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 82
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
Ordered, That he be introduced.
After he withdrew, an express arriving with despatches from Massachu- setts Bay, the president laid before the Congress letters from the conven- tions of that colony, and New Hampshire, also from Gov. Trumbull, which were read.
JUNE 3, 1775.
The letter from the convention of Massachusetts, dated the 16th May, be- ing again read,
Resolved, That a committee of five persons be chosen to consider the same, and report what in their opinion is the proper advice to be given to that convention.
The following persons were chosen by ballot, to compose that committee, viz. : Mr. J. Rutledge, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jay, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Lee.
JUNE 7, 1775.
The committee appointed to prepare advice in answer to the letter from the convention of Massachusetts Bay, brought in their report, which was read, and ordered to lie on the table for consideration.
742
JOURNAL OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
JUNE 9, 1775.
The report of the committee, on the letter from the convention of Massa- chusetts Bay, being again read, the Congress came to the following resolu- tion :
Resolved, That no obedience being due to the act of parliament for alter- ing the charter of the colony of Massachusetts Bay, nor to a governor, or a lieutenant governor, who will not observe the directions of, but endeavor to subvert that charter, the governor and lieutenant governor of that colony are to be considered as absent, and their offices vacant; and as there is no council there, and the inconveniences, arising from the suspension of the powers of government, are intolerable, especially at a time when Gen. Gage hath actually levied war, and is carrying on hostilities, against his majesty's peaceable and loyal subjects of that colony ; that, in order to conform, as near as may be, to the spirit and substance of the charter, it be recommend- ed to the provincial convention, to write letters to the inhabitants of the several places, which are entitled to representation in assembly, requesting them to choose such representatives, and that the assembly, when chosen, do elect councillors ; and that such assembly, or council, exercise the pow- ers of government, until a governor, of his majesty's appointment, will con- sent to govern the colony according to its charter.
Ordered, That the president transmit a copy of the above to the conven- tion of Massachusetts Bay.
JUNE 14, 1775.
A letter from the convention of New York, dated 10th instant, respecting a vessel which is stopped there, on suspicion of having on board provisions for the army and navy at Boston, was read and referred to the delegates of Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut and New York.
JUNE 27, 1775.
A letter from the convention of Massachusetts Bay, received by express, was laid before the Congress, and read.
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.
Gov. Gage's Proclamation.
PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
By the Governor.
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, a number of persons unlawfully assembled at Cambridge, in the month of October last, calling themselves a Provincial Congress, did, in the most open and daring terms, assume to themselves the powers and au- thority of government, independent of, and repugnant to his majesty's gov- ernment legally and constitutionally established within this province, and tending utterly to subvert the same ; and did, amongst other unlawful pro- ceedings, take upon themselves to resolve and direct a new and unconstitu- tional regulation of the militia, in high derogation of his majesty's royal prerogative ; and also to elect and appoint Henry Gardner, Esq., of Stow, to be receiver general, in the room of Harrison Gray, Esq., then, and still, legally holding and executing that office; and also to order and direct the moneys granted to his majesty, to be paid into the hands of the said Henry Gardner, and not to the said Harrison Gray, Esq .; and further earnestly to recommend to the inhabitants of the province to oblige and compel the sev- eral constables and collectors to comply with and execute the said direc- tions, contrary to their oaths, and against the plain and express rules and directions of the law ; all which proceedings have a most dangerous tend- ency to ensnare his majesty's subjects, the inhabitants of this province, and draw them into perjuries, riots, sedition, treason and rebellion :
For the prevention of which evils, and the calamitous consequences thereof, I have thought it my duty to issue this proclamation, hereby carnestly exhorting, and in his majesty's name strictly prohibiting all his liege sub- jects within this province, from complying, in any degree, with the said re- quisitions, recommendations, directions, or resolves of the aforesaid unlaw- ful assembly, as they regard his majesty's highest displeasure, and would avoid the pains and penalties of the law. And I do hereby charge and command all justices of the peace, sheriffs, constables, collectors, and other officers, in their several departinents, to be vigilant and faithful in the execu- tion and discharge of their duty in their respective offices, agreeable to the
744
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.
