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 80
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The committee has established on the lakes, in the pay of the Massachu- setts colony, four hundred effective men, with proper officers, which are all that the distressed state of the colony, at present, admit of: which regiment, from the peculiar embarrassments which that colony is now laboring under, must look for present supplies of provisions to the colony of New York.
While the committee was at the posts above mentioned, there was a dangerous mutiny set on foot by some persons, employed by Col. Arnold, an officer of our colony, who had their own interest more at heart than the public good, which, had it not been for the influence and well timed exer- tions of Judge Duer, a gentleman of the county of Charlotte, in your colo- ny, and the principal officers of the Connecticut forces, mnight have been at-
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TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
tended with fatal consequences. As the committee suppose the colony to be under great obligations to that worthy gentleman, they cannot but inform his own government of his zealous exertions for the public good.
We are, Gentlemen, with great respect,
Your obedient humble servants,
WALTER SPOONER, Chairman.
Hon. Provincial Congress of New York.
Provincial Congress of New York to the Committee of Safety.
IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, NEW YORK, JUNE 7, 1775.
GENTLEMEN :- The multiplicity of business brought before us by the Continental Congress, and a short adjournment of our body, from Saturday till Tuesday morning, have rendered it impossible for us to give a more early attention to your favor.
We have little to say upon the principal subject of your letter, as we conceive that the Provincial Congresses of both colonies are concluded from any discretionary provision relative to the ordnance and other stores taken at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, of which you must be fully con- vinced by the acts of the Continental Congress on that subject, copies of which are enclosed.
We are fully apprised of the dangerous consequences, that would await this capital of our colony, either from supineness, or a confidence in the honor of those, who being the avowed instruments of ministerial vengeance, we cannot expect will hold any faith with us. Whatever articles we are now possessed of, that may be used to the injury of this city in particular, or of the continent in general, we shall be studious to prevent, if possible, from falling into the hands of our enemies. In sympathizing with you for the unhappy town of Boston, we shall do every thing in our power to pre- vent this city from being reduced to the same deplorable situation, and shall watchfully attend to every means of defence which our present or future circumstances may enable us to improve.
We are, Gentlemen and Brethren,
With great respect and sincere affection, Your most obedient humble servants,
P. V. B. LIVINGSTON, President.
To Joseph Warren, Esq., and the
Committee of Safety for the colony of Massachusetts Bay, Watertown.
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TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
Resolves of the Continental Congress.
MAY 30, 1775.
A letter from Col. Arnold, dated Crown Point, May 23, 1775, was laid be- fore the Congress, informning that he had certain intelligence, that "on the 19thi there were then four hundred regulars at St. John's, making all possi- ble preparation to cross the lake, and expected to be joined by a number of Indians, with a design of retaking Crown Point and Ticonderoga," and earnestly calling for a reenforcement and supplies. This letter being taken into consideration,
Resolved, That the governor of Connecticut be requested immediately to send a strong reenforcement to the garrisons of Crown Point and Ticonde- roga, and that so many of the caunon and other stores be retained, as may be necessary for the immediate defence of those posts, until further order from this Congress, and that the provincial convention of New York be in- formed of this resolve, and desired to furnish those troops with provisions and other necessary stores, and to take effectual care that a sufficient num- ber of batteaux be immediately provided for the lakes.
Ordered, That the above resolve be immediately transmitted in a letter by the president, to Gov. Trumbull, and the convention at New York.
Ordered, That the president in his letter acquaint Gov. Trumbull, that it is the desire of Congress, that he should appoint a person, in whom he can confide, to command the forces at Crown Point and Ticonderoga.
JUNE 1, 1775.
Upon motion, Resolved, That it be recommended to the government of Connecticut, or the general of the forces of that colony, to appoint commis- saries to receive at Albany and forward the supplies of provisions, for the forces on Lake Champlain, from the provincial convention of New York, and that the said convention use their utmost endeavors in facilitating and aiding the transportation thereof, from thence to where the said commissa- ries may direct.
JUNE 8, 1775.
