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 72
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Voted. To choose a standing committee for the county, to correspond with tho committees of correspondence for the several counties, and elsewhere, as they shall think proper ; also, to prepare matter to lay before this body at their several meetings; to give the earliest intelligence to the several com- mittees of any new attack upon the liberties of the people, and call a county congressional convention at any time, as occasion inay require.
Voted, That the committees of correspondence for tho towns of Worces- ter and Leicester, be a committee for the above purpose, and that Messrs. Thomas Denny, Joseplı Henshaw, and Joshua Bigelow, bo added to the committee.
As the several regiments in this county are large and inconvenient, by the increase of its inliabitants since the first settlement of said regiments, there- fore, Voted, that the county be divided into seven distinct regiments, in the following manner, to wit :
First-Worcester, Leicester, Holden, Spencer, Paxton.
Second-Sutton, Oxford, Sturbridge, Charlton, Dudley.
Third-Laneaster, Bolton, Harvard, Lunenburg, Leominster, Fitchburg, Ashburnham, Westminster.
Fourth-Brookfield, Western, Braintree, Hardwick, Oakham.
Fifth-Rutland, Hutchinson, Petersham, Athol, Templeton, Winchendon, Royalston, Hubardston, Princeton.
Sixth-Southborough, Westborough, Northboroughi, Shrewsbury, Grafton. Seventh-Mendon, Uxbridge, Northbridge, Upton, Douglas.
Voted, That it be recommended to the several towns in this county, to choose proper military officers, and a sufficient number for each town, and that the captains, lieutenants, and ensigns, who are eliosen by the people in each regiment, do convene, on or before the tenth day of October next, at some convenient place in each regiment, and choose their field officers to command the militia until they be constitutionally appointed, and that it be recommended to the officers in each town of tho county, to enlist one third of the men of their respective towns, between sixteen and sixty years of age, to bo ready to act at a minute's warning ; and that it be recommended to each town in the county, to choose a sufficient number of men as a committee to supply and support those troops that shall move on any omergeney.
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WORCESTER CONVENTION.
Voted, That it be recommended to the company officers of the minute men, to meet at Worcester, on the 17th of October next, at ten o'clock of the forenoon, to proportion their own regiments, and choose as many field officers as they shall think necessary.
Voted, That it be recommended to the justices of the county, that they liberate any persons confined in jail for debt, who are entitled to such liber- ation by the laws of the province.
Voted, That Capt. Joseph Henshaw, Colonel Thomas Denny, and Capt. Willard Moore, be a committee to present the following remonstrance, in behalf of this convention, to his Excellency General Gage.
To his Excellency Thomas Gage, Esq., &c. &c.
The people of the county of Worcester, being earnestly solicitous for the peace and welfare of the province in general, cannot view the measures now pursuing by your excellency, but with increasing jealousy, as they appre- hend there has not existed, and does not at present exist, any just occasion for the formidable hostile preparations making on the neck leading to our distressed capital.
It is a matter of such notoriety, that your excellency must be sensible, there was not the least opposition made to obstruct the introduction of the king's troops at their first landing, nor have the people, since that time, dis- covered any intention to disturb them, till your excellency was pleased to order the seizure of the powder in the arsenal at Charlestown, in a private manner, which occasioned the report that a skirmish had happened between a party of the king's troops and the people at Cambridge, in which several of the latter fell. This caused the people to form and march from divers parts of the country ; but no sooner had the report proved false, than they returned peaceably to their homes.
The inhabitants of the province in general, and of the town of Boston, have never given cause for those cruel and arbitrary acts, for blockading their har- bor and subverting the charter by altering the civil government of the prov- ince, which, however, this people are determined, by the divine favor, never to submit to, but with their lives, notwithstanding they are aggrieved at the king's displeasure against them, through the instigation of traitorous and de- signing men.
