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 63
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cial Congress had done me the lionor of choosing me a member of the committee of safety, and that they requested my attendance without delay. I readily cxert myself on every occasion that pre- sents, as far as I am able, to promote such measures as have a tendeney to relieve the country from its present difficulties and embarrassments ; but my ill state of health forbids my attending closely to business, and therefore, disqualifies me to act in that department, with advantage to the public or myself, for which reason, I have to entreat the indulgence of the Congress, while I ask to be ex- cused from that service ; assuring them I cannot be an indifferent observer of the scene that is now acting ; but, as I have hitherto attended to our public affairs, as far as my health would permit, al- most to the total neglect of my own personal concerns, I shall continue to do so, if my life is spared until this land obtains a complete deliverance from the hands of tyranny and oppression ; but then it must be in a sphere wherein I shall not be liable to so much confinement and solicitude as I must necessarily submit to, as a member of that committee."
" I am, with respect, Sir, your most humble servant,
B. GREENLEAF."
1775.]
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
557
MAY 22, 1775.
Whereas, it appears to this committee, that no immediate service renders it necessary, that riders should be kept in pay at present, there- fore, Voted, that all such riders as have been employed by this com- inittee, be from this day discharged from said service.1
MAY 24, 1775.
Voted, That the commissary general be directed to supply John Carter, and three others, with provisions as armorers and coopers, now in the province service.
Col. Scammon having satisfied the committee, that his regiment was nearly full, a certificate was given him thereof, and it was recommend- ed to the Provincial Congress, that liis regiment be commissioned ac- cordingly.
Resolved, That it be recommended to Congress, immediately, to take such order respecting the removal of the sheep and hay from Nod- dle's island as they may judge proper, together with the stock on the adjacent islands.
Voted, That the commissary general be directed to supply twenty- five men of Capt. Sprague's company, who are stationed at Chelsea.
MAY 26, 1775.
The Congress having passed a resolve, that the house of John Vas- sal, Esq., be appropriated for the use of the committee of safety, there-
(1) General Ward, having represented to Congress, that the army were deficient of arms, and that a supply of plank was needed for the artificers, and complained of the delay in furnishing theso articles, the letters were transmitted to the committee of supplies. The answer shows, that the wants of the troops were not occasioned by defect of diligence, and indicates the feeling excited by any suspicion of neglect.
IN COMMITTEE OF SUPPLIES, MAY 22, 1775.
To the Honorable Provincial Congress :
The letters which we have this day received from General Ward, through your honorable Con- gross, carry with them an impression which the committee cannot conceive they deserve. We are conscious to ourselves of having discharged the heavy duty of our office, to the utmost of our power with fidelity, and we think, the general, on consideration, must acknowledge it ; nevertheless, after we had issued an advertisement in the Essex Gazette, for collecting all the colony armns, the Con- gress are troubled with tho affair, as if the committee had not used every proper exertion in the transaction of the affair. But, what we thiuk most hardly of, is the matter of the plank. We re- ceived a memorandum and ordered it to be provided immediately. The owner of the mill had not procured them yesterday, but engaged to have them in readiness by Tuesday morning, and we di- rected the boatmen to apprise the general of this.
We shall, in justico to ourselves, expect an explanation of this matter, whenever the affairs of the colony can be a little settled, from the general; and, in the interim, we think it necessary to re- move any unfavorable impression from the minds of the members of tho honorable Congress.
With respect, your hunible servant,
DAVID CHEEVER, per order.
585
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[May 27,
fore, Resolved, that the quarter master general be directed to clear the said house, immediately, of the soldiers now lodged there, that it may be improved for that purpose.
Colonels Ward and Gardner having satisfied this committee, that their regiments were in a good [state of ] forwardness, a certificate to that purpose was given them ; and it was recommended to the honor- able Provincial Congress, that said regiments be commissioned accord- ingly.
Colonels Patterson and William Prescott having satisfied this com- mittee, that their respective regiments are nearly full, a certificate was given them of the same; and it was recommended to the Provincial Congress, that said regiments be commissioned accordingly.
Colonels Cotton and Bridge having satisfied this committee, that their respective regiments are full, a certificate was given them there- of; and it was recommended to the Provincial Congress, that said regi- ments be commissioned accordingly.
