplies, reported.
Ordered, That Mr. Gill, Mr. Pickering and Mr. Woodbridge, be a committee to consider a letter from Mr. John Scollay, relative to the poor of the town of Boston.1
(1) The letter of Mr. John Scollay, with the paper enclosed, follows :
" BOSTON, JULY 8TH, 1775.
"SIR :- His excellency the governor having, by Mr. Secretary Flucker, sent a message to the se- lectmen, overseers of the poor, and committee of donations, respecting the removal of the poor, and other inhabitants of the town of Boston, they attended the same, and, after deliberating on the matter, presented to Mr. Secretary their doings thereon, a copy of which is here enclosed, to which his excellency has been pleased to accede."
As there has, of late, been an interruption of the inhabitants, with their effects, passing out of the town into the country, perhaps the matter may have dropped with you, and proper accommoda-
477
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Ordered, That the Secretary, Doct. Taylor and Major Brooks, be a committee to confer with Mr. John Lane, on the difficulties which at- tend the supplying the Indians at Falmouth, Casco Bay.
Resolved, That the Hon. Jedediah Preble, and the Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq., be, and hereby are empowered, to supply the Indians of the Penobscot tribe, with any quantity of goods, not exceeding the value of three hundred pounds, and to draw on the receiver general for the same, who is hereby directed to pay such drafts, in three months after the date of this resolve, and to take furs and skins of the said Indians, in exchange, on the account of this colony, they to be accountable for their proceedings.
Ordered, That Deacon Cheever be a committee to bring in a resolve, empowering the committee of supplies to furnish General Washington with such articles of household furniture, as he has wrote to said committee for.
tions may not have boen provided for the reception of any more of the poor of the town than have already left it ; and as the state of the inhabitants is really distressing, we shall be glad that imme- diate attention be given to the above, and that we, as soon as may be, know your resolutions there- on. As many of these poor unhappy people are not in a condition to be removed by land carriage, therefore, we should think that the place of their destination might be as near water carriage as may be convenient : if it would not be thought assuming, wo would beg leave to suggest the towns of Salem or Marblehead, as proper places for the above purpose.
His excellency does expect, that whatever vessels or other carriages may be employed in this business, ample security be given that they shall be safe from any detention, and that they, with the persons that occupy them, be permitted to return without hindrance or molestation."
" I am, in bchalf of the committee, Sir, your most humble servant,
JOHN SCOLLAY, Chairman." JAMES WARREN, EsQ.
" The selectmen, overscers of the poor, and committee of donations, having received a message from his excellency the governor, by Mr. Secretary Flucker, respecting the removal of the poor, and other inhabitants of the town, and attended the same, with all proper deference and respect, beg leave to represent : That the number of the poor in the alma-house, amounts to about two hun- dred, of which they suppose that one hundred and sixty or one hundred and seventy, may be re- moved, for which the selectmen, overseers, and committee aforesaid, will make all proper provis- ion, his excellency providing boats and carriages for transportation by water or land, as may be thought best, and allowing such quantities of provisions, bedding, clothing and medicine as may be necessary and proper. The few unhappy persons that may bo unable to be removed must be left, and are earnestly recommended to his excellency's well known humanity."
"As to the poor, and other inhabitants of the town, who, if not already, will soon be reduced to the greatest distress, the selectmen, overseers and committee apprehend, that by far the greatest part, if not tho whole, would immodiately remove themselves, with the small assistance they might receive from the committee of donations, provided they could obtain his excellency's per- mission."
" The selectmen, overseers and committee, previous to their removal, beg for loave to write to such persons in the country as may be empowered to tako care of, and provide for the poor, that these destituto porsons may find such assistance and relief as their particular circumstances msy require."
478
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. [July 9,
Afternoon.
Resolved, That the consideration of the allowance proper to be made to Mr. Fowle for the use of his house, by several committees of this Congress, be referred to the general assembly.
The committee on the letter of Mr. John Scollay, of Boston, re- ported. The report was ordered to lie, for further consideration.
