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 6
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G
1
CONTENTS.
JUNE 17-Colonels David and Jonathan Brewer recommended to Congress for com- missions,
570
Letter to the selectmen of the towns in the vicinity of Boston relative to powder, 570
Letter relative to a small pox hospital, · Circular to the towns relative to supplies of provisions for the army, 570
" 18-Letter to the commanding officers of the militia of certain towns, for the march of their regiments, 571
Letter countermanding the above order, 571
" 19-Mr. William Eustis appointed to the care of a hospital, 571
Order for providing hospitals for the army,
571
Nomination of officers for the company of artificers,
572
Resolve for procuring the names of persons killed or wounded in the bat- tle of Lexington,
572
" 20-Representation to the Congress respecting John Wiley, nominated to the command of a company in the train, . 572 573
" 21-Col. Woodbridge's regiment recommended to be commissioned, . . Resolve relative to the horses to be kept in the public stables, 573
Congress recommended to make an establishment for aid de camps to the generals,
574
· " 22-A number of officers recommended to be commissioned, . 574
The town of Medford requested to supply shovels for the works on Win- ter hill, . 574
" 23-The colonels requested to make immediate returns of the state of their respective regiments, . 574
The committee recommend the appointment of two supervisors of the camps, 574
Committee to view the encampment on Prospect hill, .
575 . Fire-arms received from Attleborough and Rehoboth, .
" 24-Orders relative to the horses in the stable of John Vassal, .
575
· 576 Certain fire-arms received and delivered out by the committee, · 576
The artificers directed to carry on their works in the buildings of Mr. John Pigeon, · 576
" 25-Representation to Congress relative to the appointment of two supervi- sors of the camps, · 577
" 26-An account of fire-arms collected and distributed by the committee, . 577, 578
The officers in Col. Little's regiment recommended to Congress for com- missions, 577
Doct. John Warren appointed to the oversight of the hospital in Cam- bridge, . 578
" 27-Account of John Chandler Williams as a rider in the colony service, ·
578 Several officers in Col. Gridley's regiment recommended to Congress, . 578 A large number of fire-arms received for the service of the colony, 579
" 28-Resolve of the Provincial Congress relative to supplying the army with fire-arms, 579
Order from Gen. Ward to the committee of safety for the delivery of said arms, . .
580
Protest of the committee against the above general order, 580
Fire-arms delivered to several of the colonels for the use of their regi- ments, . · 581
Resolve relative to Capt. Samuel Russell Trevet, arrested for alleged misconduct in the battle of the 17th of June, . 581
570
li
CONTENTS.
JUNE 30-Resolve recommending to Congress to take measures to prevent the spreading of tho small pox, . 582
Resolve relative to thio accounts of persons for services to the colony, . 582
" 30-Accounts of fire-arms received for the uso of the colony, and of those de- livered to certain colonels of the army, . 582, 583
Col. Palmer directed to attend Congress to procure information relating to a further emission of bills of credit, 583
Congress requested to take some order respecting the whale boats which have been collected, 583
The commissary directed to supply head quarters with provisions, .
583
JULY 1-Order for the disposal of tho hay under the care of Mr. David Sanger, 584
List of fire-armns received and distributed by tho committee, 584
" 3-Resolve for the scizure and removal of certain property belonging to Thomas Hutchinson and others, 585
Recommendation of the committee in favor of Henrics Vomhavi, 586
Account of William White as an express rider, . .
586
" 4-Leave of absence granted to Mr. George Armstrong, . 586
. Order for filling widow Vassal's barn with hay, 586
List of fire- arıns distributed and received by the committee, . 586, 587
" 5-Accounts of John Bulfinch and others, 587
Orders relative to the hay on John Vassal's estato in Cambridge, .
