at the unparalleled wickedness of our unnatural enemies, in endeavouring to persuade our sister Colony that the inhabitants of this first commenced hostilities; a suggestion which we cannot but think will appear absurd, when the great inequality of the Lexington Company, and detachment of Regular Troops which attacked them, is coolly considered. But to put this matter in the clearest light, we beg leave to enclose you the copies of depositions, taken by order of this Congress and despatched for London, containing the most incontestable evidence that the King’s Troops first fired upon and killed several of the inhabitants of this Colony, before any injury was offered to them. We also enclose you the copies of an Address to the inhabitants of Great Britain, and of a letter to our Colony Agent, and think it expedient to suspend the publication of the address and letter, until they shall have had their effect in England.

The experience which we have had of General Gage, hath fully convinced us that but little dependance can be placed in his professions. Whilst he has been collecting his forces, fortifying our capital, and in every other respect preparing for war, we have been amused with his pretension to benevolence and kindness, evidently calculated to retard the measures which we were necessarily pursuing for self-defence. And we are constrained to declare, that should he be at any future time possessed of forces superiour to those raised for opposing him, we should, from his past conduct, have no hopes of escaping the heaviest vengeance which ministerial tyranny could devise, assisted by the most inveterate enemies to mankind in general, and of this their native Country in particular.

On the exertions of the Colonies and blessings of Heaven, we alone can depend for safety and support; and it is clearly the opinion of this Congress, that the establishment of a powerful army is the best and only measure left to bring the present disputes to a happy issue.

It is evidently the business of the General to subjugate these and the other Colonies; and we think there are the most convincing proofs, that, in order to effect it, he is constantly aiming to suspend their operations for defence until his re-enforcements shall arrive. But although we have been under great apprehensions with respect to the advantages which the conference of Connecticut with General Gage may give our enemies, yet we have the greatest confidence in the wisdom and vigilance of your respectable Assembly and Colony, as well as of our other sister Colonies, and have reason to hope, that while he fails in his intentions to lull and deceive this Continent, he can never accomplish his designs to conquer it.

Ordered, That the foregoing Letter be fairly copied and authenticated, and committed to the care of Col. Dwight, together with the copy of the Depositions respecting the late hostile proceedings of General Gage’s Troops, attested by the Secretary, to be delivered by Colonel Dwight to the Governour and Company of Connecticut, as soon as may be.

Adjourned to three o’clock, P. M.

Afternoon.

The Committee who were to bring in a Resolve for the purpose of removing an obstruction to the liberating the inhabitants of Boston, again reported; which Report being read and accepted, it was ordered that Mr. Patridge carry the same immediately to Mr. Ward. It is as follows, viz:

Resolved, That the following Letter be sent to General Ward, and a copy of the same to the Selectmen of Boston :

In Provincial Congress, May 5, 1775.

SIR: By the enclosed papers you will see that the liberation of our good friends in Boston is greatly obstructed; therefore, Sir, you are directed to examine into the matter, and give such orders as shall be effectual for the future; strictly to execute the resolutions of this Congress, respecting permits into the country, and protection of all persons thus permitted; and also communicate your doings hereon to the Selectmen of Boston with all possible despatch, that our friends may not be detained any longer; and also that you give directions to your officers, carefully to execute the resolves of Congress in all matters in which they are to act, without any levity, or indecency of expression or behaviour.

To the Honourable Artemas Ward, Esquire.

P. S. The pass given by the Selectmen must be in strict conformity to the resolve of Congress, viz: That the bearer is sent out to put up and transport into the Town of Boston, the goods and effects of such persons as have repaired to Boston, there to take up their residence.

On a Petition from Charles Glidden and others, for a supply of Powder, &c.:

Ordered, That Doctor Taylor inform said Glidden, now in waiting, that this Congress would gladly comply with their request, did not the present exigencies of the Colony make it necessary that all their stock of Ammunition be retained in the Colony Magazine.

The Committee who were appointed to bring in a Resolve, recommending the choice of Delegates for a new Provincial Congress, reported the following, which was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz:

Whereas the term for which this present Congress was chosen, expires on the thirtieth instant, and the exigencies of our publick affairs render it absolutely necessary, for the safety of this Colony, that a new Congress be elected and convened, to consider of and transact the publick affairs thereof:

Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby recommended to the several Towns and Districts in this Colony, that they each of them do forthwith elect and depute as many Members as to them shall seem necessary and expedient, to represent them in a Provincial Congress, to be held at the meeting-house in Watertown, on the thirty-first day of May instant, to be chosen by such only as are qualified by law to vote for Representatives in the General Assembly, and to be continued by adjournment from day to day, as they shall see cause, until the expiration of six months from their being first convened on the thirty-first of this instant, May, and no longer, and consult, deliberate, and resolve upon such further measures as, under God, shall be effectual to save this people from impending ruin, and to secure those inestimable liberties derived to us from our ancestors, and which it is our duty to preserve for posterity.

Ordered, That this last mentioned Resolve, together with the Resolve passed in the forenoon, respecting General Gage’s precepts, be printed in handbills, and that Major Fuller, Captain Batchelder, and Esquire Dix, be a Committee to get the same printed and dispersed to the several Towns and Districts in this Colony.

The gentlemen who were appointed Delegates for this Colony, to the Colony of Connecticut, reported, that they had attended the business to which they were appointed, and had brought a letter from the Speaker of the Connecticut Assembly, which they laid before this Congress.

Resolved, That the Vote which passed in Congress this day, respecting a Petition made by Charles Glidden and others, for Powder and Ball, be reconsidered, and that the Committee of Supplies be, and hereby are desired to furnish the said Charles Glidden, for the use of the subscribers to said Petition, one half barrel of Powder, and such a quantity of Lead as will be proper and proportional thereto.

Resolved, That the Assembly of Connecticut be supplied with the Rules and Regulations which have been recommended to be observed by the Army now raising in this Colony.

On a motion made by Captain McCobb, that some measures might be taken to preserve a number of large Masts, Plank, &c., now lying in Kennebeck River, and to prevent their being carried to Halifax, where they might be used to the injury of this Country:

Ordered, That the consideration thereof be referred to the Committee of Safety, and that Captain McCobb be desired to attend the said Committee, and give them all the information he can, relative thereto.

A Resolution of the Committee of Safety, giving it as their opinion, that Government in full form ought to be taken up immediately, was read; Whereupon,

Ordered, That the consideration of this matter be referred to Tuesday next, at three o’clock, P. M.

Adjourned until to-morrow morning, nine o’clock.