The committee appointed to prepare a list of such towns, as it would be expedient to apply to, for shirts, breeches, &c., again report- ed. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Whereas, there is now a very pressing demand for some articles of clothing, more especially of shirts, breeches, stockings and shoes, in the army raised by the colony of the Massachusetts Bay, and there is danger of very mischievous consequences, from a delay of supplying the same : Resolved, that the inhabitants of the respective towns and districts in the counties specified in a list hereunto annexed, be most earnestly desired, as soon as possible, to procure such a number of each of the articles of shirts, breeches and stockings, as are affixed to their said towns and districts respectively, of a serviceable quality, and as many good shoes, as they can obtain, and deliver the same to the person or persons now to be appointed by this Congress to collect them, who are directed to give receipts to the owners, at the prices for which they shall mutually agree, keeping an account thereof, in the form following :
The - day of 1775. Received of -, - shirts, at -; - pair of breeches at -; - pair of stockings at -; - pairs of shoes at -: amounting to the sum of - -, for the service of the colony of the Massachusetts Bay; which the receiver general is directed, in forty days after the date hereof, to pay to the said -
, or order, in notes, or bills of credit of this colony, and the receiver general is hereby required to pay the same accordingly. And that this business may be effected with the greatest expedition, the select- men and committees of correspondence in the several towns and dis- tricts beforementioned, are hereby most earnestly requested, to afford the utmost aid in their power, to the person or persons appointed as aforesaid, in collecting said articles. And those persons are further directed to take such measures, as will enable them to ascertain the price of each article, on its arrival, and to contract, at a reasonable rate, with suitable waggoners and teamsters to transport the effects, when procured, with great despatch, to the committee of supplies, at Watertown, giving them a certificate of the sums to be paid for such
479
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
service, for which sum, said committee are hereby directed to draw on the public treasury, in favor of any thus contracted with, or their or- ders, and the receiver general is accordingly directed to pay the same.
Committee .- SUFFOLK : Mr. Daniel Vose, Milton; Mr. Abner Ellis, Dedham ; Deacon Jabez Fisher, Wrentham.
ESSEX : Major Asa Perley, Boxford; Col. Daniel Thurston, Brad- ford; Major A. Fuller, Middleton.
MIDDLESEX : Mr. Peter Bent, Marlborough ; Capt. Timothy Walk- er, Wilmington ; Mr. Israel Hobart, Townshend ; Mr. Samuel Sprague, Stoneham.
PLYMOUTHI : Mr. Ebenezer Thompson, Halifax; Col. Joseph Cush- ing, Hanover ; Mr. George Partridge, Duxbury.
BRISTOL : Mr. Thomas Durfee, Freetown ; Capt. Benjamin King, Raynham ; Benjamin Aikin, Esq., Dartmouth.
WORCESTER : Mr. David Bancroft, Worcester ; Mr. Joseph Wheeler, Harvard; Col. Jonathan Grout, Petersham.
BARNSTABLE : Col. Joseph Otis, Barnstable; Col. N. Freeman, Sandwich; Col. Elisha Cobb, Wellfleet.
DUKES COUNTY : James Athorne, Esq.
Resolved, That the receiver general be, and he hereby is directed, to pay Doct. Benjamin Church, Jr., or order, the sum of ££34 5s. 2d. in full discharge of his account of expenses of himself and servant, on a journey to Philadelphia, in May last.
Ordered, That Mr. Gill, Mr. Phillips and Doct. Taylor, be a com- mittee to provide a dinner on the 19th instant, for themselves and the clergy.
Ordered, That Mr. Kollock, Doct. Taylor and Deacon Nichols, be a committee to get the resolves relative to procuring shirts, breeches, &c., printed, and dispersed, one to eachi town mentioned in the sched- ule, and one to each of the committee.
