colonies, be immediately seized, and held in safe custody until our friends who have been seized by General Gage are set at liberty, and fully recompensed for their loss and imprisonment.

Voted, That Mr. John Steel and his two sons be appointed armorers for this colony's forces.

Eight small arms were delivered Col. Ebenezer Bridge, for the use of his regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to seventeen pounds six shillings, for which a receipt was taken in the minute book.

Whereas, the honorable Congress have made an establishment for a company of artificers, which consists of carpenters, blacksmiths, and wheelwrights; and a captain is appointed for the carpenters, but no provision is made for captains or master workmen for the blacksmiths and wheelwrights, therefore, Resolved, that the premises be recommended to the consideration of the honorable Congress, now sitting at Watertown.

JULY 7, 1775.

Two guns were received from Capt. Josiah Stone, of Framingham, for the use of this colony, amounting, by appraisement, to three pounds sixteen shillings, for which a receipt was given by Mr. Devens.

Forty small arms were delivered Col. Scammon, for the use of his regiment, amounting, by appraisement, to seventy-four pounds thirteen shillings and four pence, for which a receipt was taken in the minute book.

One small arm was delivered Col. Gridley, for the use of his regiment, amounting, by appraisement, to two pounds four shillings, for which a receipt was taken in the minute book.

Passed upon Matthew Clark's account, amounting to nine pounds three shillings and six pence; and a certificate was delivered him for the committee on accounts.

Whereas, Mr. Seth Brown, who has had the care of horses for the cannon, has resigned that employment, and as Thomas Organ, who was in the service of the late General Warren, is willing to undertake that service, looking upon him to be a person well qualified for that trust, we desire he may be appointed accordingly.

The above was directed to the gentlemen of the committee of supplies.

Passed upon Mr. Isaac Bissel, a post rider's account, amounting, as by copy on file, to two pounds one shilling; and a certificate was given him for the committee on accounts.

[Whereas, a number of soldiers in the American army, are from time to time, observed to be much disguised with spirituous liquors,

and should not some effectual measures be taken to put a stop to this disorder, not only the morals and health, but also the lives and liberties of this people will be endangered; therefore, Resolved, that it be, and it is hereby recommended to his Excellency General Washington, that an order be issued to suppress retailers of spirituous liquors within and near the camps, in such manner as to him may seem meet.]

Upon application made to this committee by Capt. Rogers, and due examination into the matter, the following was voted to be sent the selectmen, &c., of the town of Reading, to be communicated to the adjacent towns.

GENTLEMEN :-Whereas, Capt. Jacob Rogers, late an inhabitant of Charlestown, but who, through the necessity of the times, has been obliged to quit Charlestown, has since taken up his residence in the town of Reading; but some licentious persons of the town of Stoneham, as is represented to us, have threatened to raise a mob, and drive him out of said Reading, to the great terror of his family, and this, without any cause that we can find, evidence having appeared of his good behavior while in Charlestown; in order to put a stop to such disorderly conduct, it is Resolved, that all the inhabitants of this colony be desired, as they regard the peace and welfare of the country, to behave peaceably and quietly towards the said Capt. Rogers; and if his conduct should hereafter be unworthy a friend to American liberty, he is then to be orderly complained of, to such authority as may then exist within this colony, but by no means to be proceeded against in any disorderly manner.

Twenty-eight guns, for the use of the colony, collected by order of Congress, were received of Mr. John Ingraham, July 7th.

Passed upon Mr. John Barber's account, amounting to seven pounds thirteen shillings and eight pence; and a certificate was given him for the committee on accounts.

JULY 8, 1775.

Two small arms were received of Col. Simeon Spaulding, for the use of this colony, amounting, by appraisement, to two pounds twelve shillings.

Two small arms, appraised at four pounds four shillings, were delivered Capt. Job Cushing, of Col. Ward's regiment, as by receipt on file.

Fifteen small arms [were delivered,] for the use of Col. Sergeant's

regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to twenty-seven pounds three shillings, for which a receipt has been taken in the minute book.

The honorable the Provincial Congress having acquainted this committee, that Mr. James Winthrop, post master in Cambridge, had declined serving any longer in that office, and desired that another might be recommended to them for that place :

Voted, That Mr. Jonathan Hastings, Jun., be recommended to the honorable Congress, as a suitable person for the trust aforesaid.

Two small arms were received of Mr. Seth Stone, of Cambridge, for the use of this colony, amounting, as by appraisement, to three pounds eighteen shillings, for which a receipt was given him by the secretary.

Passed upon John Gill, Jun., a post rider's account, amounting to six pounds seventeen shillings and eight pence, for which a certificate was given.

[Whereas, many complaints have been made to this committee, that the armorers frequently deliver the arms out of their shops unfit for service, and delay the work unnecessarily; in order to prevent occasion for such complaints in future, and to hasten the public service in an orderly manner, which has not yet been provided for, it is Resolved, that it be, and it hereby is, recommended to the honorable Congress, to make an establishment for, at least, four master armorers, each one of whom shall work and superintend one shop, each of which shops, as we apprehend, may well accommodate eight men, including the master.]

