of General Brattle, and Mr. Borland, and others; whereupon,

Voted, That he be directed to take possession of those Liquors, and other Stores, immediately, in all the houses which are deserted, and that a particular account of such stores be taken, and they then be committed to the care of the Commissary-General.

May 3, 1775.

Voted, That two Companies be raised in the Towns of Malden and Chelsea, for the defence of the sea-coast of said Towns, the said Companies to be joined to such Regiments in future as they may be ordered to, should there be occasion, or discharged from service as soon as the publick good will admit of it.

Voted, That the Quarter-Master General be directed to pay the strictest attention, that the Household Furniture, of those persons who have taken refuge in the Town of Boston, may be properly secured, and disposed of in places of safety.

The following Orders were given Colonel Arnold, relative to an attempt upon Ticonderoga, viz:

To Benedict Arnold, Esquire, commander of a body of Troops on an expedition to subdue and take possession of the Fort of Ticonderoga:

SIR: Confiding in your judgment, fidelity, and valour, we do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you Colonel and Commander-in-Chief over a body of men, not exceeding four hundred, to proceed with all expedition to the Western parts of this and the neighbouring Colonies, where you are directed to enlist those men, and with them forthwith to march to the Fort at Ticonderoga, and use your best endeavours to reduce the same, taking possession of the cannon, mortars, stores, &c., upon the Lake; you are to bring back with you such of the cannon, mortars, stores, &c., as you shall judge may be serviceable to the Army here, leaving behind what may be necessary to secure that post, with a sufficient garrison; you are to procure suitable provisions and stores for the Army, and draw upon the Committee of Safety for the amount thereof, and to act in every exigence, according to your best skill and discretion, for the publick interest, for which this shall be your sufficient warrant.

BENJ. CHURCH, JUN., for Com. of Safety.

By order:

WILLIAM COOPER, Secretary.

Cambridge, May 3, 1775.

Moved and voted, That the Vote passed the second of May, respecting the raising of two Companies in Braintree, be reconsidered, and that the copy of said Vote, together with the two Enlisting Papers, be ordered to be returned into the hands of said Committee of Safety;

And whereas, a Petition from the Towns of Braintree, Weymouth, and Hingham, hath this day been presented to this Committee, setting forth the exposed situation of those Towns, and praying for such relief and protection as may be thought proper: therefore,

Voted, That the Town of Braintree be hereby empowered to raise one Company, the Town of Hingham another Company, and the Town of Weymouth half of one Company, for the immediate defence of the sea-coasts of said Towns; the said Two Companies and a half to be joined to such Regiment in future as they may be ordered to, should there be occasion, or discharged from service on the last day of December next, or sooner, if the publick safety will admit of it, and that the Selectmen of said Towns be furnished with a copy of this Vote, and one set of Beating Orders, respectively.

May 4, 1775.

Resolved, as the opinion of this Committee, That the publick good of this Colony requires that Government in full form ought to be taken up immediately, and that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Congress now sitting at Watertown.

The Sub-Committee reported the draught of a Letter to the Governour and Company of the Colony of Connecticut, requesting the speedy march of three or four thousand of their men; which was accepted, and ordered, that a fair copy be transmitted immediately.

Voted, That William Cooper, Junior, be appointed a Clerk to this Committee, in the room of Mr. Palmer, appointed Quarter-Master General; Samuel Cooper was added as an Assistant.

Voted, That a Chest of Medicines be removed from hence to Roxbury, under the care of General Thomas.

There having been eight Guns sent in for the use of the Colony, Colonel Whitcomb and General Heath were appointed to appraise the same, who reported as follows, viz:

Memorandum.—Colonel Jonathan Ward gave a receipt for the above Guns, for which he made himself accountable, which receipt is entered in the Minute-Book.

A Letter was reported for the Inhabitants of New-York; which was accepted, and a copy of the same put on file.

Draught of a Letter to the Governour and Company of Rhode-Island, respecting the sending a number of Troops immediately, was reported; whereupon,

Voted, That the same be accepted, and transmitted by an express.

Voted, That a Sub-Committee may be appointed to wait upon the Council of War to recommend their giving orders for a return of the enlisted men, and that they will take order that such men as are enlisted, may be admitted to join the Camp with all expedition, that so such men as are far from home, and do not intend to enlist, may have leave to depart as soon as it can be done with safety to the Colony.

Voted, That Colonel Gardner be appointed to lay this Vote before the Council of War.

Voted, That it be recommended to the Council of War, that six Companies of each of the two Regiments to be raised in the County of Plymouth, be ordered to join the Army at Roxbury, as soon as they are completed; and that the four other Companies of each of said Regiments, which may be raised most contiguous to the sea-coast of said County, be retained for the immediate defence of said sea-coast, to be regulated by the Colonels of said Regiments, until further orders.

Voted, That Colonel Palmer and Colonel Cushing be appointed to lay the foregoing Vote before said Council.

Advice being received that a number of Transports with Troops are just arrived at Boston from England, Doctor Church, Colonel Palmer, and Mr. Devens, were appointed to confer with the Council of War upon the occasion.

Voted, That Colonel Bricket be desired to take possession of all the Arms and Ammunition that he shall find in Mr. Borland’s house, and bring them to Head-Quarters.

May 7, 1775.

Whereas, it appears to this Committee, that great uneasiness may arise in the Army by the appointment of Surgeons who may not be agreeable to the Officers and Soldiers in their respective Regiments: therefore,

Voted, That it be recommended to the Congress to allow the Colonel of each Regiment to nominate the Surgeon for his Regiment; the said Surgeon to nominate his Mate; and, unless there is some material objection made against them, that they be accordingly appointed.

Mr. George Babcock, charged with the care of a House, having complained that certain persons had come to said House, and taken from thence considerable Furniture:

Voted, That this complaint be referred to Congress, and that Mr. Cushing be desired to accompany said Babcock there; and that the above Vote be sent to the Council of War for their approbation; which Vote being sent, it was approved of accordingly.

Resolved, That it be, and hereby is recommended to the Selectmen and Committee of Correspondence for the