The Congress being informed that a Major Skene, with some other offi- cers, who arrived last evening, in a vessel from London, were, with their papers, in the custody of the troops of this city; that the said Skene had lately been appointed governor of the forts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point ; that one of the officers with him is a lieutenant in the regulars, now in the province of Quebec; and moreover, that the said Skene had declared that he has authority to raise a regiment in America; from all this, appre- hending that the said Skene is a dangerous partizan of administration, and that his papers may contain intelligence of ministerial designs against America, very important to be known,
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to examine the papers of the said Skene aud lieutenant, in their presence.
That the committee consist of Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Deane, and Mr. Mifflin.
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TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
That the said committee be upon honor to conceal whatever, of a private nature, may come to their knowledge by such examination ; and that they communicate, to this Congress, what they shall discover relative to the pres- ent dispute, between Great Britain and America.
JUNE 10, 1775.
The committee for examining Gov. Skene's letters, &c., having communi- cated to Congress what they found relative to the dispute between Great Britain and these colonies :
Upon motion, Resolved, That Gov. Philip Skene, Lieutenant Moncrief, and Mr. Lundy, be released from their present confinement, and permitted to go at large any where within eight miles of the city, between Delaware and Schuylkill, on their parole of honor, not to pass those limits, and that they will hold no correspondence with any person whatsoever, on any polit- ical subject.
JUNE 19, 1775.
The president laid before the Congress, sundry letters he had received from Massachusetts Bay and New York, which were read.
The letters from Massachusetts Bay being taken into consideration, the Congress came to the following resolve :
That the governor of Connecticut be requested to direct all the forces raised in that colony, not employed at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, or re- commended by this Congress to be marched towards New York, to be im- mediately sent to join the combined army before Boston. And it is earn- estly recommended to the colony of Rhode Island, and to the provincial convention of New Hampshire, to send immediately to the army before Bos- ton, such of the forces as are already embodied, towards their quotas of the troops agreed to be raised by the New England colonies.
JUNE 22, 1775.
A letter from Crown Point, dated June 10, was laid before the Congress and read. Information being given, that two officers who brought the let- ter were at the door, and had some things of importance to communicate,
Ordered, That they be introduced, and they were introduced. After they withdrew, the Congress came to the following resolutions :
Resolved, That it be recommended to the officer commanding in the New York department, to procure, as soon as possible, a list of the men employ- ed in taking and garrisoning Crown Point and Ticonderoga, and keeping possession of the lakes, and also of their disbursements, in order that they may be paid.
Resolved, That their pay be the same as that of the officers and privates in the American army; the highest of the officers not to exceed that of a captain, and that the pay commence the third day of May last, and continue till they are discharged.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the convention of New York, that they, consulting with General Schuyler, employ in the army to be raised for the defence of America, those called Green Mountain Boys, under such offi- ' cers as the said Green Mountain Boys shall choose.
EXTRACTS
FROM THE
JOURNALS OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
RELATING TO MASSACHUSETTS:
SEPT. 14, 1774.
THE delegates from the province of Massachusetts Bay, agreeable to a re- quest from the joint committees of every town and district in the county of Middlesex, in the said province, communicated to the Congress the proceed- ings of those committees at Concord, on the 30th and 31st days of August last, which were read.
SEPT. 17, 1774.
The resolutions entered into by the delegates from the several towns and districts in the county of Suffolk, in the province of the Massachusetts Bay, on Tuesday, the 6th of September, and their address to his excellency gov- ernor Gage, dated the 9th, were laid before the Congress.
The Congress taking the resolutions into consideration,
Resolved, unanimously, That this assembly deeply feels the suffering of their countrymen in the Massachusetts Bay, under the operation of the late unjust, cruel, and oppressive acts of the British parliament-that they most thoroughly approve the wisdom and fortitude, with which opposition to these wicked ministerial measures has hitherto been conducted, and they earnestly recommend to their brethren, a perseverance in the same firm and temperate conduct, as expressed in the resolutions determined upon at a meeting of the delegates for the county of Suffolk, on Tuesday, the 6th in- stant, trusting that the effect of the united efforts of North America in their behalf, will carry such conviction to the British nation, of the unwise, un- just, and ruinous policy of the present administration, as quickly to intro- duce better men and wiser measures.
