him the expediency of drawing part of the forces stationed at Roxbury, to the camp at Cambridge.

The said committee reported the following letter, which was accepted, and ordered to be sent, by Mr. Thaxter, to the camp at Cambridge, immediately:

SIR-This Congress, considering the present situation of the enemy, and that of the division of our army at Cambridge, think proper to suggest to your serious consideration, whether it is not proper and expedient, that there should be an immediate draft of a regiment or more from the Roxbury camp to that at Cambridge. Your good sense will undoubtedly incline you to consult General Thomas, before you determine absolutely on this measure; but we conceive the consideration of this matter ought not to be delayed a moment.

To the Hon. General Ward.

Adjourned to Wednesday morning, eight o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, June 21, 1775.

Resolved, That the vote of this Congress for ranking the major generals agreeably to the order of their choice, be reconsidered.

The commission prepared for General Heath, was presented to Congress, read, and accepted, and is as follows:

The Congress of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, to the Hon. William Heath, Esq. Greeting.

We, reposing especial trust and confidence in your courage, and good conduct, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you, the said William Heath, to be a major general of all the forces raised by the Congress aforesaid, for the defence of this and the other American colonies.

You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a major general, in leading, ordering, and exercising the said forces in arms, both inferior officers and soldiers, and to keep them in good order and discipline: And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their major general: And you are, yourself, to observe and follow such orders and instructions, as you shall, from time to time, receive from the general and commander in chief of said forces, or any other your superior officers; and to demean yourself according to military rules and discipline established by said Congress, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. Dated at Watertown, the 21st of June, 1775. By order of Congress.

President.

Ordered, That Col. Gerrish, Major Hawley, Doct. Taylor, Mr. Durfee, and Mr. Jewett, be a committee to consider the expediency of directing General Ward, to call Col. Glover's regiment, now stationed at Marblehead, to the camp at Cambridge, and report.

The committee on the petition of Robert Haskell, reported: The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :

'The committee appointed to take into consideration the petition of Robert Haskell, beg to report by way of resolve,

Resolved, That the petitioner, Robert Haskell, be, and he hereby is permitted to proceed from Beverly to Nova Scotia, in a fishing vessel about 17 years old, that he hath procured for that purpose; also to carry three or four persons with him, and the following provisions, viz. : one barrel of pork; two of bread; sixteen gallons of molasses; sixteen gallons of rum; a half bushel of beans or peas; and two bushels of salt; but no more provisions of any kind whatever and that such proceeding will not be contrary to the resolve passed by the Grand American Congress, the 17th of May last, or any other resolve that honorable Congress have yet published.

Resolved, That Col. Phiney, be admitted into this house, to inform the Congress of the state of the regiment enlisted in the county of Cumberland.

The committee appointed to consider the expediency of directing General Ward, to call to the camp at Cambridge, the regiment at Marblehead, reported. The report was ["accepted]1.

Ordered, That Col. Sayer wait on General Ward with it.

Ordered, That Mr. Sayer, draw, in the form of a resolve, the report of the committee relative to the estates of the refugees.

Ordered, That the president sign the resolve relative to the violation of the sabbath, which passed the 16th instant.

Ordered, That Doct. Jones, Capt. Stone, and Capt. Bragdon, be a committee to consider the petition of Thomas Twining.

Mr. Sayer reported a resolve relative to the estates of the refugees, which was accepted, and ordered to be printed in the Cambridge, Watertown, and Worcester papers, and is as follows, viz.:

Whereas, the property of some persons who have left their habitations in sundry towns in this colony, and have discovered themselves to be enemies to the rights of this colony, and the continent of Ameri

a [accepted and is as follows.]

(1) The resolution, unfortunately lost from the journal and files, appears to have directed the removal of the regiment from the coast to the camp, as soon as the troops could abandon their post with safety to the inhabitants.

ca, in general, and have taken refuge in Boston, and other places, under the protection of the enemies to said colony and continent: therefore, Resolved, that it be recommended to the selectmen and committees of correspondence of the several towns and districts of this colony, where any property is to be found belonging to any of the aforesaid persons, that they take the same into their care, and make the best improvement thereof in their power; and also, that it be recommended to the said committees or selectmen, to use their endeavor, that no strip or waste be made on such property, and to keep an account of all the rents and profits arising from the same, and to be accountable for the same, to this, or some other Congress or assembly of this colony, when thereto required; they having a reasonable allowance made for their trouble.

Afternoon.

Ordered, That Major Hawley, Mr. Gerry and Major Fuller, be a committee to bring in a resolve, for the purpose of calling the general assembly at another time than that at which it is to be held, if the exigencies of the times should make it necessary.

Resolved, That another major general be chosen by this Congress, in addition to the two already chosen, and that six o'clock, this afternoon, be assigned for such choice.

Ordered, That Major Fuller, Col. Farley and Mr. Wheeler, be a committee to inquire how and where materials for making good paper, proper for bills of credit, may be had, if any such bills should be emitted.

