lasses; and one cask of rice; and take, in return for the same, wood, or such other payment as the said Gardner and Smith may be able to make and in case they, or their constituents, the above said inhabitants, should not make satisfaction for the same in a reasonable time, it shall be allowed and paid out of the public treasury of this province, and the said inhabitants shall refund the same as soon as may be. Your committee further report, that a recommendation go from this Congress to the governor and company of the colony of Connecticut, to suffer the inhabitants of the eastern parts of this colony, to purchase and carry out of said colony of Connecticut, such provisions as their necessitous circumstances may require.

The committee appointed to confer with the gentlemen from New Hampshire, having reduced their report to writing, the same was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz.:

Resolved, That an application be made by this Congress to the Continental Congress, desiring them to take such measures as to them shall appear proper, to quiet and conciliate the minds of the inhabitants of Canada, and the several tribes of Indians adjacent to these colonies, and prevent any unfavorable apprehensions, from the military preparations of the several colonies in America, and that the other three New England colonies, with the colony of New York, be desired to join in such an application.

Resolved, That letters be immediately written to the colonies of Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, desiring them, severally, to appoint committees, to meet a committee appointed by this Congress, at the town of Worcester, in this colony, on Wednesday, the 28th day of June current, in order to settle and determine the number of men to be raised on the present emergency, by each of the New England colonies; and likewise to determine where they shall be stationed and employed.1

(1) The resolutions were founded on propositions of the Provincial Congress of New Hampshire, communicated by delegates attending on the assembly of Massachusetts, and expressed in the following letter:

In Provincial Congress, at Exeter, June 3, 1775. "GENTLEMEN :-Having undoubted evidence of the attempts of the British ministry to engage the Canadians and savages in their interest, in the present controversy with America, and of actual movements in Canada in consequence thereof, we have thought it necessary that measures should be immediately taken, to defend, and quiet the minds of the people more especially exposed in the frontiers; and accordingly have resolved to send a number of troops as soon as may be; three companies, for the present, to be employed where and in such manner as may best answer that important end.

"We thought it expedient to give you the earliest intelligence of what we have done in this way, earnestly praying, and nothing doubting, but that you will concur in such measures, as, in your wisdom, you shall judge reasonable and necessary for the defence and safety of the back settlements, for whom both you and we must very sensibly feel.

Whereupon, Ordered, that the president, Hon. Mr. Sever, and the Hon. Mr. Dexter, be a committee, to prepare an application to the Continental Congress, and a letter to each of the colonies of Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, and a letter to New York, agreeably to the foregoing resolve.

Resolved, That to-morrow, 5 o'clock, P. M., be assigned for the choice of three members of this Congress, as a committee, to meet committees from the colonies of Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, agreeably to the foregoing resolve.

The committee appointed to confer with the committee of safety, on the subject of their resolve relative to a reinforcement of the army, reported, [as follows:]

[The committee appointed to consider a resolve of the committee of safety, of the 2d instant, relative to a reinforcement of the Massachusetts army, have attended that service, and having, agreeably to the order of Congress, conferred with the committee of safety and general officers upon the subject matter of the resolves, beg leave, upon mature deliberation, to report, that it appears to the committee inexpedient and unnecessary for this colony to augment, at present, the forces already voted by it to be established for the defence of this and the other American colonies. ELBRIDGE GERRY, Chairman.]

Whereupon, Resolved, That to-morrow, nine o'clock, be assigned for the consideration of the said report, and that the committee of safety, the committee of supplies, and the several committees for this Congress, be notified of this assignment, and be desired to attend at that time, if they can with conveniency.

