Spring, &c., read and Ordered, that Colonel Prescott, Captain Carpenter, Colonel Cushing, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Partridge, Colonel Thomas, and Doctor Taylor, be a Committee to take the said Resolutions into consideration, and report thereon.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow morning.

Saturday, February 4, 1775, A. M.

Resolved, That all the Debates and Resolutions of this Congress, be kept an entire secret, unless special leave be first obtained for disclosing the same.

Resolved, That the vote of yesterday relative to publishing in a pamphlet some of the doings of the late Provincial Congress, be reconsidered, so far as it relates to publishing the Resolve respecting the Militia.

Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Partridge, Daniel Davis, Esquire, and Mr. Sayer, be added to the Committee appointed to publish in a pamphlet some of the doings of the late Congress.

And that the same Committee prepare an Address to the inhabitants of this Province, recommending to them immediately to pay all their Province Tax to Henry Gardner, Esquire, and to carry the Resolves of the late Congress relative to the Militia into execution.

Upon a motion.

Ordered, That the Secretary be directed to write to Colonel Roberson, desiring him to deliver the four brass Field-Pieces, and the two brass Mortars, now in his hands, the property of the Province, to the order of the Committee of Safety.

The Committee appointed to take the vote of the Committee of Correspondence of the Town of Boston, and others in the vicinity, into consideration, reported. The consideration of the Report referred till to-morrow morning, at ten o'clock.

Adjourned till Monday morning, at ten o'clock.

Monday, February 6,1775, A, M.

The Order of the Day moved for.

The Report of the Committee on the vote of the Committee of Correspondence of the Town of Boston, &c., read. After some debate thereon,

Ordered, That it be recommitted for amendment.

Resolved, That the Honourable John Hancock, and Thomas Cushing, Esquire, Mr. Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat Paine, Esquires, appointed by the late Provincial Congress to represent this Colony, on the 10th day of May next, or sooner, if necessary, at the American Congress, to be held at Philadelphia, be, and they are hereby authorized and empowered, with the Delegates from the other American Colonies, to adjourn from time to time, and place to place, as they shall judge necessary; and to continue in being as Delegates for this Colony, until the 31st day of December next ensuing, and no longer.

A Petition of Abijah Brown, and others, setting forth the irregularity of the choice of Jonas Dix, Esquire, to represent the Town of Waltham in this Congress, with a counter Petition, signed by Leonard Williams, and others, were read, whereupon, it was

Resolved, That the averments in Brown's Petition mentioned, if true, are not sufficient to disqualify Jonas Dix, Esquire, Member from Waltham, from having a seat in this Congress.

A Petition of John Sawyer, and others, of Rowley, in the County of Essex, setting forth that they have raised a Troop of Horse; praying the aid of this Congress, that they may be established, &c.; read, and committed to Mr. Sullivan, Colonel Grout, and Major Fuller, to consider of and report thereon.

Afternoon.

Resolved, That the Secretary have power to adjourn this Congress in the absence of the President.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow morning.

Tuesday, February 7, 1775, A. M.

The Committee on the vote of the Committee of Correspondence of the Town of Boston, and others, having amended their Report, again reported, and was considered and accepted, and is as followeth:

Whereas, it appears to this Congress, that certain persons are employed in divers kinds of works for the Army now stationed in Boston, for the purpose of carrying into execution the late Acts of Parliament, and in supplying them with Iron for Wagons, Canvass, Tent Poles, and other articles of field equipage, whereby said Army may be enabled to take the field, and distress the inhabitants of this country:

Therefore, Resolved, As the opinion of this Congress, and is accordingly strongly recommended to the inhabitants of the several Towns and Districts of this Province, that should any person or persons presume to supply the Troops now stationed at Boston, or elsewhere in said Province, with Timber, Boards, Spars, Pickets, Tent Poles, Canvass Bricks, Iron, Wagons, Carts, Carriages, Intrenching Tools, or any materials for making any of the Carriages, or implements aforesaid, with Horses or Oxen for draught, or any other materials whatever, which may enable them to annoy, or in any manner distress said inhabitants, he or they shall be held in the highest detestation, and deemed inveterate enemies to America, and ought to be prevented and opposed by all reasonable means whatever.

And whereas, it appears to this Congress, that large quantities of Straw will be wanted by the inhabitants of this Province, in case we should be driven to the hard necessity of taking up arms in our own defence:

Therefore, Resolved, That no person or persons ought to sell or dispose of any Straw, which he or they may have on hand, except to the inhabitants of this Province for their own private use, or the use of said Province.

And it is strongly recommended by this Congress, to the Committees of Correspondence and Inspection in the several Towns and Districts in this Province, to see that the above Resolves be strictly and faithfully adhered to, till otherwise ordered by this or some other Provincial Congress or House of Representatives.

Ordered, That the above Resolves be published in all the Newspapers in this Province, and that it be attested by the Secretary.

Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Doctor Church, Mr. Bailey, Doctor Warren, and Colonel Thomas, be a Committee to take into consideration the account of the late Delegates from this Province, who attended the Continental Congress, and report what they be allowed for their expenses, and for their time, while absent on the business of the Province; and also devise some method how the money shall be procured to discharge the same; and also, how the money shall be procured to enable our present Delegates appointed to attend the American Congress, to refund their expenses.

The Committee appointed to draft an Address to the inhabitants of this Province, accompanying the Resolve which is ordered to be published relative to the Province Taxes being paid to Henry Gardner, Esquire, reported a draft, which was read, and considered in paragraphs.

Ordered, To be recommitted for amendments, and that Doctor Church and Doctor Warren be added to the Committee.

Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M.

Afternoon.

In consideration of the coldness of the season, and that the Congress sit in a house without fire,

Resolved, That all those Members who incline thereto may sit with their Hats on while in Congress.

The Committee on the State of the Province, reported in addition to the Report of the late Provincial Congress, relative to the power of the Committee of Safety, and General Officers. After some debate thereon, it was referred for further consideration till to-morrow morning, ten o'clock.

Resolved, That at ten o'clock to-morrow morning the Congress will come to the choice of some person to serve on the Committee of Safety, instead of Norton Quincy, Esquire, who declined accepting that trust.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o'clock.

Wednesday, February 8, 1775, A. M.

The Committee appointed to prepare an Address to the inhabitants of this Province, having amended, again reported the same. After consideration thereon, it was ordered to be recommitted for further amendments.