despatched for London, containing the most incontestable evidence, that the king's troops first fired upon, and killed, several of the inhabitants of this colony, before any injury was offered to them. We also enclose you the copies of an address to the inhabitants of Great Britain, and of a letter to our colony agent, and think it expedient to suspend the publication of the address and letter, until they shall have had their effect in England.

The experience which we have had of general Gage, hath fully convinced us, that but little dependence can be placed in his professions. Whilst he has been collecting his forces, fortifying our capital, and in every other respect preparing for war, we have been amused with his pretensions to benevolence and kindness, evidently calculated to retard the measures which we were necessarily pursuing for self defence. And we are constrained to declare, that should he be, at any future time, possessed of forces superior to those raised for opposing him, we should, from his past conduct, have no hopes ||left|| of escaping the heaviest vengeance which ministerial tyranny can devise, assisted by the most inveterate enemies to mankind in general, and of this their native country in particular. On the exertions of the colonies, and blessings of heaven, we alone can depend for safety and support. And it is clearly the opinion of this Congress, that the establishment of a powerful army, is the best and only measure left, to bring the present disputes to a happy issue. It is evidently the business of the general, to subjugate these and the other colonies; and, we think, there are the most convincing proofs that, in order to effect it, he is constantly aiming to suspend their ||"preparations|| for defence, until his reenforcements shall arrive; but, although we have been under great apprehensions with respect to the advantages which the conference of Connecticut, with general Gage, 'might|| give our enemies, yet, we have the greatest confidence in the wisdom and vigilance of your respectable assembly and colony, as well as of our other sister colonies; and have reason to hope, that, while he fails in his intentions to lull and deceive this continent, he can never accomplish his designs to conquer it.

Ordered, That the foregoing letter be fairly transcribed and authenticated, and committed to the care of Col. Dwight, together with a copy of the depositions respecting the late hostile proceedings of general Gage's troops, attested by the secretary, to be delivered by Col. Dwight to the governor and company of Connecticut as soon as may be. Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M.

[Afternoon.]

The committee who were to bring in a resolve for the purpose of removing an obstruction to the liberating the inhabitants of Boston, again reported: which report, being read and accepted, it was Ordered, that Mr. Partridge carry the same immediately to ||'Gen.|| Ward. It is as follows, viz.:

Resolved, That the following letter be sent to Gen. Ward, and a copy of the same to the selectmen of Boston.

SIR-By the enclosed papers you will see, that the liberation of our good friends in Boston is greatly obstructed: therefore, Sir, you are directed to examine into the matter, and give such orders as shall be effectual, for the future, strictly to execute the resolutions of this Congress, respecting permits into the country, and protection of all persons thus permitted; and also communicate your doing hereon to the selectmen of Boston, with all possible despatch, that our friends may not be detained any longer and also, that you give directions to your officers carefully to execute the resolves of Congress, in all matters in which they are to act, without any levity, or indecency of expression or behavior.

To the Hon. Artemas Ward, Esq. :

P. S. The pass given by the selectmen must be in strict conformity to the resolve of Congress, viz. that the bearer is sent out, to put up and transport into the town of Boston, the goods and effects of such persons as have repaired to Boston, there to take up their residence.

On a petition from Charles Glidden and others, for a supply of powder, &c. Ordered, that Doct. Taylor inform said Glidden, now in waiting, that this Congress would gladly comply with their request, did not the present exigencies of the colony make it necessary that all their stock of ammunition be retained in the colony magazine.

The committee who were appointed to bring in a resolve recommending the choice of delegates for a new Provincial Congress, reported the following which was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz. :

Whereas, the term for which this present Congress was chosen, expires on the 30th instant, and the exigencies of our public affairs render it absolutely necessary, for the safety of this colony, that a new Congress be elected and convened, to consider of, and transact, the public affairs thereof: Resolved, that it be, and it is hereby recommended to the several towns and districts in this colony, that they each

a || Mr.||

of them do, forthwith, elect and depute as many members as to them shall seem necessary and expedient, to represent them in a Provincial Congress, to be held at the meeting-house in Watertown, on the 31st day of May instant, to be chosen by such only as are qualified by law to vote for representatives in the general assembly, and to be continued by adjournment, ||| as they shall see cause, until the expiration of six months from their being first convened on the 31st of this instant May, and no longer; and consult, deliberate and resolve upon such further measures, as, under God, shall be effectual to save this people from impending ruin, and to secure those inestimable liberties derived to us from our ancestors, and which it is our duty to preserve for posterity.

Ordered, That this last mentioned resolve, together with the resolve passed in the forenoon, respecting general Gage's precepts, be printed in hand bills; and that Major Fuller, Capt. Batchelder and Esquire Dix, be a committee to get the same printed, and dispersed to the several towns and districts in this colony.

The gentlemen who were appointed delegates for this colony to the colony of Connecticut, reported, that they had attended the business to which they were appointed, and had brought a letter from the speaker of the Connecticut assembly, which they laid before this Congress.1

Resolved, That the vote which passed in Congress this day, respecting a petition made by Charles Glidden and others, for powder and ball, be reconsidered, and that the committee of supplies be, and hereby are directed,|| to furnish the said Charles Glidden,|| for the use of the subscribers to said petition, one half barrel of powder, and such a quantity of lead as will be proper and proportional thereto.

