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 66
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Six small arms were delivered Col. William Prescott, for the use of his regiment, amounting, by appraisement, to eleven pounds six shil- lings, for which a receipt was taken in the minute book.
. Four small arms were delivered Col. William Prescott, for the use of his regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to eight pounds four- teen shillings, for which a receipt was taken in the minute book.
Ten small arms were delivered Col. Moses Little, for the use of his regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to eighteen pounds seven shillings and four pence, for which a receipt was taken in the minute book.
Passed upon John Bullfinch's, and twelve other persons' accounts, who worked with Jeremiah Russell, amounting in the whole to forty- four pounds eight shillings and eight pence, for which a certificate was given them, for the committee of accounts.
Voted, That Joseph Bates have liberty to cut thirty hundred of hay, on John Vassal, Esq's estate in Cambridge, he to be accountable therefor, and that Samuel Sanger, who has the care of the hay, be di- rected accordingly.
Eight guns, collected in Princeton, were received of Mr. Ephraim Woolson, by the hands of Sylvanns Oakes, amounting, by appraisement, to fourteen pounds seven shillings, for which a receipt was given him by the secretary.
JULY 6, 1775.
Voted, That Joseph and Parsons Smith, be allowed to cut, each, one ton of English hay, and one ton of black grass, on the estate of John Vassal, Esq., in Cambridge, they to be accountable therefor : and that Mr. David Sanger be directed accordingly.
A hand vice, screw plate, and pins, were purchased of Mr. Richard Estes, for the use of the armorers, amounting, as by receipt in the minute book, to eiglit shillings.
Mr. Seth Brown was directed and empowered to clear the widow Vassal's barns, for the reception of hay and horses for the colony ser- vice ; and also to prevent horses feeding in the pastures owned by said widow.
Mrs. Elizabeth Hicks was paid four shillings, by Mr. Devens, for bringing up a boat from Charlestown, as by receipt on file.
588
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[July 6,
Voted, That Mr. Fisk, who has the care of Jonathan Sewall's farm, have liberty to cut on said farm one ton of English hay and two tons of salt hay, and that Mr. David Sanger be directed accordingly.
[ Voted, That it be recommended to the honorable Provincial Con- gress to pass the following resolve :]
Whereas, the exigencies of the colony require that there should be, as soon as possible, an emission of bills of credit : therefore, Resolved, that there be immediately issued on the credit of this colony, and de- posited in the treasury, a sum not exceeding one hundred thousand pounds, lawful money, in bills of credit of the following denomina- tions, viz. : of one shilling, of two shillings, of two shillings and six pence, of four shillings, of five shillings, of seven shillings and six pence, of eight shillings, of eleven shillings, of thirteen shillings, of seventeen shillings, of nineteen shillings, of thirty shillings, of forty shillings, of sixty shillings, of eighty shillings, and of one hundred shillings ; to be five thousand of each denomination, and no more, and to be of the form following, viz. :
COLONY OF THE
MASSACHUSETTS BAY. JULY -, 1775. No. 109.
The possessor of this bill shall be paid, by the treasurer of this col- ony, two shillings and six pence, lawful money, by the 18th day of July, 1777, and [it] shall be received in all payments at the treasury at all times.
By order of Congress.
A. D. B. E. Committee.
C. F.
which said bills shall be paid and received in the public treasury, and in all payments in this colony, without any abatement or discount, upon any pretence whatsoever, under penalty of treble damages to both the payer and receiver, which penalty shall be applied to the discharge of the public debts of this colony.
And said bills shall also be printed on the back, with the colony seal, the value of the bill, and its date, and round the seal, these words : Issued in defence of American Liberty. Also, Resolved, that A. B. and C. be a committee to sign or authenticate all said bills, from one shil- ling to eleven shillings, inclusively ; and that D. E. and F. be another committee to sign or authenticate all other the said bills, which are of from thirteen shillings to one hundred shillings, inclusively.
.
1775.]
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
589
5000 bills of 1s.
-
- £250
5000
2s.
-
500
5000
66
2s. 6d.
625
5000
4s. -
-
1,000
5000
5s. -
1
1,250
5000
7s. 6d.
1,875
5000
8s. -
2,000
5000
11s.
-
2,750
5000
13s.
-
3,250
5000
17s.
-
4,250
5000
19s.
4,750
5000
" 30s.
7,500
5000
" 40s.