1
well-known established laws of the land ; and to the utmost of their power, by all lawful ways and means, to discountenance, discourage and prevent a compliance with such dangerous resolves of the abovementioned, or any other unlawful assembly whatever.
Given at Boston, this 10th day of November, in the fifteenth year of the reign of his majesty George the third, by the grace of God, of Great Brit- ain, France and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, &c., Anno Domini, 1774.
By his Excellency's command,
THOMAS GAGE.
THOMAS FLUCKER, Secretary. God save the King.
The Committee of New York to the Provincial Congress.
NEW YORK, APRIL 19, 1775.
GENTLEMEN :- The following very interesting accounts were this day re- ceived by the snow General Johnson, Capt. Dean, in thirty-one days from England. The writer is a person of undoubted veracity, and has the best means of intelligence, who may be depended on, having for these twelve. months past always furnished the most certain advices of the ministry's de- signs, &c. In consideration of which, and the present posture of affairs in America in general, but more particularly on account of the situation of your province, and the consequences to which it is more immediately liable, it is thought an indispensable duty to give you this late advice. It is un- feignedly wished that you may improve it to your own safety, as well as to the advantage of the whole continent.
We have the honor to be, with great respect,
Your obedient servants,
HENRY REMSEN, Deputy Chairman.
To the Hon. Provincial Congress.
Extract of Letters, &c.
LONDON, FEBRUARY 24, 1775.
Providence seems to have placed me here, in order to give you the earli- est intelligence of the most interesting affairs, relative to the colonies.
To my great astonishment, I have now before me an act for blocking up the other colonies ; and another called the black act, to prevent the fishe- ries. The whole nation seems to be deeply affected at such an enormous crime, which is supposed to be done at the request of the king and his
745
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.
creatures. God forbid, that you should be intimidated at this iniquitous law, which is calculated to ruin what was a mutual benefit to you and us. This must convince you what you are to expect, if you submit to the mnost shocking set of men that England can produce. You now see their hu- manity. Rouse up then with a just indignation, and exercise your mili- tia. Watch your governor and conneil. The new assembly is to be com- posed of such creatures as will give up the people's rights, and join in the most horrid plot against them. What a melancholy reflection, that the riches and trade of a great nation should be abused and turned to the de- strnetion of themselves and the colonies !
In short, the king is determined to be as absolute as the French king, and with the most obstinate head and bad heart, has set himself against the peo- ple, whom he will not see, keeping himself retired from his subjects, in pride and ignorance. He has discarded men of veracity from all places of profit and honor, and filled their offices with a set of the most abandoned villains on earth. These are they who advised him to break his oath with: the people, for which they are despised by the nation. If you hold out a few months, England will rise and do you justice, as well as relieve themselves from those accursed tyrants, who want to corrupt you, and deprive you of both liberty and property.
There are two hundred and eighty-five members of parliament, who are all paid with the people's inoney to vote whatever Lord North proposes, and he has his lesson from eight more, who compose a club, that meets in the most private manner, in the night, at Mrs. Keens, near the palace, where they have a box, which contains the papers that pass between his majesty and them. The king overlooks their schemes and corrects them, as well as gives orders how to proceed for the future. Hutchinson is consulted, and to their shame, Governor Colden, Penn, and Martin, who have written such letters to Lord Dartmouth, that the king has appointed them to meet at New York, in order to join with your other lying spirits in betraying the colonies. To complete which villany, Lord North has made a motion in parliament, as if he intended to promote peace with the colonies; but it is to deceive then, and the people of England too. It is intended to defeat the salutary advice of the Congress, whieli does credit to British America !
Set the press immediately to work, and publish to the world the wicked designs of the king and his councillors; that you despise their slavish schemes, and are determined to preserve your laws and religion.
Encourage the brave people of Massachusetts Bay to act worthy of their noble ancestors !
