what they were at their first appointment, the committee would represent to the Congress, that they apprehend it is necessary, that the whole of their duty may be comprised in a new commission.

The council of war having determined that two thousand men are necessary to reenforce the army now at Roxbury, and that, if possible, the reenforcement be brought into camp the ensuing night; this committee took the vote of the council of war into consideration; thereupon, Ordered, that the commanding officers of the towns of Dorchester, Dedham, Newton, Watertown, Waltham, Roxbury, Milton, Braintree, Brookline, and Needham, immediately muster one half of the militia, and all the minute men under their command, and march them forthwith to the town of Roxbury, for the strengthening of the camp there.

A firelock of Mr. Borland was appraised by Col. Palmer and Col. Orne, at forty shillings, and delivered Col. Sergeant, for which he is to be accountable.

A vote passed, recommending it to the Provincial Congress, that a court of inquiry be appointed, for the trial of accused persons.

Voted, That Daniel Taylor, of Concord, be desired to send down to Cambridge, about sixty oars for boats, from twelve to sixteen feet in length.

MAY 10, 1775.

Voted, That one company of men be raised by the district of Cohasset, for the immediate defence of the sea coast of said district : the said company to be joined to such regiment in future, as it may be ordered to, should there be occasion, or discharged from service as soon as the public good will permit.

Voted, That Nathan Cushing, Esq. be desired forthwith to engage four armorers, for the service of this colony, and order them immediately to repair to the town of Cambridge, with their tools and other matters necessary for that purpose.

Whereas, the council of war are of opinion, that many batteaux, whale boats, and other vessels, will immediately, or very soon, be wanted in Charles river and other places; and as there is not a sufficient number of such vessels to be now obtained, it is therefore Resolved, that it would be of public utility to have one or more master carpenters immediately engaged in that service; and that this resolve be immediately sent to Congress for their consideration.

Mr. Daniel Taylor, of Concord, [was] empowered to impress a carriage or carriages, for the bringing down oars from that town to Cambridge.

Voted, That orders be issued to the colonels of the several regiments, to repair with the men they have enlisted, to Cambridge, im. mediately.1

The Provincial Congress having resolved, that the general officers be directed forthwith to call in all the soldiers who are enlisted in the service of this colony, and that they give immediate orders to all the enlisted soldiers, and all others now in the camps at Cambridge and Roxbury, that they do not depart till the further orders of the Congress, whereupon, Voted, that the following letter be immediately sent to the respective colonels of the army, viz.:

CAMBRIDGE, MAY 10, 1775.

SIR :-As we are meditating a blow against our restless enemies, we therefore enjoin you, as you would evidence your regard to your country, forthwith, upon the receipt of this order, to repair to the town of Cambridge, with the men enlisted under your command.

We are, &c.

Voted, That the following letter, signed by Benjamin Church, Jr., as chairman of this committee, be transmitted to Joseph Warren, Esq. president of the Congress, to be communicated, viz.:

SIR-Conformable to the order of Congress, the committee of safety, with the council of war, have issued orders to the several colonels, a copy of which we enclose you: upon receiving the return, those who have completed their regiments will be commissioned, agreeably to the direction of Congress; those who find it impracticable to fill their companies, must be incorporated into other defective regiments, which is the only plan the committee find themselves able

(1) The orders appear to have been founded, in part, on some communications like the following, sent from Boston:

"MONDAY, 8 MAY, 1775."

"An old campaigner says, he knows by the movements, that there is a stroke meditated somewhere, and likely to be to-night; he thinks a feint [will be made] at the neck to divert, and a large body [sent] to take the ground on Dorchester neck."

"He advises to send a large body on Dorchester neck, so as not to be discovered from the town, every night, and have a strong body in Roxbury: if they should observe the troops landing on Dorchester neck, to have force sufficient to cut them off entirely. We, in town, know nothing, nor are able to communicate, as the tories and troops are very vigilant."

MAY 10, 1775.

"Elijah Shaw declares, that Gen. Gage's officers have said in his hearing, that they shall soon come out, and that a soldier requested him to convey him into the country, for the troops would soon make a push either towards Dorchester neck or Chelsea; but he refused. He further declares, that Earl Percy swears he will be revenged on some of our men: and further says, that the troops have robbed him of 11 cows, 3 calves, a yearling heifer, 48 sheep, 61 lambs, 4 hogs, and poultry, hay 5 tons, and almost all his furniture."

to suggest on this emergency, but should there finally be a deficiency, enlisting orders must be given to others.

Yours, &c.

On a motion made and seconded, Ordered, that William Goodwin have orders to fetch a number of boats from Charlestown, and likewise orders to press teams for the same purpose.

Mr. William Goodwin, of Charlestown, was directed and empowered to take possession of a number of boats now at Charlestown, and likewise to press teams, wherever they may be found, to convey said boats to Cambridge; directing the owners of such teams to transmit their accounts to this committee.