587
" 6-Mr. Fisk authorized to cut a quantity of hay from Jonathan Scwall's farm,
588
Resolve recommending to the Provincial Congress to issue a sum not ex- ceeding one hundred thousand pounds, in bills of credit, 588
Letter to Gen Washington relative to certain horses taken on Bunker's hill, 589
Resolve recommending to Congress to procure and transmit to Great Britain a fair and impartial account of the battle of Charlestown, 589
Resolve recommending the seizure of every crown officer within the uni- ted colonies, . 590, 591 List of fire-arms received and delivered by the committee,
589
The committee recommended the appointment by Congress of master workmen for the blacksmitlis, . 590
" 7-Accounts of Matthew Clark and Isaac Bissell passed upon by the com- mittee, . .
590
Thomas Organ recommended to the care of the colony horses, . Resolve for the suppression of retailers of spirituous liquors, .
590
591
Letter to the selectmen of Reading relative to one Capt. Jacob Rogers, 591
" 8-Mr. Jonathan Hastings recommended to Congress for postmaster at Cam- bridge, .
592
Resolve recommending an establishment for four master armorers, 592
Instructions to the officers of the army who are to go upon the recruiting service, .
592
Resolve relative to soldiers enlisting into different companies in the army, Resolve for fitting up the house of John Vassal, for the residence of Gen- eral Washington,
593
" 10-Letter to the towns required to furnish clothing for the army, 593
" 11-Resolves for sending Monsieur Viart, a Frenchman, to the town of Wor- cester, .
594
. Committee to draw up a true statement of the battle of Charlestown, 59-1 Resolve relative to a number of horses taken from the enemy, · 595
593
lii
CONTENTS.
JULY 11-Resolve relative to fifteen prisoners taken at Long Island, 595
" 12-Benjamin Guillam appointed a master armorer. Duties of said office, 595
" 13-Thomas Organ appointed to take care of the colony horses, 595 Resolve relative to ten prisoners taken at Machias, 596
Resolve relative to property plundered from the inhabitants in the confu- sion occasioned by the battle of Lexington and Charlestown, 596
" 14-Resolve relative to the appointment of Thomas Organ as keeper of the colony horses, 597
" 15-Resolve for procuring a supply of medicines for the army, . 597 ·
Letter to Mr. Commissary Craigie relative thereto, ·
·
597
CONVENTIONS OF THE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTIES OF MASSA- CHUSETTS.
1774. Convention of Suffolk County.
SEPT. 6-The convention meets at Dedham and adjourns to Milton, 601
· # 9-Meets at Milton. Joseph Palmer chosen moderator, 601 .
Preamble and resolutions reported to, and passed by the convention, 601
Committee appointed to wait on Governor Gage, . .
605
" 12-Address of the committee to his excellency Thomas Gage,
.
605
His excellency's answer, . 607
Meeting of the committee of the delegates of the county, ·
607
Address of the committee to Governor Gage in reply to his answer to the committee, 607
" 13-Governor Gage refuses to receive the address of the committee in form, 609
Resolve of the committee for printing said address, .
609
The committee adjourned without day, .
609
1774. Convention of Middlesex County.
AUG 30, 31-The committees of the towns and districts in the county meet in con- vention at Concord, , 609
List of the delegates, .
609
James Prescott chosen chairman, 610
Committee to take into consideration an act of parliament for regulating the government of the province of Massachusetts Bay, 610
Report of the committee, . 611
The report and resolutions accepted by the convention, ·
614
The towns and districts in the county recommended to appoint delegates to the Provincial Congress, 614
A copy of the proceedings of the convention to be sent to the Continen- tal Congress, and to the town clerk of each town in the county, 614
The convention dissolved, .
.
614
1774. Convention of Essex County.
SEPT. 6, 7-Delegates from every town in the county meet at Ipswich, 615
List -of delegates, . 615 .
Jeremiah Lee, Esq. chosen chairman, 615
A committee chosen to consider and report on the late act of parliament
for regulating the government of the province, and other papers, 615
liii
CONTENTS.