NOTE .- Several resolutions of the Continental Congress, closely connected with the proceedings of the Provincial Congress, or its committees, have been inserted in their appropriate places : May 17, 1775, relating to exportations to the British dominions, ante page 313 : May 29, 1775, respecting exportations to the island of Nantucket, page 313; June 9, 1775, for furnishing flour ; and June 10, 1775, for encouraging the manufacture of gunpowder, page 354 ; June 9, 1775, for assuming govern- ment, page 359; May 18, 1775, relating to the stores at Ticonderoga, page 706; and other resolves relating to Ticonderoga and Crown Point, pages 724-5-6.
728 JOURNAL OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
Resolved, unanimously, That contributions from all the colonies for supply- ing the necessities, and alleviating the distresses of our brethren at Boston, ought to be continued, in such manner, and so long as their occasions may require.
Ordered, That a copy of the above resolutions be transmitted to Boston by the president.
Ordered, That these resolutions, together with the resolutions of the coun- ty of Suffolk, he published in the newspapers.
OCTOBER 6, 1774.
The Congress resumed the consideration of the means proper to be used for a restoration of American rights. During this debate, an express from Boston arrived with a letter from the committee of correspondence, dated the 29th of September, which was laid before the Congress.
In this the committee of correspondence inform the Congress, that they "expected some regard would have been paid to the petitions presented to their governor, against fortifying their town in such a manner as can be ac- counted for only upon the supposition, that the town and country are to be treated by the soldiery as declared encmics-that the entrenchments upon the Neck are nearly completed-that cannon are mounted at the entrance of. the town-that it is currently reported, that fortifications are to be erected on Copp's hill, Beacon hill, Fort hill, &c., so that the fortifications, with the ships in the harbor may absolutely command every avenue to the town both by sea and land-that a number of cannon, the property of a private gentle- man, were a few days ago seized and taken from his wharf by order of the general-that from several circumstances mentioned in the letter, there is reason to apprehend, that Boston is to be made and kept a garrisoned town ; -that from all they can hear from Britain, administration is resolved to do all in their power to force them to a submission-that when the town is in- closed, it is apprehended the inhabitants will be held as hostages for the sub- mission of the country-they apply therefore to the Congress for advice how to act-that, if the Congress advise to quit the town, they obey-if it is judged tliat by maintaining their ground they can better serve the public cause, they will not shrink from hardship and danger-finally, that as the late acts of parliament have made it impossible that there should be a due administration of justice, and all law therefore must be suspended-that as the governor has by proclamation prevented the meeting of the general court, they therefore request the advice of the Congress."
OCTOBER 7, 1774.
The Congress resumed the consideration of the letter from the committee of correspondence in Boston, and after some debate-
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare a letter to his excel- lency Gencral Gage, representing " that the town of Boston and province of Massachusetts Bay, are considered by all America as suffering in the com-
JOURNAL OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 729
mon cause, for their noble and spirited opposition to oppressive acts of parlia- ment calculated to deprive us of our most sacred rights and privileges." 2d. Expressing our concern, that, while the Congress are deliberating on the inost peaccable means for restoring American liberty, and that harmony and in- tercourse, which subsisted between us and the parent kingdom so necessary to both, his excellency, as they are informed, is raising fortifications round the town of Boston, thereby exciting well grounded jealousies in the minds of his majesty's faithful subjects therein, that he ineans to cut off all commu- nication between them and their brethren in the country, and rednce them to a state of subinission to his will, and that the soldiers under his excellen- cy's command, are frequently violating private property, and offering various insults to the people, which must irritate their minds, and if not put a stop to, involve all America in the horrors of a civil war -To entreat his excellen- cy, from the assurance we have of the peaceable disposition of the inhabi- tants of the town of Boston and the province of the Massachusetts Bay, to discontinue his fortifications, and that a free and safe communication be re- stored and continued between the town of Boston and the country, and pre- vent all injuries on the part of the troops, until his majesty's pleasure shall be known, after the measures now adopting shall have been laid before him.
