Town of Sudbury, that they use their utmost influence that the effects of Colonel Ezra Taylor, of that Town, be secured from any injury whatsoever.

Ordered, That the Selectmen and the Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Chelsea, be desired to take such effectual methods for the prevention of any Provisions being carried into the Town of Boston, as may be sufficient for that purpose.

May 9, 1775.

Moved and Voted, That the Congress be desired to direct their Secretary to furnish this Committee with copies of all such Resolves as have passed the Congress, any ways relative to the duty enjoined this Committee; and as the circumstances of this Colony are very different from what they were at their first appointment, the Committee would represent to the Congress that they apprehend it necessary that the whole of their duty may be comprised in a new commission.

The Council of War having determined that two thousand men are necessary to re-enforce the Army now at Roxbury, and that if possible the re-enforcement be brought into camp the ensuing night, this Committee took the vote of the Council of War into consideration: Whereupon,

Ordered, That the Commanding Officers of the Town of Dorchester, Dedham, Newton, Watertown, Waltham, Roxbury, Milton, Braintree, Brookline, and Needham, immediately muster one-half of the Militia, and all the Minute-men under their command, and march them forthwith to the Town of Roxbury, for the strengthening of the camp there.

A Firelock of Mr. Borland’s was appraised by Colonel Palmer and Colonel Orne, at forty shillings, and delivered Colonel Sergeant, for which he is to be accountable.

A Vote passed, recommending it to the Provincial Congress, that a Court of Inquiry be appointed for the trial of accused persons.

Voted, That Daniel Taylor, of Concord, be desired to send down to Cambridge about sixty Oars for boats, from twelve to sixteen feet in length.

May 10, 1775.

Voted, That one Company of men be raised by the District of Cohasset, for the immediate defence of the sea-coast of said District, the said Company to be joined to such Regiment in future as they may be ordered to, should there be occasion, or discharged from service, as soon as the publick good will permit it.

Voted, That Nathan Cushing, Esq., be desired forthwith to engage four Armourers for the service of this Colony, and order them immediately to repair to the Town of Cambridge, with their tools and other matters necessary for that purpose.

Whereas, the Council of War are of opinion, that many Batteaus, Whale-boats, and other vessels, will immediately, or very soon be wanted in Charles River, and other places; and as there are not a sufficient number of such vessels to be now obtained; it is, therefore,

Resolved, That it would be of publick utility to have one or more Master Carpenters immediately engaged in that service; and that this Resolve be immediately sent to Congress for their consideration.

Mr. Daniel Taylor, of Concord, is empowered to impress a Carriage or Carriages for the bringing down Oars from that Town to Cambridge.

Voted, That Orders be issued to the Colonels of the several Regiments, to repair, with the men they have enlisted, to Cambridge, immediately.

The Provincial Congress having resolved that the General Officers be directed forthwith to call in all the Soldiers who are enlisted in the service of this Colony; and that they give immediate orders to all the enlisted Soldiers, and all others now in the camp at Cambridge and Roxbury, that they do not depart till the further orders of the Congress: Whereupon,

Voted, That the following Letter be immediately sent to the respective Colonels of the Army, viz:

Cambridge, May 10, 1775.

SIR: As we are meditating a blow against our restless enemies, we therefore enjoin you, as you would evidence your regard for your Country, forthwith, upon receipt of this order, to repair to the Town of Cambridge, with the men enlisted under your command.* We are, &c.

Voted, That the following Letter, signed by Benjamin Church, Junior, as Chairman of this Committee, be transmitted to Joseph Warren, Esq., President of the Congress, to be communicated, viz:

SIR: Conformable to order of Congress, the Committee of Safety, with the Council of War, have issued orders to the several Colonels, a copy of which we enclose you. Upon receiving the Return, those who have completed their Regiments will be commissioned, agreeably to the direction of Congress. Those who find it impracticable to fill their Companies, must be incorporated into other defective Regiments, which is the only plan the Committee find themselves able to suggest on this emergency; but should there finally be a deficiency, enlisting orders must be given to others. Yours, &c.

On a motion made and seconded, Ordered, That William Goodwin have orders to fetch a number of Boats from Charlestown, and likewise orders to press Teams for the same purpose.

Mr. William Goodwin, of Charlestown, was directed and empowered to take possession of a number of Boats now at Charlestown, and likewise to press Teams wherever they may be found, to convey said Boats to Cambridge, directing the owners of such Teams to transmit their accounts to this Committee.

Voted, That Mr. Watson be directed and empowered to remove to Cambridge the Boats now in Menotomy River, and to impress what Carriages may be necessary.

The Commanding Officers of the neighbouring Regiments were directed forthwith to repair to the Town of Cambridge, with the men enlisted under their command.

The following Orders, relative to furnishing one of the Expresses with Provisions, Horses, &c., were issued, viz:

“To all Innkeepers, Taverners, and other persons whom it may concern:

“You are desired to furnish the bearer, Mr. John Chandler Williams, with all necessaries upon his journey and return; as also with horses, if necessary, and to exhibit the; accounts to the Committee of Safety for this Colony, as he is now upon the Country service.”

May 11, 1775.

Voted, That Mr. William Cooper, Junior, be and he hereby is appointed a Clerk to Doctor Warren, President of the Congress.

Whereas, this Committee, as also the Council of War, is frequently interrupted in very important business, by hearing and determining matters relative to persons supposed enemies to this Country, under various circumstances, and other matters in which the publick good is affected, which obstructs proceedings: Therefore,

Resolved, That this Committee apprehend, that if the Provincial Congress of this Colony would erect a Court of Inquiry, to hear and determine all such cases as relate to persons apprehended and brought before them as enemies to American liberty, and other cases which concern the publick good, it would be of great publick advantage; and therefore,

Resolved, That this Vote be immediately transmitted to said Congress for their consideration.

WILLIAM COOPER, Secretary.

* MAY 8, 1775.—An old Campaigner says, he knows by the movements, that there is a stroke meditated somewhere, likely to be tonight; he thinks, a feint at the Neck to divert, and a large body to take the ground on Dorchester Neck.

He advises to send a large body on Dorchester Neck, so as not to be discovered from the Town, every night, and have a strong body in Roxbury. If they should observe the Troops landing on Dorchester Neck, to have force sufficient to cut them off entirely. We in Town know nothing, nor are able to communicate, as the Tories and Troops are very vigilant.

MAY 10, 1775.—Elijah Shaw declares, that General Gage’s officers have said in his hearing, that they shall soon come out; and that a soldier requested him to convey him into the country, for the Troops would soon make a push either towards Dorchester Neck or Chelsea; but he refused. Further declares that Earl Percy swears he will be revenged on some of our men; and further says that the Troops have robbed him of eleven cows, three calves, a yearling heifer, forty-eight sheep, sixty-one lambs, four hogs, and poultry, hay five tons, and almost all his furniture.