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 9
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Ordered, That the gentlemen wrote to and expected from Boston, [be requested to] bring with them six or eight of Rivington's late news- papers.
The committee on the state of the province, reported several resolves relative to the counsellors and others who have acted in obedience to the late act of parliament for altering the civil constitution of this gov- ernment, and are now in Boston. The same being read and consider- ed, were ordered to be recommitted for amendments ; which were ac- cordingly recommitted, amended, reported, accepted, and ordered to be printed in all the Boston newspapers, and are as follow, viz :
Whereas, sundry persons now in Boston, have as mandamus coun- sellors, or in other capacities, accepted or acted under commissions or authority derived from the act of parliament passed last session, for changing the form of government and violating the charter of this pro- vince ; and by such disgraceful, such detestable conduct, have counter- acted not only the sense of this province, but of the United American Colonies, in Grand Congress expressed :
Therefore, Resolved, That the persons aforesaid who shall not give
a ||measures.|
b ||appointed.||
c |requested.[]
25
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1774.]
satisfaction to this injured province and continent, within ten days from the publication of this resolve, by causing to be published in all the Boston newspapers, acknowledgments of their former misconduct, and renunciations of the commissions and authority mentioned, ought to be considered as infamous betrayers of their country ; and that a com- mittee of Congress be ordered to cause their names to be published repeatedly, that the inhabitants of this province, by having them enter- ed on the records of each town, as rebels against the state, may send them down to posterity with the infamy they deserve; and that other parts of America may have an opportunity of stigmatizing them in such way as shall effectually answer a similar purpose.
Resolved, That it be and hereby is recommended to the good people of this province, so far to forgive such of the obnoxious persons afore- said, who shall have given the satisfaction required in the preceding resolve, as not to molest them for their past misconduct.
Ordered, That Major Thompson, Mr Devens, and Mr. Watson, be a committee to cause the names of sundry persons now in Boston, hav- ing as mandamus counsellors, or in other capacities, accepted or acted under commission or authority derived from the act of parliament passed last session, for changing the form of government and violating the charter of this province, to be published repeatedly, in case they shall not, within ten days, give satisfaction to this injured province, by caus- ing to be published in all the Boston newspapers, acknowledgments of their misconduct, and renunciations of the commissions and authority aforesaid.
Ordered, That Mr. Appleton, Mr. Gill, Mr. Pickering, Mr. Legate, and Major Thompson, be a committee to report a non consumption agreement relative to British and India goods.
Ordered, That Mr. Palmer, Capt. Doolittle, Capt. Greenleaf, Doct. Foster, and Col. Danielson, be a committee to report a resolve recom- mending the total disuse of India teas.
Then adjourned till three o'clock this afternoon.
Afternoon.
Mr. President informed the Congress that he had in his hands a number of Rivington's newspapers ; Whereupon
Ordered, That Mr. Gerry, Capt. Farley, and Doct. Church, be a committee to look over the same; and if any thing therein should ap- pear to have been written with a design to injure this province, that they report it to the Congress.1
(1) Rivington's New York Gazateer, or the Connecticut, Hudson's River, New Jersey, and Que- bec Weekly Advertiser, was published in the city of New York. It commenced April 22, 1773 ;
4 .
26
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. [Oct. 21,
Ordered, That Mr. Gill, Major Fuller, Col. Prescott, Mr. Hall, Mr. Gardner of Stow, Mr. Davis, and Capt. Upham, be a committee to wait on the gentlemen selectmen, and others, expected from Boston, and conduct them to this body.
The gentlemen selectmen, overseers of the poor, committee of cor- . respondence, and committee of donations, being introduced, a free conversation was had with them on means for preserving the town of Boston at this alarming crisis.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve recommending the total disuse of India teas in this province, reported. The report was read and accepted, and is as follows :
Whereas, the unnecessary and extravagant consumption of East India teas in time past, has much contributed to the political destruc- tion of this province ; and as tea has been the mean by which a cor- rupt administration have attempted to tax, enslave, and ruin us : There- fore,
Resolved, That this Congress do earnestly recommend to the people of this province an abhorrence and detestation of all kinds of East India teas, as the baneful vehicle of a corrupt and venal administration, for the purpose of introducing despotism and slavery into this once happy country ; and that every individual in this province ought totally to disuse the same. And it is also recommended, that every town and district, appoint a committee to post up in some public place the names of all such in their respective towns and districts, who shall sell or consume so extravagant and unnecessary an article of luxury.