- 10,000
5000
" 60s.
-
-
15,000
5000
" 80s.
-
-
20,000
5000
"100s.
-
-
25,000-£100,000
[The following letter was sent to General Washington :]
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY :- The bearer, Capt. Brown, is the officer who took the horses that came off from Bunker's hill ; you'll please to direct said horses being delivered to his care.
To His Excellency General Washington.
This committee have, with great concern, considered the advanta- ges our enemies will derive from General Gage's misrepresentations of the battle of Charlestown, unless counteracted by the truth of that day's transactions being fairly and honestly represented to our friends, and others, in Great Britain : therefore, Resolved, that it be humbly recommended to the honorable Congress, now sitting at Watertown, to appoint a committee to draw up and transmit to Great Britain, as soon as possible, a fair, lionest and impartial account of the late battle of Charlestown, on the 17th ultimo, so that our friends, and others, in that part of the world, may not be, in any degree, imposed upon by General Gage's misrepresentations of that day's transactions; and that they also be a standing committee for that purpose.
With hearts deeply affected by the sufferings of our friends in the town and harbor of Boston, now under the cruel hand of tyrannic power ; and reflecting upon the advice of the late Continental Con- gress, respecting our enemies seizing any of our friends, it is Resolved, by this committee, that it be recommended to the honorable Provin- cial Congress, now sitting at Watertown, to recommend to the grand American Congress, that every crown officer, within the united
-
590
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[July 7,
colonies, be immediately seized, and held in safe custody until our friends who have been seized by General Gage are set at liberty, and fully recompensed for their loss and imprisonment.
Voted, That Mr. John Steel and his two sons be appointed armorers for this colony's forces.
Eight small arms were delivered Col. Ebenezer Bridge, for 'the use of his regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to seventeen pounds six shillings, for which a receipt was taken in the minute book.
Whereas, the honorable Congress liave made an establishment for a company of artificers, which consists of carpenters, blacksmiths, and wheelwrights ; and a captain is appointed for the carpenters, but no provision is made for captains or master workmen for the blacksmiths and wheelwrights, therefore, Resolved, that the premises be recom- mended to the consideration of the honorable Congress, now sitting at Watertown.
JULY 7, 1775.
Two guns were received from Capt. Josiah Stone, of Framingham, for the use of this colony, amounting, by appraisement, to three pounds sixteen shillings, for which a receipt was given by Mr. Devens.
Forty small arms were delivered Col. Scammon, for the use of his regiment, amounting, by appraisement, to seventy-four pounds thirteen shillings and four pence, for whichi a receipt was taken in the minute book.
One small arm was delivered Col. Gridley, for the use of his regi- ment, amounting, by appraisement, to two pounds four shillings, for which a receipt was taken in the minute book.
Passed upon Matthew Clark's account, amounting to nine pounds three shillings and six pence; and a certificate was delivered him for the committee on accounts.
Whereas, Mr. Seth Brown, who has had the care of horses for the cannon, has resigned that employment, and as Thomas Organ, who was in the service of the late General Warren, is willing to un- dertake that service, looking upon him to be a person well qualified for that trust, we desire he may be appointed accordingly.
The above was directed to the gentlemen of the committee of sup- plies.
Passed upon Mr. Isaac Bissel, a post rider's account, amounting, as by copy on file, to two pounds one shilling; and a certificate was given him for the committee on accounts.
[Whereas, a number of soldiers in the American army, are from time to time, observed to be much disguised with spirituous liquors,
59
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1775.]
and should not some effectual measures be taken to put a stop to this disorder, not only the morals and health, but also the lives and liber- ties of this people will be endangered ; therefore, Resolved, that it be, and it is hereby recommended to his Excellency General Washington, that an order be issued to suppress retailers of spirituous liquors within and near the camps, in such manner as to him may seem meet.]
Upon application made to this committee by Capt. Rogers, and due examination into the matter, the following was voted to be sent the selectmen, &c., of the town of Reading, to be communicated to the adjacent towns.
