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 62
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The council of war having recommended that forty persons of the regiment commanded by Col. Fellows, have liberty to return to their several homes. Resolved, that they be dismissed accordingly, and that the commissary general be directed to supply said persons with six days' provisions to serve them on their return home.
This committee, having been informed by the committee of supplies, that they had secured as many naval stores as Col. Gridley of the train had indented for, Voted, that Capt. Foot be permitted to deliver his cargo, naval stores not excepted, agreeably to the bills of lading he had signed for the same.
Voted, That Mr. William Haskins be, and lie hereby is appointed, first clerk to the deputy commissary general.
The council of war having recommended that Capt. Joseph Foster, Thomas Jenkins, James Lammans, John Rutherford, Jonathan March, J. Mensh, J. Simmins, J. Crost, of Col. Porter's regiment, who are not enlisted, may be dismissed, they were accordingly dismissed, and had an order on the commissary general for four days' provisions each.
Voted, That Matthew Clark and five other persons, who are repair- ing the boats brought to this town, be supplied with provisions while they are at work for the colony.
MAY 15, 1775.
The sub-committee, appointed to apply to the committee of supplies for a particular account of the ordnance and military stores, reported, and handed in to the committee the following list, viz. :
547
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1775.]
A List of Military Stores under the care of Capt. Foster, viz. :
At Cambridge ;- pick axes, 460 : hatchets, 23: seven-inch shells, 298 : spades, 190 : pieces of cannon, 24 : axes, 156: boxes of grape shot, 41 1-4: hogsheads of flints containing 75,000, 2 : carpenter's tool chests, 2 : boxes of axes, 4 : 4 barrels 1 cask leaden balls : boxes small arm cartridges, 18 : barrels of bomb fuses, 1 : barrels of matches, 1 : chests of tin cannisters, 2 : boxes of paper for cartridges, 1 : nine pound ball, 607 : six-pound balls, 1123 : four· pound ditto, 200 : two- pound ditto, 800 : seven-inch shells, 298 : twenty-four pound ball, 122 : three-pound ball, 620 : No. 1 and 2 paper cartridges for cannon boxes, 2 : one barrel containing four tube cannisters, 16 straps, 4 packs, 4 powder horns, 5 skeins dry matches : 1 barrel cannisters filled with langrage, but no cartridges affixed to them, for 6 pounders : 4 casks, marked, paper cartridges filled : 1 barrel, marked, 84 two pound cart- ridges.
Under the care of Col. Barrett and Capt. Heywood.
Musket balls, 9,000: grape shot, 1,600 : bar lead, 700: inusket cartridges, about 3,000 weight : 3 barrels of bandages.
More at Cambridge, under the care of Capt. Foster.
2 casks of tubes : 1 barrel, marked, 60 cases with flannel cartridges for three pair single fortified guns : 2 barrels containing case shot, part fuses and tubes : 1 barrel containing a number of paper cartridges not filled : 2 casks of cases with flannel cartridges, marked I. T. T.
Attest, ALEXANDER SHEPHERD, Jr.,
By order of the Committee.
Moved and Voted, That the original list of military stores be handed in to the council of war, and it was handed in accordingly.
Voted, That the Hampshire companies, now at Medford, if enlisted into this colony's service, under Col. Stark or Col. Sargent, and pro- perly equipped, shall be provided with barracks : those of them, if any, who are not, and do not choose to be enlisted, and are not equipped, are to be furnished with provisions for their return.
Voted, That Capt. John Walker of Worcester, who came down to this committee for liberty to go into Boston, upon the proclamation issued by Congress, be apprehended and confined as a prisoner of war,
548
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[May 15,
he being an half pay officer, and under the orders of General Gage; and so not included in said proclamation.
Upon a motion made, the question was put, whether Col. Phipps be permitted to have a cow, calf, and a load of hay, to go into the town of Boston : passed in the negative.
Voted, That Capt. Naler Hatch [with the] Malden company be as- signed to Col. Gardner's regiment, but they are to remain in Malden until the special order of Col. Gardner shall be received for their attendance elsewhere.
Voted, That nine indians, of Col. Porter's regiment, have liberty to return home, and that the commissary general be directed to furnish them with six days' provisions for that purpose, the same having been recommended by the council of war.
