HEAD QUARTERS, CAMBRIDGE, JUNE 23, 1775.

The general orders, that the commanding officer of each regiment make application to the committee of safety for so many fire-arms as their respective regiments stand in need of; each commanding officer to give his receipt for the fire-arms he may receive, and the committee of safety are hereby ordered to deliver out arms to such commanding officers as make application to them for the same.

Per order, SAMUEL OSGOOD, Major of Brigade.

In consequence of the above order of the council of war, the following protest was entered, and a copy of the same, together with the other proceedings, was, by a vote of this committee, laid before the honorable Congress, viz.:

Whereas, the Provincial Congress did, on the 26th instant, pass a resolve, "that all the small arms that are or may be procured by the above order (mentioned in said resolve,) be delivered to the committee of safety, at Cambridge, they to give their receipt for the same, to the person from whom they receive them; that the same be delivered out to such officers, as shall produce orders therefor from the Hon. General Ward:" and whereas, the Hon. General Ward, in consequence of that part of the above quotation which is scored, has this day issued general orders, in which are these words, " and the committee of safety are hereby ordered to deliver out arms to such commanding officers as make application to them for the same:" and whereas, this committee apprehend, that said resolve does not empower the general to order them to deliver said arms, but only to order his officers to receive from the committee such arms as they are ordered by the honorable Congress to deliver on the general's orders to his officers: and whereas, the committee apprehend, that it is of vast importance that no orders are issued by the military, or obeyed by the civil power, but only such as are directed by the honorable representative body of the people, from whom all military and civil power originates; and, though this committee are satisfied, that General Ward has misunderstood said resolve, and does not mean or intend to set up the military power above the civil, yet, lest this order of the general, should be adduced as a precedent in future, we think it our indispensable duty to protest against the general's said order; notwithstanding which protest, we also think it our indispensable duty to deliver said arms agreeably to

the spirit of said resolve, and as the exigency of the public requires ; and submit our conduct to the honorable Congress.

Forty-three small arms, amounting, as by appraisement, to seventynine pounds two shillings and four pence, were delivered to Col. Gardner, for the use of his regiment, and a receipt taken for the same in the minute book, from Lieutenant Colonel Bond.

Thirty small arms were delivered Major Brooks, for the use of Col. Bridge's regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to fifty-five pounds nineteen shillings and six pence, for which he gave a receipt to be accountable to this colony, which receipt is on the files of the commit

tee.

Nine small arms were delivered Col. William Prescott, for the use of his regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to seventeen pounds nine shillings, for which a receipt was given in the minute book.

Twenty-five small arms were delivered Col. Fry, for the use of his regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to forty-nine pounds eight shillings and two pence, for which he gave a receipt to be accountable to the colony, which receipt is on the minute book.

Twenty-five small arms were delivered Col. John Glover, for the use of his regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to forty-six pounds twelve shillings and eight pence, for which he gave a receipt in the minute book to be accountable to this colony.

Received of Major Barber, store-keeper for the trains, by order of the Provincial Congress, thirty-two small arms, amounting, as by appraisement, to £

Mr. Devens and Col. Orne, appointed to draw up a vote relative to Capt. Trevet and company, reported the following, which was accepted, viz :

Whereas, from a mistake made by one of the general officers, Capt. Samuel Russel Trevet has been put under arrest, which mistake is set forth in a certificate by order of the general, and upon examination it appears that said Trevet has approved himself a good officer, but said mistake has unhappily operated to the dispersion of his company; therefore, Resolved, that Capt. Trevet be directed to collect his said. company, as soon as possible, and then apply to this committee, in order to be commissioned.1

(1) A committee was formed from members of the Provincial Congress, of the council of war, and of the committee of safety, to inquire into the alleged misconduct of some of the officers of the American army in the battle of the 17th of June. The investigation appears to have been founded on the statement of General Putnam, that as he was riding up the hill, during the engage

This committee being greatly alarmed at the danger of the small pox spreading in the American army, which, should it take place, we fear may be attended with very fatal consequences to this colony and continent therefore, Resolved, that it be earnestly recommended to the honorable Congress, to take such speedy and effectual measures, to prevent a communication of that very dangerous and distressing distemper, from the small pox hospital, to the army, or to the inhabitants of this colony, as to them in their wisdom may seem meet.

Whereas, sundry persons, who, in the exigency of our public affairs, have been employed in the service of this colony, are, from time to time, exhibiting their accounts to this committee, in order for payment, therefore, Resolved, that said accounts be transmitted to the honorable Congress, that this matter be taken into their consideration, and that such orders pass thereon as their wisdom may dictate.

June 30, 1775.

One hundred and fifty-two small arms were received of Capt. William Page, collected by him for the use of this colony, amounting, as by appraised value, to £, for which a receipt was given him by Mr. Watson

Mr. Samuel West was recommended to the honorable Congress, to be commissioned as second lieutenant in Capt. Abner Cranson's company, in Col. Asa Whitcomb's regiment.