GENTLEMEN :- Whereas, Capt. Jacob Rogers, late an inhabitant of Charlestown, but who, through the necessity of the times, has been obliged to quit Charlestown, has since taken up his residence in the town of Reading ; but some licentious persons of the town of Stone- ham, as is represented to us, have threatened to raise a mob, and drive him out of said Reading, to the great terror of his family, and this, without any cause that we can find, evidence having appeared of his good behavior while in Charlestown ; in order to put a stop to such disorderly conduct, it is Resolved, that all the inhabitants of this colo- ny be desired, as they regard the peace and welfare of the country, to behave peaceably and quietly towards the said Capt. Rogers; and if his conduct should hereafter be unworthy a friend to American liberty, he is then to be orderly complained of, to such authority as may then exist within this colony, but by no means to be proceeded against in any disorderly manner.
Twenty-eight guns, for the use of the colony, collected by order of Congress, were received of Mr. John Ingraham, July 7th.
Passed upon Mr. John Barber's account, amounting to seven pounds thirteen shillings and eight pence ; and a certificate was given him for the committee on accounts.
JULY 8, 1775.
Two small arms were received of Col. Simeon Spaulding, for the use of this colony, amounting, by appraisement, to two pounds twelve shillings.
'Two small arms, appraised at four pounds four shillings, were de- livered Capt. Job Cushing, of Col. Ward's regiment, as by receipt on file.
Fifteen small arms [were delivered,] for the use of Col. Sergeant's
592
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[July 8,
regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to twenty-seven pounds three shillings, for which a receipt has been taken in the minute book.
The honorable the Provincial Congress having acquainted this com- mittee, that Mr. James Winthrop, post master in Cambridge, had de- clined serving any longer in that office, and desired that another might be recommended to them for that place :
Voted, That Mr. Jonathan Hastings, Jun., be recommended to the honorable Congress, as a suitable person for the trust aforesaid.
Two small arms were received of Mr. Seth Stone, of Cambridge, for the use of this colony, amounting, as by appraisement, to three pounds eighteen shillings, for which a receipt was given him by the secretary.
Passed upon John Gill, Jun., a post rider's account; amounting to six pounds seventeen shillings and eight pence, for which a certificate was given.
[Whereas, many complaints have been made to this committee, that the armorers frequently deliver the arms out of their shops unfit for service, and delay the work unnecessarily ; in order to prevent occa- sion for such complaints in future, and to hasten the public service in an orderly manner, which has not yet been provided for, it is Resolved, that it be, and it hereby is, recommended to the honorable Congress, to make an establishment for, at least, four master armorers, each one of whom shall work and superintend one shop, each of which shops, as we apprehend, may well accommodate eight men, including the master.]
[Resolved, That the instructions to be given to the officers of the regiments, be sent to the council of war, and if approved, be forwarded : they are as follow :]
[ Instructions for the officers of the several regiments of the Massa- chusetts Bay forces, who are immediately to go upon the recruiting service.]
[You are not to enlist any deserter from the ministerial army, nor any stroller, negro, or vagabond, or person suspected of being an ene- my to the liberty of America, nor any under eighteen years of age.]
[As the cause is the best that can engage men of courage and prin- ciple to take up arms, so it is expected that none but such will be ac- cepted by the recruiting officer ; the pay, provision, &c., being so am- ple, it is not doubted but the officers sent upon this service, will, with- out delay, complete their respective corps, and march the men forth- with to camp.]
593
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1775.]
[You are not to enlist any person who is not an American-born, unless such person has a wife and family, and is a settled resident ill this country.]
['The persons you enlist, must be provided with good and complete arıns.]
One small arm was received of Mr. Samuel Haynes, of Sudbury, for the use of this colony, amounting, by appraisement, to thirty shillings, for which a receipt was given him by the clerk.
Whereas, considerable uneasiness has arisen in some part of the army, from some of the soldiers enlisting a second time into other companies than those which they first enlisted into, and if not prevent- ed will be attended with great inconvenience, therefore, Resolved, that it be recommended to the honorable Provincial Congress, to pass such an order as may cause those soldiers who have conducted as above, to return to their respective companies into which they were first enlist- ed, or otherwise order, as to them in their wisdom shall seem meet.
Whereas, it is necessary [that] the house of Mr. John Vassal, order- ed by Congress for the residence of his excellency General Washing- ton, should be immediately put in such condition as may make it con- venient for that purpose, therefore, Resolved, that Mr. Timothy Aus- tin be, and hereby is empowered and authorized, to put said house in proper order for the purposes above mentioned, and that he procure such assistance and furniture as may be necessary to put said house in proper condition for the reception of his excellency and his attend- ants.
(NOTE.)-The following letter was sent to the towns required to furnish clothing by the committee of supplies.