Upon the application of Lady Frankland, Voted, that she have lib- erty to pass into Boston with the following goods and articles for her voyage, viz. :
6 trunks : 1 chest : 3 beds and bedding : 6 wethers : 2 pigs : 1 small keg of pickled tongues : some hay : 3 bags of corn : and such other goods as she thinks proper.
The following permit was granted :
To the Colony Guard :
Permit Lady Frankland of Hopkinton, with her attendants, goods, and the provisions above mentioned, to pass to Boston, by express order of the committee of safety.
BENJAMIN CHURCH, JR., Chairman.
HEAD QUARTERS, May 15, 1775.
Voted, That the letters and writings from New York, via New Lon- don, relative to the establishing a post office and riders for the service of the colony be sent to the Congress.
Voted, That John Tucker of Col. Porter's regiment be dismissed from the service, and that he be furnished by the commissary with seven days' provisions.
Voted, That Jonathan Blaisdel of Amesbury, be appointed an ar- morer for the army.
Resolved, That Mr. Borland's house be appropriated for the use of the committee of safety, and the quarter master general is directed to provide quarters for the troops now lodged at said house.
Voted, That the quarter master general be directed to remove as
549
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1775.]
many of the three companies now at Mr. Borland's, to the house of Doct. Kneeland, as the house can accommodate, and that the three companies at Mr. Vassal's house, be placed at Mr. Foxcroft's house, and that Mr. Borland's house be cleared and cleansed as soon as possible.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the honorable Congress, that the records of the probate office for the county of Middlesex, supposed to be at Mr. Danforth's and Doct. Kneeland's houses, be removed to Doct. Minot's, at Concord, and, that the records of the county at Mr. Foxcroft's office, be removed to said Minot's house.
The following certificate was delivered Mr. Goddard, viz. :
This is to certify, that Mr. John Goddard, has been appointed by the joint committees of safety and supplies as waggon master to this colony, to convey such articles of stores from one part of this col- ony to another as the public exigency may require, under the direc- tion of the commissary general and the ordnance store keeper, and, that such other waggoners or drivers are to be employed, as he shall recommend for that purpose.
The following permit was given to Capt. Walker.
Permit Capt. John Walker, now on his parole of honor, to pass un- molested to his family at Worcester.
Mr. John Goddard, waggon master, was directed and empowered, in case of emergency, to impress such waggons and cattle as shall be re- quisite for the public service.
Voted, That the clearing Mr. Borland's and Mr. Vassal's houses be suspended till further orders.
Voted, That Thomas Austin, of Charlestown, be, and hereby is ap- pointed an armorer for the army.
Voted, That the above vote, appointing Mr. Thomas Austin one of the armorers for the army, be, and hereby is reconsidered.
MAY 16, 1775.
In a letter from Col. James Barrett, of this day, it is represented, that a prisoner now at Worcester, is a paper-maker, and that Mr. James Boice, of Milton, is in want of such a person in his paper man- ufactory ; therefore, Resolved, that Col. Barrett, be, and he hereby is directed and empowered, to remove said prisoner from Worcester to said Boice's manufactory in Milton.
550
1
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[May 17,
Voted, That Capt. Hill, and four men, with four prisoners, have an order for supplies on the taverners and innholders in the towns they pass through.
Whereas, it is recommended by the council of war, that fifty-four whale-boats be immediately provided for the use of this colony : Re- solved, that a copy of said vote of the council of war, be transmitted to the committee of supplies, and that they be desired to procure and place said boats, agreeably to the recommendation of the council of war.
Voted, That Capt. Butler be desired to furnish those men of his own company with arms, who are destitute thereof.
By a resolve of the Provincial Congress, the following is the estab- lishment for ten companies of matrosses :
Captain, £6 10s. per month; captain lieutenant, £5 10s. per month ; first lieutenant, &£4 10s. per month; 2 second lieutenants, each, 3 12s. per month; sergeants, each, ££2 10s. per month; corporals, each, ££2 6s. per month; six bombadiers, each, ££2 4s. 6d. per month ; six gunners, each, &£2 4s. per month ; 32 matrosses, £2 3s. per month.
Voted, That Col. Gridley have one set of beating orders, for a com- pany of matrosses.
Voted, That Col. Azor Orne have one of the college arms, he giv- ing a receipt for the same.
MAY 17, 1775.
Whereas, it is determined, in council of war, that ten swivels be immediately provided for the use of the army, and delivered in camp, at Cambridge :
Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing vote be transmitted to the committee of supplies, and that they be desired to procure said swivel guns immediately.
