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 59
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Voted, That thirty-three rounds of round shot, thirty-three rounds of grape shot, and, thirty-three canisters of langrage, be provided and lodged with each of the twelve field pieces belonging to the province,
(1) In the original journal the words " be another," are added to the name of each town.
(2) The word " ditto" is inserted in the original, before the place designated for the station of the company.
517
1775.] COMMITTEES OF SAFETY AND SUPPLIES.
together with one hundred cartridges of powder, one hundred and six- teen tubes, one hundred wads, together with all necessary materials.
Voted, That the towns of Worcester, Concord, Stow, and Lancas- ter, be provided with two iron three pound cannon each.
Voted, That four hundred and fifty four-pound-cannon ball be car- ried from Stoughtonham to Sudbury.
Voted, That one ton of grape shot be carried from Stoughtonham to Sudbury.
Voted, That one ton of three pound cannon ball be carried from ditto to ditto.
Voted, That one half of the two pound cannon ball, now at Stough- tonham, exclusive of what is for the use of the matrosses, be carried to Sudbury.
Voted, That the vote of the fourteenth instant, relating to the pow- der being removed from Leicester to Concord, be reconsidered, and, that the clerk be directed to write to Col. Barrett, accordingly, and to desire he would not proceed in making it up in cartridges.
Voted, That one half of the musket cartridges be removed from Stow to Groton.
Voted, That the muskets balls under the care of Col. Barrett, be buried under ground, in some safe place, that he be desired to do it, and to let the commissary only be informed thereof.
Voted, That the spades, pick-axes, bill-hooks, shovels, axes, hatch- ets, crows, and wheelbarrows, now at Concord, be divided, and one third remain in Concord, one third at Sudbury, and one third at Stow.
Voted, That five hundred iron pots be deposited at Sudbury, five hundred at Concord, and one thousand at Worcester.
Voted, That the two thousand wooden bowls be deposited [in those towns in the same proportion] as the pots ; and the spoons in the same manner.
Voted, That the fifteen thousand canteens be deposited [in the same manner ]as the above.
Voted, That the weights and measures be put into the commissary's hands.
Voted, That two medicinal chests still remain at Concord, at two dif- ferent parts of the town; three of said chests at Sudbury, in different parts of the town ; six do. at Groton, Mendon, and Stow, two in each town, and in different places ; two ditto in Worcester, one in each part of the town ; and, two in Lancaster, ditto; that sixteen hundred yards of Russia linen be deposited in seven parts, with the doctor's chests ;
518 COMMITTEES OF SAFETY AND SUPPLIES. [April 20,
that the eleven hundred tents be deposited in equal parts in Worces- ter, Lancaster, Groton, Stow, Mendon, Leicester, and Sudbury.
Voted, That these committees adjourn to nine o'clock instead of ten.
Voted, That the papers belonging to the committees be lodged with Mr. Abraham Watson.
[The following letter was sent to Col. Barrett :]
Col. Barrett ;
NEWTON, APRIL 19, 1775.
SIR :- The committee have directed me to inform you, that the can- non powder, which last Saturday you were desired to have removed from Leicester, one load at a time, and to make up into cartridges, they would not have you send for, unless you have already ; but, if sent for, take care of it; but do'nt make it into cartridges.
I am, Sir, your humble servant,
J. PIGEON, Clerk.
[APRIL 20, 1775.]
[The following circular letter was sent to the several towns :]
[GENTLEMEN :- The barbarous murders committed upon our inno- cent brethren, on Wednesday, the 19th instant, have made it absolute- ly necessary, that we immediately raise an army to defend our wives and children from the butchering hands of an inhuman soldiery, who, incensed at the obstacles they meet with in their bloody progress, and enraged at being repulsed from the field of slaughter, will, without the least doubt, take the first opportunity in their power, to ravage this de- voted county with fire and sword. We conjure you, therefore, by all that is sacred, that you give assistance in forming an army. Our all is at stake. Death and devastation are the certain consequences of delay. Every moment is infinitely precious. An hour lost ınay del- uge your country in blood, and entail perpetual slavery upon the few of our posterity who may survive the carnage. We beg and entreat, as you will answer to your country, to your own consciences, and above all, as you will answer to Gon himself, that you will hasten and · encourage by all possible means, the enlistment of men to form the army, and send them forward to head quarters at Cambridge, with that expedition, which the vast importance and instant urgency of the affair demands.]1
(1) The following letter was addressed by the committee of safety to the governments of the col- onies of New Hampshire and Connecticut.