SEPT. 6, 7-Resolutions reported by the committee, and unanimously accepted, . 616
Committee to wait on William Brown, one of his majesty's councillors of the province, 618
" 9-Answer of the Hon. William Brown to the committee appointed to wait upon him, 618
Convention of Hampshire County.
1774.
SEPT. 22, 23-Committees of all the towns, excepting Charlemont and Southwick, meet at Northampton, . 619
Ebenezer Hunt, Jr. chosen clerk, and Timothy Danielson, chairman of the convention, .
619
Resolutions adopted by the convention,
.
619
Convention of Plymouth County.
1774.
SEPT. 26-Delegates from every town in the county meet at Plimpton and adjourn to Plymouth, . . 621
" 27-Convention meets at Plymouth,
.
.
.
621
List of delegates in attendance, .
.
621
Hon. James Warren chosen chairnian, .
622
Committee to bring in a report to the convention, .
622
Preamble and resolutions reported by the committee, and unanimously
accepted by the convention, .
. 622
Convention of Bristol County.
1774.
SEPT. 28, 29-Convention meets in the court house in Taunton, . 626
List of towns represented, . .
626
Zeplianiah Leonard chosen chairnian, .
. 626
Resolutions adopted by the convention, . 626
Convention of Worcester County.
1774.
AUG. 9-Committee of correspondence and delegates meet in Worcester, .
627 Names of the members of the convention, 628 .
William Young elected chairman, and William Henshaw, clerk, . Committee to draw up resolves to lay before the convention, 628
628
" 10-Same committee to write a letter to the delegates of the province to the Continental Congress, . 629
Letter to the towns not represented in this convention, desiring them to send delegates to its adjourned meeting, 629
Resolves reported to, and unanimously adopted by, the convention, .
630
Convention adjourned to the last Tuesday of August, ·
631
" 30-The convention met and adjourned to the county court house, · Committee to consider the state of public affairs, and to prepare resolves for the convention, ·
631
" 31-Resolutions reported by the committee and accepted, 632
Proceedings relative to an appreliended visit, of the royal troops to Wor- cester, 633
Official despatches of General Gage to the Earl of Dartmouth, relative thereto, . 633
Measures of defence recommended to the people, ·
634
Voted to adjourn to the sixth of September, . 635
631
liv
CONTENTS.
SEPT. 6-Convention met at the house of Timothy Bigelow, ·
635 Proceedings in relation to the sitting of the courts in Worcester, 635 .
Large assembly of the people, 635
Vote relative to the royalist inhabitants who have protested against the patriotic resolutions of the town, 636
Military officers recommended to resign their commissions, 636 .
Towns to choose officers, and to make other military arrangements, .
636 Address of the justices of the county of Worcester to Gov. Gage, 636 His excellency's answer, 637
Votes relative to the justices who signed the address to Gov. Gage, Declaration signed by the justices that they will stay all judicial proceed- ings of the courts, 637
637
Declaration by other officers of the court, . 638
Committee to draw up a vote relative to the administration of justice and protection of the justices,
638
" 7-Recantation of the justices who signed the address to Gov. Gage, 638
Resolve authorizing the justices who were in office on the last day of June to continue to discharge the duties of their offices, . 639
Voted to put the laws in execution respecting pedlers, ·
639
Voted that the Norfolk exercise be adopted by the militia, .
639 Votes relative to Mr. Samuel Paine, clerk of the courts, . .
639
The convention adjourned to the 20th instant,
639
" 8-Meeting of the blacksmiths of the county, .