Resolved, That the three pieces of cannon, with the stores, now at Waltham, be immediately removed to Watertown, near the bridge, by advice of the general, and that Mr. Elbridge Gerry, one of the com- mittee of supplies, be desired and empowered to remove the same.
Ordered, That Col. Orne, Doct. Church and Col. Palmer, be a committee to repair to the Provincial Congress, and request, that forthwith, the duty of the committee of safety be precisely stated, and that said committee be empowered by Congress to conduct in such manner as shall tend to the advantage of the colony; and to justify the conduct of said committee, so far as their proceedings are correspon- dent with the trust reposed in them ; and to inform [the Congress]
551
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1775.]
that until the path of their duty is clearly pointed out, they must be at a total loss liow to conduct, so as to stand justified in their own minds, and in the minds of [the people of ] this colony.
Mr. William Beman, in Col. Fellows' regiment, is appointed by this committee to act as an armorer for the forces posted at Roxbury.
Resolved, That Mr. Joseph Austin, of Charlestown, be directed to attend upon this committee of safety, immediately.
Voted, That Col. Fellows be directed to procure a shop and tools, and every material necessary for an armorer, at Roxbury, to work immediately in the colony service.
Voted, That the commissary deliver Mr. Matthew Clark sixty oars, for the use of this colony.
Voted, That the carrying any hay into the town of Boston, on ac- count of John Borland, Esq., be suspended until further order from this committee.
Voted, That Mr. Stephen Hall be appointed to inspect the college walls, and see that they are kept in proper repair.
Voted, That the selectmen of Cambridge be directed to supply Gen- eral Ward with four half barrels of powder, for the use of this colony.
Whereas, General Gage has not kept his agreement with the inhab- itants of the town of Boston, but, notwithstanding his said agreement, has prevented, and even refused, said inhabitants, with their effects, from removing into the country ; therefore, Resolved, that it be recom- inended to the Congress, that they rescind their resolution of the 30th ultimo, permitting the inhabitants of this colony to remove, with their effects, into the town of Boston, which resolution was founded upon said agreement.
Resolved, That Col. Orne and Col. Palmer be directed to attend the Congress, with the above resolve.
Resolved, That in case of an alarm, this committee will repair to Coolidge's tavern, in Watertown.
Upon a motion made, Voted, that Capt. How be directed to restore the six sets of enlisting papers, which he this day took out without the consent of the committee, by a fraud practised upon the chairman.
Voted, That application be made to his Excellency General Ward, that he would order Edward How under guard, until this committee can have a full hearing of his case.
[Whereas, one Mr. Mellicant, of Waltham, who is an officer in his majesty's service, under half pay, is suspected, by means of his, said Mellicant's wife having free access into and out from the town of Bos- ton, of communicating such intelligence to our enemies as may have a
552
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[May 19,
tendency to injure the important cause we are engaged in, and, in some degree, defeat the plans forming for the salvation of this colony and continent : therefore, Resolved, that the selectmen and commit- tee of correspondence of the town of Waltham be, and hereby are di- rected and empowered, to take such effectual methods, for the prevent- ing any intelligence going into the town of Boston, by means of the abovesaid Mr. Mellicant, or any of his family, as to them, in their wis- dom, shall seem meet.]
MAY 19, 1775.
Voted, That Capt. John Lane have enlisting papers delivered him, for raising a company of indians at the eastward.
The following certificate was delivered Col. Gerrish, for the Provin- cial Congress :
Col. Samuel Gerrish having satisfied this committee that his regi- ment is full, we recommend to the Congress that said regiment be commissioned accordingly.
Ordered, That Mr. Newall proceed to. Watertown, and lodge the ten swivel guns he has under his care, at Edward Richardson's, inn- holder in said Watertown; it being recommended by General Ward.
The committee of correspondence of the town of Northboroughi, having sent a certain Ebenezer Cutler to this committee for trial, upon complaint of his being an enemy to this country, and this committee not having authority to act in the case, as they apprehend, do refer the matter to Congress.
Col. Ebenezer Learned having satisfied this committee that his regi- ment is full, it was recommended to the Congress that said regiment be commissioned accordingly.
The following letter of direction to the several colonels, was for- warded, viz. :
SIR :- The necessity of completing the colony army, and the suspi- cions entertained by some of the officers who have been engaged in recruiting men, oblige us to request your immediate return, to this committee, of the number of men enlisted in your regiment, with the names of the officers of said regiment, as the Congress have urged for said returns, that commissions may be issued, and due subordination take place.
