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 57
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
The instructions reported to be given Capt. Davis, were considered, and, after debate, the report was ordered to be dismissed.
Ordered, That Capt. Stone, Capt. Baker, and Mr. Learned, be a committee to consider what towns the ten prisoners now under guard in this town, shall be sent to.
Ordered, That Michael Edwards, now under guard in this town, be immediately discharged.
Ordered, That Mr. Phillips, Col. Farley, and Mr. Kollock, be a committee to examine and consider an account of Mr. Solomon Loth- rop, [for the entertainment of General Washington.]
Ordered, That Col. Lincoln, Col. Porter, and Mr. Perry, be a coin- mittee to consider some method of supplying the recruiting officers with money for the purpose.
[The committee reported the following resolve, which was accepted, viz .: ]
Resolved, That the committee of safety be, and they hereby are em- powered and directed, to give orders on the receiver general in favor of such officer or officers as are, or shall be appointed as recruiting offi- cers, not exceeding the sum of four pounds to any one of them, and take their receipts for the sum they shall order to them respectively, which sum is to be deducted from their wages on the rolls being made up, unless otherwise ordered by a house of representatives of this colony ; and the receiver general is hereby directed to pay said order accordingly.
Resolved, That the resolve passed yesterday, directing the receiver general to pay Capt. James Noble, or order, the sum of one hundred pounds, be reconsidered, and that a resolve be drawn by Capt. Stone,
(1) The following is the letter mentioned in the text :
HEAD QUARTERS, CAMBRIDGE, JULY 12, 1775.
" SIR :- Upon a conference with the other generals respeeting the militia, it has been coneluded, that one thousand men to be stationed in and about Medford, will be sufficient for the present ser- vice."
" llis exeelleney has also directed me to request of the Congress, in his name, that they would urge the committees in the several towns, to forward and promote the new levies as much as possible, and that they would exert themselves te send to the camp, such soldiers as have staid beyond their furloughs, er have left the service, and may be returned to their former homes.
" I am sir, with much respect, Your most obedient humble servant,
JOS. REED, Secretary."
494
1 THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[July 13,
directing the said receiver general, to pay Mr. William Barber, the said sum of one hundred pounds, for the use of Capt. Noble.
Resolved, That Capt. Stone be appointed to the office of president of this Congress in the absence of Col. Warren.
Capt. Stone, agreeably to his request, being excused from the office of president :
Resolved, That Col. Benjamin Lincoln be appointed to officiate as president of this Congress in the absence of the Hon. James Warren, Esq.
The committee appointed to consider the petition of the selectmen and committee of safety of the district of Harpswell,1 reported, that the consideration of said petition be referred to the general assembly. The report was accepted.
Resolved, That Lieut. Zachariah Gurney be, and he hereby is di- rected, to take into his custody John Davis, and John Freeman a ne- gro man, and convey them to Cambridge, and deliver them according to the resolves of this Congress respecting them ; copies of which are to be delivered him, together with this resolve.
Capt. Stone, agreeably to the direction this day of Congress, brought in the following resolve, which was accepted :
.
(1) " To the honorable the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts Bay, convened at Watertown, July -, 1775."'
" The petition of the selectmen and committee of safety, at the desire, and in bchalf of the inhabi- tants of the district of Harpswell, humbly sheweth ; that your petitioners have, at all times, exert- ed themselves in prosecuting those measures recommended by the Continental and Provincial Con- gresses ; that it is their fixed determination to continue thus to do ; that some of said inhabitants cheerfully enlisted for the public safety, and to ward off that despotic and arbitrary power with which administration is aiming to govern the colonies ; that said district, on the account of its situa- tion, being an isthmus, or neck of land, about ten miles in length, with many adjacent islands, nav- igable on each side, upwards of seven miles for ships of the navy, and abounding with cattle, shcep, &c., is peculiarly exposed to the ravages of the Britishi troops ; that the inhabitants of said district, did, at their own cost, station guards every night, at sundry places, most exposcd, lest the troops should be benefited by their provision ; that the enlisted men were, upon the 20th of June last, put upon duty by order of their superior officers, to guard said district from the plundering of troops which were daily expected with cutters, &c. ; that the inhabitants of said district are in low cir- cumstances, and are unable to enlist any more men, unless their husbandry employment greatly suf- fers, which must be an additional distress to that which they already feel ; that, should the men al- ready enlisted be called away to join the army, said district is liable to fall an easy prey to tho rav- ages of troops which may attack it for fresh provisions. Your petitioners therefore, humbly pray, that this honorable Congress in tlicir great wisdom, would allow said district the number of men al- ready enlisted, with such additional number, as the Congress may judge proper ; and your petition- ers, as in duty bound, shall ever pray."