" CAMBRIDGE, APRIL 20, 1775."
" On Wednesday, the 19th instant, early in the morning, a detachment of General Gage's army
519
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1775.]
APRIL 21, 1775.
At a meeting of the committee of safety, April 21, 1775, [the follow- ing] form of enlistment [was adopted :]
I, A. B. do hereby solemnly engage and enlist myself as a soldier in the Massachusetts service, from the day of my enlistment to the last day of December next, unless the service should admit of a discharge
marched into the country to Lexington, ahout thirteen miles from Boston, where they met with a small party of minute men exercising, who had no intention of doing any injury to the regulars; but they fired upon our men, without any provocation ; killed eight of them the first onset ; then marched forward to Concord, where they destroyed the magazines and stores for a considerable time. Our people however, mustered, as soon as possible, and repulsed the troops, pursuing them quite down to Charlestown, until they reached a place called Bunker's Hill, although they receiv- ed a very large reenforcement at Lexington from Gencral Gage. As the troops have now com- menced hostilities, we think it our duty to exert our utmost strength to save our country from ab- solute slavery. We pray your honors would afford us all the assistance in your power, and shall be glad that our brethren who come to our aid, may he supplied with military stores and provisions, as we have none of either more than is absolutely necessary for ourselves. We pray God to direct you to such measures as shall tend to the salvation of our common liberties.
Per order of the committee of safety."
A letter was addressed to General Gage, by Doct. Joseph Warren, of the same date, which fol lows :
" CAMBRIDGE, APRIL 20, 1775."
" SIR :- The unhappy situation into which this colony is thrown, gives the greatest uneasiness to every man who regards the welfare of the empire, or feels for the distresses of his fellow-men, but even now, much may be done to alleviate those misfortunes which cannot be entirely remedied, and I think it of the utmost importance to us, that our conduct he such as that the contending par- ties may entirely rely upon the honor and integrity of each other, for the punctual performance of any agreement that shall be made between them. Your excellency, I believe, knows very well the part I have taken in public affairs. I ever scorned disguise. I think I have done my duty ; some may think otherwise ; but be assured, Sir, as far as my influence goes, every thing which can reasonably be required of us to do, shall be done, and every thing promiscd shall be religiously per- formed. I should now be very glad to know from you, Sir, how many days you desire may be al- lowed for such as desire to remove to Boston, with their effects; and what time you will allow the people in Boston for their removal. When I have received that information, I will repair to Con- gress, and hasten, as far as I am able, the issuing a proclamation. I beg leave to suggest, that tho condition of admitting only thirty waggons at a time into the town, appears to me very inconveni- ent, and will prevent the good effects of a proclamation intended to he issued for encouraging all waggoncrs to assist in removing the effects from Boston with all possible speed. If your excellen- cy will be pleased to take the matter into consideration, and favor me, as soon as may he, with an answer, it will lay me under a great obligation, as it so nearly concerns the welfare of my friends in Boston. I have many things which I wish to say to your excellency, and most sincerely wish I had broken through the formalities which I thought due to your rank, and freely have told you all I knew or thought of public affairs, and I must ever confess, whatever may he the event, that you generously gave me such opening, as I now think I ought to have embraced, but the true cause of my not doing it, was the knowledge I had of the vilencss and treachery of many persons around you, who I supposed had gained your entire confidence.
I am, &c."
" JOSEPH WARREN."
His Excellency General Gage.
520
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[April 21,
of a part or the whole sooner, which shall be at the discretion of the committee of safety ; and, I hereby promise, to submit myself to all the orders and regulations of the army, and faithfully to observe and obey all such orders as I shall receive from any superior officer.
Resolved, That there be immediately enlisted out of the Massachu- setts forces, eight thousand effective men, to be formed into companies to consist of a captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, four sergeants, one fifer, one drummer, and seventy rank and file; nine companies to form a regiment, to be commanded by a colonel, lieutenant colonel, and major ; each regiment to be composed of men suitable for the service, which shall be determined by a muster master or muster masters to be appointed for that purpose ; said officers and men to continue in the service of the province for the space of seven months from the time of . enlistment, unless the safety of the province will admit of their being discharged sooner ; the army to be under proper rules and regulations.