Forty small arms were delivered Col. John Paterson, for the use of his regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to seventy-eight pounds sixteen shillings and four pence, for which a receipt was given in the minute book.

Fifty-one small arms were delivered Col. James Scammon, for the use of his regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to ninety-seven pounds eighteen shillings and eight pence, for which guns a receipt was taken in the minute book.

Three small arms, for the use of this colony, were received of Col. Simeon Spalding, amounting, as by appraisement, to five pounds four shillings.

ment, he met an officer of artillery drawing a cannon down, who alleged as the cause of his movement, that he had expended his ammunition. General Putnam dismounted, and finding some cartridges unexpended, ordered the officer to return to his post. Another captain left the field, under similar circumstances. It was in evidence, that the balls were too large for the service of the guns, and that it was necessary to break the cartridges before they could be used. The officers appear to have left the hill for the purpose of preserving the guns from capture. The examination subsided, without further proceedings. Capt. Trevet was in no way implicated in any suspicion of misconduct, and his arrest resulted from an unfortunate mistake.

Whereas, the honorable Provincial Congress has this day passed a resolve, appointing this committee to be a committee to consider of a further emission of notes or bills of credit, as mentioned in said resolve; but this committee, finding themselves unable to proceed in the business without a more perfect knowledge of the emissions lately made, both in quantity and circumstances of payment; and also for want of sufficient knowledge of the demands made, or to be made, upon the colony, do Resolve, that Col. Palmer attend the honorable Congress to-morrow, in order to obtain all necessary light in the premises.

Whereas, a considerable number of whale boats have been procured for the service of this colony, and many of them are said to be now in the towns of Braintree and Weymouth, and, unless proper care be taken of said boats, they will probably sustain great damage: therefore, Resolved, that it be recommended to the honorable Congress, that such order be taken respecting said boats, as their wisdom may direct.

This committee beg leave to suggest to the honorable Congress, whether the magazine wherein gunpowder is deposited, ought not to be guarded by electrical points; as any considerable loss in that article would deeply affect the public, which is humbly submitted.

Twenty-seven small arms, for the use of this colony, were received of Mr. Benjamin Ely, for which a receipt was given by the secretary of this committee, which guns were collected by order of Congress, and amount, by appraisement, to £

Forty-four small arms, for the use of this colony, were received of Mr. John Bliss, for which a receipt was given him by the secretary of this committee, which guns were collected by order of Congress, and amount, by appraisement, to £

Voted, That the commissary general be directed to supply head quarters with provisions as usual, till the further order of this commit

tee.

JULY 1, 1775.

Forty-nine small arms, for the use of the colony, were received from the Rev. Mr. Lemuel Kollock, for which a receipt was given by Mr. Devens; which guns were collected by order of Congress, and amount, by appraisement, to £

Fifteen small arms were delivered Col. Ruggles Woodbridge, for the use of his regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to twenty-nine pounds sixteen shillings and eight pence, for which guns a receipt was taken in the minute book.

Voted, That two thirds of the hay under the care of Mr. David Sanger, be brought to head quarters, and one third carried to the committee of supplies, at Watertown.

Six small arms were received of Mr. Abner Ellis, for the use of this colony, amounting, by appraisement, to £- for which a receipt was given by the secretary of this committee.

Forty-four small arms were received of Benjamin Ely, by the hands of Mr. Solomon Edwards, for the use of this colony, for which a receipt was given by the secretary, which arms were collected by order of Congress, and amount, as by appraisement, to £

Eight small arms were received of Col. John Dickinson, by the hands of Benjamin Scott, Jun., for the use of this colony, amounting, by appraisement, to £- for which a receipt was given by the

secretary.

Capt. Jacob Miller was recommended to the honorable Congress, as a captain in Col. Doolittle's regiment, in the room of Capt. Leland, who has resigned.

Seventy-one small arms were delivered Col. David Brewer, for the use of his regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to one hundred thirty-eight pounds six shillings, which guns he engaged should be returned in good order, unless lost in the service of this colony, as by his receipt in the minute book.

Thirteen small arms were delivered Col. Jonathan Brewer, for the use of his regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to twenty-six pounds seven shillings, for which a receipt was taken in the minute book.

JULY 2, 1775.

One hundred small arms were delivered Col. Glover, for the use of his regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to one hundred ninetytwo pounds eleven shillings, which guns he engaged should be returned in good order, unless lost in the service of this colony, as by his receipt in the minute book.

One hundred and seven small arms were received of Mr. Daniel Hemmenway, by the hands of Mr. John Elder, for the use of this colony, for which a receipt was given by Mr. Abraham Watson.

JULY 3, 1775.

Twenty-six small arms were delivered Col. James Fry, for the use of his regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to fifty-five pounds. four shillings, for which a receipt was given in the minute book.