The committee appointed to consider what is necessary to be done for the defence and safety of this province, reported. The report was read, and ordered that the consideration thereof be referred till to-mor- row morning.
||The Congress then|| adjourned till to-morrow morning nine o'clock.
was devoted to the support of the principles of the British administration; had extensive circula- tion among the royalists of the principal towns of the colonies ; and received the patronage of gov- ernment. It was continued until November 27, 1775, when a troop of armed men from Connecti- cut surrounded the printing house, broke the press, destroyed the cases, scattered the forms, and carried away a large quantity of type to melt into bullets.
James Rivington, the publisher, born in London, arrived in America in 1760, and commenced bu- siness as a bookseller in Philadelphia. He pursued the same trade in Boston and in New York, without success, and in 1773 became printer. After the disaster which terminated the existence of the Gazateer, he procured new apparatus, was appointed the king's printer for New York, and re- established his newspaper. His editorial labors ccased in 1783. He resumed the occupation of bookseller, and died in July, 1802, aged seventy-eight years .- See Thomas's History of Printing, vol. II, pages 111, 312.
The newspapers exhibited to the Congress, had a decided tone of loyal sentiment, but contained no reflections peculiarly injurious to the character or feelings of the people of the province.
27
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1774.]
SATURDAY, October 22, 1774, A. M.
The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the com- mittee appointed to consider what is necessary to be done for the de- fence and safety of this province; and ordered the same to be recom- mitted for amendments.
Ordered, That the Hon. John Winthrop, Esq., Mr. Wheeler, and Mr. Lombard, be a committee to bring in a resolve recommending to the people of this province that they observe a day of public thanks- giving throughout the same ; and that they sit immediately.
Resolved, That the consideration of the propriety of sending agents to Canada be referred to the next meeting of this Congress.
Ordered, That Mr. Cushing, of Scituate, Capt. Doolittle, Mr. Wil- liams, and Mr. Palmer, be joined to the committee appointed to pre- pare a non-consumption agreement relative to British and India goods ; and that the committee sit forthwith.
Moved, That a committee be appointed to bring in a resolve relative to the king's troops providing themselves with straw. After a long debate had ||ªupon the matter|| the question was ordered to subside.
The committee appointed to bring in a resolve recommending to the people of this province to observe a day of public thanksgiving through- out the same, reported; which report was read, amended, and accept- ed, and is as followeth, viz :
From a consideration of the continuance of the gospel among us, and the smiles of Divine Providence upon us with regard to the seasons of the year, and the general health which has been enjoyed; and in particular, from a consideration of the union which so remarkably prevails, not only in this province, but throughout the continent, at this alarming crisis, it is resolved, as the sense of this Congress, that it is highly proper that a day of public thanksgiving should be observed throughout this province; and it is accordingly recommended to the several religious assemblies in the province, that Thursday, the fifteenth day of December next, be observed as a day of thanksgiving, to render thanks to Almighty God for all the blessings we enjoy ; and, at the same time, we think it incumbent on this people to humble themselves before God, on account of their sins, for which he hath been pleased, in his righteous judgment, to suffer so great a calamity to befall us as the present controversy between Great Britain and the colonies; as also to implore the Divine blessing upon us, that, by the assistance of his grace, we may be enabled to reform whatever is amiss among us ; that so God may be pleased to continue to us the blessings we enjoy,
a ||thereon.||
28
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. [Oct. 23,
and remove the tokens of his displeasure, by causing harmony and union to be restored between Great Britain and these colonies, that we may again rejoice in the smiles of our sovereign, and in possession of those privileges which have been transmitted to us, and have the hope- ful prospect that they shall be handed down ||entire|| to posterity under the protestant succession in the illustrious house of Hanover.
Afternoon.
The report of the committee appointed to consider what is neces- sary to be done for the defence and safety of the province, being amended, was again read, and ordered to be recommitted for further amendment ; and was committed accordingly.