This county finds it difficult to comprehend the motives for the present hostile parade, unless it be in consequence of some preconcerted plan to subject the already distressed town of Boston to mean compliances or mili- tary contributions. They are equally at a loss to account for your excellen- cy's conduct towards the county of Suffolk, as in your answer to their ad- dress, remonstrating against fortifying the only avenue to the town, which, by that means, may, in some future time, be improved to cut off the commu- nication between town and country, and thereby reduce the miserable in- habitants to the greatest straits ; your excellency is pleased in answer to ob- serve, that you had not made it easier to effect this, than what nature has
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made it ; if so, the county cannot conceive, why this expense and damage of the town to no purpose ; your excelleney is likewise pleased to take no- tice of the general good behavior of the soldiers, but at the same time pass over that part complaining of the detention of private property, and pro- cecd to answer by way of querc, to which you would not perinit a reply. This county are constrained to observe, they apprehend the people justifia- ble in providing for their own defence, while they understood there was no passing the ncek without examination, the cannon at the north battery spiked up, and many places searelied, where arms and ammunition were suspected to be, and if found, seized ; yet, as the people have never acted of- fensively, nor discovered any disposition so to do, till as above related, the county apprehends this can never justify the seizure of private property.
It is with great anxiety this county observes the wanton exercise of pow- er in the officers of the customs at Salem, and on board the king's ships, re- specting the article of fuel, destined for the use of the inhabitants of Boston, who are obliged to have it with the additional charge of landing and relad- ing at Salem, before it can proceed ; when your excellency must be sensible, the act, which is the professed rule of conduct, expressly excepts fuel and victuals, which may be brought to Boston by taking on board one or more officers, without the aforesaid charge, while that destined for the troops pro- ceeds dircet, free from the same. There are many other things which bear cx- tremely hard on the inhabitants, while they are prohibited from transport- ing the smallest articles from one part of the town to another, water-borne, without danger of a seizure, or to get hay, cattle, &c., from any of the islands, notwithstanding there is no other way of transportation.
Your excellency, we apprehend, must have been greatly misinformed of the character of this people, to suppose such severities tend either to a sub- mission to the acts, or reconciliation with the troops; and the county are sorry to find the execution of the aets attempted with an higher hand than was intended, unless the acts themselves should be thought too Icnient.
Bringing into the town a number of cannon from Castle-William ; sending for a further reinforcement of troops, with other concurring circumstances, strongly indicating some dangerous design ; have justly excited in the minds of the people, apprehensions of the most alarming nature, and the authors must be held accountable for all the blood and carnage made in conse- quenec thercof. Therefore, this county, in duty to God, their country, themselves, and posterity, do remonstrate to, and carnestly desire your ex- celleney, as you regard the service of the king, and the peace and welfare of the province, to desist from any further hostile preparations, and give the people assurance thercof, by levelling the entrenchments and dismantling the fortifications, which will have a tendency to satisfy their doubts, and re- store that confidence so essential to their quiet, and his majesty's service.
By order of the convention of committees for the county of Worcester.
JOSEPH HENSHAW, Chairman.
Attest, WILLIAM HENSHAW, Clerk.
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Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to the first Tuesday of December next, at 10 o'clock, of the forenoon, to meet at the court house in Worcester.
DECEMBER 6, 1774.
The convention of committees met according to adjournment, and after prayer by the Rev. Mr. Maccarty, proceeded to business.
The committee appointed to present the remonstrance to General Gage, reported, that they offered the same to Mr. Secretary Flueker, who kept the address some days, and returned it to them, with the following answer:
Boston, Oct. 6, 1774.
GENTLEMEN :- His excellency the governor is ever ready to receive any address of his majesty's subjects, properly laid before him; but that from the county of Worcester, which you were appointed to present, not being directed to him as governor of the province, and there being an article in it injurious to his majesty, the governor declines receiving it at present, as he wishes to have an alteration in those two points before it is presented.
I am, Gentlemen, your humble servant, THOMAS FLUCKER.
To Messrs. Thomas Denny, Joseph Henshaw, Willard Moore.
The committee being afterwards informed, that if the address were direct- ed to Gencral Gage, with his official titles, it would be received, they waitcd on the governor, on Friday, October 14th, and presented the address, en- titled as follows :
" To his Excellency Thomas Gage, Esq., Governor of his Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, and Commander in Chief of the King's forces in North America."
