but

which we wrote to General Preble, informing him of the same, heard nothing further, until about six days past, we received a return from Col. Phinney of about five hundred men enlisted in a regiment to go under his command, and Col. March certified that he agreed to come in as his second, a copy of which letter to General Preble accompanies this report.

Col. Sergeant's case having been represented to Congress, the copy of said representation accompanies this report.

The committee beg leave further to represent, that the reason why more enlisting orders were delivered out than were sufficient to enlist the number of men established by Congress, was an apprehension that the province was in the utmost danger for want of men; the committee not being able to prevail on the militia and minute men to tarry in camp, and there being but few men enlisted at that time, obliged us to issue further orders.

JUNE 12, 1775.

The committee not apprehending that it was necessary to detain Eliphalet Hill, of Newbury, any longer, as a rider in the colony service, he was dismissed therefrom yesterday.

Shubael and Joseph Sever, of Framingham, entered into the colony service, as armorers, the 10th instant.

Capt. Lawrence, in Col. Prescott's regiment, offering to act as an armorer without any pay for his labor, and to return home for some tools which are necessary to effect the repairs of the muskets, it was consented to by the committee, and the said Lawrence was desired to procure his tools as soon as may be.

JUNE 13, 1775,

Jonathan Stickney, in Col. Woodbridge's regiment, received a small arm of one Guillam, a scholar, for which he gave a receipt in the rough minute book, to deliver the same again to this committee, when so required.

Whereas, it is daily expected, that General Gage will attack our army now in the vicinity of Boston, in order to penetrate into the country, it is of the utmost importance, that said army be, in every respect, prepared for action as soon as possible, therefore, Resolved, that the general be desired, to order each colonel in the army, to make immediate return to him of the state and equipment of the respective regiments, setting forth what number of men are destitute of arms, and what arms are fit for immediate service; and, that this vote be laid before the general as soon as may be.

Mr. Devens was appointed a committee, to inquire of the committee of supplies, relative to the quantity of powder in their possession, and where the same is.1

On a motion made, Resolved, that the debates and determinations of this committee be kept in profound secrecy by its members and their attendants, until further order of this committee.

Whereas, Daniel Adams, of Boston, a lunatic, now in camp at Cambridge, occasions great disorders in said camp, therefore, Resolved, that the selectmen of the town of Woburn be, and they hereby are directed and empowered, to take into their custody and care the above mentioned Daniel Adams, and make such provision for him, at the expense of this colony, as his circumstances, being peculiar, may require, and also for the guards while there.

Whereas, frequent complaints have been made to this committee, of the waste and destruction of the property of some persons who have left their habitations in sundry towns in this colony, and taken refuge in the town of Boston, therefore, Resolved, that it be recommended to the honorable Congress now sitting at Watertown, that they take the above into their consideration, and act thereon, as to them in their wisdom shall seem meet.

The committee earnestly recommended to the honorable Congress, that the representations from the quarter master general, be taken into immediate consideration, especially as the committee, from their own knowledge, find the rooms too much crowded, and the healths and lives of the soldiers thereby greatly exposed; and if tents cannot be immediately furnished, that some barracks be forthwith erected.2

JUNE 14, 1775.

Whereas, this committee are informed, that Doct. How, of Andover, is prepared to receive [insane patients,] and is well skilled in such disorders as Daniel Adams, of Boston, sent on the 13th instant, to the town of Woburn, is affected with, therefore, Resolved, that the selectmen of the town of Woburn, be, and they hereby are released from keeping said Daniel Adams in the town of Woburn, and they are required to provide a horse and carriage, with provisions, to forward the said Adams to Andover, the expense of which will be paid by this colony.

(1) Forty-six half barrels of powder were in the magazine at Watertown; four half barrels of cartridges had been sent to Cambridge; and thirty-five half barrels of powder were expected from Worcester county.

(2) The quarter master general represented, that there was great want of tents and barracks, and that the least delay in making provision for the shelter of the troops, would be attended with injurious consequences.

Resolved, That Daniel Adams, a lunatic, now at Woburn, be carried to the town of Andover, and committed to the care of Doct. How, and the said Doct. How is hereby desired to take proper care of the said lunatic, at the expense of this colony.

A number of men belonging to the company of Capt. Drury, having petitioned that they might be permitted to join, some, the regiment commanded by Col. Gardner, and others, the regiment commanded by Col. Nixon; and the committee having considered their several requests, Voted, as the opinion of this committee, that said company be joined to such regiment as it shall appear the major part of said company are in favor of, when called upon for that purpose.

Resolved, That Capt. White, and Mr. Devens, be a committee to proceed to the house of Thomas Ireland, of Charlestown, and find out whether a certain infamous woman, who calls herself Jackson,

be there, and if she can be found, order her to head quarters, they being sent furnished with an order from the general, for a file of men for

that purpose.

