[Afternoon.]

Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Col. Foster, Doct. Holten, Mr. Bragdon and Capt. Batchelder, be a committee to take into consideration a letter from the committee of correspondence for the town of Falmouth, and such parts of a letter from the Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq., to the secretary, as he may communicate.1

(1) The committee of correspondence of Falmouth addressed the committee of safety of the Provincial Congress, on the 15th of May, as follows:

"May it please your honors :

We, the committee of correspondence in Falmouth, would beg leave to represent to your honors, the situation and circumstances of this town and county; and if there is any impropriety in our doing it, your candor will excuse it."

"The alarming attempt of Col. Thompson, to take the ship Canceaux, Capt. Henry Mowat, commander, now in this harbor, has occasioned very great uneasiness in this town, as it has a tendency to bring on us certain ruin, by the admiral's resenting it, in such a manner, as to block up our harbor before the time. We have no force to oppose or prevent it, no fortifications, no ammunition, no cannon, and, if provisions are stopped from coming in here, the town is ruined, as well as the country, which depends upon the town for supplies, of which, at present, there is a great scarcity. We think Col. Thompson's attempt was rash and injudicious, if not unjustifiable, as we cannot learn he had any authority from you or the Congress; we are sure it was contrary to the will, and without any orders from his superior officers in the militia, though solicited for by him, and the people here seemed to be laid under contribution to subsist his men. We hope care will be taken that every attack upon our enemies, through the province, shall be conducted by proper officers, orderly, regularly, and with proper authority, lest it should occasion a civil war among ourselves. It is true, in defending ourselves, which may be sudden, immediate and resolute opposition, in the best manner that can be suddenly thought of, should be adopted; but we are afraid, that if any number of men, at any time, and in any manner, may collect together, and attack any thing, or any person they please, every body may be in danger. Sat verbum sapienti."

"We are also concerned, lest there should a good deal of confusion arise, from a number of our men in the country, possessing themselves of the enlisting papers, lately printed, some calling themselves colonels, some majors, appointing their own officers, adjutants, chaplains, chirurgeons, &c., &c., without having, as we can learn, any written orders for so doing: for they seem to contend, already, who shall be chief officers; and they are uncertain, whether the men they enlist are to be stationed here, for our defence, or march to the camp at Cambridge, to make up the standing army." "Enlisting papers, we understand, were sent to Gen. Preble, but he, not having any written orders, did not act in the affair. If the army can be completed without drawing men from hence, as we have all along been made to understand was the case, we cannot help thinking it would be most prudent; however, we shall not be backward, if there is real occasion for our men; and, in that case, we humbly submit, whether it would not be best, that some person or persons should be appointed, to conduct the affair according to orders. We hope we shall be excused for thus troubling your honors, as we were solicited to do it by a number of gentlemen."

"We are, with great veneration, your honors' most obedient humble servants. ENOCH FREEMAN, per order."

The committee to whom the communications, in relation to Col. Thompson, were referred, reported the following letter to that gentleman, which, however, was not accepted.

"SIR :-This Congress have received information, that the committee of correspondence of the town of Falmouth, on hearing that you were about making an attack on the Canceaux, man of war, lying in the harbor of that town, desired you to forbear any proceedings of that kind, which you promised to do; but that you afterwards took the captain of said ship of war, and detained the Hon. Jedediah Preble and Enoch Freeman, Esquires, as hostages for the return of the said captain; and that you levied contributions of money, and other things, from the subjects there, and took a boat belonging to the said Canceaux."

"Though this Congress approves of your general zeal for this country, yet it appears that your

The order of the day was moved for.

Ordered, That Capt. Brown, Mr. Bayley and Mr. Baker, be a committee to sort and count the votes for a committee of safety.

The committee appointed to count and sort the votes for a committee of safety, reported, that the following gentlemen were chosen, viz. : Hon. John Hancock, Esq., Doct. Joseph Warren, Doct. Benjamin Church, Capt. Benjamin White, Col. Joseph Palmer, Mr. Richard Devens, Mr. Abraham Watson, Mr. John Pigeon, Col. Azor Orne, Hon. Benjamin Greenleaf, Esq., Mr. Nathan Cushing, Doct. Samuel Holten, Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq.

The report was recommitted for filling up the blanks.

Ordered, That Mr. Kollock, Doct. Taylor and Col. Davis, be a committee to inquire where the treasurer may procure money for the muster masters to supply the soldiers with advance pay.