Ordered, That Capt. Bragdon and Col. Davis, be a committee to apply to Mr. Paul Revere, desiring him to take care, that he does not leave his engraving press exposed, when he is absent from it; and said committee are directed to take the plates into their hands, and deliver them to this Congress, when the notes are all struck off.

The committee who were appointed to confer with the Indians, reported as follows, viz.:

The committee appointed by the honorable colony Congress, now sitting, to treat with the chiefs from the Penobscot tribe, after an introduction on their part, received from the [chief of the] Indians the following address, viz. :

The representation he now makes, and the engagements he enters into, are in behalf of the whole tribe he represents.

His heart is good, honest, and upright, in all he says.

The English are a people old and strong; but they are children and weak. They have a large tract of land, which they have a right to

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[June 12,

call their own, and have possessed, accordingly, for many years. These lands have been encroached upon by the English, who have, for miles on end, cut much of their good timber. They ask that the English would interpose and prevent such encroachments for the future; and they will assist us, with all their power, in the common defence of our country; and they hope, if the Almighty be on our side, the enemy will not be able to deprive us of our lands.

They request that Capt. Lane be an agent for them, to settle all matters relative to the above difficulties respecting their lands.

They desire a commissary may be sent among them, of whom they may purchase goods. They desire provisions, powder, &c., may be sent them, which they will buy at a reasonable rate.

They say, they have been much imposed upon by our traders, and desire such evils may be, by us, prevented.

Ordered, That the request of the Indians, as mentioned in said report, be considered by the committee aforesaid.

Ordered, That Mr. Haven administer the oaths to General Heath, as colonel, and as major general of the Massachusetts army.

The president then delivered General Heath a commission as colonel, and another as a major general of the Massachusetts army.

Ordered, That Mr. Pickering, Mr. Lothrop and Mr. Pitts, be a committee to deliver commissions to the following officers in General Heath's regiment, viz.: Jotham Loring 2d, major: Charles Cushing, captain Elias Whitton, lieutenant: Benjamin Beal, ensign.

Ordered, That the president, Major Hawley, Mr. Gerry, Col. Thompson, Capt. Goodman, Col. Lincoln and Col. Freeman, be a committee to inquire into the reason of the present want of discipline in the Massachusetts army, and to report to this Congress what is the most proper way to put said army into a proper regulation.

A commission was delivered to Col. Benjamin Ruggles Woodbridge, as colonel of a regiment in the colony army.

Ordered, That commissions be delivered to the officers of Col. Woodbridge's regiment, agreeably to a list by him exhibited to the committee of safety.

The order of the day [was] moved for.

Ordered, That Col. Lincoln, Mr. Pitts and Mr. Lothrop, be a committee to receive, sort, and count the votes for another major general : which committee reported, that they had attended that service, and that Joseph Fry, Esq., was chosen.

Ordered, That Mr. Phillips be appointed, forthwith to wait on Col.

Fry, to inform him of such choice, and to know if he will accept that

trust.

The committee appointed to consider the request of the Indians, now in Watertown, reported: the report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :

We, the delegates of the people of this province, assembled in Congress, being appointed to transact the public business, have no doubt that any engagement we shall make, for and in behalf of our constituents, will, on their part, be faithfully ratified and adhered to. We do not doubt of the integrity and honest intentions of our brethren of the Penobscot tribe, and hope, on their part, that they entertain no jealousy of the uprightness and fidelity of us, their brethren. The inhabitants of this colony disdain to make use of unjustifiable force or artifice, to rob their unsuspecting brethren of their rights; and are heartily disposed to prevent any injuries and encroachments upon their neighbors, and to restrain and chastise such invaders as have evidenced any such unjustifiable dispositions. And we hereby strictly forbid any person or persons whatsoever, from trespassing or making waste, upon any of the lands and territories, or possessions, beginning at the head of the tide on Penobscot river, extending six miles on each side of said river, now claimed by our brethren, the Indians of the Penobscot tribe, as they would avoid the highest displeasure of this Congress.

We thank our brethren of the Penobscot tribe, for their generous offers of friendship and assistance in our present war with our brethren in Great Britain, who are endeavoring, by murder and violence, to rob us of our lands and property, and hereby engage to [support] their just claims against every invader. As soon as we can take breath, from our present fight, we will take care that our brethren, the Penobscot tribe, shall be furnished with a proper commissary, who shall be directed to furnish them with provisions, ammunition, and goods, at a reasonable rate; and proper and effectual measures shall then be taken, to prevent any dishonest persons from carrying on a fraudulent traffic with them.

We accept of Capt. Lane, as an agent, appointed by our brethren of the Penobscot tribe, who is hereby authorized and empowered to take cognizance, and make report to this Congress, or any future assembly of this colony, of any molestation or depredations, which the Indians of the Penobscot tribe may hereafter sustain, from any person whatsoever; so that seasonable and effectual measures may be taken to afford those, our brethren, such redress as their circumstances may require. To the Fountain of all Justice we dare appeal, that our intentions are