Colonels Asa Whitcomb, Frye, and Doolittle having satisfied this committee, that their respective regiments were nearly full, a cer- tificate was given them thereof; and it was recommended to the hon- orable the Provincial Congress, that said regiments be commissioned accordingly.
Col. Walker having satisfied this committee, that his regiment was complete, a certificate was given him thereof ; and it was recommend- ed to Congress, that said regiment be commissioned accordingly.'
Col. Donaldson having satisfied this committee, that his regiment is in good forwardness, a certificate was given him thereof; and it was recommended to the honorable Congress, that said regiment be com- missioned accordingly.
MAY 27, 1775.
Col. Mansfield having satisfied this committee, that his regiment is in good forwardness, he had a certificate thereof, and a recommenda- tion to Congress, that the regiment be commissioned accordingly.
Mr. Wesson, keeper of Thomas Oliver, Esquire's farm, had orders to secure any creatures that might be put into his inclosures by ill-dispos- ed persons, and to inform the committee thereof.
Voted, That agreeably to the recommendation of General Ward, Jacob Rhodes, of Charlestown, be empowered to impress such cattle as may be necessary for the removal of two boats from that town to Cambridge.
Joseph Smith, keeper of John Vassal, Esq's farm, had orders to se-
559
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1775.]
cure any creatures that might be put into his inclosures by ill-dispos- ed persons, and to inform the committee thereof.
['The following letter was sent to the Provincial Congress :]
[GENTLEMEN :- This committee having received information from sundry persons, selectinen of the town of Waltham, respecting the con- duct of Major Abijah Browne, of said Waltham, informing, that he, the said Browne, at sundry times and in sundry places, did utter many things disrespectful and reflecting on the conduct of the honorable Congress, the several committees, and upon the general of the colony .army, this committee, appreliending that any determination on this case is out of the department of this committee, beg leave to refer the matter, with the evidence respecting the same, to your honors, that you may be furnished with such light as may enable you to determine thereon, as to you in your wisdom shall seem meet.
We are, your honors, most obedient humble servants.]
MAY 28, 1775.
A number of guns taken from some persons in Grafton, were ap- praised by a sub-committee appointed for that purpose, and delivered Luke Drury, for the use of his company, and a receipt taken in the rougli minutes ; as, reference thereto being had, will particularly ap- pear.
MAY 29, 1775.
A number of letters taken from Robert Temple, Esq., by the com- mittee of safety of Cohasset, were sent to this committee for examina- tion, and though the committee think that the matter is not strictly within their commission, yet considering that the present Congress must be dissolved this day, and the good and safety of this colony may be effected by an immediate examination of said letters, therefore, Re- solved, that the matter be immediately taken up by the committee, and as Mr. Temple is now attending, that he be so directed respecting said letters, as shall, after examination, appear necessary to promote the greatest good of this colony.
Voted, That a committee be chosen to draw up a certificate for Mr. Temple, and an order for his receiving the goods taken from him.
The committee appointed for that purpose, reported a certificate, which was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :
Whereas, the committee of inspection of the district of Cohasset, have transinitted to us, a number of letters found in the possession of
560
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[May 29,
Robert Temple, Esq., and this committee have carefully inspected said letters, and had the said Mr. Temple before them, and examined him, both with regard to his principles and conduct in the present con- troversy between Great Britain and the colonies in America; and whereas, we think it the duty of this committee, at the same time that we applaud the vigilance of the committee of Cohasset, who have stop- ped those letters, and that of the town of Plymouth, who have sent two of their members with Mr. Temple to this committee, to do justice to individuals, in consequence of which, we Resolve, that it be recom- mended to the committee at Cohasset, to deliver Mr. Temple, such ar- ticles of his as are now in their possession, and likewise, that they and. all others consider and treat him as a friend to the interest of this country, and the rights of all America.1
Col. Quincy, of Braintree, having proposed to this committee the erecting of a small defensive work against the depredations of our en- emies upon the farms in his neighborhood, [they] do refer the matter to the council of war.