Voted, That Mr. John Wood, of Roxbury, be, and hereby is ap- pointed, an armorer for the army.
553
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1775.]
Voted, 'That Mr. Dike, of Bridgwater, be, and lie hereby is appoint- ed, an arınorer for the army.
General Thomas was informed, by letter, that the cominittee had appointed Messrs. Beman, Shaw, Wood and Dike, as armorers for the forces posted at Roxbury, and [was] desired to acquaint the committee if any further appointments were necessary.
Voted, That Doct. Church have an order for a horse and sulky, and a single horse, for his journey to Philadelphia upon the province ac- count.
[Whereas, some persons have hinted that Samuel Barrett, Esq., of Boston, has, in some instances, been unfriendly to his country, and the common cause of liberty, for which this colony now suffers and bleeds, and as such suggestions may have a tendency to injure him, we have inquired into the conduct of the said Samuel Barrett, Esq., during the unnatural contest between Great Britain and the colonies, and from his acts and explicit declarations, we have reason to think that he is friendly to the rights and liberties of this, his native coun- try, and we recommend him accordingly.]
MAY 20, 1775.
Voted, That Capt. Edward How, Ebenezer Cutler, and Nicholas, a black fellow, now under guard, be sent up to Congress for examina- tion and trial, and Capt. White is appointed to attend Congress, with the above named persons.
Voted, That the general be desired to furnish a guard for the occa- șion.
Voted, That for the future, no person having orders to impress hor- ses, shall impress the horse of Deacon Timothy Winn, of Woburn, he and his horse being employed in the colony service.
Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, as the contest now between Great Britain and the colonies respects the liberties and privileges of the latter, which the colonies are determined to maintain, that the admission of any persons, as soldiers, into the army now rais- ing, but only such as are freemen, will be inconsistent with the princi- ples that are to be supported, and reflect dishonor on this colony, and that no slaves be admitted into this army upon any consideration what- ever.
Col. Joseph Read having satisfied this committee, that his regiment is full, a certificate was given him of the same, and it was recommend- ed to the honorable the Provincial Congress, that his regiment miglit be commissioned accordingly.
70
554
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[May 23,
Col. Read had thirteen sets of regulations for the army delivered him by order.1
MAY 23, 1775.
-
Whereas, our enemies make frequent excursions to the islands and sea coasts, from whence they plunder hay, cattle, and sheep ; which not only greatly injures many individuals, but also the public, and strengthens the hands of our enemies ; therefore, Resolved, that it be recommended to the honorable Congress, to take some effectual meas- ure to secure the stock on the islands and sea coasts, to prevent its fal- ling into the hands of our enemies.
The following orders relative to furnishing one of the expresses with provisions, horses, &c., were issued, viz. :
(1) The following Ictter was addressed to General Preblo.
CAMBRIDGE, MAY 20, 1775.
Honorable General Preble,
SIR :- This committco, received your favor of the fifteenth instant, touching the raising men, for the service of this colony, and note your just observations on the subject.
The committoe, after the resolutions of the Congress for establishing an army of thirteen thousand six hundred men, thought tho exigencies of the times and the exposed situation of the several towns near Boston, made it absolutely necessary, that the army should be immediately raised, and, that for tlie facilitating of this important business it was expedient that orders should be issued to such men as were recommended as proper persons for such important trusts. Accordingly, orders were issued to as many colonels as were sufficient to complete said army ; but from tho delay which appcared in the army's being formed, by the slow progress made in the enlisting men, and the exposed situation of the colony camp, by the going off of numbers from time to time, it was rendered necessary, that further orders should be issued for completing the army with all possible speed ; and in consequence of that determination, among others, Col. March received orders for the enlisting of a regiment for the service of this colony, and, we understand, has made some considerable progress in enlisting men for said service. We are also informed by your honor, that Col. Phinney has received enlist- ing orders from you, and has engaged in the business of enlisting men to complete a regiment ; and we are further informed by your honor, that it is impracticable that two regiments should be raised in the county of Cumberland, and being told by Col. Phinney, that many of the men that would bo raised in your county, could not be supplied by the towns from which they are enlisted, with fire- arms and blankets, this committee, taking into consideration the exposed situation of your county and the probability of the army's being completed without drawing men from those parts of the col- ony which are more immediately exposod, would recommend, Sir, that you would uso your influ- ence, that a stop be put to the raising any men in your county until it may be known by the returns from the several colonels authorized for the raising regiments, whether it may be necessary to take any men from your county, and should this necessity take place, this committce will endeav- or to give you such early intelligence as may be necessary. The request of this committee to your honor, we flatter ourselves, will not be conceived by you as carrying in it the least disrespect to Col. March or Col. Phinney, but solely from the probability of the army's being complete without taking men from those parts of the colony which are more immediately exposed. We should be glad to see your honor at head quarters, which we hope your health will soon admit, and with you we join in the hope of soon seeing a speedy end to the great difficulties this distressed colony now labors under.
