Vote of this Committee, laid before the honourable Congress, viz:

Whereas, the Provincial Congress did, on the twenty-sixth instant, pass a Resolve, “That all the Small-Arns that are or may be procured by the above order (mentioned in said Resolve) be delivered to the Committee of Safety at Cambridge, they to give their receipt for the same to the person from whom they received them, that the same may be delivered out to such officers as shall produce orders therefor from the Honourable General Ward, &c.:”

And whereas the Honourable General Ward, in consequence of that part of the above quotation which is scored, this day issued General Orders, in which are these words: “And the Committee of Safety are hereby ordered to deliver out Arms to such commanding officers as make application to them for the same:”

And whereas this Committee apprehend that said Resolve does not empower the General to order them to deliver said Arms, but only to order his officers to receive from the Committee such Arms as they are ordered by the honourable Congress to deliver to the General’s orders to his officers:

And whereas the Committee apprehend that it is of vast importance that no orders are issued by the military, or obeyed by the civil powers, but only such as are directed by the honourable Representative Body of the People, from whom all military and civil power originates; and though this Committee are satisfied that General Ward has misunderstood said Resolve, and does not mean or intend to set up the military power above the civil; yet, lest this order of the General’s, should be adduced as a precedent in future, we think it our indispensable duty to protest against the General’s said order. Notwithstanding which protest, we also think it our indispensable duty to deliver said Arms agreeable to the spirit of said Resolve, and as the exigency of the publick requires, and submit our conduct to the honourable Congress.

Forty-three Small-Arms, amounting as by appraisement to seventy-nine Pounds, two Shillings, and four Pence, were delivered to Colonel Gardner for the use of his Regiment, and a receipt taken for the same in the minute book from Lieutenant-Colonel Bond.

Thirty Small-Arms were delivered Major Brooks for the use of Colonel Bridges’s Regiment, amounting as by appraisement to fifty-five Pounds, nineteen Shillings, and six Pence, for which he gave a receipt to be accountable to this Colony, which receipt is on the files of the Committee.

Nine Small-Arms were delivered Colonel William Prescott for the use of his Regiment, amounting as by appraisement to seventeen Pounds, nine Shillings, for which a receipt was given in the minute book.

Twenty-five Small-Arms were delivered Colonel Frye for the use of his Regiment, amounting as by appraisement to forty-nine Pounds, eight Shillings, and two Pence, for which he gave a receipt to be accountable to this Colony, which receipt is on the minute book.

Twenty-five Small-Arms were delivered Colonel John Glover for the use of his Regiment, amounting as by appraisement to forty-six Pounds, twelve Shillings, and eight Pence, for which he gave a receipt in the minute book to be accountable to this Colony.

Received, of Major Barber, Storekeeper for the Trains, by order of the Provincial Congress, thirty-two Small-Arms, amounting as by appraisement to . . . . . . . .

June 29, 1775.

Mr. Devens and Colonel Orne, appointed to draw up a Vote relative to Captain Trevet and Company, reported the following, which was accepted, viz:

Whereas, from a mistake made by one of the General Officers, Capt. Samuel Russell Trevet has been put under arrest, which mistake is set forth in a Certificate by order of the General; and upon examination it appears that said Trevet has approved himself a good officer, but said mistake has unhappily operated to the dispersion of his Company; therefore

Resolved, That said Captain Trevet be directed to collect his said Company as soon as possible, and then apply to this Committee in order to be commissioned.

This Committee being greatly alarmed at the danger of the Small-Pox spreading in the American Army, which, should it take place, we fear may be attended with very fatal consequences to this Colony and Continent; therefore,

Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the honourable Congress to take such speedy and effectual measures to prevent a communication of that very dangerous and distressing distemper from the Small-Pox Hospital to the Army, or to the inhabitants of this Colony, as to them in their wisdom may seem meet.

Whereas, sundry persons, who in the exigences of our publick affairs have been employed in the service of this Colony, are from time to time exhibiting their Accounts to this Committee in order for payment; therefore

Resolved, That said Accounts be transmitted to the honourable Congress, that this matter be taken into their consideration, and that such order pass thereon as their wisdom may dictate.

June 30, 1775.

One hundred and fifty-two Small-Arms were received of Captain William Gage, collected by him for the use of this Colony, amounting as by appraised value to . . . . . . ., for which a receipt was given him by Mr. Watson.

Mr. Samuel West was recommended to the honourable Congress to be commissioned as Second Lieutenant in Captain Abner Cranson’s Company, in Col. Asa Whitcomb’s Regiment.

Forty Small-Arms were delivered Colonel John Patterson, for the use of his Regiment, amounting as by appraisement, to seventy-eight Pounds, sixteen Shillings, and four Pence, for which a receipt was given in the minute book.

Fifty-one Small-Arms were delivered Colonel James Scammon, for the use of his Regiment, amounting as by appraisement to ninety-seven Pounds, eighteen Shillings, and eight Pence, for which Guns a receipt was taken in the minute book.

Three Small-Arms, for the use of this Colony, were received of Colonel Simeon Spalding, amounting as by appraisement to five Pounds, four Shillings.

Whereas, the honourable Provincial Congress has this day passed a Resolve appointing this Committee to be a Committee to consider of a further emission of Notes or Bills of Credit, as mentioned in said Resolve; but the Committee finding themselves unable to proceed in this business without a more perfect knowledge of the emissions lately made, both in quantity and circumstances of payment; and also for want of sufficient knowledge of the demands made, or to be made upon the Colony, do

Resolve, That Colonel Palmer attend the honourable Congress to-morrow, in order to obtain all necessary light in the premises.

Whereas, a considerable number of Whale-Boats have been procured for the service of this Colony, and many of them are said to be now in the Towns of Braintree and Weymouth, and unless proper care be taken of said Boats they will probably sustain great damage; therefore

Resolved, That it be recommended to the honourable Congress that such order be taken respecting said Boats as their wisdom may direct.

This Committee beg leave to suggest to the honourable Congress, whether the Magazine, wherein Gunpowder is deposited, ought not to be guarded by Electrical Points. As any considerable loss in that article would deeply affect the publick, this is humbly submitted.

Twenty-seven Small-Arms, for the use of this Colony, were received of Mr. Benjamin Ely, for which a receipt was given by the Secretary of this Committee; which Guns were collected by order of Congress, and amount by appraisement to . . . . . . . . .

Forty-four Small-Arms, for the use of this Colony, were received of Mr. Bliss, for which a receipt was given him by the Secretary of this Committee; which Guns were collected by order of Congress, and amount by appraisement to . . . . . . . . .

Voted, That the Commissary-General be directed to supply Head-Quarters with Provisions as usual, till the further order of this Committee.