I have the pleasure to assure you, that the noble lords with whom I have conversed, all join you in contempt of the junto here. You are desired to let the colonies know that there is a deep plot formed to divide them, and deceive the people into a compliance. But tell them that you want not their trade nor protection at the expense of your liberty.
You will see, by the papers, the treatment Lord Chatham's plan met with. Those lords, who advised the king to declare you rebels, and appointed
9.1
746
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.
Messrs. Hancock, Adams, &c., &c., have gone so far as to say that Chatham shall fall a sacrifice to their designs, &c.
I know there is public virtuc among you. I know your fondness for En- gland will not let you believe the wicked designs that are meditating against you ; but I do now, in the presence of God, warn you that the king has no good intentions towards you, but what you oblige him, by your own wisdom and virtue, to have. Take care of yourselves, and act as the wise and brave have done in all ages when oppressed by tyrants. Resist unto blood, all who attempt to betray you.
The parliament have registered Colden's and Penn's letters ; look to thein, and see for yourselves. Believe the court your worst enemies. Be much on your guard.
Yesterday, Doct. Fothergill and Mr. Barclay were so pressed in spirit, that they went to Lord North, and told him that thic bill for prohibiting the fishery, was so horrid and inhuman an act, that the nation would rise and oppose it : and that if it did pass into a law, it would be a scandal to hu- inanity, and perhaps occasion a revolt. They plead two hours with him, but to no purpose.
The bill is to be read a third time on Tuesday ; so that in five days this horrid bill passes into a law, without any further consideration. Oh, America ! Oh, England !
The ministry, in order to quiet the mob, ordered an inflammatory pam- phlet to be burnt at Guildhall, which drew off the people, whilst the bill passed in parliament. 1
A report is sent into the city that the transports are stopped, This is to quict the merchants. But the officers are gone down in private coaches, of other people, and America is to be divided and driven into compliance, be- fore England is apprised of it.
Lord North has just given out that he will resign, and at the same time says that he fears nothing from the people, unless it be the breaking of his coach doors, or some such trifle, and no resistance of importance from the city, only a clamor, which he has often experienced. He expects that this manœnvre will quiet the people on both sides of the water.
Goods are shipped in the transports with the officers' baggage, marked Rex, and under the protection of the king's troops, who are to land them, and protect the trade.
North Carolina is to be a store house, it is said. Support the committee, and watch the officers of the customs, &c. Your friends are afraid that you will be surprised into compliance. The offers of peace were only to raise the stocks, which had fallen. They are now four per cent. higher on account of the report.
The council sat up all night, in order to find out ways and ineans to con- quer Virginia, and procure tobacco. Great offers will be made to those who will raise it, &c.
Men of large fortunes are afraid to oppose government, least the bank should fail, which is said to be in danger.
747
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.
The interest of the year 1774, is not paid.
Many of the people aro your most hearty friends, but the king is your greatest enemy. Be not deceived hy his low cunning ; act wisely, and the wicked plot will break on the heads of those who want to destroy you.
The king is his own secretary ; ho gets up at six o'clock every morning, to send off his box, with remarks, on a bit of paper tied round each order : four of tho ablest lawyers are constantly with him, whose business it is to advise and search for precedents, to screen his head, and throw the blame on the parliament.
.
Two millions have been squandered in bribery and corruption. The crown has nothing to fear but the hunger of the poor.
A steady adherence to the proceedings of the Congress will save England and America.
Beware of Gov. Penn, who has had offers made him to comply with the designs of the court.
Send this to Boston immediately. Mr. Hancock's lands are already divi- ded among the officers.
Lord Dartmouth is your bitter enemy, and determined to destroy the lib- erties of America.
All the wise wish that you may attend to the advice of the Congress.
MARCH 1, 1775.
Part of the troops now ordered for embarkation here and Ireland, are to rendezvous at New York, to make it a place of arms, securing the defection of that province, from the general alliance in the cause of freedom and ev- ery thing that is dear to man ; and to prevent the communication between Virginia, Maryland, and the other southern colonies, with New England ; when Gen. Gage, with such assistance as he may get from New York, is to subdue those colonies by a garrison and place of arins, with the assistance of Quebec, to rule with a rod of iron all the slaves of America.