The committee appointed to bring in an additional resolve relative to the poor of Boston, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Whereas, it appears that some towns in this colony have a larger number of the poor of the towns of Boston and Charlestown, than has been heretofore assigned them, and more than they are willing to retain :
Resolved, That it be recommended to the selectmen of those towns, to cause such poor to be removed to some town, that shall not have
480
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[July 10,
the proportion heretofore assigned, or shall be willing to receive them, and, if convenient, to those of such towns that said poor may choose ; provided said poor are possessed of a certificate from either of the selectmen, or overseers of the poor, of the towns of Boston or Charlestown, showing that they were inhabitants of either of those towns, on the first of March last; and the selectmen, or overseers of the poor of the towns qualified as aforesaid, to which the before men- tioned poor may be conveyed, with a certificate as above prescribed, are requested to receive, and make provision for the same, as has been before directed : all reasonable charges attending such removal to be paid by this colony.
Ordered, That Mr. Kollock, Mr. Batchelder and Deacon Plympton, be a committee to bring in a resolve, for the purpose of supplying the Penobscot Indians with a small quantity of gunpowder.
Resolved, That the selectmen of the town of Watertown be, and hereby are empowered and directed, to take into their custody one Daniel Green, now in this town, who was wounded and taken a pris- oner the 19th of April last, and convey him to the jail in Concord, there to be confined till the further order of this Congress, or some future house of assembly of this colony. +
Adjourned to Monday morning, eight o'clock.
MONDAY, JULY 10, 1775.
[The committee appointed to bring in a resolve for supplying the Penobscot Indians with gunpowder, reported. The report was ac- cepted, and is as follows, viz. : ]
Whereas, application has been made to this Congress, by Capt. John Lane, agent for the Penobscot tribe of Indians, for a small quan- tity of powder, for supplying said Indians : therefore, Resolved, that the committee of supplies is hereby directed to deliver, out of the public stores of this colony, to the said John Lane, twenty-five pounds of powder, for the use aforesaid, taking said Lane's receipt therefor, to deliver the same to General Preble and Col. Enoch Freeman, on ac- count of this colony ; and said committee are hereby directed to re- place the same again, as soon as may be, from some town in this col- ony, (if they judge it necessary,) that can best spare the same.
Ordered, That the warrants for surgeons, adjutant generals and quarter master generals, be committed to the committee of safety to be delivered.
Ordered, That Deacon Baker bring in a resolve, directing the re- ceiver general to pay Mr. Hastings, for his services, as door-keeper.
-
481
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Ordered, That the letter from Jolin Scollay, Esq, [relating to the poor] of Boston, and the paper accompanying it, be put into the hands of the committee of safety.
Ordered, That the President, Doct. Church and Mr. Gerry, be a committee to prepare an answer to a letter this day received from Gen- eral Lee, and that 11 o'clock be assigned for the choice of some per- son to attend General Lee, on an interview with General Burgoyne.1
Ordered, That Mr. Pickering, Mr. Spear and Mr. Phillips, be a committee to examine a number of letters this day laid before the Congress, brought from London by Capt. Folger.
Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby ordered, that the committee of supplies immediately furnish General Washington with ten good horses, with saddles and bridles, for the public use.
Ordered, That Mr. Batchelder count and sort the votes for a person to attend General Lee on an interview with General Burgoyne. Mr.
(1) The following is the letter from Gen. Lee :
HEAD QUARTERS, JULY THE 10TH, 1775.
"General Lee presents his respects to the president and gentlemen of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, and submita to their perusal a letter which he yesterday received from General Bur- goyne, in answer to one which was read and approved of by the delegates of this province and other members of the Continental Congress. Ile begs leave to receive their commands with re- spect to the proposed interview. If they approve of it, he shall he glad to accept of it; if they disapprove, he shall reject it ; but if they approve of it, he must request that they will depute some one gentleman of their hody to accompany General Leo, and he witness of tho conversation. Hle desires their answer immediately, as he has engaged to inform Gen. Burgoyne hy four o'clock this afternoon, whether the interview is to take place. He shall likewise be much obliged to the gentlemen, if they will return the letter-but if they choose to take a copy, he can have no objec- tion."