Mr. Lynch, Mr. S. Adams, and Mr. Pendleton, are appointed a committee to draught a letter agreeable to the foregoing resolution.
OCTOBER 8, 1774.
The Congress resumed the consideration of the letter from Boston, and upon motion,
Resolved, That this Congress approve the opposition of the inhabitants of the Massachusetts Bay, to the execution of the late acts of parliament ; and if the same shall be attempted to be carried into execution by force, in such case, all America ought to support them in their opposition.
OCTOBER 10, 1774.
The Congress resuming the consideration of the letter from Boston ;
Resolved unanimously, That it is the opinion of this body, that the removal of the people of Boston into the country, would be, not only extremely diffi- cult in the execution, but so important in its consequences, as to require the utmost deliberation before it is adopted ; but in case the provincial meeting of that colony should judge it absolutely necessary, it is the opinion of the Congress, that all America ought to contribute towards recompensing them for the injury they inay thereby sustain ; and it will be recommended ac- cordingly.
Resolved, That the Congress recommend to the inhabitants of the colony of Massachusetts Bay, to submit to a suspension of the administration of jus- tice, where it cannot be procured in a legal and peaceable manner, under
92
730
JOURNAL OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
the rules of their present charter, and the laws of the colony founded there- 011.
Resolved unanimously, That every person and persons whomsoever, who shall take, accept, or act under any commission or authority, in any-wise de- rived from the act passed in the last session of parliament, changing the forın of government, and violating the charter of the province of Massachu- setts Bay, ought to be held in detestation and abhorrence by all good men, and considered as the wicked tools of that despotism, which is preparing to destroy those rights, which God, nature, and compact, have given to America.
The committee brought in a draught of a letter to General Gage, and the same being read and amended, was ordered to be copied, and to be signed by the president in behalf of the Congress.
OCTOBER 11, 1774.
A copy of the letter to General Gage, was brought into Congress, and agreeable to order, signed by the president, and is as follows :
Philadelphia, October 10, 1774.
SIR :- The inhabitants of the town of Boston have informed us, the rep- resentatives of his majesty's faithful subjects in all the colonies from Nova Scotia to Georgia, that the fortifications erecting within that town, the fre- quent invasions of private property, and the repeated insults they receive from the soldiery, have given them great reason to suspect a plan is formed very destructive to them, and tending to overthrow the liberties of America.
Your excellency cannot be a stranger to the sentiments of America, with respect to the acts of parliament, under the execution of which, those un- happy people are oppresscd, the approbation universally expressed of their conduct, and the determined resolution of the colonies, for the preservation of their common rights, to unite in their opposition to those acts .- In conse- quence of these sentiments, they have appointed us the guardians of their rights and liberties, and we are under the deepest concern,' that whilst we are pursuing dutiful and peaceable measures to procure a cordial and effectu- al reconciliation between Great Britain and the colonies, your excellency should proceed in a manner that bears so hostile an appearance, and which even those oppressive acts do not warrant.
We entreat your excellency to consider what a tendency this conduct must have to irritate and force a free people, hitherto well disposed to peaceable measures, into hostilities, which may prevent the endeavors of this Congress to restore a good understanding with our parent state, and may involve us in the horrors of a civil war.
In order therefore to quiet the minds and remove the reasonable jeal- ousies of the people, that they may not be driven to a state of desperation, being fully persuaded of their pacific disposition towards the king's troops, could they be assured of their own safety, we hope, Sir, you will discontin- ue the fortifications in and about Boston, prevent any further invasions of
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JOURNAL OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
private property, restrain the irregularities of the soldiers, and give orders that the communication between the town and country may be open, unmo- Icsted and free.
