JOURNAL

OF THE

FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS

OF

Massachusetts,

Convened at Salem, Friday, October 7, 1774.-Adjourned on the same day. Convened at Concord, Tuesday, October 11.-Adjourned Friday, October 14. Convened at Cambridge, Monday, October 17.-Adjourned Saturday, October 29. Convened at Cambridge, Wednesday, November 23.-Dissolved Saturday, Dec. 10.

1

FIRST MEETING OF THE MEMBERS

OF THE

PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.

On the first day of September, 1774, his excellency Thomas Gage, governor of Massachusetts Bay, sent out precepts to the several towns and districts of the province, commanding the inhabitants to return representatives to the great and general court, ordered to be convened at Salem, on the fifth day of October then next. Alarmed by the preparations for resisting usurpations of chartered rights, by the bold spirit of the county resolves, and the patriotic instructions of the people to their delegates, it was determined by the royal council to countermand the summons for the meeting of the assembly, and to postpone its session. The following proclamation was issued, on the twenty-eighth day of September, by Governor Gage, announcing his view of the inexpediency of the meeting of the legislature at the time appointed, discharging the members from attendance, and declaring his intention not to be present at Salem.

PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY. By the Governor.

A PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS, on the first day of September instant, I thought fit to issue writs for calling a great and general court, or assembly, to be convened and held at Salem, in the county of Essex, on the fifth day of October next; and whereas, from the many tumults and disorders which have since taken place, the extraordinary resolves which have been passed in many of the counties, the instructions given by the town of Boston, and some other towns, to their representatives, and

the present disordered and unhappy state of the province, it appears to me highly inexpedient that a great and general court should be convened at the time aforesaid; but that a session at some more distant day will best tend to promote his majesty's service and the good of the province; I have, therefore, thought fit to declare my intention not to meet the said general court, at Salem, on the said fifth day of October next. And I do hereby excuse and discharge all such persons as have been, or may be elected and deputed representatives to serve at the same, from giving their attendance: any thing in the aforesaid writs contained to the contrary notwithstanding: whereof all concerned are to take notice and govern themselves accordingly.

And the sheriffs of the several counties, their under sheriffs, or deputies, and the constables of the several towns within the same, are commanded to cause this proclamation to be forthwith published and posted within their precincts.

Given at Boston, the twenty-eighth day of September, 1774, in the fourteenth year of the reign of our sovereign lord, George the third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, &c.

By His Excellency's command.

THOMAS FLUCKER, Secretary.

GOD SAVE THE KING.

THOMAS GAGE.

Notwithstanding the executive prohibition, ninety1 of the representatives elected in pursuance of the writs for calling the general assembly, met at Salem, on Wednesday, October, 5, 1774. With cautious courtesy they awaited during that day the attendance of the governor, or other constitutional officer, to administer the usual oaths. When it had become certain, by the lapse of time, that the presence of the chief magistrate could no longer be expected, a convention was organized, on Thursday. The Hon. John Hancock was chosen chairman, and Benjamin Lincoln, Esq., clerk. A committee was appointed to consider the proclamation, and consult on the measures proper to be adopted. Their report was presented on Friday, and the following resolutions submitted, which were accepted, and afterwards published in the newspapers of the time.

(1.) The number of those in attendance is thus stated by Gordon, History of the American Revolution, vol. 1, page 280; and in the Essex Gazette, Massachusetts Spy, Boston Gazette, Boston Evening Post, and other cotemporary prints. Some historians have supposed the members were 208 or 288; probably counting those who met at Concord, instead of those who assembled at Salem. Many of the towns refused to obey the governor's precept, and declined electing representatives to the general court, but sent delegates to the Provincial Congress.