The committee who were appointed to consider the resolve of the committee of safety, respecting Lady Frankland, reported: whereupon Resolved, that Mr. ||Abner|| Craft be, and hereby is directed, forthwith to attend this Congress. Mr. Craft accordingly attended, and having heard the allegations against him, and having made his defence, withdrew. The Congress then Resolved that he should be gently admonished by the president, and be assured, that the Congress were determined to preserve their dignity and power over the military. Mr. Craft was again called in, and the president politely admonished him, agreeably to the resolve of Congress.1

Resolved, That Lady Frankland be permitted to go into Boston with the following articles, viz.: seven trunks; all the beds, and furniture to them; all the boxes and crates; a basket of chickens and a bag of corn; two barrels and a hamper; two horses and two chaises, and all the articles in the chaise, excepting arms and ammunition; one phaeton; some tongues, hams and veal; sundry small bundles. Which articles, having been examined by a committee from this Congress, she is permitted to have them carried in, without any further examination. [Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning.]

conduct, in taking the captain of the ship, against your promise, and your levying money, or other things, of the people, is, by no means, justifiable: and it is therefore expected, that you attend the next congress that shall be held in this colony, and to do your character justice in this matter, and that you return said boat, and stay all further proceedings of this kind in the mean time."

(1) Notwithstanding the permission given by the committee to Lady Frankland, to carry with her the articles of property mentioned in one of the resolves, some excitement arose among the inhabitants of the vicinity, from the preparations made for her departure. An armed party arrested her journey, and detained her person and effects, until the action of Congress liberated them from captivity. The censure, so lightly inflicted, seems to have been incurred, for the indiscreet zeal, which interposed to prevent the enjoyment of the privileges granted by the resolve.

[FRIDAY,] May 19, 1775, A. M.

Resolved, That Col. Bond be, and hereby is directed, to appoint a guard of six men to escort Lady Frankland to Boston, with such of her effects as this Congress have permitted her to carry with her; and Col. Bond is directed to wait on Gen. Thomas, with a copy of the resolves of this Congress respecting Lady Frankland.

Resolved, That Mr. Ezekiel Hall, of this town, be recommended to the generals of our colony army, in order to have such aid as they can afford him, in going into or out of Boston, or sending some suitable person there, which appears to be necessary, in order to save some of his valuable effects, which, there is reason to fear, were exposed by the late fire.

Ordered, That Col. Warren wait on Gen. Ward, directing him to attend this Congress forthwith, to receive his commission; and also on the committee of safety, for a list of such colonels and other officers, as they shall report to be prepared for receiving their commissions.

A letter from the committee of correspondence ||of Connecticut|| was read, respecting the taking of Ticonderoga; whereupon, Ordered, that Mr. Gerry prepare an answer thereto, informing them what steps this Congress have taken relative to that affair.1

(1) The committee of correspondence write from Hartford, May 16, 1775. The letter is subscribed by Erastus Wolcot, William Williams, Samuel Bishop and Samuel H. Parsons.

"GENTLEMEN:-We were yesterday informed of the success of an expedition, undertaken and set on foot by some individuals of this colony, in a secret manner, against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, the particular account of which you will have received before this comes to hand; immediately on the receipt of this news, an express was despatched from hence to the Continental Congress, for their advice in this important matter; posts were also sent to Albany, to the committee of correspondence for that city, requesting them to afford their aid in maintaining that pass, till the opinion of the colonies can be known. We understand an expedition against the same place hath been undertaken under the authority of your province; but, the adventure being set on foot by some private gentlemen in this colony, and success having attended their enterprize before the forces from the Massachusetts Bay came up, some question arose about the right to command and hold this important pass. We consider all the colonies, and the New England colonies especially, as brethren, united together in one joint interest, and pursuing the same general design; and that whatever expedition, in furtherance of the grand designs, may be undertaken by any one of the colonies, or body of men, in either of them, ought to be considered as undertaken for the joint benefit of the whole confederate colonies, and the expenses of the enterprize, and cost of maintaining and defending the same, are to be borne by all, in proportion to their abilities. This is not a time for the colonies to contend about precedence; but we hope all will wish to put to a helping hand, and mutually afford each other all necessary assistance against our common enemy. Some parts of your province are conveniently situated to furnish men, &c., for maintaining our possession; we doubt not you will exert yourselves to secure every advantage which may accrue from this successful attempt, in which we hope the city and county of Albany, and the colony of Connecticut, will cooperate with you; but of this we cannot assure you, as our calls are very many, &c.

We are, gentlemen, your humble servants."