" WATERTOWN, JULY 10, 1775."
" GENTLEMEN :- In obedience to the order of Congress, we havo proportioned thirteen thousand coats on all the towns and districts in this colony, excepting Boston and Charlestown ; and have in- closed you the proportion, with their resolves, and a sample as a direction to you both as to the col- or and quality of the cloth which shall he manufactured by you, and of the quality of tho imported cloths of which tho coats shall ho mado ; we are to assure you, that the coats you supply shall be delivered to the men of your town so far as circumstances will admit
" We are, gentlemen, respectfully, your most humhle servants,
DAVID CHIEEVER, Chairman.
P. S. A large number of shirts, stockings, and summer breeches aro wanted immediately for the use of the army, you aro therefore, earnestly requested, as you value the lives and health of your countrymen, to furnish this committeo as soon as possible, with a large number of the said articles, not less than two shirts, two pair of stockings, and two pair of summer breeches to each coat, ap- portioned as the sharo of your town, and send them, as soon as procured, to Mr. William IIunt, at Watertown. We shall be ready to order payment for tho same as soon as received, according to the prices which you shall certify, relying on your judgment to prevent impositions upon the soldiers.
75
594
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[July 11,
JULY 11, 1775.
The commission from the honorable Congress to this committee, was this day received from said Congress.
His excellency General Washington liaving signified to this commit- tee, that they send Monsieur Viart to the town of Worcester ; Resolv- cd, that a post immediately proceed with said Viart, to Worcester, and that Mr. Devens provide a horse for that purpose.
'I'wo small arms were delivered Col. Mansfield, for the use of his regiment, amounting to five pounds eight shillings four pence, for which a receipt was taken in the minute book.
Resolved, That the committee of correspondence in the town of Worcester, be hereby required and directed to take into their custody, Monsieur Viart, a Frenchman; that they suffer him, on his parole, to have the liberty to walk for his health to a convenient distance about the town, but to guard against his escape, till they shall receive fur- ther orders on this subject, either from the general or this committee.
The following order was issued.
CAMBRIDGE, JULY 11, 1775.
To the Taverners and Innholders on the road between Cambridge and Worcester.
You are hereby required to supply with necessary provisions, Mr. -, and a Frenchman with him, (he being on public service,) and charge the same to this colony.
The honorable the Congress of this colony, having passed a resolve that this committee be appointed to draw up and transmit to Great Britain, a fair and impartial account of the late battle of Charlestown, as soon as possible ; and this committee being exceedingly crowded with business, therefore, Resolved, that the Rev. Doct. Cooper, Rev. Mr. Gordon and the Rev. Mr. Peter Thatcher, be desired to draw up a true statement of said action, as soon as may be, and lay it before this committee.
The committee of safety of Marblehead, were advised by this com- mittee, that five ships sailed this day from Boston, their destination unknown.
The taverners and innholders on the road to Marblehead, were re- quired to supply Mr. Thomas Williams, an express in the colony ser- vice, with necessary provisions, and to transmit an account of the charge thereof, to this committee.
1
595
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1775.]
Whereas, a number of horses have been taken from the enemy by our soldiers, and a difficulty arises whose property the horses in justice ought to be : therefore, Resolved, that it be, and it is hereby recom- mended, to the honorable Congress, to take such order respecting the same, as to them, in their wisdom, shall seem meet.
[Whereas, his excellency General Washington, by his secretary Mr. Reed, has sent to this committee fifteen persons, taken at Long Island, this committee apprehending, that by their commission, they have no power to dispose of said persons: therefore, Resolved, that the above fifteen persons be immediately sent to the honorable the Congress, at Watertown, and that Mr. Richard Devens and Col. Orne, be a committee to go to the Congress with this resolve.]
JULY 12, 1775.
[Whereas, frequent complaints have been made to this committee, that many of the arms returned from the armorers have not been suffi- ciently repaired, which error may have arisen from ignorant or careless persons being employed as armorers, or for want of a master work- man or superintendent in each shop, therefore, Resolved, that Benja- min Guillam, an armorer in the shop belonging to Gideon Frost, be, and he hereby is directed, to work as a master armorer in said shop, and to superintend the other armorers in that shop, whose duty it shall be to receive into said shop such arms as may, at any time, be sent there, by any of the colonels in that part of the American army be- longing to this colony, in order to be repaired ; to see that such arms are properly repaired ; to deliver the same, when so repaired, to the persons from whom they were received; to see that no persons em- ployed in said shop, as armorers, are either ignorant of said business, or careless, or idle ; and if any such should be employed in the shop, said Guillam shall, without delay, inform this committee thereof; and that he suffer no more than eight armorers, including himself, to be employed at any one time, in said shop.]