Signed by order and in behalf of the General Congress,
PEYTON RANDOLPH, President.1
As the Congress have given General Gage an assurance of the peaceable disposition of the people of Boston and the Massachusetts Bay ;
Resolved unanimously, That they be advised still to conduct themselves peaceably towards his excellency General Gage, and his majesty's troops now stationed in the town of Boston, as far as can possibly be consistent with their immediate safety, and the security of the town; avoiding and discountenancing every violation of his majesty's property, or any insult to his troops, and that they peaceably and firmly persevere in the line they are now conducting themselves, on the defensive.
Ordered, That a copy of the foregoing resolve, and of that passed on Sat- urday, and the three passed yesterday, be made out, and that the president
(1) The following is the answer of General Gage to the letter of the Continental Congress.
BOSTON, OCTOBER 20, 1774.
To Peyton Randolph, Esq. :
SIR :- Representations should be made with candor, and matters stated exactly as they stand. People would be led to believe, from your letter to me of the 10th instant, that works were raised against the town of Boston, private property invadcd, the soldiers suffered to insult the inlabi- tants, and the communication between the town and country shut up and molested.
Nothing can be farther from the true situation of this place than tho above state. There is not a single gun pointed against the town, no man's property has been seized or hurt, except tho king's, by the people's destroying straw, bricks, &c., bought for his service. No troops have given less cause for complaint, and greater care was never taken to prevent it ; and such care and attention wero never more necessary from the insults and provocations daily given to both officers and sol- diers. The communication between the town and country has been always free and unmolested, and is so still.
Two works of earth have been raised, at some distance from the town, wide off the road, and guns put in them. The remainder of old works, going out of the town, have been strengthened, and guns placed thero likewiso. People will think differently, whether the hostile preparation throughout the country, and the menaces of blood and slaughter, made this necessary ; but I am to do my duty.
It gives me pleasure that you aro endeavoring at a cordial reconciliation with the mother country, which, from what bas transpired, I have despaired of. Nobody wishes better success to such, measures than myself. I have endeavored to be a mediator, if I could establish a foundation to work upon, and havo strongly urged it to people here to pay for the tea, and send a proper memori- al to the king, which would bo a good beginning on their side, and give their friends the opportuni- ty they seck to move in their support.
I do not believe that menaces, added to unfriendly proceedings, will have the effect which too many conceive. The spirit of the Britishi nation was higb when I left England, and such measures will not abate it. But I should hope that decency and moderation here would create the same disposi- tion at home ; and I ardently wish that the common enemies to both countries may see, to their disappointment, that these disputes between the mother country and the colonies have terminated like the quarrels of lovers, and Increased the affection whichi thoy ought to bear to each other.
I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
THOMAS GAGE.
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JOURNAL OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
inclose them in a letter to the committee of correspondence for the town of Boston, being the sentiments of the Congress on the matters referred to thiem by the committee, in their letter of the 29th of September last.
Resolved unanimously, That a memorial be prepared to the people of Brit- ish America, stating to them the necessity of a firm, united, and invariable observation of the measures recommended by the Congress, as they tender the invaluable rights and liberties derived to them from the laws and consti- tution of their country.
OCTOBER 14, 1774.
The Congress met according to adjournment, and resuming the consider- ation of the subject under debate, made the following declaration and re- solves :
Declaration of Rights.
Whereas, since the close of the last war, the British parliament, claiming a power, of right, to bind the people of America by statutes in all cases whatsoever, hath in some acts expressly imposed taxes on them, and in oth- ers, under various pretences, but in fact for the purpose of raising a revenue, hath imposed rates and duties payable in these colonies, established a board of commissioners, with unconstitutional powers, and extended the jurisdic- tion of courts of admiralty, not only for collecting the said duties, but for the trial of causes merely arising within the body of a county :
And whereas, in consequence of other statutes, judges, who before held only estates at will in their offices, have been made dependant on the crown alone for their salaries, and standing armies kept in times of peace: And whereas, it has lately been resolved in parliament, that by force of a statute, made in the thirty-fifth year of the reign of king Henry the eighth, colonists may be transported to England, and tried there upon accusations for trea- sons and misprisions, or concealments of treasons committed in the colo- nies, and by a late statute, such trials have been directed in cases therein mentioned :
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