"We hope you will not omit any thing you can do, as it is uncertain what New York will undertake, without the advice of the general congress, &c."

Ordered, That Doct. Perkins and Capt. Baker be added to the committee, who were appointed to inquire where the treasurer can borrow money.

Resolved, That all persons who may have any goods or chattels, belonging to Lady Frankland, now in their custody, which are not mentioned in the resolve of this Congress for allowing her, with certain effects to go into Boston, be, and hereby are directed, to permit her to send them to Hopkinton, or dispose of them in any way agreeable to her, not inconsistent with the resolves of this Congress.

The committee appointed to consider what steps may be taken for the relief of such of the inhabitants of Boston as come over to Charlestown, &c., reported; whereupon, Ordered, that Deacon Cheever, Col. Davis and Capt. Withinton, be a committee to bring in a list of names of persons to fill up the blank in said report.

Mr. Gerry reported an answer to a letter from the committee of correspondence of Connecticut; which was ["accepted.]1

Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M.

[Afternoon.]

Ordered, That Doct. Holten, Mr. Whittemore and Major Bliss, be a committee to take into consideration the representation made to this Congress by Col. Warren, by desire of Gen. Ward, of the necessity there is, that the army should be immediately supplied with iron pots, as well as an additional stock of powder, as also for providing a house for the abode of Joseph Trumbull, Esq., of Connecticut, and another for the chairman and the other members of the committee of safety.

The report of the committee for revising the commissions of [the committee of] safety, after being read paragraph by paragraph, was amended and accepted, and is as follows, viz. :

Whereas, the former Congresses of this colony have chosen, and by divers resolutions have empowered, John Hancock, Esq., Doct. Joseph Warren, Doct. Benjamin Church, Capt. Benjamin Church, Capt. Benjamin White, Col. Joseph Palmer, Mr. Richard Devens, Mr. Abraham Watson, Jr., Mr. John Pigeon, Col. Azor Orne, Nathan Cushing, Esq., Col. William Heath, Col. Thomas Gardner, Col. Asa Whitcomb, Mr. Edward Durant and Mr. James Sullivan, to be a committee of safety, and by virtue of the authority of that office, on certain occasions, to cause to be assembled the militia of this colony, for the defence of the inhabitants thereof; and which committee of safety are, by the resolu

a [accepted, and is as follows, viz.]

(1) Mr. Gerry's draft of an answer, never entered on the record, is not retained on the files of Congress

tions of said congresses, empowered to do several other acts for the service of the colony, as by the journals and records of said congresses

appear:

It is Resolved, That, whatever the said committee of safety, or any of them, have done pursuant to the said resolutions of said Congress, shall be held good and valid; and that the said inhabitants of said colony shall be held thereby, as well according to the true intent and meaning of said resolutions, as according to the strict letter thereof: and, whereas, there appears to be still a deficiency of power in said committee, considering the particular exigencies of the colony, and it being necessary to have their commission as concise and explicit as possible, which can be done only by consolidating the powers intended in the several resolutions of this, as well as the former congresses, to be given them. It is, therefore, Resolved, that all and every resolution now in force, respecting the said committee of safety, shall be, and hereby are, repealed, revoked, and rendered null and void.

And it is also Resolved,That [Hon. John Hancock, Esq., Doct. Joseph Warren, Doct. Benjamin Church, Capt. Benjamin White, Col. Joseph Palmer, Mr. Richard Devens, Mr. Abraham Watson, Mr. John Pigeon, Col. Azor Orne, Hon. Benjamin Greenleaf, Esq., Mr. Nathan Cushing, Doct. Samuel Holten, Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq.,] be a committee of safety for this colony hereafter, until some further order of this, or some future congress or house of representatives of this colony shall revoke their, or either of their appointments.

And it is also Resolved, That the said committee of safety shall be, and hereby are empowered, when they shall think it necessary, in defence of the lives and properties of the inhabitants of this colony, to assemble such and so many of the militia thereof, and them to dispose and place where, and detain so long, as the said committee of safety shall judge necessary, and to discharge said militia when the safety of this colony will admit of it; and the officers of the said militia are hereby enjoined to pay strict obedience to the orders and directions of the said committee of safety.

And it is also Resolved, That the said committee of safety shall be, and hereby are empowered, to direct the army of this colony to be stationed where the said committee of safety shall judge most conducive to the defence and service of the colony; and the general, and other officers of the army, are required to render strict obedience to such orders of said committee: provided always, that it shall be in the power of this, or any future congress, to control any order of the said committee of safety, respecting this or any other matter.