"JOHN RODICK, 1 Selectmen WILLIAM SYLVESTER. § of said District.
PAUL KENDALL, ¿ Committee of Safety WILLIAM SYLVESTER. , for said District."
Harpswell, 8 July, 1775.
495
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Resolved, That Henry Gardner, Esq., receiver general, be, and he is hereby ordered, to pay to Mr. William Barber, for the use of Capt. James Noble, £100, as part of said Noble's pay roll as captain in Col. Benedict Arnold's regiment, in the late expedition against the posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, for the use of said Noble's company.
The committee appointed to consider an account of Mr. Solomon Lothrop, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Resolved, That the receiver general be, and hereby is directed, to pay Mr. S. Lothrop, the sum of £24 6s. 9d. in full of his account exhibited this day, for entertainment provided for General Washing- ton.
Resolved, That the resolve passed yesterday, directing the receiver general to pay Mr. John Gill £6 17s. 8d. be reconsidered.
Resolved, That John Davis, one of the persons taken from Long Island, and brought under guard to this Congress, be remanded to the commander in chief of the American forces, at Cambridge, being sus- pected to have deserted from Capt. Foster's company in the artillery, and engaged in the service of our enemies : that he be delivered, to- gether with a copy of this resolve, to such officer as the general shall appoint.
Resolved, That John Freeman a negro man, one of the persons taken from Long Island, and brought under guard to this Congress, be committed to the jail in Cambridge; there to remain until he be discharged by order of this Congress, or some future house of repre- sentatives, or by order of the committee of safety, in case there is no Congress or house of representatives then sitting, and the jail keeper is hereby directed to receive, detain, and provide for the said John accordingly.
Ordered, That Mr. Crane, Major Fuller and Mr. Jewett, be a com- mittee to consider a resolve of the committee relative to horses, this day presented to Congress.
The resolve of the committee of safety, relative to such soldiers as have enlisted twice, was read, and again recommitted to Col. Porter, Col. Mosely and Capt. Stone.
Ordered, That Mr. Phillips, Mr. Kollock and Mr. Robinson, be a committee to bring in a resolve, recommending to the inhabitants of this colony not to kill any more sheep, till the general assembly shall take some order hereon.
The committee appointed to make an establishment of salt, for the soldiers, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows : Whereas, complaints have been made to this Congress, that there is
496
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[July 13,
now great want of salt in the camps; therefore, Resolved, that the commissary be, and hereby is directed, when application is made by any of the officers for the above said article, to deal out one gill per week to each person, for which said application is made, and no more.
The committee appointed to consider a resolve of the committee of safety, relative to several horses taken from the enemy, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. : Whereas, four horses were taken by Capt. Brown, of Salem, and a party with him at or near Charlestown neck, and some disputes having arisen whose property said horses should be, therefore, Resolved, that the said horses be de- livered into the hands of Capt. Brown aforesaid, until the further order of this Congress, or some future house of representatives of this colo- ny, to whom he is to be accountable for the same.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve recommending to the inhabitants of this colony, not to kill any more sheep, &c., reported. The report was accepted, and ordered to be printed in the newspapers, and in handbills to be issued for procuring coats, &c.
Whereas, there is the highest probability of a very large demand for the article of wool, and inconceivable mischief may ensue from delaying a speedy provision for its increase ; therefore, Resolved, that it be earnestly recommended to the inhabitants of this colony, that they refrain from killing any sheep, or lambs, excepting in cases of absolute necessity, till the further order of this Congress, or some fu- ture assembly of this colony, and it is expected of every person who regards the advice of this body, the decisions of the Continental Con- gress, or the welfare of this people, that they grant a strict compliance herewith.
