April 27, 1775.

Resolved, That Captain Derby be directed, and he hereby is directed, to make for Dublin, or any good port in Ireland, and from thence to cross to Scotland or England, and hasten to London. This direction is, that so he may escape all cruisers that may be in the chops of the Channel, to stop the communicating of the Provincial intelligence to the Agent.

Voted, That it is the sense of this Committee that it would promote the service, if two Majors be appointed to each of the general officers’ Regiments, and that it be recommended accordingly to the Provincial Congress.

A Letter, dated twenty-sixth instant, was sent to the Colony of Rhode-Island; and another, of the same tenour, was sent to the Colony of Connecticut.

Ordered, That Colonel John Glover take such effectual methods for the prevention of intelligence being carried on board the Lively, ship-of-war, Captain Bishop, commander, now lying in the harbour of Marblehead, or any other, as may have a tendency to injure the most important cause we are engaged in, and that he take such effectual methods for carrying this order into execution, as shall appear best calculated to effect this purpose.

April 28, 1775.

Voted, To recommend to the Colony Congress, now sitting in Watertown, and it is recommended accordingly, to make an establishment for Post-Riders between the Massachusetts Forces and the Town of Worcester.

Also that the said Congress take such order as they may think proper, to prevent any Town or District taking any notice of his Excellency General Gage’s precepts for calling a General Assembly.

Doctor Warren was appointed to give the sentiments of this Committee on Lord Dartmouth’s Circular Letter to the other Governments.

Voted, That Mr. President Langdon be, and he hereby is appointed Chaplain of the Army in Cambridge, pro tem., and that he be furnished with a, copy of this vote.

Major Brown was appointed to give such repairs to the Cannon at Waltham, as may be judged proper.

Ordered, That the Commissary-General be directed to provide Quarters for about one hundred and fifty men from Connecticut, under the command of Major Brown.

Voted, That it is the sense of this Committee that no Enlisting Orders be hereafter given out, unless a written order is received from the respective Colonels.

Voted, That for the future, no order go out, to any men that live in New-York Government, or any other Government, for the enlisting of men for the service of this Province.

Ordered, That the Cannon now in Medford be immediately brought to this Town, under the direction of Captain Foster.

Voted, That General Thomas be desired to distribute the Orders which he has received, some time since, for enlisting a Regiment, to such Captains as he thinks proper.

Mr. Henderson Inches, who left Boston this day, attended, and informed the Committee that the inhabitants of Boston had agreed with the General, to have liberty to leave Boston with their effects, provided that they lodged their Arms with the Selectmen of that Town, to be by them kept during the present dispute; and that agreeable to said agreement, the inhabitants had, on the yesterday, lodged seventeen hundred and seventy-eight Fire-Arms, six hundred and thirty-four Pistols, nine hundred and seventy-three Bayonets, and thirty-eight Blunderbusses, with their Selectmen.

Voted, That Doctor Warren, Colonel Palmer, and Mr. Watson, be a Sub-Committee, to take the state of Boston into Consideration, and report as soon as may be.

April 29, 1775.

A Vote of Provincial Congress was read, respecting the removal of the inhabitants of Boston; whereupon Colonel Orne, Mr. Devens, and Captain White, were appointed a Sub-Committee, to take the matter into consideration, and report as soon as may be.

Voted, That orders be sent into the neighbouring Towns, requiring one-half of the Militia to be immediately sent into Roxbury and Cambridge, as a re-enforcement to our Army, and that the rest of the inhabitants hold themselves in readiness to march at a minute’s warning; also,

Voted, That Mr. Watson, Captain White, and Colonel Gardner, be a Sub-Committee to report the Towns to be sent to, the destination of the re-enforcements, and the expresses to be despatched.

Voted, That the Secretary be directed to empower Expresses to press as many Horses as they may have occasion for.

Voted, That the Committee of Supplies, at Watertown, be directed to attend this Committee immediately, and that the Secretary write them accordingly.

Upon information that the supplies of Powder and Ball at Watertown were in the keeping of the Commissary-General,

Voted, That General Ward be desired to apply to the Commissary for such a quantity of said Stores as he may have occasion for.

Voted, That Dr. Isaac Foster be directed and empowered to remove all the sick and wounded, whose circumstances will admit of it, into the Hospital, and to supply proper beds and bedding, clothing, victuals, and furniture, with every other article that he shall judge proper for said Hospital, and that this be a sufficient order for him to draw on the Commissary for such articles as he can supply, and to draw orders on the Commissary for the payment of whatever expenses are necessary, for procuring the above-mentioned articles.

Voted, That the Secretary desire Messrs. Halls, printers, at Salem, to print three hundred Letters, to be sent to the several Towns in the Province.

Captain Benedict Arnold, with a Company, being arrived here from Connecticut,

Ordered, That the Commissary-General be directed to provide suitable Quarters for said Company.

Upon motion made, Voted, That orders be given to Gen. Thomas for seizing Governour Hutchinson’s Papers.

A Letter from General Thomas, respecting some Companies of Minute-Men at Dartmouth, was read; whereupon,

Voted, That Colonel Orne, Colonel Palmer, and Colonel Gardner, be a Sub-Committee to consider and give directions relative to the General’s request.

A Letter from Colonel Hancock, now at Worcester, was read; whereupon,

Voted, That four reams of Paper be immediately ordered to Worcester by Mr. Barber, for the use of Mr. Thomas, printer, he to be accountable.

Letter from Medford read; whereupon, Voted, That the Company now raised, hold themselves in readiness to march at a minute’s warning; remaining in Medford till further orders.

The Sub-Committee on Gen. Thomas’s Letter, reported, that it be ordered that Capt. Nathaniel Richmond, with any other Captain that can bring into the camp fifty-six men, including Sergeants, that will enlist into the service of this Colony, shall have the encouragement given by the Provincial Congress, and shall immediately enter into pay upon their enlistment. The critical situation of our publick affairs demand the utmost exertion of the friends of America, and should remissness now appear, the consequences may be fatal.

Voted, That Mr. Watson be desired to make, inquiry with respect to the Colony Arms not in use, and that Captain Gutteridge, of the Indian Company, have such a number as is desired.

Voted, That Colonel Gerrish be desired to send Major Dunbar, now a prisoner at Head-Quarters, to Woburn, under a strong guard, and order him to be there kept in safe custody, till further orders from this Committee.

Voted, That Captain Hill and Company be furnished with Provisions at any tavern they see fit to call at, in conveying Major Dunbar to a place of safety, at the expense of the Province.

Voted, That Captain Brown, of Watertown, be desired, upon any advice of the Troops coming out, to order the Cannon to a place of safety, and that for that purpose he be empowered, to press horses, cattle, &c.

April 30, 1775.

Captain Benedict Arnold, captain of a Company from Connecticut, attended, and reports, that there are at Ticonderoga