as have already been made, as you, in your wisdom, shall think most expedient as we look upon it to be of the utmost importance that there should no jealousies subsist between them and the other colonies. We also have had the most disagreeable accounts of methods taken to fill the minds of the Indian tribes adjacent to these colonies with sentiments very injurious to us; particularly we have been informed that Col. Guy Johnson has taken great pains with the Six Nations, in order to bring them into a belief, that it is designed by the colonies to fall upon them and cut them off. We therefore pray you would, with all the speed convenient, use your very great influence in guarding against the evil intended by this malevolent misrepresentation. And we have wrote to our sister colonies in New England, and to New York, requesting they would make a similar application to you respecting these

matters.

We are your most obedient, humble servants.

Resolved, That the vote for choosing two persons to repair to the fortress of Ticonderoga be so far reconsidered, as that there be three persons chosen, instead of two, for that service.

[Afternoon.]

Ordered, That Col. Farley, Major Brooks and Mr. Cross, be a committee to consider and report what is proper to be done with the grass growing on the estates of the refugees at Cambridge, Charlestown, Roxbury and Milton, [who reported as follows:]

The committee appointed to take into consideration the resolve of the committee of safety relative to certain quantities of grass growing on the lands of the refugees in and about Cambridge, have attended that service, and beg leave to report by way of resolve.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the committee of safety, that they appoint some person or persons in the towns hereafter mentioned, viz. Cambridge, Charlestown, Roxbury and Milton, to cut the grass and secure the hay growing on the estates of the refugees, in the above mentioned towns, in some convenient place, for the benefit of the colony, as to them shall seem meet.

Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Hon. Col. Warren and Col. Gerrish, be a committee to consider what is best to be done with respect to a vessel said to be going from Salem to New Providence for fruit and turtle for the army at Boston.

Resolved, That Mr. Gerry have leave to bring in a resolve for preventing the exportation of fish and other provisions.

The resolve was accordingly read and accepted, and ordered to be

printed in hand bills, and sent to the several maritime towns in this colony, and is as follows, viz. :

Whereas, the enemies of America are multiplying their cruelties towards the inhabitants of the New England colonies, by seizing provision vessels, either the property of, or intended to supply them, and also by plundering the stock of cattle, sheep, &c., on their sea coasts; [therefore] Resolved, that it be, and it is hereby, recommended to the inhabitants of the towns and districts in this colony that they forthwith exert themselves to prevent the exportation of fish and all other kinds of provision, excepting such only, as shall be intended to supply the inhabitants of the colonies aforesaid, and as, in the opinion of the selectmen, and committee of correspondence, and committees of safety of the towns where the same shall be stored, may, with prudence, be shipped for conveyance by water for the purpose aforesaid. And it is strongly recommended to the selectmen, committees of correspondence, and committees of safety, thoughout the colony, that they cause this resolve to be strictly executed.

The committee appointed to consider some method for supplying the surgeons in the army with medicine, reported: the report was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz.:

The committee appointed to take into consideration a complaint that the surgeons in the army are not properly furnished with medicines, have attended that service, and beg leave to report: that whereas, it appears that there is not, as yet, a sufficient number of medicine chests provided, to furnish each regiment with a distinct chest; and whereas, the committee of supplies are making provision for the supplying of each regiment with such medicine chests as soon as possible: therefore, Resolved, that the committee of supplies be, and hereby are directed, immediately to furnish the surgeon of the first regiment at Cambridge, and also the surgeon of the first regiment at Roxbury, each of them, with a medicine chest, for the present; and that all the other surgeons in the army at Cambridge and Roxbury, have free recourse to the said chests, and be supplied from them, from time to time, as they shall find occasion, until more ample provision shall be made for them all which is humbly submitted, and the committee beg leave to sit again. WILLIAM WHITING, per order.

Ordered, That the same committee be appointed to examine into the medical stores, and make a list of what is necessary for the supplying each regiment, that the same may be laid before the committee: and that the same committee consider what medicines are necessary, and bring in a list of what medicines are in the medicinal store and

that they be directed to report what instruments are necessary for the surgeons of the army.

The committee appointed to consider what is best to be done relative to a vessel going from Salem to New Providence, reported: the report was read and accepted, and is as follows:

Whereas, this Congress has been informed, that a schooner belonging to the Ervings, in Boston, is fitted out, under color of being chartered by one Thompson, who has lately fled from Medford to Boston; but is really destined to Salem, and from there to New Providence, to get fruit, turtle, and provisions of other kinds, for the sustenance and feasting of those troops, who are, as pirates and robbers, committing daily hostilities and depredations on the good people of this colony, and all America; it is, therefore, Resolved, that Capt. Samuel McCobb, a member of this Congress, be immediately despatched to Salem and Marblehead, to secure said Thompson, and prevent said vessel from going said voyage, and cause the said Thompson to be brought to this Congress and the committées of correspondence, safety and inspection of said towns, and all the good people of this colony, are directed to give the said Capt. McCobb all needed assistance therein.

Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Capt. Stone and Major Bliss, be a committee to count and sort the votes for three gentlemen as a committee to meet committees from the other governments of New England, at Worcester, on the 28th of June current.

The committee, having attended that service, reported, that the Hon. Mr. Dexter, the Hon. Major Hawley and the Hon. Mr. Sever, were chosen. The Hon. Major Hawley and the Hon. Mr. Sever, having desired to be excused, and having offered their reasons therefor, they were excused accordingly; whereupon,

Resolved, That ten o'clock to-morrow morning, be assigned for the choice of two persons, in the room of Major Hawley and Mr. Sever, to attend the said convention at Worcester, on the 28th of June current.

Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Capt. Stone and Major Bliss, be a committee to count and sort the votes for three gentlemen to go to Ticonderoga.

The committee having attended that service reported, that the Hon. Mr. Spooner, Hon. Col. Foster and Mr. Sullivan, were chosen.

Resolved, That the choice of two major generals, be referred to tomorrow morning, eleven o'clock.

Ordered, That the petition from the county of Cumberland, laid on the table by the committee who were appointed to consider of it, be

committed to the committee who were appointed to consider the circumstances of the sea coasts.

The report of the committee of safety, relative to the claims of those who stand as candidates for commissions in the army, &c., was read, and, with the papers accompanying it, was committed to the Hon. Major Hawley, Col. Farley, Capt. Greenleaf, Doct. Taylor, Capt. Stone, Mr. Partridge and Col. Sayer.

The committee on Mr. Prout's petition reported, that he have leave to withdraw it. The report was accepted.

It was moved and seconded, that the resolve for choosing committees to meet committees from the other governments in New England, at Worcester, the 28th current, be reconsidered: and it was thereupon Resolved, that the further consideration of this motion be referred to ten o'clock to-morrow morning.

The petitions of Col. Brewer and his officers, being read, were committed to the committee to whom were this day committed the report of the committee of safety, and the papers accompanying it.

The committee on the petition of Davis & Coverly, reported: the report was read and accepted, and is as follows:

Whereas, application has been made to this Congress by Messrs. Davis & Coverly, merchants of Boston, representing that they have a quantity of English goods now in Boston, and that Henry Barns, of Marlborough, has a quantity of English goods, nearly of the same quality, in said Marlborough, and therefore pray that they may have leave to make an exchange: Resolved, that the prayer of said petition be granted, and that the petitioners have leave to make the exchange asked for.

The committee appointed to bring in a resolve for appointing a number of armorers, reported. The report being read and amended, was ["accepted.]

TUESDAY, June 13, 1775,

A letter from Governor Trumbull was read, enclosing a letter from Col. Arnold, and three resolves of the Continental Congress: all which were committed to the committee who were appointed to prepare instructions to the committees that are to repair to Ticonderoga.

Resolved, That there be twenty-three regiments commissioned, exclusive of the regiment of matrosses.

Ordered, That Mr. Webster, Col. Richmond and Major Wood, be

a [accepted and is as follows.]

(1) The report has not been entered on the journal, nor is it preserved on the files.

a committee to consider the petition of Abner Graves and others, and that they hear the petitioners, and notify Capt. Dexter of time and place.1

[The] order of the day [was] moved for.

Absent members [were] directed to attend.

Resolved, That the further consideration of the report relative to the establishment of armed vessels, be put off to three o'clock, in the afternoon, and that the committee of safety and committee of supplies be notified of this resolve.

Ordered, That Col. Otis and Col. Grout be added to the committee who were appointed to deliver out commissions.

Resolved, That the resolve for the appointment of a convention of committees from the several governments at Worcester, be reconsidered, as well as the vote whereby a committee was appointed by this Congress, and the vote assigning a time for the choice of two members in the room of two members of that committee who were excused.

Ordered, That Mr. Partridge, Mr. Sayer, and Major Brooks, be a committee to receive and count the votes for the major generals.

Ordered, That only one major general be chosen at a time, and that the gentleman first chosen be the first major general.

Resolved, That the committees who may at any time be appointed to receive and count votes for the choice of any person to any office or appointment, be strictly enjoined to allow no member to shift or change. a vote after it is put into the hat.

The committee appointed to receive the votes for the first major general, reported, that Col. John Whitcomb was chosen.

Resolved, That the choice of the second major general be referred to five o'clock in the afternoon.

An account of Mr. Charles Cotton was read, and committed to Mr. Pickering, Mr. Batchelder, and Mr. Dwight.

An account from Mr. Taylor, was likewise exhibited, and committed to Col. Richmond, Mr. Singletary, and Mr. Hale, to examine, consider of, and report upon.

Two accounts of Mr. John Brown were also read, and committed to Mr. Hale, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Vose, Col. Thompson, and Major Bliss.

Ordered, That Mr. Lothrop, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Fessenden, be a committee to consider the expediency of appointing Ensign Foley to be an armorer in the Massachusetts army, in addition to the number

(1) The petition related to military rank and organization.