of discord and mutiny have taken too deep root, and take such steps to put an end to it, as well as to him, with regard to his being any way concerned in the Army, as your Honours in your wisdom shall see fit. Abner Sanders, John Sanders, Jedediah White, Peter Ball, Eleazer Bradshaw, &c., of Waltham, and Captain Abijah Child, now in the Army, stand ready, upon any day that your Honours may appoint, to appear and give your Honours the fullest proofs of what is here set forth, though this is but in part.

COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.

GENTLEMEN: This Committee having received information from sundry persons, Selectmen of the Town of Waltham, respecting the conduct of Major Abijah Brown, of said Waltham, informing that he, the said Brown, at sundry times and in sundry places, did utter many things disrespectful and reflecting on the conduct of said Provincial Congress, the several Committees, and upon the General of the Colony Army, this Committee, apprehending that any determination on this case is out of the department of this Committee, beg leave to refer this matter, with the evidences respecting the same, to your Honours, that you may be furnished with such light as may enable you to determine thereon, as to you in your wisdom shall seem meet. We are your Honours’ most obedient humble servants,

BENJAMIN WHITE, Chairman.

To the Honourable Provincial Congress.

The Committee appointed to examine into the complaint against Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, beg leave to make the following Report, viz:

That after a full hearing of the allegations and proofs for and against said Brown, on the complaint of some unknown persons, through the Selectmen of Waltham, to this honourable Congress, we are of sentiment that an unhappy controversy has existed in said Town, relating to publick affairs, in which said Brown has exerted himself very earnestly in favour of the cause of liberty, by which means he has disgusted several persons, who have since endeavoured therefor to censure and stigmatize him as being an officious, busy, and designing man; and, unhappily, it appears that Mr. Brown has associated in taverns indiscriminately with many persons, in discourse with whom he at some times inadvertently expressed himself, which he could not strictly justify himself in, and that it is evident those disaffected antagonists of Mr. Brown had taken the advantage of his halting purely from revenge; and the Committee adjudge, from the whole of the evidence for and against said Brown, that he is injuriously treated by the secret resentments of designing persons, and that he ought to be reinstated to the esteem and countenance of every friend to the liberties of this Country. Per order:

RICHARD PERKINS, Chairman.

THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

[Read in Congress June 2, 1775.]

Watertown, May 27, 1775.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOURS: Enclosed are copies of a letter from Colonel B. Arnold, (dated Crown Point, May 19th,) and a list of military stores at Ticonderoga, &c. It seems that the step Colonel Arnold is taking in transporting into this Colony part of the ordnance taken at Lake Champlain, is in consequence of orders given him by our Committee of Safety; and if they had considered the proposal in a calmer season, perhaps they might have thought it would have been proper previously to have consulted our brethren of the Colony of New-York; certain it is, that this Colony is in the most pressing need of the ordnance which Colonel Arnold is transporting hither. On this occasion, we beg leave most solemnly to assure your Honours that nothing can be more abhorrent to the temper and spirit of this Congress and the people of this Colony, than any attempt to usurp on the jurisdiction of any of our sister Colonies, which, upon a superficial consideration of this step, there may seem to be some appearance of. But we assure ourselves that such is the candour and generous sentiments of our brethren of New-York, as that we may rest secure that they will readily overlook this mistake, (if it is one,) committed in the haste of war, and which may be naturally attributed thereto. And if any of the cannon should arrive within the limits of this Colony we shall hold ourselves accountable for them to your Honours, or any succeeding Representatives of the Continent.

May it please your Honours, permit us to observe, that in our opinion nothing can be more obvious than the infinite importance to the safety of the inhabitants of the Colonies of New-York, New-Hampshire, and even Connecticut, than maintaining, holding, and effectually securing the post at Ticonderoga, or some spot near the southwest end of Lake Champlain; for if that post is abandoned, the whole of Lake Champlain will be commanded by the Government of Canada, and the command of that water will amazingly facilitate all such descents upon these Colonies, whether greater or less, which Administration shall see fit to order. But if that post should be held by the Colonies, all such attempts for the destruction of the Colonies, may be vastly obstructed, if not wholly defeated. We have, therefore, the most full confidence that your Honours will immediately take these matters into your most serious consideration, and make such order thereon as will appear most fit and reasonable, and most conducive to the general safety.

We would further humbly suggest that we stand in need of large quantities of gunpowder, and it is impossible to obtain that article from any quarter this way; we therefore most earnestly entreat your Honours that some effectual measures may be devised that we may be supplied with that most necessary means of defence; and we find that the deficiency of that article prevails in all the Colonies. We most earnestly press this matter, as the salvation of these Colonies depends so much thereon. We would not presume to dictate to your Honours, but would quere whether it would not be prudent to advertise all Nations of the opportunities they now have to dispose of that article in America, as the best market.

We have the strongest persuasion that the settled plan of the British Administration is to break the chain of union of the Colonies at New-York; and we are sure that the evidence of such design, and their machinations for that purpose, cannot escape your attention.

We confide in the wisdom and vigilance of your Honours to devise such measures as (under God) will effectually defeat a plan so fatal, and which, if effected, will be the destruction of all the Colonies. We are, with the greatest respect, yours, &c.

By order of the Provincial Congress:

JOSEPH WARREN, Pres’t pro tem.

THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO THE ASSEMBLY OF CONNECTICUT.

Watertown, May 27, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Enclosed are copies of a letter from Colonel Arnold, dated May 19, 1775, and a list of military stores at Ticonderoga, &c. We wrote to you (of the 17th instant) relative to that fortress, &c., and were desirous that you would give such orders relative thereto as to you should seem meet; but we are of opinion that the advice of the Continental Congress should be had thereon as soon as may be, and also the particular advice of the Provincial Congress of New-York, to each of whom we have wrote upon this matter. Those fortresses being within the jurisdiction of the Colony of New-York, we are of opinion that it is necessary to consult them upon a matter in which they are so greatly interested.

We have appointed and directed Colonel Joseph Henshaw to repair to you, and consult with you upon the affair of that fortress, the maintenance of which we think of the utmost importance to the security of New-York and the