Resolved, That the ||ªresolve|| recommending that a day of thanks- giving be observed throughout this province, be printed, and a copy thereof sent to all the religious assemblies in this province; and that the president sign the same.
Ordered, That Mr. Appleton, Doct. Foster, and Mr. Devens, be a committee to agree with Messrs. Edes and Gill, to print the resolve entered into by this Congress, recommending to the inhabitants of this province to observe a day of public thanksgiving ; and that they send a copy thereof to all the religious assemblies therein.
||Then the Congress adjourned till Monday next, [at] ten o'clock in the forenoon.
MONDAY, October 24, 1774, A. M.
The report of the committee appointed to consider what is necessa- ry to be done for the defence and safety of the province, being amend- ed, was taken into consideration, and a long debate had thereon.
||The Congress|| adjourned till three o'clock, P. M.
Afternoon.
|||| Ordered, That Col. Lee, Mr. Palmer, Capt. Batchelder, Capt. Keith, and Col. Orne, be a committee to consider of and report to this Con- gress the most proper time for this province to provide a stock of pow- der, ordnance, and ordnance stores; and that they sit forthwith.
Ordered,5That the committee appointed to bring in a non consump- tion agreement, ||esit|| forthwith.
Resolved, That the debates had in Congress this afternoon, and that all those which may be had ||therein|| in future, be kept secret by the members thereof, until leave shall be had from the Congress to disclose the same.
a ||order.|| b ||Congress met pursuant to adjournment.|| c |report .! |
29
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1774.]
Ordered, That Mr. Bliss wait upon the committee appointed to con- sider of the most proper time for this province to provide themselves with powder, ordnance, &c. He waited on the committee according- ly, and reported that they would || be in|| Congress in a few minutes. The committee came in accordingly, and reported, as their opinion, that now was the proper time for the province to procure a stock of powder, ordnance, and ordnance stores.
||Then|| Ordered, That Col. Lee, Mr. Palmer, Capt. Batchelder, Capt. Keith, Col. Orne, Capt. Gardner, Capt. Heath, Col. Warren, and Col. Pomeroy, be a committee to take into consideration and deter- mine what number of ordnance, [and] what quantity of powder, and ordnance stores will be now necessary for the province stock, and esti- mate the expense thereof.
The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the com- mittee appointed to consider what is necessary to be done for the de- fence and safety of the province, and ordered it to be recommitted for further amendments, and that Capt. Roberson, Major Foster, Capt. Bragdon and Mr. Gerry, be added to the committee.
||Then the Congress|| adjourned till nine o'clock to-morrow morning.
TUESDAY, October 25, 1774, A M.
|||| Ordered, That the committee appointed to report a non consump- tion agreement, sit forthwith.
Mr. Wheeler brought into Congress a letter directed to Doct. Ap- pleton, purporting the propriety, that while we are attempting to free ourselves from our present embarrassments, and preserve ourselves from slavery, that we also take into consideration the state and cir- cumstances of the negro slaves in this province. The same was read, and it was moved that a committee be appointed to take the same into consideration. After some debate thereon, the question was put, whether the matter now subside, and it passed in the affirmative.
Ordered, That Mr. Patterson, Mr. Devens and Doct. Holten be a committee to inquire into the state of all the stores in the commissary general's office.
Upon a motion, the question was put, whether a committee be ap- pointed to take into consideration the propriety of having the dona- tions which shall be made to the poor of the town of Boston, stored in the country, and passed in the negative.
Resolved, That four o'clock this afternoon be assigned to take into
a ||attend on the.Il
b ||Congress met agreeably to adjournment.]]
30
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[Oct. 25,
consideration the state of the executive courts throughout this prov- ince.
Ordered, That the committee appointed to inquire into the state of all the stores in the commissary general's office, |ªsit|| forthwith.
Afternoon.
Ordered, That the doorkeeper be directed to call in the members.