639
Proceedings and resolutions thereof, 640
" 20-Committee to prepare instructions to the representatives to be chosen, The sheriff directed to adjourn the court appointed to be held this day, . " 21-Letter of apology from Mr. Samuel Paine, 641
640 640
Committee thereon, and report relative thereto, 641
Declaration of Gardiner Chandler, Esq., apologizing for presenting the address to Gov. Gage, 642
Inhabitants of the county recommended to submit all cases in dispute to arbitration, during the suspension of the sittings of the courts, 642
Instructions to the representatives of the towns, . 642
The towns recommended to procure ammunition and field pieces, 642
Resolve relative to the imports from Great Britain, 643
Committee of correspondence for the county appointed, . 643 Division of the regiments in the county, . 643
Recommendation to the towns to elect military officers and to enlist troops, 643
Vote relative to persons confined in jail for debt, . 644
Remomstrance to his excellency General Gage, . 644 .
Adjourned to the first Tuesday of December, €46
DEC. 6-Note from Mr. Secretary Flucker, relative to the direction of the above remonstrance, 646
Answer of Gov. Gage,
646
Vote recommending the raising an artillery company,
647
Committee to put in order the votes of this convention, 647
Votes relative to the payment of the public moneys to Harrison Gray, Esq , 647
Committee relative to the royalist covenant drawn by Gen. Ruggles, 647
Committee to inquire why the officers of the militia have not resigned their commissions, 647
Votes relative to the establishment of a printing office in the county, 647
lv
CONTENTS.
DEC. 6-Adjourned to Jannary 26, 1775, . 648 1775.
JAN. 26-Committee relative to the non-consumption covenants of the Continental and Provincial Congresscs, . 648
Vote relative to the choice of a county treasurer, . 648
Non-consumption association and covenant for the county, 648 .
Rev. Mr. Fish invited to preach a sermon before the convention,
.
649
Report and resolves relative to the sale of spirituous liquors, 649 Resolve relative to certain newspapers, 650
Report of a committee relative to the state of trade, and for discounte- mancing riots and routs, 650
MARCH 28-Convention attended a sermon by Rev. Elisha Fisk, . 651
MAY 31-Committec to draw up a remonstrance to the Provincial Congress rela- tive to the qualifications of its members, 651
Resolve for a committee relative to the right of voting,
·
651
Resolve recommending the erection of a paper mill in the county,
651
Convention of Berkshire County.
1774.
JULY 6-Convention meets at Stockbridge,
652
Resolutions of the convention, 652
Articles of covenant for the inhabitants of the county, to prevent the con- sumption of British merchandise, .
653
A day of fasting recommended,
654
The poor of Boston and Charlestown recommended to the charity of the inhabitants of the county, 654 .
Convention of Cumberland County.
1774.
SEPT. 21-Convention met at Falmouth, 655
List of the delegates, 655
Proceedings relative to William Tyng, Esq., sheriff of the county, 655 Committee to frame a report containing the sentiments of the convention, 656
" 22-Report of the above committee, . 656 The committee of Falmouth empowered to notify future meetings of the convention, 660
NARRATIVES OF THE EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS, APRIL 19, 1775.
Resolve of the Provincial Congress for publishing the narrative of the excursion and ravages of the king's troops, April 19, 1775, together with depositions taken by order of Congress, 661
Narrative, reported by Doct. Church, chairman of a committee of Congress, 661
, Depositions taken and authenticated by order of Congress, to prove the facts rela- tive to said action, . 662
List of the Provincials who were killed, wounded or missing, in the action of April 19th, and the towns to which they belonged, 678
British official account of said action, 679
Intercepted letters relating to said action, written by British officers and soldiers in Boston, 682
Statements of the losses sustained by the inhabitants from the ravages of the Brit- ish troops, April 19, 1775, . . 684
Accounts of damages done to individuals, 686
lvi
CONTENTS.
PAPERS RELATING TO TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT. 1775.
APRIL 30-Letter from Benedict Arnold to the committee of safety, stating the mil- itary stores and condition of Ticonderoga, . . Letter of the committee of safety to the Congress of New York, in- forming them of the proposition to seize Ticonderoga,
694
694 MAY 11-Letter of Edward Mott to the Provincial Congress, containing an ac- count of the capture of Ticonderoga,
695 697 698
Letter of Benedict Arnold to the committee of safety, containing an ac- count of his expedition,
" 14-Letter of Benedict Arnold to the same, giving information of the cap- ture of Crown Point, .