The governor returned the following answer to the same :
GENTLEMEN :- I have repeatedly given the strongest assurances, that I intended nothing hostile against the town or country, and therefore, desire you to ease the minds of the people against any reports that may have been industriously spread amongst them to the contrary ; my wish is to preserve peace and tranquillity.
With respect to the execution of the port-bill, it is a matter belonging to other departments ; and if any thing is done not warranted by said act, the law is open for redress.
THOMAS GAGE.
Voted, To request the Provincial Congress to establish the Norfolk exer- cise, with such alterations as they shall think proper, instead of the exercise of 1764.
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Voted, To recommend the raising an artillery company in this county, to exercise and manage the field pieces, and that the persons chosen for that purpose in each town, mect at Worcester, on the 17th of January next, at eleven o'clock, A. M., to form themselves into a company, and to choose officers.
Voted, That Timothy Bigclow, Mr. Bancroft, William Henshaw, Mr. Saw- yer, and Mr. Jonathan Stone, be a committee to draft a petition and remon- strance to the Provincial Congress, against the sixty-four exercise, and put the votes of this convention in order.
Voted, That William Henshaw, Capt. Timothy Bigclow, and Col. Joseph Henshaw, be a committee to present the petition and remonstrance to the Provincial Congress.
Voted, To recommend to the several towns in this county, to give it in charge to their constables and collcetors, on their peril, not to pay any public moneys to Harrison Gray, Esq., late treasurer of this province, and to indemnify them for paying it where the towns shall order them to pay.
Voted, That the inhabitants of each town in this county, order their asses- sors not to return any certificates of the lists of assessments made by them, to Harrison Gray, Esq., late treasurer of the province, and that they indem- nify them therefor.
Whereas, we arc informed there is a covenant circulating through this province, wherein the signers have combined against the liberties of the people, therefore, Voted, that William Henshaw, Capt. 'Timothy Bigelow, and Col. Joseph Henshaw, be a committee humbly to request the advice of the Provincial Congress, what measures this county shall take in that af- fair.1
Voted, To choose a committee of nine persons, any two of whom to go to the field officers of the county of Worcester, to know the reason why they have not resigned their commissions to the governor, and published such resignation in the Boston newspapers, agreeably to a vote of this convention at a former meeting, and demand a categorical answer, whether they will comply or not with said requisition, and make report to this body at their next meeting.
Capt. Gates, Capt. Timothy Bigelow, Mr. Joshua Bigelow, Major Willard Moore, Col. Sawyer, Mr. Dodge, Capt. Joseph Gilbert, and Mr. Hezekiah Ward, were chosen a committee for the above purpose.
Voted, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of each town in this county, to choose committees of inspection to carry into effect the resolves and proceedings of the Continental Congress.
Voted, That we will encourage a printing office to be set up in this coun- ty, and recommend to every town hercin, to give all proper encouragement to such undertaking.
Voted, That Capt. Timothy Bigclow, Mr. Joshua Bigelow, and William
(1) This vote relates to the royalist covenant, drawn by Gen. Ruggles, inserted in the note to the journal of the Provincial Congress, ante pugo 68.
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Henshaw, be a committee to consult with Mr. Isaiah Thomas, and endeavor to procure a printing office to be set up.
Voted, That the convention be adjourned, to meet on the 26th of January next, at ten o'clock, A. M., at Worcester, at the court house.
JANUARY 26, 1774.
The convention met at the court house in Worcester.
In the absence of the chairman, Col. Artemas Ward was chosen chairman pro tempore.
Voted, That Col. William Henshaw, Col. Ward, Mr. David Bancroft, Capt. Timothy Bigelow, Doct. Dunsmore, Mr. Longley, Capt. Job Cushing, Capt. Page, and Col. Sparhawk, be a committee to take into consideration a plan for this county to adopt respecting the non-consumption covenants of the Continental and Provincial Congress, and to report thereon.
Voted, That it be recommended to tlie selectmen in each town and dis- trict in the county, to insert in the warrants for the next March meetings, an article to choose a county treasurer agreeably to law.
Voted, To adjourn till to-morrow morning, at nine o'clock, A. M.
JANUARY 27, 1774.
The convention met according to adjournment.