The committee appointed to take into consideration what number of ordnance, [and] what quantity of powder and ordnance stores are now necessary for the province stock, and estimate the expense there- of, reported. The report was read, considered and accepted ; which is as followeth :
The committee appointed to take into consideration and determine what number of ordnance, [and what ] quantity of powder and ordnance stores will be necessary for the province stock at this time, and estimate the expense, beg leave to report the following schedule of articles as ne- cessary to be procured at this time, in addition to what we are already possessed of, with the estimate of expenses attendant, amounting in the whole to ten thousand seven hundred and thirty-seven pounds, viz :
16 field pieces, 3 pounders, with carriages, irons, &c .;
wheels for ditto, irons, sponges, ladles, &c., a £30,
.
£480 0 0
4 ditto, 6 pounders, with ditto, a £38, 152 0 0
Carriages, irons, &c., for 12 battering cannon, a £30, 360 0 0
4 mortars, and appurtenances, viz : 2 8-inch and 2 13- inch, a £20, 80 0 0
20 tons grape and round shot, from 3 to 24 lb., a &15, 300 0 0
10 tons bomb-shells, a 20, 200 0 0
5 tons lead balls, a &33, .
165 0 0
1,000 barrels of powder, a €8, 8,000 0 0
Contingent charges, 1,000 0 0
£10,737 0 0
In addition to the above estimate,
Ordered, That there be procured 5,000 arms and bayo- nets, a £2,
. 10,000 0 0
And 75,000 flints,
100 0 0
||In the whole|| £20,837 0 0
Ordered, That all the matters which shall come under consideration before this Congress, be kept secret, and that they be not disclosed to any but the members thereof, until the further order of this body.
a |report.||
31
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1774.]
The committee appointed to consider what is necessary to be done for the defence and safety of the government, reported. The report was read.
||Then the Congress|| adjourned till eight o'clock to-morrow morn- ing.
WEDNESDAY, October 26, 1774, A. M.
Il"|| The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee appointed to consider what is necessary to be done for the defence and safety of the province, and ordered that it be read and considered ||'in|| paragraphs.
||Then|| adjourned to three o'clock this afternoon.
Afternoon.
Ordered, That the doorkeeper be directed to call in the members.
The Congress then resumed the consideration of the above report, relative to what is necessary to be done for the defence and safety of the province, and ordered that it be recommitted for amendments ; which was amended, read and accepted, almost unanimously, and is as followeth, viz :
Whereas, in consequence of the present unhappy disputes between Great Britain and the colonies, a formidable body of troops, with war- like preparations of every sort, are already arrived at, and others des- tined for the metropolis of this province; and the express design of their being sent, is to execute acts of the British parliament utterly subversive of the constitution of the province : and whereas, his ex- cellency General Gage has attempted, by his troops, to disperse the in- habitants of Salem, whilst assembled to consult measures for preserv- ing their freedom, and to subjugate the province to arbitrary govern- ment ; and proceeding to still more unjustifiable and alarming lengths, has fortified against the country the capital of the province, and thus greatly endangered the lives, liberties and properties of its oppressed citizens ; invaded private property, by unlawfully seizing and retaining large quantities of ammunition in the arsenal at Boston, and sundry pieces of ordnance ||in the same town; committed to the custody of his troops, the arms, ammunition, ordnance,|| and warlike stores of all sorts, provided at the public expense for the use of the province; and by all possible means endeavored to place the province entirely in a de- fenceless state ; at the same time having neglected and altogether disre- garded the assurances from this Congress of the pacific disposition of the inhabitants of the province, and entreaties that he would cease from
a |Congress met pursuant to adjournment.|| b ||by.|
32
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[Oct. 26,
measures which tended to prevent a restoration of harmony between Great Britain and the colonies :
Wherefore, it is the opinion of this Congress, that notwithstanding nothing but slavery ought more to be deprecated than hostilities with Great Britain; notwithstanding the province has not the most distant design of attacking, annoying or molesting his majesty's troops afore- said; but, on the other hand, will consider and treat every attempt of the kind, as well as all measures tending to prevent a reconci- liation between ||ªBritain|| and the colonies, as the highest degree of enmity to the province ; nevertheless, there is great reason, from the consideration aforesaid, to be apprehensive of the most fatal conse- quences, and that the province may be in some degree provided against the same ; and under full persuasion that the measures expressed in the following resolves are perfectly consistent with such resolves of the Continental Congress as have been communicated to us.
