ince; and it is accordingly recommended to the several religious assemblies in the Province, that Thursday the fifteenth day of December next, be observed as a day of Thanksgiving, to render thanks to Almighty God for all the blessings we enjoy; and, at the same time, we think it incumbent on this people to humble themselves before God on account of their sins, for which he hath been pleased, in his righteous judgment, to suffer so great a calamity to befall us as the present controversy between Great Britain and the Colonies; as also to implore the Divine blessing upon us, that, by the assistance of his grace, we may be enabled to reform whatever is amiss among us, that so God may be pleased to continue to us the blessings we enjoy, and remove the tokens of his displeasure, by causing harmony and union to be restored between Great Britain and these Colonies, that we may again rejoice in the smiles of our Sovereign, and in possession of those privileges which have been transmitted to us, and have the hopeful prospect that they shall be handed down to posterity under the Protestant succession in the illustrious House of Hanover.

Afternoon.

The Report of the Committee appointed to consider what is necessary to be done for the Defence and Safety of the Province, being amended, was again read, and ordered to be recommitted for further amendment; and was committed accordingly.

Resolved That the order recommending that a day of Thanksgiving be observed throughout this Province, be printed, and a copy thereof sent to all the religious assemblies in this Province; and that the President sign the same.

Ordered That Mr. Appleton Doctor Foster and Mr. Devens be a Committee to agree with Messrs. Edes and Gill to print the Resolve entered into by this Congress, recommending to the inhabitants of this Province to observe a day of Publick Thanksgiving; and that they send a copy thereof to all the religious assemblies therein.

Adjourned to Monday next, at ten o'clock, A. M.

Monday, October 24, 1774.

The Report of the Committee appointed to consider what is necessary to be done for the defence and safety of the Province, being amended, was taken into consideration, and a long debate had thereon.

Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M.

Afternoon.

Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Ordered That Colonel Lee Mr. Palmer Captain Batcheldor Captain Keith and Colonel Orne be a Committee to consider of and report to this Congress the most proper time for this Province to provide a stock of Powder, Ordnance, and Ordnance Stores; and that they sit forthwith.

Ordered That the Committee appointed to bring in a Non-consumption Agreement, report forthwith.

Resolved That the debates had in Congress this afternoon, and that all those which may be had in future, be kept secret by the Members thereof, until leave shall be had from the Congress to disclose the same.

Ordered That Mr. Bliss wait upon the Committee appointed to consider of the most proper time for this Province to provide themselves with Powder, Ordnance, &c. He waited on the Committee accordingly, and reported that they would attend on the Congress in a few minutes. The Committee came in accordingly, and reported, as their opinion, that now was the proper time for the Province to procure a stock of powder, ordnance, and ordnance stores.

Ordered That Colonel Lee Mr. Palmer Captain Batcheldor Captain Keith Colonel Orne Captain Gardner Captain Heath Colonel Warren and Colonel Pomeroy be a Committee to take into consideration and determine what number of Ordnance, what quantity of Powder and Ordnance Stores will be now necessary for the Province stock, and estimate the expense thereof.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the Report of the Committee appointed to consider what is necessary to be done for the defence and safety of the Province, and ordered it to be recommitted for further amendments, and that Captain Roberson Major Foster Captain Bragdon and Mr. Gerry be added to the Committee.

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

Tuesday, October 25, 1774.

Congress met agreeable to adjournment.

Ordered That the Committee appointed to report a Non-consumption Agreement, sit forthwith.

Mr. Wheeler brought into Congress a Letter directed to Doctor Appleton purporting the propriety, that while we are attempting to free ourselves from our present embarrassments, and preserve ourselves from slavery, that we also take into consideration the state and circumstances of the Negro Slaves in this Province. The same was read, and it was moved that a Committee be appointed to take the same into consideration. After some debate thereon, the question was put, whether the matter now subside, and it passed in the affirmative.

Ordered That Mr. Patterson Mr. Devens and Doctor Holten be a Committee to inquire into the state of all the stores in the Commissary General's office.

Upon a motion, the question was put, whether a Committee be appointed to take into consideration the propriety of having the Donations which shall be made to the Poor of the town of Boston stored in the country, and passed in the negative.

Resolved That four o'clock this afternoon be assigned to take into consideration the state of the Executive Courts throughout this Province.

Ordered That the Committee appointed to inquire into the state of all the Stores in the Commissary General's office, report forthwith.

Afternoon.

Ordered That the Doorkeeper be directed to call in the Members.

The Committee appointed to take into consideration what number of Ordnance, what quantity of Powder and Ordnance Stores are now necessary for the Province stock, and estimate the expense thereof, reported. The Report was read, considered, and accepted; which is as followeth:

The Committee appointed to take into consideration and determine what number of Ordnance, quantity of Powder and Ordnance Stores will be necessary for the Province stock at this time, and estimate the expense, beg leave to report the following schedule of articles as necessary to be procured at this time, in addition to what we are already possessed of, with the estimate of expenses attendant, amounting in the whole to ten thousand seven hundred and thirty-seven pounds, viz:

Ordered That all the matters which shall come under consideration before this Congress, be kept secret, and that they be not disclosed to any but the Members thereof, until the further order of this body.

The Committee appointed to consider what is necessary to be done for the defence and safety of the Government, reported. The Report was read.

Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow morning.

Wednesday, October 26, 1774.

Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the Report