Ordered, That the Hon. Col. Warren, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Gerry, the president, Col. Freeman, Mr. Pickering, Mr. Batchelder, Hon. Mr. Dexter and Mr. Greenleaf, be a committee, to consider the expediency of establishing a number of small armed vessels, to cruise on our sea

"We furthermore think it suitable, just to suggest, that we have some apprehensions, lest our military manœuvres in the frontiers, should raise a jealousy in the minds of the Canadians, and awaken their fears of direct intentions of hostilities against them. We should give them the most positive assurances upon this head, that we desire nothing more than our own security; and that it is our most hearty wish to remain in steady terms of friendship with them. And in order to the more regular, harmonious, and effectual prosecution of the important object aforesaid, as also other valuable purposes, that we conceive it may answer, we would humbly move for a conference by a committee, with a committee from you, at such time and place as you shall please to appoint, and to consider of an address to be forwarded to the Canadians: and put it in the power of this Congress to join with you, and, if it might be, with the other New England colonies, and New York, that this negotiation might answer the most effectual purpose. By order of Congress. I am your most obedient, humble servant,

MATTHEW THORNTON, President."

To the Hon. Provincial Congress of the Massachusetts Bay.

coasts, for the protection of our trade, and the annoyance of our enemies and that the members be enjoined, by order of Congress, to observe secrecy in this matter.

Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Col. Porter, Hon. Mr. Sever, Mr. Greenleaf and Mr. Partridge, be a committee to consider at large on some measure for [*commissioning] the officers of the army.

Ordered, That the secretary be directed to serve General Ward with a list of the officers of the army, commissioned by this Congress. Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning.

THURSDAY, June 8, 1775.

An account of the taking a sloop which sailed from Boston for Annapolis for hay and other stores for the use of the army at Boston, from the committee of the town of Arundel,1 was read, as also several letters which were found on board said sloop. Whereupon,

Resolved, That the thanks of this Congress be given to said committee for their care and judicious conduct in this affair.

The order of the day [was] moved for.

Resolved, That this Congress will resolve itself into a committee of the whole house, which was done accordingly.

The committee of the whole house, by Col. Warren, their chairman, reported, that the committee have not sufficient time to deliberate on a matter of such importance, and therefore desire leave to sit again; which report was accepted by the Congress.

Afternoon.

The committee of the house reported, that it was the opinion of said committee, that the report of the committee, who were appointed to confer with the committee of safety, on the augmentation of the army, be accepted; which report was accordingly accepted by this Congress. Ordered, That a commission be delivered to Thomas Poor, Esq., as major of a regiment under the command of Col. Fry.

a [commissionating.]

(1) The committee of Arundel state, that the sloop Polly, belonging to that town, with Ephraim Perkins, master, while returning from a coasting voyage to Plymouth, was seized by a British armed vessel, carried into Boston harbor, and there detained. The cargo was taken into the custody of General Gage, and the owner obtained payment of the original cost of the articles. A proposition was made to Mr. Perkins, to enter into the king's service, and accepted, as affording means of escape. The sloop was chartered for Windsor, in Nova Scotia, to receive hay and grain for the supply of the troops, and went out with Josiah Jones surpercargo, and Jonathan Hicks passenger. The master sailed directly for Arundel, where he arrived on the 2d of June, and surrendered his companions as prisoners. The papers transmitted to Congress, were the charter party, orders, instructions, and letters subscribed by Major William Shirreff, deputy quarter master general, relating to the objects and business of the voyage.

Resolved, That the choice of two major generals be deferred to four o'clock, to-morrow afternoon.

Ordered, That the committee appointed to consider the expediency of establishing several small armed vessels, sit forthwith.

The committee appointed to consider on some measures for commissioning the officers of the army, reported the following resolve, which was read and accepted, and an hundred of them ordered to be printed, and dispersed among the army. It is as follows, viz. :

Whereas, it is necessary to have, as soon as may be, a return of the number and equipments of the forces raised by this colony; and whereas, it is of the utmost importance that such returns should be consistent with the strictest truth: it is therefore Resolved, that if any officer now commissioned in the forces aforesaid, or that shall hereafter be commissioned therein, shall, wittingly and willingly, after his being so commissioned, make any false return of the numbers or equipments of the men under his command, and shall be thereof convicted before this, or any future Congress of this colony, or before a general court martial of the army raised by this colony, such officer shall be immediately cashiered. And every person now under nomination, or that shall hereafter be nominated to any office in said forces, that shall, wittingly and willingly, make such false return, shall be deemed incapable of holding any commission or command in the forces aforesaid, until the last day of December next.