Voted, That the field pieces be removed from Newburyport, and de- posited, for the present, in the hands of Capt. Dexter, of Malden.
Voted, that a courier be immediately despatched to Stoughton, to re- quire the immediate attendance of Col. Richard Gridley, and his son Scarborough Gridley, upon this committee.
Voted, That a courier be sent to command the attendance of David Mason, now upon furlough in Salem.
Voted, That Mr. Mason be ordered to provide one field piece, with every implement necessary for action, and proceed forthwith to pro- vide for the remainder, till the whole are in a thorough state of pre- paration, unless otherwise ordered : the cannon to be provided for are eight three-pounders, and three six-pounders.
Voted, That orders be given to Capt. Dexter to conceal the can- non committed to his care, which was accordingly done.
Voted, That the resolve above written be so far reconsidered, as that the companies, rank and file, consist of fifty men each, and that no further obligation be required of those companies who are adjudged to be firmly enlisted by their respective officers.
Voted, That an establishment be proposed for the troops at an early day after the meeting of Congress.
Ordered, That Mr. Pigeon, the commissary general, be directed to carry thirty-five barrels of pork, and an half barrel of hog's fat, from the town of Salem to the town of Cambridge, by virtue of an order from Mr. William Bond.
521
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1775.]
Voted, That the general officers be fortliwithi desired to make a return of such officers and soldiers as are already under sufficient eu- gagements to serve in the Massachusetts army.
Voted, That the general officers be desired, with all possible speed, to give in a list of such officers as they shall judge duly qualified to serve as colonels, lieutenant colonels, and majors, for such a number of regiments as shall, with the officers and soldiers already engaged, make up an army of eight thousand men.
Voted, That Major Bigelow be applied to, to furnish a man and horse to attend the surgeons, and convey medicines agreeably to their directions.
APRIL. 22, 1775.
Voted, That the commissary general be directed to have the stores belonging to the colony removed from all the sea port towns with all possible speed.
Voted, That Capt. Foster be ordered to take the care of the cannon and intrenching tools at Mr. Richardson's tavern.
Voted, That the commissary general be directed to inspect the in- trenching tools, and, if any are out of order, to see them, with all possible speed, repaired.1
APRIL 24, 1775.
Resolved, That General Ward be desired, immediately, to direct all the field officers of the regiments of minute men now in Cambridge, to attend the committee of safety at their chamber at Mr. Steward Hast- ing's house.2
(1) Letter from the committee of safety to the committeo of tho inhabitants of Boston.
" CAMBRIDGE, APRIL 22, 1775."
"GENTLEMEN :- Tho committee of safety being informed, that General Gage has proposed a treaty with the inhabitants of the town of Boston, whereby he stipulates, that the women and children, with all their effects, shall have safo conduct without the garrison, and their men also, upon condition that the malo inhabitants within tho town, shall, on their part, solemnly engage, that they will not tako up arms against the king's troops, within the town, should an attack he made from without. We cannot but esteein those conditions to bo just and reasonable, and as tho inhabitants are in danger of suffering from the want of provisions, which, in this time of general confusion, cannot bo conveyed into tho town, we are willing you shall enter into and faithfully keep the ongagement aforementioned, said to bo required of yon, and to remove yourselves, and your women, children, and effects, as soon as may be."
" We are, &c."
(2) The committee forwarded the following letter to the Congress of New Hampshire :
" CAMBRIDGE, APRIL 24, 1775."
" Our friends from New Hampshire having shown their readiness to assist us in this day of dis - tress, we therefore thought it best to give orders for enlisting such as were present in the service of
66
522
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[April 26,
Resolved, That the inhabitants of Chelsea and Malden be, and here- by are, absolutely forbidden, to fire upon, or otherwise injure any sea- men belonging to the navy under the command of Admiral Graves, unless fired upon by them, until the said inhabitants of Chelsea and Malden receive orders from this committee or the general of the pro- vincial forces so to do.
APRIL 25, 1775.
Resolved, That the three cannon now at Marlborough, be brought to the town of Waltham, and mounted on the carriages prepared for them, till further orders.