A resolve was brought in on the account of Alexander Gray, and accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Resolved, That the receiver general be, and hereby is directed, to pay Mr. Alexander Gray, or order, £2 7s. Sd. in full for the balance of his account of time, and expenses, on a journey to Philadelphia, as an express to the Continental Congress.
A resolve for payment of Mr. Nathaniel Barber's account was brought in, accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Resolved, That the receiver general be, and hereby is directed, to pay Mr. Nathaniel Barber, or order, £4 14s. 4d. in full for one month's service as store keeper of the ordnance, and expenses of horse hire, &c., agreeably to an account exhibited to this Congress, by said Barber.
The committee appointed to consider a resolve of the committee of
497
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
safety, relative to soldiers who had enlisted twice, reported. The re- port was accepted, and is as follows, viz. : Whereas, many inconven- iences have arisen by reason of divers soldiers of the forces raised by this colony enlisting a second time into other companies than those which they first enlisted into, which ought to be remedied; therefore, Rc- solved, that every soldier, who, before the second day of July instant, has enlisted into other companies than those with whom he at first enlist- ed, unless the second enlistment was made with the consent of the officer with whom he at first enlisted, or by consent of the committee of safety, or order of Congress, in either of which cases the first en- listment shall be void, shall return to the company with whom he first enlisted, if requested by the commanding officer of such company, otherwise to remain in the company he next enlisted into. And in case any dispute shall arise, whether any such second enlistment was made by consent, or order, as above expressed, the committee of safety are hereby empowered and directed fully and finally to settle and de- termine the same.
The committee appointed to consider what towns the ten prisoners shall be sent to, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Resolved, That ten persons, taken from Long Island, be sent to the towns in the county of Worcester hereafter named, viz. : John Hayes and Thomas Bibby to the town of Lunenburg; James Griffin and John Reed to Rutland ; Perez Merren and Michael Malony to Shrewsbury ; Patrick Hickey and Richard Nash to Brookfield ; Mi- chael Mellows and John Fleming to Sutton : to be received, employ- ed and provided for, by the selectmen of those respective towns, in the best way and manner they can, till the further order of this col- ony. And it is further Resolved, that the prisoners shall not be at liberty to pass over the line of the town, where they are respective- ly stationed, without a pass from the selectmen of such town, after they have arrived therein.
Further Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing, so far as relates to each town, be by them carried to the selectmen of such town, and that each of the above named persons be informed, that any attempt to make an escape, or evade the execution of the above resolve, shall be deemed full evidence of his being engaged in the service of the ene- mies of this country, and that he shall be treated as such.
Further Resolved, that each of the said persons be furnished with two days' provisions, to enable them to repair to the several places of
63
-
498
. THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[July 13,
their destination ; which provision shall be delivered to them by Cap- tain Brown, out of the colony stores in this place.
Ordered, That the president, Mr. Phillips, and Col. Porter, Mr. Gerry, and Capt. Stone, be a committee to revise and explain the com- mission of the committee of safety.
Afternoon.
[The committee appointed to revise the commission of the commit- tee of safety, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz .: ]
Resolved, That the Hon. John Hancock, Esq., Doct. Benjamin Church, Capt. Benjamin White, Col. Joseph Palmer, Mr. Richard Devens, Mr. Abraham Watson, Col. Azor Orne, Hon. Benjamin Greenleaf, Esq., Nathan Cushing, Esq., Doct. Samuel Holten, and Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq., be, and hereby are appointed a committee of safety for this colony, with the powers and authorities hereafter ex- pressed, and no other, that is to say; that the said committee shall have full power, at any time during the recess of this Congress, if they shall judge it necessary, in the shortest and most effectual manner, to summon and cause to come together a quorum of this Congress, forty at the least to be accounted a quorum, at such place as the said com- mittee shall judge most proper; and in assembling such quorum the said committee are hereby strictly enjoined to notify such members as may be mnost expeditiously assembled. Also, that the said committee be, and they hereby are invested with full power, until the thirtieth day of July instant, or until their commission shall be abrogated by the repre- sentative body of the inhabitants of this colony, upon application made to them therefor, by the general and commander in chief of the conti- nental army in this colony, for the time being, or whenever the said committee, without such application, shall judge the safety of the lives and property of the inhabitants of this colony, or of any of them, shall absolutely require it, to warn, and cause to be assembled, such and so many of the militia thereof, as they shall judge necessary, at such place or places within the colony as they shall judge proper, and such militia to retain and discharge as to the said committee shall seem meet. Also, that the said committee are hereby empowered, during the time last mentioned, to procure, and employ for that part of the said continental army raised by this colony, all such armorers and other tradesmen and artificers, as they shall suppose and judge to be needed, to further and promote the operations of the said army, and them, as also all such tradesmen and artificers as are now retained, and employed for that part of the said army, to regulate, arrange, re-
499
THIRD PROVINCIAL, CONGRESS.