Col. Fellows having satisfied this committee that his regiment is full, he had a certificate thereof; and a recommendation that said regi- ment be commissioned accordingly, was given him for the honorable Congress.
It being expected that the present Congress will be dissolved this night, and hearing that one volume of copies of Mr. Hutchinson's let- ters, are in the hands of Capt. McLane, at the upper paper mills, in Milton, which volume may be of use to this colony, if in the hands of the Provincial Congress ; therefore, Resolved, that the Rev. Mr. Gor- den, of Roxbury, be desired and empowered to receive from said Capt. McLane, all such copies as are in his hands, or in any other hands,
(1) Robert Temple, Esq., subsequently, presented the following representations to the committee.
" I, Robert Temple, of Ten Hills, near Charlestown, New England, do declare, that I have re- ceived no injury to my property, nor have I been under any apprehensions of danger to either my person or property from the troops that are under the command of General Ward. But, it is a fact, that I have been so threatened, searched for, attacked hy the names of tory and enemy to this country, and treated in such a manner, that not only my own judgment, but that of my friends, and of almost the whole of the town where I lived, made it necessary or prudent for me to fly from my home. I am confident, that this is owing to the wickedness of a few, very few, who have prejudiced some short sighted people against me, who live too far from my abode, to he acquainted with my proper character. I am confirmed in this opinion, from the kind protection that my wife and family have received, and continue to receive from General Ward, as well as from the sentiments which the committee of safety liave heen pleased to entertain of me.
R. TEMPLE,"
" Plymouth, Muy 31, 1775."
561
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1775.]
and to be accountable to the present or some future Congress for the same.
MAY 30, 1775.
Elisha Lettinwell was directed to proceed with two teams to Chelsea, and bring up from thence the cannon and other stores saved from the schooner which has been burned by our people, and to lodge said stores in this town.
MAY 31, 1775.
The committee met, by adjournment, at Watertown, being the day appointed by charter for the election of councillors, when the Con- gress convened, and had a suitable discourse delivered [before] them by Mr. President Langdon, at the meeting-house, where the committee attended in the afternoon. Afterwards they met, and adjourned, to meet at Cambridge, on Tuesday morning, at eight o'clock.
JUNE 1, 1775.
On a motion made by Mr. Samuel Whittemore, of Gloucester, that the forces now raised in said town, and in Manchester, should remain there for the present, for the security of the sea ports : Voted, that there be returns immediately required of the number of men now in camp, and if it shall then appear that the safety of the whole will per- mit of it, the request will be granted.
JUNE 2, 1775.
A gun taken from Samuel Flagg, of Grafton, for the use of the col- ony, was appraised by a committee, appointed for that purpose, at forty shillings, lawful money ; which gun was delivered Capt. Luke Drury, for the use of his company, and a receipt taken from him in the rough minutes.
Col. John Nixon having satisfied this committee that his regiment is in good forwardness, he had a certificate thereof, and a recommenda- tion to the Provincial Congress that said regiment be commissioned accordingly.
JUNE 3, 1775.
Voted, That Mr. Devens be a committee, to join Col. Putnam, from the council of war, as a committee to wait upon the committee of sup- plies for a conference, and to desire their attendance at head quarters.
Voted, That Col. Gridley be required to make immediate return of the regiment of artillery.
JUNE 5, 1775.
A number of officers belonging to Col. John Nixon's regiment, were
71
562
1 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[June 10,
recommended to the Congress to be commissioned; and a list of said officers ordered to be put on file.
Col. Glover having satisfied this committee that he has about four hundred and sixty men in his regiment, a certificate was given him to that purpose, and it was recommended to the honorable Congress that said regiment be commissioned accordingly.
The honorable the Provincial Congress having, by their committee, inquired of this committee what progress has been made in raising a regiment for the train : Resolved, that the honorable Congress be ill- formed that this committee have given out enlisting orders to raise nine companies, and that they will immediately procure a return, and forward it to the Congress.
JUNE 9, 1775.
A number of officers, belonging to Col. Whitcomb's regiment, were recommended to the Congress to be commissioned ; as by copy of the list on file.