Resolved, That
be a committee of safety, to continue in office until the further order of this or some other Congress or house of representatives of the province; whose business it shall be, most carefully and diligently to inspect and observe all and every such person and persons as shall, at any time, attempt or enterprise the destruction, invasion, detriment or annoyance of this province, &c .; which said committee, or any five of them, (provided always, that not more than one of the said five shall be an inhabitant of the town of Boston,) shall have power, and they are hereby directed, whenever they shall judge it necessary for the safety and defence of the inhabitants of this province, and their property, against such person or persons as aforesaid, to alarm, muster and cause to be assembled, with the utmost expedition, and completely armed, accoutred, and supplied with provisions sufficient for their sup- port in their march to the place of rendezvous, such and so many of the militia of this province, as they shall judge necessary for the ends aforesaid, and at such place or places as they shall judge proper, and them to discharge as soon as the safety of the province shall permit. And this body do most earnestly recommend to all the officers and sol- diers of the militia in this province, who shall, from time to time, dur- ing the commission of the said committee, receive any call or order from the said committee, to pay the strictest obedience thereto, as they regard the liberties and lives of themselves and the people of this province.
a |Great Britain.||
33
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
1774.]
Also, Resolved, That
or the major part of them, be a committee, in case of any such muster and assembling of the militia as aforesaid, to make such provision as shall be necessary for their reception and support, until they shall be discharged by order of the said committee of safety ; and also suffi- cient provisions to support them in their return to their respective lomes ; and shall also, without delay, purchase and provide, upon the credit of the moneys already granted by the province, not paid into the treasury, so many pieces of cannon and carriages for the same, small arıns, such quantities of ammunition [and] ordnance stores as they shall judge necessary, not exceeding the value of twenty thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven pounds, to be deposited in such secure places as the said committee of safety shall direct.
Also, Resolved, That
be and they hereby are appointed officers to command, lead and con- duct such of the militia as shall be mustered and assembled by order of the said committee of safety, in manner and for the purposes afore- said, so long as they shall be retained by the said committee of safety, and no longer, who shall, while in the said service, command in the order in which they are above nained.
Also, Resolved, That all the said officers and soldiers who may be mustered and retained in service by the above said committee of safe- ty, for the purposes aforesaid, shall be entitled to such an allowance from this province, as shall be adequate to their services from the time that they shall march from their respective places of abode, until they shall be discharged from the said service, and reasonable time for their return hoine.
Also, Resolved, That it be recommended to the several companies of militia in this province, who have not already chosen and appointed officers, that they meet forthwith and elect officers to command their respective companies; and that the officers so chosen assemble as soon as may be ; and where the said officers shall judge the limits of the present regiments too extensive, that they divide them, and settle and determine their limits, and proceed to elect field officers to command the respective regiments so formed ; and that the field officers so elect- ed, forthwith endeavor to enlist one quarter, at the least, of the number of the respective companies, and forin them into companies of fifty pri- vates, at the least, who shall equip and hold themselves in readiness, on the shortest notice from the said committee of safety, to march to the place of rendezvous; and that each and every company so formed choose a captain and two lieutenants to command them on any such
5
34
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS
[Oct. 27,
emergent and necessary service as they may be called to by the com- mittee of safety aforesaid; and that the said captains and subalterns so elected, form the said companies into battalions, to consist of nine companies each ; and that the said captains and subalterns of each battalion so formed, proceed to elect field officers to command the same. And this Congress doth most earnestly recommend that all the aforesaid elections be proceeded in and made with due deliberation and ||ªgenerous|| regard for the public service.
Also, Resolved, That, as the security of the lives, liberties, and properties of the inhabitants of this province, depends, under Provi- dence, on their knowledge and skill in the art military, and in their being properly and effectually armed and equipped, it is therefore re- commended, that they immediately provide themselves therewith ; that they use their utmost diligence to perfect themselves in military skill ; and that, if any of the inhabitants are not provided with arms and am- munition according to law, and that, if any town or district within the province, is not provided with the full town stock of arms and ammu- nition, according to law, that the selectmen of such town or district take effectual care, without delay, to provide the same.
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