Voted, That Capt. Hill, and four men, with four prisoners, have an order for supplies on the taverners and innholders in the towns they pass through. Whereas, it is recommended by the council of war, that fifty-four whale-boats be immediately provided for the use of this colony: Resolved, that a copy of said vote of the council of war, be transmitted to the committee of supplies, and that they be desired to procure and place said boats, agreeably to the recommendation of the council of war. Voted, That Capt. Butler be desired to furnish those men of his own company with arms, who are destitute thereof. By a resolve of the Provincial Congress, the following is the establishment for ten companies of matrosses: Captain, £6 10s. per month; captain lieutenant, £5 10s. per month; first lieutenant, £4 10s. per month; 2 second lieutenants, each, £3 12s. per month; sergeants, each, £2 10s. per month; corporals, each, £2 6s. per month; six bombadiers, each, £2 4s. 6d. per month; six gunners, each, £2 4s. per month; 32 matrosses, £2 3s. per month. Voted, That Col. Gridley have one set of beating orders, for a company of matrosses. Voted, That Col. Azor Orne have one of the college arms, he giving a receipt for the same. MAY 17, 1775. Whereas, it is determined, in council of war, that ten swivels be immediately provided for the use of the army, and delivered in camp, at Cambridge: Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing vote be transmitted to the committee of supplies, and that they be desired to procure said swivel guns immediately. Resolved, That the three pieces of cannon, with the stores, now at Waltham, be immediately removed to Watertown, near the bridge, by advice of the general, and that Mr. Elbridge Gerry, one of the committee of supplies, be desired and empowered to remove the same. Ordered, That Col. Orne, Doct. Church and Col. Palmer, be a committee to repair to the Provincial Congress, and request, that forthwith, the duty of the committee of safety be precisely stated, and that said committee be empowered by Congress to conduct in such manner as shall tend to the advantage of the colony; and to justify the conduct of said committee, so far as their proceedings are correspondent with the trust reposed in them; and to inform [the Congress] that until the path of their duty is clearly pointed out, they must be at a total loss how to conduct, so as to stand justified in their own minds, and in the minds of [the people of] this colony. Mr. William Beman, in Col. Fellows' regiment, is appointed by this committee to act as an armorer for the forces posted at Roxbury. Resolved, That Mr. Joseph Austin, of Charlestown, be directed to attend upon this committee of safety, immediately. Voted, That Col. Fellows be directed to procure a shop and tools, and every material necessary for an armorer, at Roxbury, to work immediately in the colony service. Voted, That the commissary deliver Mr. Matthew Clark sixty oars, for the use of this colony. Voted, That the carrying any hay into the town of Boston, on account of John Borland, Esq., be suspended until further order from this committee. Voted, That Mr. Stephen Hall be appointed to inspect the college walls, and see that they are kept in proper repair. Voted, That the selectmen of Cambridge be directed to supply General Ward with four half barrels of powder, for the use of this colony. Whereas, General Gage has not kept his agreement with the inhabitants of the town of Boston, but, notwithstanding his said agreement, has prevented, and even refused, said inhabitants, with their effects, from removing into the country; therefore, Resolved, that it be recommended to the Congress, that they rescind their resolution of the 30th ultimo, permitting the inhabitants of this colony to remove, with their effects, into the town of Boston, which resolution was founded upon said agreement. Resolved, That Col. Orne and Col. Palmer be directed to attend the Congress, with the above resolve. Resolved, That in case of an alarm, this committee will repair to Coolidge's tavern, in Watertown. Upon a motion made, Voted, that Capt. How be directed to restore the six sets of enlisting papers, which he this day took out without the consent of the committee, by a fraud practised upon the chairman. Voted, That application be made to his Excellency General Ward, that he would order Edward How under guard, until this committee can have a full hearing of his case. [Whereas, one Mr. Mellicant, of Waltham, who is an officer in his majesty's service, under half pay, is suspected, by means of his, said Mellicant's wife having free access into and out from the town of Boston, of communicating such intelligence to our enemies as may have a tendency to injure the important cause we are engaged in, and, in some degree, defeat the plans forming for the salvation of this colony and continent therefore, Resolved, that the selectmen and committee of correspondence of the town of Waltham be, and hereby are directed and empowered, to take such effectual methods, for the preventing any intelligence going into the town of Boston, by means of the abovesaid Mr. Mellicant, or any of his family, as to them, in their wisdom, shall seem meet.] MAY 19, 1775. Voted, That Capt. John Lane have enlisting papers delivered him, for raising a company of indians at the eastward. The following certificate was delivered Col. Gerrish, for the Provincial Congress : Col. Samuel Gerrish having satisfied this committee that his regiment is full, we recommend to the Congress that said regiment be commissioned accordingly. Ordered, That Mr. Newall proceed to Watertown, and lodge the ten swivel guns he has under his care, at Edward Richardson's, innholder in said Watertown; it being recommended by General Ward. The committee of correspondence of the town of Northborough, having sent a certain Ebenezer Cutler to this committee for trial, upon complaint of his being an enemy to this country, and this committee not having authority to act in the case, as they apprehend, do refer the matter to Congress. Col. Ebenezer Learned having satisfied this committee that his regiment is full, it was recommended to the Congress that said regiment be commissioned accordingly. The following letter of direction to the several colonels, was forwarded, viz.: SIR-The necessity of completing the colony army, and the suspicions entertained by some of the officers who have been engaged in recruiting men, oblige