Ordered, That the consideration of this Report be deferred until there is a fuller House.

The Committee appointed to consider what measures should be adopted in relation to the Estates of persons unfriendly to the Country, reported the following Resolve, which was accepted, and ordered to be published in the Newspapers printed in Cambridge and Salem:

Whereas a number of men, some of whom have, in times past, by the good people of this Province, been raised to the highest places of honour and trust, have become inimical to this Colony; and merely on principles of avarice, have, in conjunction with the late Governour Hutchinson, been trying to reduce all America to the most abject state of slavery; and, as well to avoid the just indignation of the people as to pursue their diabolical plans, have fled to Boston and other places for refuge: therefore,

Resolved, That those persons, among whom are the Mandamus Counsellors, are guilty of such atrocious and unnatural crimes against their Country, that every friend to mankind ought to forsake and detest them, until they shall evidence a sincere repentance, by actions worthy of men and Christians; and that no person within this Colony shall take any Deed, Lease, or Conveyance whatever, of the Lands, Houses, or Estates of such persons. And it is hereby recommended to the Committee of Inspection, in every Town in this Colony, to see this Resolve fully enforced, unless in such cases as the Congress shall otherwise direct.

A Letter was received from General Ward, recommending that the Ordnance, Arms, and Ammunition mentioned in the following List, be immediately procured and sent to Head-Quarters, for the supply of the Army of Massachusetts, viz:

Thirty Twenty-Four-Pounders, and if that number of Cannon cannot be obtained, that the weight of metal be made up with Eighteen-Pounders, double fortified; ten Twelve-Pounders; eighteen Nine-Pounders; twenty-one thousand six hundred pounds of Powder, and eighty Balls for each gun; one thousand five hundred Stands of Arms; twenty thousand pounds of Musket Powder; forty thousand pounds of Lead; seventeen hundred Iron Pots.

This Congress having requested the Reverend Doctor Langdon to deliver a Sermon before the next Massachusetts Congress, at their meeting in this place on the last Wednesday of this month, and he having signified that he will comply with such request:

Resolved, That it is the desire of this Congress, that the Reverend Ministers of the Gospel in this Colony would assemble at that time, agreeable to their ancient custom, and hold a Convention as usual, if they think proper, as, in the opinion of this Congress, the cause of religion, and the political interest of this Colony, may be served by such meeting.

Ordered, That the Secretary cause the foregoing Resolution to be published in the Newspapers as soon as may be.

A Letter was received from the Committee of Safety, enclosing a communication from Colonel Benedict Arnold, giving information of the surrender of Ticonderoga.

Ordered, That the following Letter to Colonel Arnold, reported by a Committee, be accepted, signed by the Secretary, and forwarded in the name and behalf of this Congress, as soon as may be. [See the Letter, Folio 676.]

Ordered, That Doctor Taylor, Mr. Hale, and Mr. Kollock, be a Committee to take into consideration a Letter communicated this day by the President from the Honourable James Russell, Commissioner of Imposts, dated Charlestown, May 19; and, in particular, to inquire into Mr. Russell’s right of making the contract therein mentioned, and the circumstances of it, and report as soon as may be.

Tuesday, May 23, 1775.

The Committee appointed to consider the Letter from Brownfield, reported, that they find by the bearer of the Letter that the inhabitants have some Arms, Powder, &c., and are not in danger, except from Indians, who are friendly at present; and the state of our affairs calls for such large supplies, that the consideration of their request be deferred till the sitting of the next Congress.

The Report was accepted, and Mr. Israel Hobart was directed to inform the bearer of the Letter of the action of Congress thereon.

The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve respecting the depredations of the British Troops on the Islands and Sea-Coasts, reported as follows:

Whereas, the Troops and Forces under the command of General Gage and Admiral Graves are frequently plundering and making depredations on the Islands and Sea-Coasts of this Province, from whence they plunder or purchase Hay, Cattle, Sheep, and many other things, to the injury not only of individuals, but also to the great damage of the publick, and thus strengthen the hands of our enemies: therefore,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Towns and Districts on the Sea-Coasts of this Colony, and to all those persons living on the several Islands on said Coasts, that they remove their Hay, Cattle, Sheep, &c., that are exposed to those ravages, and cannot be sufficiently guarded, so far into the country as to be out of the way of those implacable enemies to this people; also, that it be recommended to the Committees of Correspondence in each Town and District, and to the Selectmen, where no such Committee is chosen, that they take effectual care that this Resolve be immediately and strictly put into execution; and that all persons who refuse to comply with the aforegoing Resolve shall be held as incorrigible enemies to the rights and liberties of this Country.

This Report being read and amended,

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be referred to the next Provincial Congress.

Whereas Edward How hath been brought before this Congress, and charged with crimes committed in the camp; and as this Congress do adjudge the Head-Quarters of the Army to be the most suitable and proper place to try the said Edward How, and determine what is adequate to his demerits: therefore,

Resolved, That the said Edward How be sent under a guard to Head-Quarters, and that he be there dealt with as the nature of his offence doth require.

Ordered, That Captain Brown be directed to see that the said How is sent to Head-Quarters with a copy of the foregoing Resolve.

Whereas Thomas Nicols, a negro man, hath been brought before this Congress, and there being no evidence to prove any matters or things alleged against him: therefore,

Resolved, That the said Thomas be sent to the Town or District where he belongs, and that the Committee of Correspondence, or Selectmen of said Town or District, take such care of the said Thojnas, that he may be dealt with as they, in their judgment, shall think proper.

Ordered, That Captain Kingsbury be directed to appoint some persons to conduct the above-mentioned negro to Natick, agreeably to the foregoing Resolve.

The Committee appointed to consider what further measures are necessary to be taken for the organization of the Army, presented their Report; which was read, accepted, and is as follows:

The Committee appointed on the twentieth May current, to consider what further orders are necessary to be taken and passed, that the Army now raising by this Province for the necessary defence thereof may be effectually officered and organized, have attended that service, and beg leave to report, that they are humbly of opinion that, for the end aforesaid, it is necessary that, over and above the General already appointed for said Army, and commissioned by Congress, the following Officers (not yet ordered by Congress) should be chosen and commissioned, to wit: one Lieutenant-General, two Major-Generals, four Brigadier-Generals, two Adjutant-Generals, and two Quarter-Master-Generals; and that this Congress, before they shall rise, and as soon as shall be convenient, proceed to choose and commission such Lieutenant-General; but that the choice of the rest of the Officers above specified, should be referred to the beginning of the first session of the next Congress. And they beg leave to subjoin, as their opinion, that it will be proper that such Brigadier-Generals should be chosen, and taken of and from among the Colonels who may be commissioned by Congress.

All which is humbly submitted by your Committee, who ask leave to sit again.

JOSEPH HAWLEY, per order.