[Resolved, That the instructions to be given to the officers of the regiments, be sent to the council of war, and if approved, be forwarded: they are as follow:]

[Instructions for the officers of the several regiments of the Massachusetts Bay forces, who are immediately to go upon the recruiting service.]

[You are not to enlist any deserter from the ministerial army, nor any stroller, negro, or vagabond, or person suspected of being an enemy to the liberty of America, nor any under eighteen years of age.]

[As the cause is the best that can engage men of courage and principle to take up arms, so it is expected that none but such will be accepted by the recruiting officer; the pay, provision, &c., being so ample, it is not doubted but the officers sent upon this service, will, without delay, complete their respective corps, and march the men forthwith to camp.]

[You are not to enlist any person who is not an American-born, unless such person has a wife and family, and is a settled resident in this country.]

[The persons you enlist, must be provided with good and complete arins.]

One small arm was received of Mr. Samuel Haynes, of Sudbury, for the use of this colony, amounting, by appraisement, to thirty shillings, for which a receipt was given him by the clerk.

Whereas, considerable uneasiness has arisen in some part of the army, from some of the soldiers enlisting a second time into other companies than those which they first enlisted into, and if not prevented will be attended with great inconvenience, therefore, Resolved, that it be recommended to the honorable Provincial Congress, to pass such an order as may cause those soldiers who have conducted as above, to return to their respective companies into which they were first enlisted, or otherwise order, as to them in their wisdom shall seem meet.

Whereas, it is necessary [that] the house of Mr. John Vassal, ordered by Congress for the residence of his excellency General Washington, should be immediately put in such condition as may make it convenient for that purpose, therefore, Resolved, that Mr. Timothy Austin be, and hereby is empowered and authorized, to put said house in proper order for the purposes above mentioned, and that he procure such assistance and furniture as may be necessary to put said house in proper condition for the reception of his excellency and his attend

ants.

(NOTE.) The following letter was sent to the towns required to furnish clothing by the committee of supplies.

"WATERTOWN, JULY 10, 1775." "GENTLEMEN:-In obedience to the order of Congress, we have proportioned thirteen thousand coats on all the towns and districts in this colony, excepting Boston and Charlestown; and have inclosed you the proportion, with their resolves, and a sample as a direction to you both as to the color and quality of the cloth which shall be manufactured by you, and of the quality of the imported cloths of which the coats shall be made; we are to assure you, that the coats you supply shall be delivered to the men of your town so far as circumstances will admit

"We are, gentlemen, respectfully, your most humble servants,

DAVID CHEEVER, Chairman.

P. S. A large number of shirts, stockings, and summer breeches are wanted immediately for the use of the army, you are therefore, earnestly requested, as you value the lives and health of your countrymen, to furnish this committee as soon as possible, with a large number of the said articles, not less than two shirts, two pair of stockings, and two pair of summer breeches to each coat, apportioned as the share of your town, and send them, as soon as procured, to Mr. William Hunt, at Watertown. We shall be ready to order payment for the same as soon as received, according to the prices which you shall certify, relying on your judgment to prevent impositions upon the soldiers.

JULY 11, 1775.

The commission from the honorable Congress to this committee, was this day received from said Congress.

His excellency General Washington having signified to this committee, that they send Monsieur Viart to the town of Worcester; Resolved, that a post immediately proceed with said Viart, to Worcester, and that Mr. Devens provide a horse for that purpose.

Two small arms were delivered Col. Mansfield, for the use of his regiment, amounting to five pounds eight shillings four pence, for which a receipt was taken in the minute book.

Resolved, That the committee of correspondence in the town of Worcester, be hereby required and directed to take into their custody, Monsieur Viart, a Frenchman; that they suffer him, on his parole, to have the liberty to walk for his health to a convenient distance about the town, but to guard against his escape, till they shall receive further orders on this subject, either from the general or this committee.

The following order was issued.

CAMBRIDGE, JULY 11, 1775.

To the Taverners and Innholders on the road between Cambridge and

Worcester.

You are hereby required to supply with necessary provisions, Mr. -, and a Frenchman with him, (he being on public service,) and

charge the same to this colony.

The honorable the Congress of this colony, having passed a resolve that this committee be appointed to draw up and transmit to Great Britain, a fair and impartial account of the late battle of Charlestown, as soon as possible; and this committee being exceedingly crowded with business, therefore, Resolved, that the Rev. Doct. Cooper, Rev. Mr. Gordon and the Rev. Mr. Peter Thatcher, be desired to draw up a true statement of said action, as soon as may be, and lay it before this committee.

The committee of safety of Marblehead, were advised by this committee, that five ships sailed this day from Boston, their destination unknown.

The taverners and innholders on the road to Marblehead, were required to supply Mr. Thomas Williams, an express in the colony service, with necessary provisions, and to transmit an account of the charge thereof, to this committee.