Without the concurrence of New York, this scheme can never be carried into execution, of which every gentleman and man of knowledge in this kingdom is fully convinced ; therefore, on your virtue, in a great ineasure, it depends, whether America shall be free, or he reduced to the most abject and oppressive servitude, worse than that of Egyptian bondage, in which you must inevitably be involved, if you lend your aid to enslave your bretli- ren in the other colonies.
I have to inform you that the bill for preventing the four colonies and provinces of New England from fishing, getting any provisions from the other colonies, or carrying on any commerce whatever to any part of the world, except to Great Britain, Ireland, or the British West Indies, will finally pass the House of Commons to-morrow, and is to take place the first of next July. You may also depend, that in a few days, another bill will be brought in to prohibit any of the other colonies from carrying on any trado whatever with each other, or to any other part of the world, except to Great
748
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.
Britain, Ireland, or the British West Indics, which will probably take place in July also : therefore, you will act accordingly, and let this be publicly known.
LONDON, MARCH 1ST, 1775.
The measures of the ministry will, I hope, do more towards uniting the colonies, than any efforts of America itself. You will easily perceive their wicked intentions to divide, as well as their designs after that hoped for di- vision. They have high hopes of success, from the last accounts from New York. I trust the people of that province will soon displace those rascally and treacherous tories in your assembly, who dare thus negatively encour- age the system of despotism now adopted for your government. The wis- dom of the Congress, and the firmness of the people, give the strongest as- surances of future conduct. Several names are made use of here as author- ities to warrant the defection of America. Pray print this short hint for the observation of the honest meu among you. I necd not endeavor to expose the baseness or folly of the present men in office, for they take care to do it themselves.
The foregoing were at first, intended only to be communicated to the in- habitants of Massachusetts Bay, but on more consideration, it was judged best to inform those of Connecticut also, leaving them to forward the ac- count to Concord with the utmost despatch.
Joseph Hawley to Thomas Cushing.
NORTHAMPTON, FEB. 22, 1775.
DEAR SIR :- Since I left Cambridge, I have had many thoughts on the state of this province, and the continent ; and suffer me to say, Sir, that the time is in fact arrived, when we are to drop all chimerical plans, and in our contemplations thoroughly to think down and pervade every step that is pro- posed for practice ; to judge of its practicability, and, as far as possible, to view all its consequences. With this conviction, I have been most seriously contemplating the commission and most important trust of our committee of safety, and especially that branch of it which relates to their mustering the minute men and others of the militia, when they shall judge that the late acts of parliament, viz .: the regulation act, and the murder act, are attempt- ed to be carried into execution by force. A most critical, most important, most arduous trust this. Here Ict me observe, that the soldiers, when thus mustered by the said committee, who have this power devolved on them by the representative body of the province, will suppose it is their duty to fight ; they therefore, will only deliberate how to fight to advantage. They will not consider the question, whether or not the time is that they ought to fight ;
749
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.