JULY 13, 1775.
[Mr. Benjamin Guillam, an armorer, had an order on the committee of supplies for two hundred pounds of iron, and what files and old brass he has occasion for, for himself and others that work in his shop.]
[Mr. Monroe recommended Seth Johnston, of Old Rutland, and Enoch Putnam, of Granby, as proper persons for armorers.]
{Thomas Organ was this day commissioned to take the care of the
596
1
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
[July 14,
colony horses, and from time to time to attend to such orders as lie shall receive from this committee.]
[His excellency General Washington having this day ordered, to the direction of this committee, ten prisoners taken some time past, at Ma- chias, on board an armed cutter, the committee, apprehending from their commission of the Sth instant, that they are altogether restricted from acting as a committee but only in the recess of Congress, except in conformity to certain special resolves of Congress, or for making provision for the poor of Boston and Charlestown, and guarding against the small pox; as mentioned in said commission, have Re- solved, that the said prisoners be sent to Congress for their orders, and that Doct. Church be directed to attend Congress with this resolve.]
[Whereas, Lieut. Ely Stiles has represented to this committee, that he has been at considerable expense in conducting the prisoners from Machias to head quarters, and desires to be repaid, but this matter not being within the powers with which this committee is vested, they beg leave to recommend the consideration of this case to the honor- able Congress.]
[Whereas, some evil minded persons, taking advantage of the con- fusion occasioned by the battles of Lexington and Charlestown, have plundered and carried off, into several parts of this and the neighbor- ing colonies, sundry goods and household furniture belonging to some of the unhappy sufferers of Boston and Charlestown : therefore, Rc- solved, that it be recommended to the honorable Congress, that the several selectmen and committees of correspondence in tlie several towns and districts within this colony, be directed and ordered, and also the town officers in the neighboring colonies be, and they hereby are severally and earnestly requested, to inspect their several towns and districts, and if they observe any such goods or household furni- ture, such officers are directed or desired to send all such effects to the office of Mr. Joseph Pierce Palmer, quarter master general, in Cambridge, for the benefit of the true and rightful proprietors, or that the Congress may take such other measures as in their wisdom may seem meet.]
JULY 14, 1775.
[Whereas, Mr. Seth Brown, who lately had the care of the artillery horses, at Cambridge, resigned that employment : upon which this committee recommended to the committee of supplies to appoint Mr. Thomas Organ to the care of said horses, instead of said Brown, but said committee of supplies having signified to this committee that such appointment was not within their commission, but was, as they appre-
597
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1775.]
hended, within ours, and accordingly returned said recommendation, with their reply upon the back thereof: and whereas, the public safety requires that said horses should be taken proper care of, and always kept in readiness for use upon the shortest notice, therefore, Resolved, that although said appointment is not within, but contrary to the com- mission of this committee, yet apprehending that it is absolutely ne- cessary for the public service, that an hostler should be appointed for that employment, and no other mode of appointment appearing, in this time of the recess of Congress, this committee do, for the rea- sons assigned, appoint said Organ to the care of said horses, for the purpose aforesaid, until further orders.]
JULY 15, 1775.
[Ordered, That Mr. Sanger put as much hay into the general's barns, in this town, as they will receive, any order to the contrary not- withstanding.]
[Complaint having been made to this committee by the honorable General Ward, and other officers in the army, that several men are dangerously sick, and their lives would be greatly hazarded, except immediate application of medicine be made to them, and that the sur- geons of some of the regiments had applied, but could not obtain any ; a sub-committee was therefore chosen to visit the hospital, and to see the surgeons, and, upon inquiry, found that there were no such medi- cines as are immediately wanted: therefore, Resolved, that as the lives of some part of the army are in great danger, for want of medi- cines, notwithstanding the commission of the committee of safety does not admit of direction in this matter, that Mr. Commissary Craigie be desired to procure, at the expense of the colony, such inedicines as may be immediately and absolutely necessary; in consequence of which, the following order was given Mr. Commissary Craigie :
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