1775.]
move, dismiss, and discharge, for unskilfulness, unfaithfulness, or whenever the service may not require the further retaining them, or any of them. And the said committee are hereby desired to be atten- tive to the behavior and performances of such tradesmen and artificers as are now, or shall be in the service and employ of this colony in the said army, that the colony be not defrauded by unfaithful, and incom- petent persons.
And the said committee are hereby authorized to execute all the commissions, and perform all the services which have been given them, and to which they have been appointed in and by any special resolves of this Congress, made and passed at this session, which they have not yet executed and performed.
And furthermore, the said committee are hereby empowered to make such further provision for the reception, sustenance, and support of the poor of Boston and Charlestown as have, or may come out of said towns, as may appear to be necessary for their comfortable subsistence, according to the intention of Congress, taking all imaginable care to guard against the infection of the small pox, by persons coming out of the town of Boston, and any other means whatever.
And it is hereby Resolved, and Ordered, that any five of said com- mittce, if a majority are not present, be a quorum, with full powers to act in the same manner as if the whole were present. And the whole of said committee are desired, notwithstanding, to give their punctual, and constant attendance on said committee.
Resolved, That the said committee be, and they hereby are fully empowered, until the thirtieth of July instant, or until their commission shall be abrogated by the representative body of the inhabitants of this colony, to receive, examine, and discharge, or cause to be confined, according to their wisdom, any person or persons taken captive, that may properly come under the cognizance of the representative body of this people, and to receive, and duly secure, any interests, or effects, the conduct whereof is not already provided for, that shall be at the disposal of this colony. And all the powers with which the committee of safety were vested by the resolve of the eighteenth of May last, except such as are contained in the above resolves, are hereby revoked, and declared null and void.
Ordered, That Major Fuller of Newton, Col. Farley, Mr. Crane, Capt. Stone, and Major Fuller, be a committee to examine the prison- ers brought from Machias, and report what is best to be done with them.
Ordered, That Col. Mosely, Mr. Woodbridge, and Mr. Kollock, be
500
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[July 13,
a committee to consider Lieut. Ely Styles' [account of the] expense of bringing ten prisoners from Machias.
The committee last mentioned, having attended the service to which they were appointed, reported the following resolve, which was ac- cepted, viz. :
Resolved, That the receiver general be, and he is hereby directed to pay Lieut. Ely Styles the sum of six pounds twelve shillings, in full discharge of the money he expended in bringing a number of prisoners from Machias to Watertown.
The committee appointed to consider what is best to be done with the ten prisoners brought from Machias, reported : whereupon, Rc- solved, that the commanding officer of the town of Watertown be desired to appoint some officer, with a guard of not more than eight men, to conduct the said prisoners to the jail in Worcester, tomorrow morning : that Captain Crafts be desired to take care of the said pris- oners, till that time; and that the officer who may be appointed to conduct said prisoners to Worcester, be empowered to draw on Capt. Brown, the commissary in this town, for so much provisions as may be necessary for their support to Worcester ; and Capt. Brown is directed to supply them accordingly.
The report above mentioned was [reconsidered, amended, and] ac- cepted, as follows, viz. :
Resolved, That Thomas Skinner, a seaman, William Nurse, a ma- rine, John Burrows, a seaman, Nicholas Durham, a marine, Peter Larch- er, a sailor, Thomas Crispo, Joseph Temple, sailors, William Bishop, a sailor, and John Pardra, a marine, prisoners, all taken on board the armed schooner, called the Margaretta, commanded by Matthew Moor, near Machias, be all sent under a proper guard to the common jail in the county of Worcester, and the jail keeper is hereby directed to re- ceive them therein, and provide for them, and detain them there till the further order of this Congress or [the] House of Representatives of this colony.