'Two small arms, taken from General Brattle's house, were appraised by Capt. White and Mr. Devens, a committee appointed for that pur- pose, at one pound six shillings and eight pence ; which guns were de- livered Capt. Joseph Stebbins, for the use of his company, and a re- ceipt taken for the same in the rough minute book.
Resolved, That the armorers repair no fire-arms for any soldier, without a certificate from his commanding officer, and that they keep an exact account of what arms they repair, and the soldiers' names to whom they belong ; also what regiment they belong to; and also that the arms that first come be first repaired ; and that this vote be trans- mitted to the several armorers in the colony service.
Capt. Hall, of Mistick, having informed the [committee] that a par- cel of spars were brought on this side [of ] Mistick bridge, Voted, that Mr. Hall be desired to remove them to such a place of security as he shall judge proper, till the further order of this committee.
Voted, That Capt. Ebenezer Winship have the recommendation of this committee to the honorable Congress, for being commissioned, with his subalterns, in Col. Nixon's regiment.
JUNE 10, 1775.
Whereas, a return has been made by Col. John Glover, of the state of his regiment, now at Marblehead, and it appearing to be for the safety of this colony [that] said regiment should continue for the pres- ent at said Marblehead, therefore, Resolved, that Col. John Glover be, and he hereby is directed, to continue said regiment, under his com- mand, at Marblehead, until further orders, and that he hold them in
563
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1775.]
readiness to march, at a minute's warning, to any post where he may be directed ; and that he fill up said regiment as soon as possible.
Whereas, sundry pieces of mowing land, belonging to persons who have left this town, have upon them considerable quantities of grass, which, if not cut soon, must diminish much in quantity, and as hay will be wanted for the use of this colony, therefore, Resolved, that it be recommended to the honorable Provincial Congress, that they ap- point a committee of Congress to view said pieces of land, and act thereon as to them, in their wisdom, shall seem meet.
Voted, That Col. Learned be empowered to appoint one armorer and an assistant, for the army at Roxbury, provided lie can obtain tools and accommodation for them.
A list of the gentlemen who have been commissioned, or who have received any encouragement for commissions, was sent to Congress, a copy of which is on file, [and is as follows :]
The following return was sent in to the Provincial Congress.
In obedience to a resolve of the honorable the Provincial Congress, " that the committee of safety certify to the Congress the names of such gentlemen as are candidates for the command of a regiment, with the number of privates, &c." This committee now report, that be- sides twenty gentlemen to whom they have given certificates, viz. : Col. Asa Whitcomb, General Ward, Lieut. Col. Ward, Col. Glover, Col. Fry, Col. Learned, Col. Read, Col. Nixon, Col. Fellows, Gene- ral Thomas, Lieut. Col. Bayley, Col. Bridge, Col. Cotton, Col. Walk- er, Col. Prescott, Col. Scammon, Col. Donaldson, Col. Patterson, Col. Gardner, Col. Mansfield, Col. Gerrish; General Heath took out ten sets of orders, and has raised a full regiment, which has done duty in the army for several weeks, as he has informed this committee, but has made no return in writing, nor applied for a certificate : Col. David Brewer has received ten sets of orders, but has made no returns, though we hear he has enlisted a number of men as rangers : Col. Robinson has applied to this committee for a recommendation, in con- sequence of a petition signed by ten companies, the copy of which petition accompanies this report. The committee promised Col. Rob- inson that they would recommend him, if there should be a vacancy. Col. Woodbridge informs this committee, and it appears, that 360 men stand ready to go under him. The committee would observe, that Col. Woodbridge has been in the camp, with his minute men, doing duty ever since the battle, but did not apply to this committee for en- listing orders, until the committee had issued orders sufficient to com-
564
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[June 10,
plete the army, and therefore the committee did not give him orders, but promised they would recommend him, if there should be a va- cancy.
Col. Porter, now in conjunction with Col. Patterson, and, by agree- ment with Col. Patterson, to have the chief command in the regiment, officiated some time in that capacity, waiting for the men raised by Col. Porter's orders to arrive ; but they not arriving so soon as expect- ed, another officer with several companies arrived, and offering to join Col. Porter's regiment, Col. Porter said he was willing to resign, rather than the public service should be hindered. Since this, we are informed by Col. Porter, that the men raised by his order are upon their march to Cambridge.