they will suppose that the continent have devolved the resolution of that question upon this province, and that this province have devolved it on the committee of safety, and that the committee, by calling them, have decided it. 'They will judge, that if they should deeline figliting when they are called for that intent, their honor and courage will he impeached. The soldier therefore, will probably, at all events, fall on. Thus, hostilities will be com- menced; which we must suppose, will, theneeforward, continue, and be most vigorously pushed, until the fate of America be decided : hostilities in which we must have the vigorous and persevering assistance of the other col- onies, or we must sink under them. Suffer me then to ask, whether it will not be the height of presumption to enter on such a scene with no other assurance or security of sueli effectual and continued aids as will be abso- lutely necessary, than what is contained in a resolution of about six lines, and they consisting of ternis and expressions not the mnost definite, or of certain and precise meaning ? The words used in the resolution to state the case wherein hostilities are to be commenced, are, in my opinion, by far too loose, to wit : " when the acts shall be attempted to be carried into execu- tion by force," as well as the words made use to secure the aid of the colo- nies, to wit : "all America ought to support them in sueli opposition," not that they will actually support them, but a mere declaration that it would be reasonable and just that such support should be afforded. Is this a treaty offensive and defensive of sufficient precision to make us secure of the ef- fectual aid of the other colonies in a war with Great Britain ? Besides, by whom was this declaration or engagement, such as it is, made ? Was it by delegates specially authorized and instructed to make an engagement of this sort ? Who knows whether the respective constituent bodies will avow this declaration? Moreover, it ought to be well considered, with regard to all the other colonies, excepting Connecticut and Rhode Island, what situation they are in to fulfil an engagement of this sort, in case they were generally dis- posed to come into it. Do'nt we all say, that this province cannot levy, sub- sist, and pay an ariny sufficient to afford us any hopes of present resistance, without a legislature which the people will cheerfully submit to ? Is not that precisely the case with all the other colonies, the two above mentioned excepted ? Ilave they not as inuch to do to assume a new government, every one of them, in order to levy, subsist, and pay their respective quotas of an army, as we have ? Nay, would not the success of an attempt of this sort be more precarious in every one of them than in this province, as their people cannot be supposed so thoroughly to apprehend the necessity of it as ours may be supposed to do ? Are they oppressed and affected with the new measures as we are ? Will not their governors obstruct and labor to embarrass every attempt of the kind as much as ours? Will they not have as many friends to government to assist them, as there are here ? Can it, therefore, be much short of madness and infatuation in us, to enter on a seene of this sort in the present state of affairs? Nay, is it not obvious, therefore, that actual hostilities must be suspended, if possible, until the con-
.
1
750
1
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.
tinent, by their representatives, shall, in the most explicit manner, in fact say, that the moment is actually arrived when the scene shall open ? No one, I presume, will say, that it will be sound policy for us to enter on hos- tilities with only some prospects of such donations from the other colonies to support the war as have been made and are making for the support of the poor of Boston. Does it not infinitely import us, to admit these and many more considerations into our minds before we enter upon lasting, most im- portant hostilities ? When once the blow is struck it must be followed, and we must conquer, or all is lost forever. If we are not supported, perseveringly supported, by divers other colonies, can we expect any thing else, than, in a short time, to fall a prey to our cnemies? May God, make us consider it. Should large numbers of men come voluntary into the province service, unless they should have been regularly raised and proper provision made for their subsistence, and magazines of ammunition provided by the colony from whence they come, will they do any more than just look on us, turn about, and hasten home as fast as they came ? In order, therefore, for the necessary establishment of auxiliary troops, as I said before, must not the other colonies assume new forms of government as well as we? Is it to be supposed that all this can be done suddenly? We know, that according to the present respective constitutions, nothing of the sort above mentioned, to wit: the levying, subsisting, and paying of troops, can be done in a governmental way. When we shall have once made the hostile attack, we are, thicncefor- ward, to look for nothing but fire and sword, until we have conquered or are ourselves vanquished. Therefore, if we, by order of our committee of safety, should begin the attack, and so bring on hostilities before the general express consent of the colonies that hostilities are altogether unavoidable, and that the time to cominence them is absolutely arrived, and that we are actually ready, I conceive that there will be infinite hazard that the other governments will say, that we have unnecessarily and madly plunged into war, and therefore, must get out of the scrape as we can, and we shall have no other aid from them, only some warm people who will resort to us in a fit of zeal, and soon return home again as fast as they came, without afford- ing us any real service, but will leave us in a worse state than we should have been if they had never come. I know your concern will be, that if we proceed in this deliberate way, the spirit of our people will evaporate and be lost. But let me assure you, that there is no danger of that. If I can make any judgment, all the danger is, on the other hand, that our people will rashly and headily rush into hostilities before they can be upheld and sup- ported : they will consequently fail of success : the tide will then turn: a very low ebb will succeed the high tide of flood: they will then give all up: and the good cause will be lost forever.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.