The committee chosen yesterday, being ready to report,
Voted, That the convention sit with closed doors, during the disputes on the covenants.
The committee on the covenant reported as follows :
Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of this county that have not signed this or a similar covenant, that they do it as soon as may be with convenience. The covenant is as follows :
We, the subscribers, having seen the association and covenant drawn up by the grand Continental Congress, respecting the non-importation, non- consumption, and non-exportation of goods, signed by our delegates, and also the delegates of the other colonies on the continent, and also the addi- tion thereto, made by the delegates in Provincial Congress, dated Cambridge, December 5, 1774, for carrying into execution the said association, and hav- ing attentively considered, do heartily approve of said association, and the addition, and of every part thereof; and in order to make the same associa- tion our own personal act, we do, by these presents, associate under the sa- cred ties of virtue, honor, and love of our country, strictly to observe and keep all and every article and clause in said association, and addition con- tained with respect to the importation, exportation, and consumption, ac- cording to the true intent, meaning, and letter thereof, and will duly inform, and give notice of every evasion or contravention of said agreement, so far as we are able. All and every of which clauses aforesaid, to remain firm
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and in force until overruled by a continental and provincial body duly as- sembled.
The above was accepted by the convention, and signed by the members thercof.
Voted, That Col. Ward, Capt. Newhall, and Col. Holman, be a cominittee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Fish, and desire him to preach a sermon before the convention, at the next meeting, and in case of failure, to wait upon the Rev. Mr. Paine, for that purpose.
Voted, That Mr. Chairman, Mr. Bancroft, and Mr. Stonc, be a committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Maccarty, and obtain Icave to use his pulpit, and to make provision for the reverend clergy who may attend.
Voted, That Col. Ward, Capt. Bigclow, Capt. Willard, Capt. Fay, and Capt. Newhall, be a committee to take into consideration the misbehavior of innholders, retailers, and persons selling liquors without a license.
Voted, 'To adjourn to three o'clock, P. M.
Afternoon.
The convention met according to adjournment.
Voted, That Col. Ward, Doct. Dunsinore, Capt. Bigclow, William Hen- shaw, Capt. Willard, Capt. Fay, and Capt. Newhall, be a committee to take into consideration, the conduct of certain persons inimical to their country.
Their report thereon was made, accepted, and is as follows :
Whereas, the convention of committees for the county of Worcester, did, on the 31st of August, 1774, resolve; that it be recommended to such inn- holders and retailers in said county, who may be approbated by the sclect- men in their respective towns, to continue and exercise their respective functions, provided they strictly adhiere to the laws of this province, respect- ing innholders and retailers, and it was the sense of the convention, that no person or persons, ought to sell spirituous liquors in said county, but such as are, or shall be approbated by the selectmen of thicir respective towns or districts : and as complaint has been made to the convention now sitting, that a number of persons in this county do practise the selling strong liquors without the approbation as aforcsaid, which is not only counteracting a re- solve of said convention, but is against the law of the province, is of dan- gerous consequence, and has a tendency to corrupt the morals of the people : for preventing the same, and promoting peace and good order, it is Resolv- ed, that it be recommended to the committees of correspondence, inspection, and selectmen in every town and district in this county, carefully to inquire into such illegal practices, and disorders, and not only discountenance, but discourage and put a final stop to such breaches of good order; but, provid- ed any person will not be reclaimed, he or they ought to be held up to the public view, and treated not only with neglect, but contempt, as enemics of the public as well as of private good, until they reform.
.
And, whereas, Isaac Jones of Weston, in the county of Middlesex, inn- holder and trader, has, by his conduct of Jate years, in various instances,
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manifested a disposition inimical to the rights and privileges of his country- men : therefore,
Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to all the inhabitants of this county, not to have any commercial connections with said Isaac Jones, but to shun liis house and person, and treat him with that contempt he deserves : and should any persons in this county be so lost to a sense of their duty, after this recommendation, as to have any commercial connections or deal- ings with said Jones, we do advise the inhabitants of this county to treat such persons with the utmost neglect.