Ordered, That Mr. Phillips be appointed to acquaint General Wash- ington with the proceedings of this Congress, with regard to Daniel Green, lately conveyed to Concord jail, and the reasons thereof; and desire his excellency to take such further order concerning him as his wisdom may direct.
Ordered, That the president, Mr. Gill, and Mr. Gerry, be a com- mittee to return the thanks of this Congress to the Rev. Mr. Gordon, for his attendance and acceptable services to this Congress as their . chaplain.
501
THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1775.]
Ordered, That the president, Mr. Gill, and Mr. Gerry, be a com- mittee to return the thanks of this Congress to the proprietors of the meeting-house for the use of it, during the session of this Congress.
Ordered, That the present president, (Col. Lincoln,) Mr. Gill, and Mr. Gerry, be a committee to return the thanks of this Congress to the Hon. James Warren, Esq., for his faithful services as president of the Congress.
Resolved, That the committee of supplies be, and hereby are direct- ed, on application made by any of the inhabitants of the eastern parts of the colony, to grant thein such relief, out of the public stores, as they may think proper, consistent with the general interest, during the recess of the Congress.
Whereas, the Hon. Jedediah Preble, and the Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq., have employed some persons to build a number of whale-boats for the service of the public, therefore, Resolved, that the committee of supplies be, and hereby are directed, to deliver to Capt. Briant Mor- ton, or order, to be by said Morton delivered to said Preble and Free- man, such a quantity of nails and provisions as they think will be necessary to complete the building said boats.
The Congress then adjourned to Wednesday next, at eight o'clock, A. M.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 1775.
Col. Easton being admitted, requested that a committee be appoint- ed to consider the necessity of drawing on the treasury for the sum of twelve hundred pounds, said to be due to his regiment at Ticonderoga.
On a motion made, Ordered, that Deacon Fisher, Doct. Taylor, and Mr. Gill, be a committee for that purpose, and that they be directed, in case they cannot report to this Congress, to make report to the next House of Representatives.
On a motion made and seconded, that the Congress be dissolved, the question was put, and it passed in the affirmative.
The Congress was accordingly dissolved.
SAMUEL FREEMAN, Secretary.
,
JOURNALS
THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF
1
AND OF
THE COMMITTEE OF SUPPLIES
OF
THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS
OF
Massachusetts.
1774-1775.
-
YAY
JOURNAL.
NOVEMBER 2, 1774.
At a meeting of the committee of safety, at the house of Capt. Sted- man, in Cambridge, November 2, 1774, Wednesday :
Present-Hou. John Hancock, Esq., chairman, Col. Orne, Mr. Wat- son, Col. Palmer, Mr. Devens, Capt. Heath, Doct. Warren, Doct. Church, Capt. White, John Pigeon :
Voted, That John Pigeon be clerk of this committee.
Voted, 'That it be recommended to the committee of supplies, to pro- cure, as soon as may be, 355 barrels of pork, 700 barrels of flour, 20 tier- ces of rice, 300 bushels of pease ; and that there be deposited of them, in Worcester, 200 barrels of pork, 400 barrels of flour, 150 bushels of pease; and, at Concord, 155 barrels of pork, 300 barrels of flour, 50 tierces of rice, and 150 bushels of pease.
Adjourned to meet next Tuesday, ten o'clock, at Capt. Stedman's.
NOVEMBER 8, 1774.
At a meeting of the committees of safety and of supplies at the house of Capt. Stedman, Tuesday the 8th of November, 1774 :
Present-Doct. Warren, Doct. Church, Capt. White, Capt. Heath, Mr. Devens, Col. Palmer, Mr. Watson, J. Pigeon, committee of safety : Col. Lee, Deacon Cheever, Mr. Gill, Mr. Hall, Col. Lincoln, commit- tce of supplies :
Voted, unanimously, by the committee of safety, that the committee of supplies be advised to procure all the arms and ammunition they can, at the neighboring provinces on the continent ; and, that it is re- commended, that the committee of supplies do, and may with safety, engage to pay for the same, on the arrival here of said arms and am- munition.
Voted, That the committees adjourn to Mrs. Whittemore's, in Charlestown, to meet next Tuesday, at ten o'clock.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.