Whereas the District of Harpswell, in the County of Cumberland, lies exposed to the ravages of the enemies, and is unprovided with a supply of Powder: therefore,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Selectmen of the Town of Haverhill, that they deliver to Captain Nehemiah Curtis and Mr. Benjamin Dunning, for the use of the said District of Harpswell, one barrel of Powder, they paying for the same; which shall be replaced (if needed) as soon as the Colony Magazine can be supplied.

Adjourned to twelve o’clock this day.

Met at twelve o’clock, and adjourned to four o’clock, P. M.

Met at four o’clock, and adjourned until to-morrow morning, nine o’clock.

Monday, May 8, 1775.

Ordered, That Mr. Lothrop, Mr. Patridge, Mr. Mills, Mr. Whiting, Captain Stone, Colonel Howe, Colonel Mandell, Colonel Mosely, Colonel Pierce, and Colonel Thurston, be a Committee to transcribe the Narrative of the proceedings of the Kind’s Troops on the 19th ultimo, together with Depositions thereof accompanying, to be transmitted to Mr. Thomas for immediate publication.

A Letter from a number of the inhabitants of the Town of Hopkinton, was read: Whereupon,

Ordered, That Doctor Church, Colonel Foster, and Deacon Rawson, be a Committee to prepare an Answer to the Selectmen of that Town, giving the opinion of the Congress on the subject thereof.

The form of an Oath, to be administered to the Officers and Private Soldiers of the Army now raising in this Colony, was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz:

Resolved, That all Officers and Soldiers of the Massachusetts Army now raising for the defence and security of the rights and liberties of this and our sister Colonies in America, shall each and every of them, excepting only the General Officers, repeat and take the following Oath, viz:

“I, A, B, swear I will truly and faithfully serve in the Massachusetts Army, to which I belong, for the defence and security of the estates, lives, and liberties of the good people of this and the sister Colonies in America, in opposition to Ministerial tyranny, by which they are or may be oppressed, and to all other enemies and opposers whatsoever; that I will adhere to the Rules and Regulations of said Army, observe and obey the Generals and other Officers set over me, and disclose and make known to said Officers all traitorous conspiracies, attempts and designs whatsoever, which I shall know to be made against said Army, or any of the English American Colonies. So help me God.”

Ordered, That Colonel Warren, Colonel Gerrish, and Colonel Foster, be a Committee to prepare the form of an Oath to be administered to the General Officers.

Ordered, That Colonel Warren, Esquire Dix, and Colonel Foster, be a Committee to draw up a Resolve recommending to the Committees of Correspondence of the several Towns and Districts in this Colony, and to the Selectmen of Towns and Districts who have no such Committees, to take effectual care to discover all such persons in their respective Towns, who will not give them an assurance of their good intentions and regard to the interest of this Country; and also to recommend to the people of this Colony to take effectual measures to oblige all who are liable by law to appear in arms in the Militia, to appear when properly called upon by their Officers.

Resolved, That the Muster-Masters be and hereby are empowered and directed to administer the Oath to the Officers and Private Soldiers of the Army now raising in this Colony, agreeably to the form prescribed by this Congress.

The Committee who were appointed to prepare a Letter to the Selectmen of the Town of Hopkinton, reported the following; which was read and accepted, and ordered to be dated, signed, and delivered to the messenger in waiting:

GENTLEMEN: Your favour of the 7th instant was duly considered in Congress. We cannot but regret that any persons who have heretofore evidenced their attachment to the rights and liberties of their Country, should, in this day of trial and hazard be so far influenced by an inordinate attachment to their personal safety, or the security of their property, as to desert the common interest, and basely refuse to contribute of their wealth, or assist personally in that struggle which they are conscientiously led to approve. Nevertheless, gentlemen, such is the peculiar delicacy of our situation, that true policy suggests we should act with extreme caution respecting these fugitives. A violation of the natural right of an individual to remove his person and effects wherever he pleases, would ill become those who are contending for the inalienable right of every man to his own property, and to dispose of it as he pleases. We would likewise suggest, that should we restrain any inhabitant from conveying his goods to Philadelphia, our brethren there might justly arraign us of selfishness in such a transaction; and it would evidence such a distinction of interests in the two Colonies, as might have a tendency to disunite us, at a time when the safety of the whole must ultimately depend upon the firmest confederacy. We are aware of the mischiefs too general a removal might produce; but we have so much confidence in the disinterested virtue of our countrymen, as to indulge hopes that Mr. Barrett’s example will not become infectious.

We highly approve the steady patriotism and manly jealousy of our brethren in Hopkinton, and are, gentlemen, with much esteem, yours, &c.

Ordered, That the President pro tem., Doctor Church, Doctor Taylor, Doctor Holten, and Doctor Dunsmore, be a Committee to examine such persons as are or may be recommended for Surgeons for the Army now forming in this Colony.

Resolved, That the persons recommended by the Commanding Officers of the several Regiments, be appointed as Surgeons to their respective Regiments, provided they appear to be duly qualified, upon examination.

A Letter from the Committee of Correspondence in Portsmouth, dated May 6, was received by a messenger express.

The Messenger was admitted on the floor.

Ordered, That said Letter be committed for an answer, to Doctor Church, the President, and Captain Foster.

A Letter from General Ward was read: Whereupon,

Ordered, That Colonel Danielson, Doctor Church, Colonel Foster, Mr. Bliss, and Mr. Rawson, be a Committee to take the subject thereof into consideration, and report.

Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Patridge.

The Committee on the Letter from Portsmouth, in New-Hampshire, reported the following Answer; which was read and accepted, and ordered to be copied and sent.

GENTLEMEN: The Congress have considered the subject of your express; are surprised that a gentleman of the character you have mentioned, should have such just reason to complain of unmerited severity from any of our brethren in this Colony. From a regard to justice, as well as to your recommendation, gentlemen, we shall not fail to make immediate inquiry into this transaction; and if any outrage has been offered to innocent persons, the perpetrators, you may be assured, will be properly censured, and the sufferers meet with all that redress which it may be in the power of this Congress to obtain. Be assured, gentlemen, we shall be studious to maintain that character for humanity, which we would wish may ever be the characteristick of Americans; and cannot but applaud those generous and benevolent sentiments which influenced you in your application. We are, &c.

The Committee who were appointed to prepare the form of an Oath to be taken by the General Officers, reported; the consideration whereof was referred to some future time.

Ordered, That Colonel Mosely and Major Bliss be, and are hereby empowered and directed to collect all the Province Arms which are in the County of Hampshire; and that Doctor William Whiting be empowered and directed to collect all the Province Arms which are in the County of Berkshire.

Adjourned to three o’clock, P, M.

Afternoon.

Resolved, That Captain Trueman Wheeler, of Great Barrington, be desired to assist Doctor Whiting in collecting