us to request your immediate return, to this committee, of the number of men enlisted in your regiment, with the names of the officers of said regiment, as the Congress have urged for said returns, that commissions may be issued, and due subordination take place. Voted, That Mr. John Wood, of Roxbury, be, and hereby is appointed, an armorer for the army. Voted, That Mr. Dike, of Bridgwater, be, and he hereby is appointed, an armorer for the army. General Thomas was informed, by letter, that the committee had appointed Messrs. Beman, Shaw, Wood and Dike, as armorers for the forces posted at Roxbury, and [was] desired to acquaint the committee if any further appointments were necessary. Voted, That Doct. Church have an order for a horse and sulky, and a single horse, for his journey to Philadelphia upon the province ac count. [Whereas, some persons have hinted that Samuel Barrett, Esq., of Boston, has, in some instances, been unfriendly to his country, and the common cause of liberty, for which this colony now suffers and bleeds, and as such suggestions may have a tendency to injure him, we have inquired into the conduct of the said Samuel Barrett, Esq., during the unnatural contest between Great Britain and the colonies, and from his acts and explicit declarations, we have reason to think that he is friendly to the rights and liberties of this, his native country, and we recommend him accordingly.] MAY 20, 1775. Voted, That Capt. Edward How, Ebenezer Cutler, and Nicholas, a black fellow, now under guard, be sent up to Congress for examination and trial, and Capt. White is appointed to attend Congress, with the above named persons. Voted, That the general be desired to furnish a guard for the occasion. Voted, That for the future, no person having orders to impress horses, shall impress the horse of Deacon Timothy Winn, of Woburn, he and his horse being employed in the colony service. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, as the contest now between Great Britain and the colonies respects the liberties and privileges of the latter, which the colonies are determined to maintain, that the admission of any persons, as soldiers, into the army now raising, but only such as are freemen, will be inconsistent with the principles that are to be supported, and reflect dishonor on this colony, and that no slaves be admitted into this army upon any consideration what ever, Col. Joseph Read having satisfied this committee, that his regiment is full, a certificate was given him of the same, and it was recommended to the honorable the Provincial Congress, that his regiment might be commissioned accordingly. Col. Read had thirteen sets of regulations for the army delivered him by order.1 MAY 23, 1775. Whereas, our enemies make frequent excursions to the islands and sea coasts, from whence they plunder hay, cattle, and sheep; which not only greatly injures many individuals, but also the public, and strengthens the hands of our enemies; therefore, Resolved, that it be recommended to the honorable Congress, to take some effectual measure to secure the stock on the islands and sea coasts, to prevent its falling into the hands of our enemies. The following orders relative to furnishing one of the expresses with provisions, horses, &c., were issued, viz.: (1) The following letter was addressed to General Preble. Honorable General Preble, CAMBRIDGE, MAY 20, 1775. SIR: This committee, received your favor of the fifteenth instant, touching the raising men, for the service of this colony, and note your just observations on the subject. The committee, after the resolutions of the Congress for establishing an army of thirteen thousand six hundred men, thought the exigencies of the times and the exposed situation of the several towns near Boston, made it absolutely necessary, that the army should be immediately raised, and, that for the facilitating of this important business it was expedient that orders should be issued to such men as were recommended as proper persons for such important trusts. Accordingly, orders were issued to as many colonels as were sufficient to complete said army; but from the delay which appeared in the army's being formed, by the slow progress made in the enlisting men, and the exposed situation of the colony camp, by the going off of numbers from time to time, it was rendered necessary, that further orders should be issued for completing the army with all possible speed; and in consequence of that determination, among others, Col. March received orders for the enlisting of a regiment for the service of this colony, and, we understand, has made some considerable progress in enlisting men for said service. We are also informed by your honor, that Col. Phinney has received enlisting orders from you, and has engaged in the business of enlisting men to complete a regiment; and we are further informed by your honor, that it is impracticable that two regiments should be raised in the county of Cumberland, and being told by Col. Phinney, that many of the men that would be raised in your county, could not be supplied by the towns from which they are enlisted, with firearms and blankets, this committee, taking into consideration the exposed situation of your county and the probability of the army's being completed without drawing men from those parts of the colony which are more immediately exposed, would recommend, Sir, that you would use your influence, that a stop be put to the raising any men in your county until it may be known by the returns from the several colonels authorized for the raising regiments, whether it may be necessary to take any men from your county, and should this necessity take place, this committee will endeavor to give you such early intelligence as may be necessary. The request of this committee to your honor, we flatter ourselves, will not be conceived by you as carrying in it the least disrespect to Col. March or Col. Phinney, but solely from the probability of the army's being complete without taking men from those parts of the colony which are more immediately exposed. We should be glad to see your honor at head quarters, which we hope your health will soon admit, and with you we join in the hope of soon seeing a speedy end to the great difficulties this distressed colony now labors under. We are, Sir, with the great respect, your honors humble servants, P. S. Please to inform the within mentioned colonels, of this determination. |