Resolved, That Col Freeman, of Sandwich, be directed to take such a number of men as may be sufficient for the purpose, and secure the whale and such other boats at Cape Cod, as may be of use to this colony.
Resolved, That Col. Paul Dudley Sergeant, of New Hampshire, be desired, forthwith, to recommend ten persons belonging to the colony of New Hampshire, to receive beating orders for the enlistment of per- sons belonging to said colony, until they are discharged by this colo- ny, or taken into the service of the colony of New Hampshire.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the Provincial Congress, to reduce the regiments so far, as that the companies consist of fifty-nine men, including officers ; and also, that they allow only two lieutenants to a company.
Resolved, That be ordered, with the troop of horse under his command, to proceed forward, as an escort to the honorable members of the Continental Congress on their way to Philadelphia, until they are met by an escort from the colony of Connecticut.
APRIL 26, 1775.
Voted, That an express be sent to General Preble, at Falmouth, de- siring his attendance at Cambridge, as a general officer, or in his pri- vate capacity.
Ordered, That fifteen of the prisoners at Concord, be removed from thence to Worcester gaol immediately.
Upon a motion made, Voted, that the secretary of this committee
this colony, as many desired something may be done to hold them together, until the resolve of your Congress is known, when we are ready and desirous they should be discharged from us, and put under such command as you shall direct. Colonel Sergeant has been so kind as to afford his utmost assistance in concluding this matter."
" We are, &c. &c."
-
523
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1775.]
be directed and empowered to sign any papers or writings in behalf of this committee.
Voted, That Mr. Ephraim Jones, the gaol keeper of Worcester, be directed to receive fifteen prisoners from the gaol in Concord.
Voted, That this committee recommend it to the Provincial Con- gress, that they make an establishment for such a number of armorers as they may judge necessary for the forces belonging to this colony.
Resolved, That as many men as are not already enlisted, and incline to remain in the army, immediately enlist, in order that it may be as- certained what number may be still necessary to be raised in each town to complete the complement of troops for this colony, and to for- ward to each town their remaining quotas ; and the men that may now enlist may be assured, that they shall have liberty to be under the command of such officers as may be appointed by the committee of safety, until the particular regiment and companies are completed ; and the utmost care will be taken to make every soldier happy in be- ing under good officers.
Resolved, That the resolve of the twenty-fourth instant, respecting the inhabitants of Chelsea and Malden, be reconsidered, and Order- ed, that it be immediately remanded ; also,
Resolved, That the inhabitants of Chelsea and Malden be hereby desired, to put themselves in the best state of defence, and exert the same in such manner, as under their circumstances, their judgments may direct.
APRIL 27, 1775.
Resolved, That Capt. Derby be directed, and he hereby is directed, to make for Dublin, or any good port in Ireland, and from thence to cross to Scotland or England, and hasten to London. This direction is, that so he may escape all cruisers that may be in the chops of the channel to stop the communicating of the provincial intelligence to the agent.
Voted, That it is the sense of this committee, that it would promote the service, if two majors were appointed to each of the general offi- cers' regiments ; and that it be recommended accordingly to the Pro- vincial Congress.
A letter, dated twenty-sixth instant, was sent to the colony of Rhode Island, and another of the same tenor was sent to the colony of Con- necticut, [which are as follow :]
[CAMBRIDGE, APRIL. 26, 1775.] [The distressed situation in which we are, and the dangers to which
524
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[April 27,
the liberties of all America, and especially the New England colonies are exposed, will be the best apology for our importunate application to you for immediate assistance. We pray, as you regard the safety of your country, that as large a number of troops as you can spare, may immediately march forward, well stocked with provisions and ammuni- tion ; that they come under proper officers, enlisted for such a time as inay be necessary ; and, that as large a train of artillery as can be pro- cured be sent down to our aid. We rely greatly upon you, as we know the bravery of your men. Our men have behaved with the utmost res- olution ; but as many of them came from home without any prepara- tion, it is impossible to keep them in the field without allowing many of them time to return to their families for one or two days, during which time, we may all, possibly, be cut off, as we have a powerful and watchful enemy to deal with. We are far from despairing. We firm- ly trust, that, by the blessing of Heaven on us, we shall deliver our country. We are determined, at all events, to act our part with firm- ness and intrepidity, knowing that slavery is far worse than death. We pray, that our sister Rhode Island would immediately put in for a share of honor in saving the liberties of America ; as a moment lost may never be recalled. May God direct you and us at this important mo- ment, on which the fate of us and posterity depends.]
