in the precedent capacity of Governour, shall be null and void in itself, and shall not operate as a warrant or discharge to any person acting by his order or under his authority.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That Henry Ward, Esq., Secretary of the Colony, be and he is hereby directed and fully authorized and empowered to sign the commissions for all officers, civil and military, chosen by this Assembly, as well those going in the service aforesaid, as others; he receiving therefore, out of the general Treasury, two shillings and eight pence for each commission. And that such commission so signed, with the Colony seal affixed, shall be as full and effectual warrants to every and all such officers so chosen, for the faithful discharge of his and their duty, as if the same were signed by a Governour of this Colony, duly elected and engaged according to law; any law, custom, or usage, to the contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That his Honour the Deputy Governour be requested, and fully authorized and empowered, to call the General Assembly together upon any emergency, to meet at such time and place as he shall think most fit for the interest of the Colony.

COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF MASSACHUSETTS TO GENERAL PREBLE.

Cambridge, May 20, 1775.

SIR: This Committee received your favour of the 15th instant, touching the raising men for the service of this Colony, and note your just observations on the subject.

The Committee, after the Resolutions of the Congress for the establishing an Army of 13,600 men, thought the exigencies of the times, and the exposed situation of the several Towns near Boston, made it absolutely necessary that the Army should be immediately raised, and that for the facilitating of this important business, it was expedient orders should be issued to such men as are recommended as proper persons for such important trusts. Accordingly orders were issued to as many Colonels as were sufficient to complete said Army; but from the delay which appeared in the Army’s being formed, by the slow progress made in the enlisting men, and the exposed situation of the Colony camp, by the going off of numbers from time to time, it was rendered necessary that further orders should be issued for completing the Army with all possible speed; and, in consequence of that determination, among others, Colonel March received orders for the enlisting of a Regiment for the service of this Colony, and, we understand, has made some considerable progress in enlisting men for said service. We are also informed by your Honour, that Colonel Phinney has received enlisting orders from you, and has engaged in the business of enlisting men to complete a Regiment. And we are further informed by your Honour, that it is impracticable that two Regiments should be raised in the County of Cumberland; and being told by Colonel Phinney that many of the men that would be raised in your County, could not be supplied by the Towns, from which they are enlisted, with fire-arms and blankets, this Committee, taking into consideration the exposed situation of your County, and the probability of the Army’s being completed without drawing men from those parts of the Colony which are more immediately exposed, would recommend, Sir, that you would use your influence that a stop be put to the raising any men in your County, until it may be known by the various returns from the several Colonels authorized for the raising Regiments, whether it may be necessary to take any men from your County; and should this necessity take place, of raising a Regiment in your County, this Committee will endeavour to give you such early intelligence as may be necessary. The request of this Committee to your Honour, we flatter ourselves will not be conceived by you as carrying in it the least disrespect to Colonel March or Colonel Phinney, but solely from the probability of the Army’s being complete, without taking men from those parts of the Colony which are more immediately exposed. We should be glad to see your Honour at Head-Quarters; hope your health will soon admit, and with you join in the hope of soon seeing a speedy end to the great difficulties this distressed Colony now labours under.

We are, Sir, with great respect, your Honour’s humble servants.

LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO CONFER WITH THE CONGRESS OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

Exeter, May 20, 1775.

SIR: In obedience to the orders of the Congress, we have executed the commission betrusted us, and find the General disposed to concur in every measure that shall conduce to the publick good. Enclosed, Sir, is their Resolve of Congress. We can add no more than giving you account of their seizing a number of masts in Portsmouth, destined for the Navy. Their firmness resolution, and unanimity, gives us great pleasure, and are, Sir, with the highest respect, your most obedient humble servants,

JOSEPH GERRISH,
EBENEZER SAWYER.

To the President of the Congress of the Massachusetts Colony, if sitting, and if not, to the Chairman of the Committee of Safety.

Whereas by the late Acts of the British Parliament, and conduct of the Ministers in pursuance thereof, it appears very evident that a plan is laid and now pursuing, to subjugate this and the other American Colonies to the most abject slavery; and the late hostilities committed by the British Troops in our sister Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, leaves us no doubt in determining that no other way is left us to preserve our most darling rights, and inestimable privileges, but by immediately defending them by arms. Reduced, therefore, by this most terrible necessity, this Convention, after the most solemn deliberations, have

Resolved, That it is necessary to raise immediately two thousand effective men in this Province, including officers, and those of this Province that are already in the service, and that the time of their enlistment continue to the last day of December next, unless the Committee of Safety should judge it proper that a part or the whole be discharged sooner.

That every member pledge his honour and estate in the name of his constituents, to pay their proportion for the maintenance and pay of the above officers and soldiers while in service.

That application be made immediately to the Continental Congress, for their advice and assistance respecting means and ways to put the above plan into execution.

That the establishment of the officers and soldiers shall be the same as in the Massachusetts-Bay.

Agreed, That the Selectmen of the several Towns and Districts within this Colony, be desired to furnish the soldiers, who shall enlist from their respective Towns and Districts, with good and sufficient blankets, and render their account to the Committee of Supplies.

That if it should appear that the above number of men is not our full proportion with other Governments, that this Convention will make a proper addition for that purpose.

MATTHEW THORNTON, President.

REVEREND WILLIAM GORDONS TO DOCTOR J. WARREN.

Jamaica Plains, May 20, 1775.

SIR: Shall be obliged to you would you stop any letters directed for me that may be brought by the post, and send them by the bearer, who will pay the postage. Should the Committee approve of sending me Hutchinson' s loose letters, with the letter books, on Monday, will apply myself to sorting them according to date, reading them over, and notifying every thing that shall appear to me of importance to be laid before the publick. Your very humble servant, and brother in the same common cause,

WILLIAM GORDON.

LETTER FROM FOUR MOHAWKS TO THE ONEIDAS, TRANSLATED FROM THE MOHAWK INTO ENGLISH.

Written at Guy Johnson’s, May, 1775.

This is your letter, you great ones or Sachems. Guy Johnson says he will be glad if you get this intelligence, you Oneidas, how it goes with him now, and he is now more certain concerning the intention of the Boston people. Guy Johnson is in great fear of being taken prisoner by the Bostonians.