On the arrival of General Burgoyne in Boston, General Lee addressed a letter to that officer, ex- pressing warm feelings of personal regard for his former companion in arms, and explaining his views of the rights of the Americans, and their determination and power to maintain them. Gen- eral Burgoyne, in reply, proposed a meeting. "Above all," he says, " I should find an interview happy if it should induce such explanations as might tend in thelr coasequences to peace. I feol, in commen with all around me, for the unhappy people of this country : they foresee not the dis- tress that is impending over them. I know Great Britain is ready to open her arms npon the first overture of accommodation. I know she is equally resolute to maintain her original rights, and if the war proceeds, your one hundred and fifty thousand men will not be a match for her power."
The proposed interview was declined in the following noto :
CAMBRIDGE, HEAD QUARTERS, JULY II, 1775.
" General Lee's compliments to General Burgoyne-would he extremely happy in an interview he so kindly proposed-but as he perceives that General Burgoyne has already made up his mind on this great subject ; and as it is impossible that he, General Lee, should ever alter his opinion, ho is apprehensive that the interview might creato those jealousies and suspicions so natural in a peo- ple struggling in the dearest of all causes, that of their liberty, property, wives, children, and fu- ture generations. He must, therefore, defer the happiness of embracing a man whom he most sin. cerely loves, until the subversion of the present tyrannical ministry and system, which he is persuaded must be in a few months, as he knows Great Britain cannot stand the contest. He begs General Burgoyne will send the letters which his aid de camp has for him. If Gardiner is aid de camp, he desires his love to him."
61
482
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[July 10,
Batchelder having attended that service, reported, that Mr. Elbridge Gerry was chosen.
Ordered, That Col. Porter, Doct. Taylor and Major Brooks, be a committee, whose business it shall be, in conjunction with the committee of safety, to make thorough inquiry into the subject matter of a letter this day received from General Washington, [relating to reenforce- ments for the army.] And that the committee be directed to confer with General Washington on the subject of his letter, and particularly inform him of the number of men we had generally estimated in the Massachusetts forces, from the returns of the general officers, from the money paid out of the treasury, for a month's advance pay to the soldiers, and from the provision made for billeting the said forces.1
(I) The following is the letter of General Washington mentioned in the text, addressed to the President of Congress :
HEAD QUARTERS, CAMBRIDGE, JULY 9, 1775.
" SIR :- After much difficulty and delay, I have procured such returns of the state of the army as will enablo us to form a judgment of its strength. It is with great concern I find it far inadequate to our general expectations and the duties which may be required of it. The number of men fit for duty in the forces raised in this province, including all the out posts and artillery, does not amount to nine thousand. The troops raised in the other colonics are more complete ; but yet fall short of their establishment. So that upon tho whole, I cannot estimate the present army at more than fourteen thousand five hundred men capable of duty."
" I have the satisfaction to find the troops, both in camp and quarters, very healthy ; so that the deficiency must arise from the regiments never having been filled up to the establishment, and the number of men on furlough : but tho former is much most considerable. Under all these circum- stances I yesterday called a council of war ; and, enclosed, I send you an extract of our determi- nations, so far as they respect the province of Massachusetts Bay."
"Your own prudence will suggest the necessity of secrecy on this subject, as we have the utmost reason to think the enemy suppose our numbers much greater than they are : an error which it is not our interest to remove."
" The great extent of our lines, and the uncertainty which may be the point of attack, added to the necessity of immediato support, have induced me to order that horses, ready saddled, should be kept at several posts, in order to bring the most speedy intelligence of any movement of the encmy."
" For this purpose I should be glad that ten horses might be provided as soon as possible."
" I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,
GEORGE WASHINGTON."
" P. S. As I am informed the Congress proposes to rise immediately, I should be glad to know what committees are left, or upon whom the executive business devolves. G. W-N."
"AT A COUNCIL OF WAR, held at Head Quarters, July 9, 1775 .- Present : Ilis excellency General Washington, Generals Ward, Lee, Putnam, Thomas, Heath, Green, Gates."
" His excellency proposed to the consideration of the council-What number of troops may be ne- cessary for the present service in and near Boston, to defend the posts already occupied, against the force supposed to be employed against us ?"
" Upon which it was agreed, that the army for the above purpose ought to consist of at least 22,000 men."
" As it appears by tho returns now made, that the number of effective men is far short of the above estimate, a question was proposed, viz. : "
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