Voted, That Mr. Watson be directed and empowered to remove to Cambridge the boats now in Menotomy river, and to impress what carriages may be necessary.

The commanding officers of the neighboring regiments, were directed forthwith to repair to the town of Cambridge, with the men enlisted under their command.

MAY 11, 1775.

Voted, That Mr. William Cooper, Jr., be, and he hereby is appointed, a clerk to Doct. Warren, president of the Congress.

MAY 12, 1775.

Voted, That Mr. Charles Miller be, and he hereby is appointed, deputy commissary to Mr. Pigeon, the commissary general. Voted, That orders be given to Mr. Clark, boat-builder, that he give such repairs to the boats as may be judged necessary.

Voted, That Mr. Isaiah Thomas have sixty reams of printing crown paper, and eight reams of printing demy paper, supplied him, by the committee of supplies, they taking his obligation to be accountable to the colony for the amount thereof.

Ordered, That Mr. Charles Miller be, and he hereby is empowered and directed, to impress any horse he may have occasion for on the service of the province.

Voted, That Mr. Joseph Branch be, and he hereby is appointed, one of the armorers for the colony forces.

The following is the report of a joint committee, appointed by the committee of safety and the council of war, for the purpose of reconnoitering the highlands in Cambridge and Charlestown, viz. :

We have carefully examined the lands, and their situation, in regard of annoying and preventing the enemy from passing into the country from Boston, [and] are of opinion, that the engineers be directed to cause a breast work to be raised near the bridge, by the red house, at the head of the creek, near the road from Cambridge to Charlestown, on the south side of said road; also a breast work [to be] raised at the north side of the road, opposite the said red house, and to run in the same line as the fence now stands, upon the declivity of the hill there; also a redoubt on the top of the hill where the guard house now stands; and three or four nine pounders [to be] planted there : also a strong redoubt [to be] raised on Bunker's Hill, with cannon planted there, to annoy the enemy coming out of Charlestown, also to annoy them going by water to Medford. When these are finished, we apprehend the country will be safe from all sallies of the enemy in that quarter all which is humbly submitted.

BENJAMIN CHURCH, chairman of the sub-committee from the committee of safety. WILLIAM HENSHAW, chairman

of the sub committee from the council of war.

The committee of safety having taken the foregoing report into consideration, apprehend the matter not to belong to them officially; and although they are persuaded that the high lands above mentioned are important, yet not being the proper judges what works are necessary to be constructed, to make said posts tenable, are of opinion that the determination of this matter rests solely with the council of

war.

BENJAMIN CHURCH, JR., Chairman.

Ordered, That this report be sent up to the council of war.

The council of war having sent in to this committee, a proposal respecting the suspending the orders of Congress respecting the removal of the persons and effects of the tories, and ordering the crown officers through the continent to be apprehended :

Resolved, That the recommendation of the council of war, respecting the seizure of the servants and friends of government, improperly so called, and keeping them in custody, until General Gage shall have complied with the condition proposed by him to the town of Boston, and accepted by them, be referred to Congress, for their determination thereon.

Voted, That this committee adjourn to Congress, upon matters of great importance.

MAY 13, 1775.

Voted, That Capt. Isaac Foster be recommended to the council of war, as a suitable person to carry such provisions into the town of Charlestown, for the use of the inhabitants, as the general shall think proper to permit to be carried in.

Voted, That General Thomas be desired to deliver out medicines to such persons as he shall think proper, for the use of the sick soldiers at Roxbury, until the surgeons for the respective regiments are regularly appointed.

Voted, That the provisions and chest of medicines belonging to Madam Vassal, now under the care of Col. Starks, be stored as Col. Starks may direct, till further orders: and that the other packages may pass into Boston or elsewhere.

Ordered, That the commissary general or his deputy be, and he hereby is directed, to supply Col. Rosseter with provisions for thirteen men for eight days, said men being discharged by recommendation of the council of war, and order of this committee.

Whereas the committee are informed, that a number of men enlisted into the colony army, under Col. Jonathan Brewer, are now posted at Waltham, and are receiving provisions from the public stores: Resolved, that the commanding officer of the colony forces be desired to order said enlisted men at Waltham, immediately to repair to head quarters, and in case of refusal, that orders be given for the prevention of their being supplied with provisions of any kind from the public magazines.

One Thomas Nicholas, a negro, brought before this committee on account of his suspicious behavior for some time past, having been examined, Resolved, that it be recommended to the council of war to commit said negro, until there be further inquiry into his conduct. Mr. Solomon Shaw was appointed one of the armorers for the army, and General Thomas was desired to accommodate him with a suitable place at Roxbury, for carrying on his business.

Ordered, That Mr. Isaac Bradish, keeper of the jail in Cambridge, be directed and empowered to confine one Thomas Nicholas, negro, till further orders.

MAY 14, 1775.

Ordered, That the commissary general supply with provisions, for six days, four men of Capt. Williams' company, and three men of