699
List of cannon, mortars, and stores, taken at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, May 11, 1775, . 700
" 19-Letter from Benedict Arnold to the committee of safety relative to the cap- ture of a king's sloop, .
" 23-Letter from the same to the same, stating an expedition of Col. Allen, and the condition and supplies of Crown Point, .
" 25-Letter from Gov. Trumbull to the Provincial Congress, communicating the measures adopted for the defence of the northern posts,
701 702 704
" 22-Letter from the committee of New York to Gov. 'Trumbull, regarding supplies, . 705 706
. " 18-Resolve of the Continental Congress, relative to the removal of the can- non and stores from Ticonderoga,
" 23-Letter from the committee of Connecticut to the general assembly of that colony, reporting their mission to New York, ·
" 26-Letter from the Congress of New York to the committee of safety, Letter from Benedict Arnold to the committee of safety, respecting mil- itary stores and supplics,
707 708 708 709
" 27-Letter from the General Assembly of Connecticut to the Provincial Con- gress, stating the temporary relief afforded by that colony,
" 29-Letter of Gov. Trumbull to the Provincial Congress, stating the reen- forcements and supplies furnished for the support of the northern posts,
709
" 25-Letter from the Congress of New York to the assembly of Connecticut, reporting their orders for removing the cannon and stores from Ti- conderoga,
710
" 29-Letter from Benedict Arnold to the committee of safety, remonstrating against such removal,
711
" 30-Letter from James Easton to the Provincial Congress, explaining his po- sition, and soliciting an appointment to command a regiment,
712
JUNE 1-Letter from Gov. Trumbull to the Provincial Congress, respecting the resolutions of the Continental Congress,
714
" 6-Letter from Col. James Easton to the Provincial Congress, upon the dis- position of the Canadians and their Indians, . 714
" 1-Proclamations of Cols. Allen and Easton to the French people of Canada, to conciliate friendship, 715
Certificate of Col. Easton and others, relative to the command of that fortress,
Ivii
CONTENTS.
JULY 6-Report of the committee appointed by the Provincial Congress to pro- ceed to Ticonderoga and Crown Point, relating to the conduct of Col. Arnold, the military force, stores, and condition of those posts, Return of the ordnance stores at Crown Point, ·
717 719 720 Return of the stores at Ticonderoga,
JUNE 23-Letter from the committee of the Provincial Congress to Benedict Ar- nold, accepting his resignation of command at those fortresses, and requiring him to render his accounts, .
720
Letter from the same committee to the Continental Congress, on the im- portance of those fortresses, .
720
JULY 3-Letter from the same committee to Gov. Trumbull on same subject, and the dismission of Col. Arnold, .
722
Letter from the same committee to the Congress of New York, on the same subjects, .
723
" 7-Letter from the Congress of New York to the Committee of Safety, ex- pressing reliance on the direction of the Continental Congress,
724
Doings of the Continental Congress.
MAY 30-Letter from Col. Arnold received, informing of preparations to recapture Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and requiring reenforcements, 725
Resolve on the letter requesting troops from Connecticut, 725
JUNE 1-Commissaries at Albany for supplies recommended to be appointed by Connecticut,
725
" 8-Committee to examine Major Skene, lately appointed governor of Ticon- deroga and Crown Point, and his officers, 725 The committee directed to conceal matters of a private nature, . 726 726
" 10-The committee report. Gov. Skene and his officers released on parole, .
" 19-Letters from Massachusetts read, and the forces of Connecticut, not em- ployed at the northern posts, directed to be marched to Boston, 726
" 22-Resolves for the pay of the forces employed in the reduction of Crown Point and Ticonderoga,
726
EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNALS OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS RELATING TO MASSACHUSETTS.