-
We arc, Sir, with the great respect, your lionors humble servants,
P. S. Please to inform the within mentioned colonels, of this determination.
Yours, &c.
555
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1775.]
To all innkeepers, taverners, and other persons whom it may con- cern :
You are desired to furnish the bearer, Mr. Jolin Chandler Williams, with all necessaries upon his journey and return, as also with horses, if necessary, and to exhibit the accounts to the committee of safety for this colony, as lie is now upon the country service.
MAY 26, 1775.
The following warrant, for supplying an express on the colony ser- vice, was issued :
To all innkeepers, taverners, and other persons whom it may con- cern :
You are desired to furnish the bearer, Mr. John Gill, with all neces- saries upon his journey to, and return from Rhode Island, as also with horses, if necessary, and to exhibit your account to the commit- tee of safety for this colony, he being an express on the colony service.
The following certificate was given Dr. Bond :
Doct. Nathaniel Bond, of Marblehead, having been charged before this committee, with having acted an unfriendly part to this colony, said committee appointed Joseph Warren, Esq., Col. Thomas Gardner, and Lieut. Col. Joseph Palmer, as a court of inquiry to examine wit- nesses in the case, and hear and determine the same ; and upon full inquiry into the case, they are clearly of opinion, that said Bond's gen- cral behavior has been friendly to American liberties, and though he may have discovered an imprudent degree of warmth in some instan- ces, yet we do not find any proof of an inimical temper or disposition to this country, and therefore, recommend him to the esteem and friendship of his country[men], hoping, that, as the error which occa- sioned his being brought before this committee, appears to have been altogether involuntary, and was such as several of our most firm friends were led into by false rumors spread of the transactions of the nineteenth instant, no impressions to the doctor's disadvantage may remain on the minds of any person whatsoever.1
(1) The commission given to the committee of safety by the Provincial Congress, May 18, 1775, is entered in tho original record at length. It will he found in the preceding journals, page 240.
The Hon. Benjamin Greenleaf having been elected a member of the committee of safety, declin- ed the acceptance of tho office, by the following letter to Mr. Secretary Freeman.
"' NEWBURYPORT, MAY 26, 1775."
"Sir :- I yesterday received your letter of the nineteenth instant, informing me, that the Provin-
556
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[May 21,
This committee have taken into their most serious consideration, the state of the New England army, proposed to be raised for the defence and security of the lives, liberties, and property of the Americans; and find that the several colonies have not, collectively, raised more than 24,500 men ; whereas, 30,000 were supposed to be necessary ; and said committee also find a considerable number of officers of minute men now at head quarters, who, with their men, cannot find room for employ- ment in the army upon the present establishment of this colony; and as our enemies have determined to distress us upon our sea coasts, by taking our vessels, with provisions, salt, molasses, &c., as well as by plundering our islands and coasts of live stock, which will require a greater number of men to guard said coasts, than was at first estima- ted ; and as said army, or any part thereof, may be disbanded at any future time, when the public safety will admit thereof, and as the pub- lic military spirit now runs high, it is therefore, Resolved, that the con- sideration of these premises be recommended to the honorable Con- gress ; and that Col. Palmer be directed to attend said Congress with this resolve, in order to know whether they will make any addition to their present establishment,
MAY 21, 1775.
[This committee have often contemplated the mode of ascertaining the completion of the several regiments, and find no clear and explicit rule to their satisfaction, and therefore, beg leave to suggest to the honorable Congress of this colony, whether, a return from a muster- master, that such or such a regiment had such a number of privates who had passed muster, would not be a good rule for ascertaining when a regiment may be said to be full; and submit the consideration of the same to said honorable Congress.]
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