In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, May 11, 1775.

The Captains William Goodridge and Charles De Bell have applied to this Committee for assistance in Cash, to enable them to enlist two Companies from the western parts of this Colony, having liberty, as they say, from the General, for that purpose. We, thinking that the matter ought to be laid before the Provincial Congress, have referred it accordingly. We are, &c.

May 12, 1775.

Voted, That Mr. Charles Miller be, and he hereby is appointed Deputy Commissary to Mr. Pigeon, Commissary-General.

Voted, That orders be given to Mr. Clark, Boat-builder, that he give such repairs to the Boats as may be judged necessary.

Voted, That Mr. Isaiah Thomas have Sixty Reams of Printing Crown Paper, and Eight Reams of Printing Demy Paper, supplied him by the Committee of Supplies, they taking his obligation to be accountable to the Colony for the amount thereof.

Ordered, That Mr. Charles Miller be, and he hereby is empowered and directed to impress any Horse he may have occasion for on the service of the Province.

Voted, That Mr. Joseph Cranch be, and he hereby is appointed one of the Armourers for the Colony Forces.

The following is the Report of a Joint Committee appointed by the Committee of Safety and the Council of War, for the purpose of reconnoitring the Highlands in Cambridge and Charlestown, viz:

We have carefully examined the lands, and their situation, in regard of annoying and preventing the enemy from passing into the country from Boston, and are of opinion that the Engineers be directed to cause a Breastwork to be raised near the bridge, by the Red House, at the head of the Creek, near the road from Cambridge to Charlestown, on the south side of said road; also, a Breastwork raised at the north side of the road, opposite to the said Red House, and run in the same line as the fence now stands, upon the declivity of the hill there; also, a Redoubt on the top of the hill, where the guard-house now stands, and three or four nine-pounders planted there; also, a strong Redoubt raised on Bunker’s Hill, with cannon planted there, to annoy the enemy coming out of Charlestown, also, to annoy them going by water to Medford. When these are finished, we apprehend the country will be safe from all sallies of the enemy in that quarter. All which is humbly submitted.

BENJAMIN CHURCH,
Chairman of Sub-Committee from Committee of Safety.

WILLIAM HENSHAW,
Chairman of Sub-Committee from Council of War.

The Committee of Safety having taken the foregoing Report into consideration, apprehend the matter not to belong to them officially; and although they are persuaded the Highlands above-mentioned are important, yet, not being the proper judges what works are necessary to be constructed to make said posts tenable, are of opinion that the determination of this matter rests solely with the Council of War.

BENJAMIN CHURCH, JR., Chairman.

Ordered, That this Report be sent up to the Council of War.

The Council of War having sent in to this Committee, a proposal respecting the suspending the orders of Congress respecting the removal of the persons and effects of the Tories, and ordering the Crown Officers through the Continent to be apprehended:

Resolved, That the recommendation of the Council of War, respecting the seizure of the servants and friends of Government, improperly so called, and keeping them in custody until General Gage shall have complied with the condition proposed by him to the Town of Boston, and accepted by them, be referred to Congress, for their determination thereon.

Voted, That this Committee adjourn to Congress, upon matters of great importance.

May 13, 1775.

Voted, That Captain Isaac Foster be recommended to the Council of War, as a suitable person to carry such Provisions into the Town of Charlestown, for the use of the inhabitants, as the General shall think proper to permit to be carried in.

Voted, That General Thomas be desired to deliver out Medicines to such persons as he shall think proper, for the use of the sick Soldiers at Roxbury, until the Surgeons for the respective Regiments are regularly appointed.

Voted, That the Provisions and Chest of Medicines belonging to Madam Vassal, now under the care of Colonel Starks, be stored as Colonel Starks may direct, till further orders; and that the other packages may pass into Boston or elsewhere.

Ordered, That the Commissary-General, or his Deputy be, and he hereby is directed to supply Captain Rosester with Provisions for thirteen men for eight days, said men being discharged by recommendation of the Council of War, and order of this Committee.

Whereas the Committee are informed, that a number of men enlisted into the Colony Army, under Colonel Jonathan Brewer, are now posted at Waltham, and are receiving Provisions from the publick stores:

Resolved, That the Commanding Officer of the Colony Forces be desired to order said enlisted men at Waltham, immediately to repair to Head-Quarters; and in case of refusal, that orders he given for the prevention of their being supplied with Provisions of any kind from the publick Magazines.

One Thomas Nicols, a negro, brought before this Committee on account of his suspicious behaviour for some time past, having been examined:

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Council of War to commit said negro, until there be further inquiry into his conduct.

Mr. Solomon Shaw was appointed one of the Armourers for the Army, and General Thomas was desired to accommodate him with a suitable place at Roxbury, for carrying on his business.

Ordered, That Mr. Isaac Bradish, Keeper of the Jail in Cambridge, be directed and empowered to confine one Thomas Nicols, negro, till further orders.

May 14, 1775.

Ordered, That the Commissary-General supply with Provisions for six days, four men of Captain Williams’ Company, and three men of Captain Noble’s Company:—these men came down with Colonel Patterson, and are returning home, being dismissed.

Voted, That Capt. John Currier have one set of Beating Orders for Colonel Fry’s Regiment; and in case it should not be consented to by the Colonel, he agrees to join that Regiment which shall be thought most convenient.

Mr. Andrew Craigie, Commissary of the Medicine, Stores, &c., was directed and empowered to impress Beds, Bedding, and other necessaries for the sick, as they may be wanted, giving the owners a receipt for such articles as he may take for the purpose aforesaid.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Committee of Supplies to engage ninety-seven barrels of Tar, in the Sloop Adventure, Samuel Foot master, just arrived at Salem from Virginia, it being apprehended that the service of the Colony requires said Tar being secured.

A Vote of the Council of War, desiring a supply of Hoes and Brooms, was recommended to the Committee of Supplies by this Committee.

The following was sent to the gentlemen the Selectmen of the Town of Lynn:

Whereas Josiah Martin has, under guard, been brought before this Committee, to be inquired of touching his conduct respecting his appearing in favour of carrying into execution the tyrannical designs of Administration for the enslaving of this Province: Upon examination of the evidences produced,

Resolved, That the said Martin’s conduct has, in some instances, been unfriendly to his Country; but that on his being charged with the same, he has promised, with his life and fortune, to stand for the defence of his Country; and that so long as he evidences this disposition by his conduct, and does not any more attempt to go into the Town of Boston, that he be received into the favour of his countrymen, and that no insult or injury be offered him or his property.