Voted, That Mr. Willard Moore, Mr. Nathaniel Longley, and Capt. Wil- liam Page, be a committee to take under consideration a motion made re- specting Messrs. Mills and Hicks, and Draper's newspapers, who made re- port, which was accepted, as follows : .
Whereas, the enemies of these united colonies are indefatigable in their endeavors to create divisions among the inhabitants, and as there are seve- ral printers on the continent, viz .: Rivington and Gaines of New York, Draper, Mills and Hicks of Boston, that incessantly assist them in their en- deavors, by publishing their scandalous performances in their several news- papers : therefore,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the good people of this county, not to take any more of the aforesaid papers, but that they encourage those printers who have invariably appeared friendly to the country.
Voted, That Col. Ward, Capt. Newhall, Capt. Page, Capt. Bigelow, and Major Moore, be a committee to take the affairs of trade into consideration, and to remonstrate against riots and routs.
The report of this committee was accepted, and is as follows :
Resolved, That it be strongly recommended by this body to the commit- tees of inspection in the several towns in this county, that they be very as- siduous in tlie discharge of the trust reposed in them, with respect to trade; to see that all traders keep strictly to the rules laid down by the Continen- tal and Provincial Congress : and also, that they make strict inquiry of eve- ry person that purchases goods abroad, who they trade with, and when the goods were imported ; and that it be also recommended to the inhabitants of this county, whenever they purchase goods as abovesaid, that they be very careful not to break covenant : and that they take bills of parcels of every article, and lay the same before the committee for their inspection, that no person may be imposed upon by those villains that are inimical to the cause of liberty.
Whereas, we are fully sensible that our enemies are assiduously endeav- oring to provoke us to acts of violence, not only with those whom we esteem inimical to our liberties, who are natives of this province, but also with General Gage, and the king's troops; endeavoring thereby, as we ap- prehend, to exceed the bounds of our patience, that they may have a pre- tence to represent us as the aggressors : therefore,
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Resolved, That we are diposed to conduct ourselves in a friendly manner towards his majesty's troops, agreeably to the recommendation of the Con- tinental Congress, so long as they behave peaceably towards us.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of this county, to be very careful in discountenancing and suppressing all aets of violence, ex- cept so much as is necessary to carry the resolves of the Continental and Provincial Congress into execution ; and being fully convinced of the jus- tice of our cause, we are determined firmly and religiously to support and maintain our rights, even to the loss of our lives and fortunes, before we will dastardly and impiously give up and submit to an arbitrary power.
Voted, That the standing committee fit and prepare the votes and re- solves of the convention for the press, and get such a number of hand- bills, containing the same, struck off as they shall think proper, for circula- tion.
Voted, To adjourn to the twenty-eighth day of March next, to meet at 10 o'clock, A. M. at the court house in Worcester.
MARCHI 28, 1775.
The convention met according to adjournment.
Voted, That the Rev. Mr. Chaplain be requested to open this convention with prayer.
Voted, That the convention do now proceed to the meeting house, to at- tend the sermon by the Rev. Elisha Fish, and the other exercises.
The convention being again met in the afternoon :
Voted, That the thanks of the convention be presented to the Rev. Mr. Fish, for the discourse preached before them, and that the standing commit- tee wait upon him and request a copy thereof for the press.
Voted, That the standing committee print as many copies of said dis- course as they judge fit, for circulation.
MAY 31, 1775.
The convention met according to adjournment, at the court house, in Worcester.
Mr. William Young was elected chairman pro tempore, and Jeduthan Baldwin clerk pro tempore.
Voted, That the Rev. Mr. Chaplain be desired to open this convention with prayer.
Voted, To pass over counting the votes for county treasurer.
Voted, That Col. Hezekiah Ward, Mr. Padleford, and Mr. Joshua Bigelow, be a committee to draw up a remonstrance to the Provincial Congress, that no man be allowed to have a seat therein who does not vote away his own money for public purposes, in common with the other members, and with his constituents.
Resolved, That a committee be appointed, to take into consideration the subject of allowing those who are inimical to the country, to exercise the right of voting in town meetings.
Resolved, That the erecting of a paper mill in this county would be of great public advantage ; and if any person or persons will undertake the
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