are hereby desired to give directions relative to garrisoning and maintaining the same, for the future, until the advice of the Continental Congress can be had in that behalf.

And as this Colony is in want of some Battering Cannon for their defence immediately, it is further Resolved, That the President of this Congress be desired to write to the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut, desiring that they would give order for the immediate removal of some of those Cannon to this Colony, for the purpose aforesaid.

Adjourned to three o’clock, P. M.

Afternoon.

The Committee appointed to consider the Petition from the inhabitants of Canaan and Norridgewock, reported.

The question being put, Whether the Report shall be accepted ? it passed in the negative.

Thereupon, Resolved, That the Petitioners have leave to withdraw their Petition.

Ordered, That Colonel Foster, Mr. Sullivan, and Captain Farley, be a Committee to prepare a Commission for General Ward.

The Committee appointed to consider of the verbal information from Dartmouth, reported verbally, “ That the inhabitants of Dartmouth be advised to conduct themselves (with respect to the prisoners they have taken) agreeably to the direction of the Committee of Inspection for that Town.”

After a long debate, it was moved that the consideration of this matter should subside.

And the question being put, it passed in the affirmative.

And the matter accordingly subsided.

Ordered, That the Secretary be directed to inform the gentlemen from Dartmouth, of the determination of the Congress, respecting the information from Dartmouth, and the reason thereof.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to revise the Commission of the Committee of Safety, sit forthwith, and report as soon as may be. That Mr. Sullivan be excused, and that Colonel Foster and Deacon Fisher be added to this Committee.

Resolved, That Doctor Church be allowed one Servant to attend him in his journey to Philadelphia.

Ordered, That the Letters relative to taking the Fortress of Ticonderoga, be delivered to the Committee of Safety.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to prepare an Establishment for Post-Offices, &c., be directed to bring in a Resolve, for the purpose of empowering the Committee, who were appointed to agree with the Post-Riders, &c., to take Bonds of the Postmasters, and appoint oaths to be taken by the Postmasters and Post-Riders; and that Colonel Foster be excused, and Captain Stone and Mr. Greenleaf be added to the Committee.

Adjourned to nine o’clock to-morrow morning.

Thursday, May 18, 1775, A. M.

The Committee who were appointed to revise the Resolves respecting the Committee of Safety, reported :

Whereupon, Resolved, That three o’clock, in the afternoon, be assigned for the choice of a Committee of Safety, to consist of thirteen Members and for the further consideration of said Report.

Ordered, That Captain Rawson, Mr. Bullen, and Colonel Farley, be a Committee to consider the practicability of employing Chaplains for the Army out of the number of Clergy of this Colony.

Ordered, That Colonel Warren, Mr. Gardner, and Mr. Sullivan be a Committee to bring in a Resolve, recommending it to the inhabitants of this Colony not to choose any person to represent them in Congress, who has a Commission in the Army.

The Committee made the following Report; which was read:

In Provincial Congress, May 18, 1775.

Whereas, in all free States, the sword should be subservient to, and under the control of the civil powers of Government; from whence arises the impropriety of the Officers of the Army of this Colony being members of the Congress to be held therein: and whereas, it is absolutely necessary that every Officer of the Army aforesaid constantly attend his duty therein :

Therefore, Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby recommended to the several Towns in this Colony that they do not return to the next Congress, to be held here, any Officer of the Army, as a member of said Congress.

Ordered, That Major Fuller, of Middleton, Mr. Whittemore, and Mr. Bliss, be a Committee to wait upon the Honourable James Russell, Esq., Impost-Master, to know if he has any Publick Moneys, now in his hands.

Ordered, That the President, Mr. Sullivan, and Colonel Warren, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve, recommending to the inhabitants of this Colony to make no purchases, nor receive any conveyances of Estates, from the Mandamus Counsellors, or other inveterate enemies to the rights of this Country, and that they have no dealings of any kind with such persons.

Ordered, That Mr. Gardner, Doctor Taylor, and Mr. Kollock, be a Committee to consider and inquire into the subject-matter of a Resolve of the Committee of Safety respecting Lady Frankland.

Adjourned to three o’clock, P. M.

Afternoon.

Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Colonel Foster, Doctor Holten, Mr. Bragdon and Captain Batchelder, be a Committee to take into consideration a Letter from the Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Falmouth, and such parts of a Letter from the Honourable Enoch Freeman, Esq. to the Secretary, as he may communicate.

The Order of the Day was moved for.

Ordered, That Captain Brown, Mr. Bayley, and Captain Baker, be a Committee to sort and count the votes for a Committee of Safety.

The Committee appointed to count and sort the votes for a Committee of Safety, reported that the following gentlemen were chosen, viz:

The Report was recommitted for filling up the blanks.

Ordered, That Mr. Kollock, Doctor Taylor, and Colonel Davis, be a Committee to inquire where the Treasurer may procure Money for the Muster-Masters, to supply the Soldiers with advance pay.

The Committee who were appointed to consider the Resolve of the Committee of Safety respecting Lady Frankland, reported as follows:

The Committee appointed to consider the Resolution of the Committee of Safety, respecting the removal of Lady Frankland, with her effects, from Hopkinton to Boston, have attended to that service, and ask leave to report facts as the Committee find them, viz:

That Mrs. Frankland hath with her now going into Boston, four horses, two chaises, one phaeton, six oxen, two carts, five sheep, one swine, about four hundred of hay, two barrels and one hamper filled with bottled wine, one keg of tongues, six trunks and several small boxes, containing chiefly men and women’s wearing apparel, sheeting and other linens, three beds, with their furniture; one gun, one pistol, and one sword, one flask, with a small quantity of powder and lead; about ten bushels of Indian corn, and one canister, with a small quantity of tea.

As a number of people at or near the place where the above articles are confined, appear to be greatly irritated at Mrs. Frankland’s proceeding to Boston, the Committee think it their duty to report facts. Which is submitted.

Per order:

HENRY GARDNER.

Whereupon, Resolved, That Mr. Craft be and hereby is directed forthwith to attend this Congress.

Mr. Craft accordingly attended; and having heard the allegations against him, and having made his defence, withdrew.

The Congress then Resolved, That he should be gently admonished by the President, and be assured that the