The petition of Col. Henshaw was read, and committed to the committee who were appointed to consider on some measure for commissioning the officers of the army.

Resolved, That the choice of three delegates to meet delegates from the other colonies in New England, at Worcester, be put off to ten o'clock, to-morrow morning.

Ordered, That Mr. Cushing of Hanover, Capt. Stone of Oakham, and Dummer Jewett, Esq., be a committee to take into consideration a petition from the committees of correspondence for the county of Cumberland, and that they sit forthwith.

Ordered, That Major Bliss, Major Brooks and Mr. Sayer, be a committee to consider the account of Capt. Phelps, and to consider what sum is necessary to supply Capt. Phelps with, for transporting to Ticonderoga the pork he has purchased for our forces there, and bringing the cannon from thence.

Ordered, That Mr. Wheeler be appointed to number the small colony notes, in the room of Mr. Goodwin, who has leave to go home. The committee appointed to consider the letter from the Stockbridge

Indians, reported the following, which was accepted, and ordered to be authenticated by the secretary, if the president is not in Watertown, and sent forward.1

To the Moheakounuck tribe of Indians, living in and about Stockbridge:

BROTHERS: We, this day, by the delegate from Stockbridge, first heard your friendly answer to our speech to you, by Capt. William Goodrich; which answer, we are told, you made to us immediately, by a letter, which we have not yet received. We now reply.

BROTHERS: You say that you were once great, but that you are now little; and that we were once little, but are now great. The Supreme Spirit orders these things. Whether we are little or great, let us keep the path of friendship clear, which our fathers made, and in which we have both travelled to this time.

The friends of the wicked counsellors of our king fell upon us, and

(1) The talk of the Mohcakounuck or Muhhekaneok indians was delivered by Solomon Uhhaunnauwaumut, their chief sachem, at Stockbridge, the seat of the tribe, April 11, 1775, after a council of two days. The letter of the interpreter, containing the speech, was delayed in transmission or communication to a late period: it is copied below.

"Brothers! We have heard you speak by your letter-we thank you for it-we now make answer." "Brothers! You remember when you first came over the great waters, I was great, and you was little, very small. I then took you in for a friend, and kept you under my arms, so that no one might injure you: since that time we have ever been true friends; there has never been any quarrel between us. But now our conditions are changed. You have become great and tall. You reach to the clouds.-You are seen all round the world, and I am become small, very little. I am not so high as your heel. Now you take care of me, and I look to you for protection."

"Brothers! I am sorry to hear of this great quarrel between you and Old England. It appears that blood must soon be shed to end this quarrel. We never till this day understood the foundation of this quarrel between you and the country you came from."

"Brothers! Whenever I see your blood running, you will soon find me about you to revenge my brother's blood. Although I am low and very small, I will gripe hold of your enemy's heel, that he cannot run so fast, and so light, as if he had nothing at his heels."

"Brothers! You know I am not so wise as you are, therefore I ask your advice in what I am now going to say. I have been thinking before you come to action to take a run to the westward, and feel the mind of my Indian brethren, the Six Nations, and know how they stand, whether they are on your side, or for your enemies. If I find they are against you, I will try to turn their minds. I think they will listen to me, for they have always looked this way for advice concerning all important news that comes from the rising of the sun. If they hearken to me, you will not be afraid of any danger from behind you. However their minds are affected, you shall soon know by me. Now I think I can do you more service in this way, than by marching off immediately to Boston, and staying there: it may be a great while before blood runs. Now, as I said, you are wiser than I, I leave this for your consideration, whether I come down immediately, or wait till I hear some blood is spilled."

"Brothers! I would not have you think by this that we are falling back from our engagements. We are ready to do any thing for your relief, and shall be guided by your counsel."

"Brothers! One thing I ask of you, if you send for me to fight, that you will let me fight in my own Indian way. I am not used to fight English fashion, therefore you must not expect I can train like your men. Only point out to me where your enemies keep, and that is all I shall want to know."