1774.
SEPT. 14-Resolutions of the Middlesex Convention were presented and read, . 727 " 17-The resolutions of the Suffolk Convention, with the address to Governor Gage, were presented, 727 .
Resolve of Congress, approving the opposition to ministerial measures and the acts of parliament, and recommending perseverance in the course expressed by the Suffolk resolutions,
727
Resolve that contributions should be made for relieving the distresses of the inhabitants of Boston, 728 728
The resolves to be sent to Boston, and to be published,
OCT. 6-Letter received from the committee of correspondence of Boston, stating the situation of the town, the disregard of their petitions for relief, and praying the advice of Congress, . .
728
" 7-Mr. Lynch, Mr. S. Adams, and Mr. Pendleton, appointed a committee to prepare a letter to Gen. Gage, expressing the opinions of Congress, 728
HI
Iviii
CONTENTS.
OCT. 8-Resolve approving the opposition of Massachusetts to the acts of parlia- ment, ·
" 10-Resolve expressing the opinion of Congress that all America ought to contribute to recompense the inhabitants of Boston for the injury they may sustain by removal, 729
Resolve recommending to the inhabitants of Massachusetts to submit to the suspension of the administration of justice, 729
Resolve declaring that those who take office under the acts of parliament ought to be held in detestation, 730
" 11-Letter to Gen. Gage, relative to the state of Boston, .
731
Answer of Gen. Gage, Oct. 20, .
731 Resolve advising the inhabitants to conduct peaceably towards the troops, 731 Resolves to be published, .
732
Resolve for preparing a memorial to the people, recommending united ob- servation of the measures proposed by Congress,
732
" 14-Declaration of rights and statement of grievances, 732
" 20-Association and non-importation covenant, ·
735
1775.
MAY 11-Resolutions of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, letters and ad- dress, communicated, with the narrative and depositions relating to the engagement between the troops and inhabitants, .
740 741
Depositions and address ordered to be printed,
Committee on the state of America to consider the letter of the Provin- cial Congress, .
741
Letter from the [Provincial Congress, asking explicit advice respecting taking up and exercising the powers of civil government,
741 741 741
" 9-Resolve, reported by the committee, recommending to the Provincial Con- gress to invite the people to choose representatives to a general as- sembly, to exercise the powers of government, 742
" 14-Letter from New York respecting a vessel supposed to have provisions for the army and navy at Boston, referred to a committee, .
742
" 2-Letter from Massachusetts received, 742
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.
Proclamation of Gov. Gage, prohibiting all persons from complying, in any de- gree, with the resolves or recommendations of the Provincial Congress, November 10, 1774, . Letter of the committee of New York to the Provincial Congress, transmitting ex- tracts of letters from England,
743
744
Extracts of letters from England, relating to the situation of public affairs and the condition of the colonies,
744 Letter from Joseph Hawley to Thomas Cushing, relating to the powers of the com- mittee of safety, and the necessary preparations for war. Feb. 22, 1775, 748 Letter from the inhabitants of Montreal to the committee of safety, on the state of Canada. April 28, 1775, . 751
729
JUNE 2-Doct. Benjamin Church, delegate from Massachusetts, confers with Con- gress on the defence of the province, .
744
" 3-The letter referred to a committee,
" 7-Report of the committee laid on the table, .
.
CONTENTS.
lix
Letter from Mrs. Elizabeth Bowdoin to the committee of safety, giving informa- tion of ravages on the Elizabeth Islands. June 4, 1775, . 753
Deposition of Elisha Nye, relating to the plundering of one of the Elizabeth Islands, by Capt. Linzey, . 753
Population of Massachusetts, 1776, .
755
Warlike stores in Massachusetts, 1774,
. 756
Act of the General Court confirming the doings of each Provincial Congress, and providing that the records might be given in evidence, and for their preser- vation in the office of the secretary of the colony, . 757
JOURNAL
OF THE
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS
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