[We are, gentlemen, with great affection and respect, Your most obedient servants.]
Ordered, That Col. Jolin Glover take suclı effectual methods for the prevention of such intelligence being carried on board the Lively, ship of war, Capt. Bishop commander, now lying in the harbor of Marble- head, or any other, as may have a tendency to injure the most impor- tant cause we are engaged in, and, that he take such effectual methods for carrying this order into execution, as shall appear best calculated to effect this purpose.11
(1) Tho following letters were forwarded hy the committee to the selectmen of Boston :
" CAMBRIDGE, APRIL 27, 1775."
. " It is here currently reported, that General Gage gives out publicly, that the provincials fired upon his detachment before the troops fired upon the provincials. Such a report occasions aston- ishment and resentment, as there is the clearest evidence, not only that the troops fired first at Lex- ington and killed eight men there, before our people fired one gun, but then marched several miles further to Concord, and killed two men and wounded several others, before onc gun was fired in that place by our men. He is a man, we trust, of too much honor to propagate such a false account, and has been scandalously deceived by his officers. We think it probable, that ten days may suf- fice for removing your persons and most valuable effects. We hope you will take care, that your
1775.]
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
525
APRIL 28, 1775.
Voted, To recommend to the colony Congress, now sitting in Wa- tertown, and it is recommended accordingly, to make an establishment for post riders, between the Massachusetts forces and the town of Worcester.
Also, that the said Congress take such order as they may think proper to prevent any town or district taking any notice of his excel- lency General Gage's precepts for calling a general assembly.
Doct. Warren was appointed to give the sentiments of this committee on Lord Dartmouthi's circular letter to the other governments.
Voted, That Mr. President Langdon be, and he hereby is appointed, chaplain of the army in Cambridge pro tempore, and that he be fur- nislied with a copy of this vote.
, Major Brown [was] appointed to give such repairs to the cannon, at Waltham, as may be judged proper.
Ordered, That the commissary general be directed to provide quar- ters for about one hundred and fifty men from Connecticut, under the command of Major Brown.
Voted, That it is the sense of this committee, that no enlisting or- der be hereafter given out, unless a written order is received from the respective colonels.
Voted, That for the future, no order go out, to any men that live in New York or any other government, for the enlisting of men for the service of this province.
Ordered, That the cannon, now in Medford, be immediately brought to this town, under the direction of Capt. Foster.
agreement is expressed in the mest uncquivecal terms. We take it, that it is net expected that we suffer any persons to remove inte town besides such as mean to take up their residence there."
" We are, &c."
Selectmen of Boston.
Another letter bears date en the same day.
GENTLEMEN :- Your letter of the 25th instant, came te hand late last evening, er you should have had an answer sooner. We feel for you with the keenest sensibility. Nothing en our part shall be wanting. Our wish is to knew, when you are te be permitted te come out, and at what time. We shall encourage the waggoners te ge in. We have no desire te injure er melcst the person er property of any ene who inclines to take refuge in Besten, and so seen as we know the day appoint- ed for you to come out, and the time limited therefor, we shall take care that our part is performed with that punctuality which we are determined ever to observe in all cases where the honor of our country er the safety of our beloved countrymen is concerned. We desire that we may, without de- lay, be furnished with an authenticated copy of your engagements with the general, and such other information as is necessary for us."
" We are, Gentlemen, &c."
526
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[ April 29,
Voted, That General Thomas be desired to distribute the orders which he has received, some time since, for enlisting a regiment, to such captains as he thinks proper.
Mr. Henderson Inches, who left Boston this day, attended, and in- formed the committee, that the inhabitants of Boston had agreed with the general, to have liberty to leave Boston with their effects, provided that they lodged their arms with the selectmen of that town, to be by them kept during the present dispute, and that, agreeably to said agree- ment, the inhabitants had, on yesterday, lodged 1778 fire-arms, 634 pistols, 973 bayonets, and 38 blunderbusses, with their selectmen.
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