Col. Hensliaw expected to have the command of a lieutenant colonel in General Ward's regiment, but the dispute between him and Col. Ward having been already laid before the Congress, and acted upon ; we would further represent, that he has signified to this committee, that a number of companies incline to go under him, as by his return which accompanies this report.
About five or six weeks past, Mr. Greenleaf applied to this commit- tee, desiring that the men raised in and about Newbury might not be annexed to Col. Gerrish's regiment, or any other where it would be disagreeable to them. He afterwards applied to this committee re- specting said men, and desired that the eight companies enlisted upon orders issued by this committee, through Col. Gardner's hand, who have since petitioned in favor of Col. Little's taking the command of them, might be put under him as colonel of a regiment. We then found we had given orders for as many regiments as would complete the es- tablishment made by this colony, and therefore did not give Col. Little any orders to raise a regiment, but promised that if any vacancy should happen he should have the preference. We find said companies were early in the field, and have done duty ever since, and are very well equipped.
Early after the 19th of April, this committee sent two sets of beat- ing orders to the Hon. General Preble, desiring him to give out such orders to sucli persons as were suitable for commissions, in order to form a regiment ; and Col. March was also supplied with ten sets of orders, for the purpose of raising a regiment, to be commanded by him. Soon after, it was represented to us, by the committee of cor- respondence of Falmouth, that it would be inconvenient to that coun- ty, in their exposed situation, to raise men for the army, and the same was agreed to by Colonels Phinney and March, and this committee : on
1
565
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1775.]
which we wrote to General Preble, informing him of the same, but heard nothing further, until about six days past, we received a return fron Col. Phinney of about five hundred men enlisted in a regiment to go under liis command, and Col. March certified that he agreed to come in as his second, a copy of which letter to General Preble ac- companies this report.
Col. Sergeant's case having been represented to Congress, the copy of said representation accompanies this report.
The committee beg leave further to represent, that the reason why more enlisting orders were delivered out than were sufficient to enlist the number of men established by Congress, was an apprehension that the province was in the utmost danger for want of men; the commit- tee not being able to prevail on the militia and minute men to tarry in camp, and there being but few men enlisted at that time, obliged us to issue further orders.
JUNE 12, 1775.
The committee not apprehending that it was necessary to detain Eliphalet Hill, of Newbury, any longer, as a rider in the colony ser- vice, he was dismissed therefrom yesterday.
Shubael and Joseph Sever, of Framingham, entered into the colony service, as armorers, the 10th instant.
Capt. Lawrence, in Col. Prescott's regiment, offering to act as an armorer without any pay for his labor, and to return home for some tools which are necessary to effect the repairs of the muskets, it was consented to by the committee, and the said Lawrence was desired to procure his tools as soon as may be.
JUNE 13, 1775,
Jonathan Stickney, in Col. Woodbridge's regiment, received a small arm of one Guillam, a scholar, for which he gave a receipt in the rough minute book, to deliver the same again to this committee, when so required.
Whereas, it is daily expected, that General Gage will attack our army now in the vicinity of Boston, in order to penetrate into the country, it is of the utmost importance, that said army be, in every re- spect, prepared for action as soon as possible, therefore, Resolved, that the general be desired, to order each colonel in the army, to make im- mediate return to him of the state and equipment of the respective regiments, setting forth what number of men are destitute of arms, and what arms are fit for immediate service; and, that this vote be laid be- fore the general as soon as may be.
566
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[June 14,
Mr. Devens was appointed a committee, to inquire of the committee of supplies, relative to the quantity of powder in their possession, and where the same is.1
On a motion made, Resolved, that the debates and determinations of this committee be kept in profound secrecy by its members and their attendants, until further order of this committee.
Whereas, Daniel Adams, of Boston, a lunatic, now in camp at Cam- bridge, occasions great disorders in said camp, therefore, Resolved, that the selectmen of the town of Woburn be, and they hereby are di- rected and empowered, to take into their custody and care the above mentioned Daniel Adams, and make such provision for him, at the ex- pense of this colony, as his circumstances, being peculiar, may require, and also for the guards while there.
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