Resolved, That the assembly of Connecticut be supplied with the rules and regulations which have been recommended to be observed by the army now raising in this colony.

(1) Governor Jonathan Trumbull replies to the letter of the Provincial Congress, from Hartford, May 4, 1775, in behalf of the colony of Connecticut :

"Your letter of the second of May instant," he writes, "is received. You need not fear our firmness, deliberation and unanimity, to pursue the measures which appear best for our common defence and safety, and in no degree to relax our vigilant preparations for that end, and to act in union and concert with our sister colonies. We shall be cautious of trusting promises which it may be in the power of any one to evade. We hope no ill consequences will attend our embassy to general Gage. We should be glad to be furnished with the evidence, duly authenticated, concerning the attack, on the 19th of April last, at Lexington, which it is presumed you have taken. Although we are at a distance from the most distressing scenes before your eyes, yet we are most sensibly affected with the alarming relations of them."

The letter from the speaker stated, that preparations were made for raising an army of fifteen hundred men, in the colony of Connecticut.

On a motion made by Capt. McCobb, that some measures might be taken to preserve a number of large masts, plank, &c., now lying in Kennebeck river, and to prevent their being carried to Halifax, where they might be appropriated|| to the injury of this country: Ordered, that the consideration thereof be referred to the committee of safety, and that Capt. McCobb be desired to attend the said committee, and give them all the information he can relative thereto.

A resolution of the committee of safety, giving it as their opinion, that government, in full form, ought to be taken up immediately, was read whereupon, Ordered, that the consideration of this matter be referred to Tuesday next, at three o'clock, P. M.

Then adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o'clock.

[SATURDAY,] May 6, 1775, A. M.

Resolved, That the committee of ||'supplies|| be, and they are hereby empowered, to procure powder, in such quantities as they shall think necessary, not only at Connecticut and Rhode Island, but at New York, or any other colony on the continent.

Ordered, That Mr. Sawyer, Capt. Stone and Doct. Taylor, be a committee to bring in a resolve for the purpose of appointing two officers, one in each camp of the colony army, whose business it shall be to pass muster on the soldiers, and draw for them, out of the treasury, their half month's pay.

Ordered, That the president, Col. Dexter, Col. Warren, Doct. Holten and Mr. Mills, be a committee to take ||'under|| consideration the letter received yesterday from the speaker of the general assembly of Connecticut.

A form of a pass, and resolve thereon, brought in by Col. Warren, was accepted, and is as follows, viz. :

TO THE GUARDS OF THE COLONY ARMY:

Pursuant to a resolve of the Provincial Congress, you are hereby ordered to permit a member of said Congress,

to pass and repass, with his company, at all times.

May

1775.

President pro tempore.

Resolved, That the general officer of the army of this colony be, and hereby is directed to give orders to his officers, to pay obedience to all permits of the foregoing form, signed by the president of this Congress.

Resolved, That Col. Dwight proceed with the letters and depositions as ordered by this Congress, with all possible speed, to Hartford, there to tarry, if at his discretion he thinks necessary, till he receives an answer to said letter, and a copy of the letter sent by general Gage to the assembly at Connecticut; and to inform the said assembly of the alteration made by this Congress in the pay of the field officers of the army now raising in this colony.

Ordered, That Mr. Whiting, Major Fuller, Col. Thurston, Doct. Taylor, Col. Field, Doct. Sawyer and Col. Warren, be a committee, to bring in a resolve containing a reconsideration of the resolve passed yesterday, respecting the choice of delegates for a new Congress, so far as to determine what towns should send members, and how many members each town and district ought to send. This last order reconsidered whereupon, Ordered, that Mr. Rawson of Mendon, Col. Gardner, Mr. Thurston, Esquire Davis and Mr. Sawyer, be a committee to take into consideration an equal representation of this colony, and report thereon.

Ordered, That Col. Thurston, Esquire Dix and Mr. Lothrop, be a committee to take into consideration the form of an establishment for the train, and report a resolve thereon.

The committee appointed to bring in a resolve for the appointment of muster masters, reported.

Resolved, That three o'clock this afternoon be assigned for choosing two muster masters, and that they be chosen by ballot.

Col. Lincoln brought in a resolve, empowering the committee of supplies to import military stores from such place, and in such ||*|| quantities as they shall judge proper which was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz. :

Whereas, in the course of the present disputes with Great Britain, it may be necessary to import, on the risque of the colony, many kinds of military and other stores :

Resolved, That the committee of supplies be, and they hereby are empowered and directed, to import, or cause to be imported, from any place whatever, such and so many stores aforesaid, as they shall judge necessary for the defence of the colony, and the same to risk, at their discretion, with or without making insurance on the vessels and cargoes which may be so employed,|| sent out, or imported.

Ordered, That this resolve be kept an absolute and entire secret by every member of this Congress.

Resolved, That four o'clock this afternoon be assigned to consider

a manner and.||