General Heath having satisfied this committee, that his regiment is near full, a certificate was given him thereof; and it was recommended to the honorable Congress, that his regiment be commissioned accordingly.

Mr. Nathaniel Mulliken having represented to this committee, that on the 19th of April last, his house was plundered and burned by the soldiery; at which time he lost a pair of silver shoe buckles, which he says he is well informed are in the possession of a sergeant of the 52d regiment, now in Concord jail; it is the desire of this committee, that the committee of correspondence for said town, with whom they think it properly belongs, would make inquiry into this matter, and if they find it to be as has been represented, that they would use their endeavors, that the said Mulliken may have justice done him by the delivery of said buckles,

Two guns taken from John Borland, Esq's house, for the colony service, were appraised by Messrs. Devens, Watson, and Orne, at twenty-seven shillings and thirty-three shillings, which guns were delivered William Hudson Ballard, for the use of his company, and a receipt taken for the same in the rough minute book.

Upon reading a letter from General Thomas, in favor of Capt. Israel Henrick, Resolved, that this committee, do not think the matter contained in said letter comes within the commission of this committee, and therefore, refer it to the honorable Congress,

JUNE 15, 1775,

The following resolve respecting the allowance for provisions to the soldiers in the Massachusetts army, passed at the Congress, June 10, 1775.

Resolved, That each soldier in the Massachusetts army shall have the following allowance per day, viz. :

Article 1. One pound of bread.

Art. 2. Half a pound of beef, and half a pound of pork, and if pork cannot be had, one pound and a quarter of beef; and one day in seven they shall have one pound and a quarter of salt fish instead of one day's allowance of meat.

Art. 3. One pint of milk, or if milk cannot be had, one gill of rice. One quart of good spruce or malt beer.

Art. 4.

Art. 5.

One gill of peas or beans, or other sauce equivalent.

Art. 7. One pound of good common soap for six men per week. Art. 8. Half a pint of vinegar per week per man, if it can be had.

Ordered, That Capt. Benjamin White, and Col. Joseph Palmer, be a committee to join with a committee from the council of war, to proceed to Roxbury camp, there to consult with the general officers on matters of importance, and to communicate to them a resolve this day passed in this committee, respecting Bunker hill in Charlestown, and Dorchester neck.

Whereas, this committee lately applied to the honorable the Congress of this colony, for an augmentation of the army now in the vicinity of Boston, and as some circumstances have since taken place, which strengthen the arguments then used in favor of the said augmentation, particularly, that many of the then expected reenforcements for General Gage's army have arrived; that General Gage has issued a very extraordinary proclamation, in which the inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay are in the most explicit manner declared rebels1; and various accounts have been brought to this committee of the movements of Mr. Gage's army, and that he intends soon to make another attempt to penetrate into the country; from the consideration of all which premises together with that of our army:

Resolved, That the good and welfare of the colony requires, that there be an immediate augmentation of said army; that such soldiers

(1) The proclamation of General Gage is printed in the journals of Congress, page 330.

in the army as are destitute of arms be immediately supplied therewith; that such regiments of militia as are in any degree destitute of officers be immediately filled up in such manner as the honorable Congress may direct; and, that all the militia in the colony be ordered to hold. themselves in readiness to march on the shortest notice, completely equipped, having thirty rounds of cartridges per man; all which is earnestly recommended to the immediate consideration of the honorable Congress now sitting at Watertown; to which the committee would beg leave to add, a general recommendation to the people to go to meeting armed, on the Lord's day, in order to prevent being thrown into confusion.

Whereas, it appears of importance to the safety of this colony, that possession of the hill called Bunker's hill in Charlestown, be securely kept and defended, and also, some one hill or hills on Dorchester neck be likewise secured, therefore, Resolved, unanimously, that it be recommended to the council of war, that the above mentioned Bunker's hill be maintained by sufficient forces being posted there, and as the particular situation of Dorchester neck is unknown to this committee, they desire that the council of war take and pursue such steps respecting the same, as to them shall appear to be for the security of this colony.

Ordered, That Capt. Benjamin White, and Col. Joseph Palmer, be a committee to join with a committee from the council of war, to proceed to Roxbury camp, there to consult with the general officers on matters of importance, and to communicate to them a resolve this day passed in this committee respecting Bunker's hill in Charlestown, and Dorchester neck.

JUNE 16, 1775.

The committee took into consideration the resolves of Congress, relative to barracks; whereupon, Voted, that Mr. Watson, Mr. Cushing and Doct. Holten, be a committee to make inquiry whether any houses or tents are to be obtained for the troops that want cover.

The commissary general was directed to furnish Messrs. Joseph and Thomas Austin, armorers in the colony service, with provisions as wanted.

Col. Gridley's captains and subalterns for the train, were this day recommended to Congress to be commissioned.

Mr. Burbeck was recommended as lieutenant colonel in Col. Gridley's train of artillery, Mr. Scarborough Gridley as first major, and Mr. David Mason as second major, in said regiment of artillery.