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July 7, 1775. Two Guns were received from Captain Josiah Stone, of Framingham, for the use of this Colony, amounting, by appraisement, to three Pounds, sixteen Shillings, for which a receipt was given by Mr. Devens. Forty Small-Arms were delivered Colonel Scammon, for the use of his Regiment, amounting, by appraisement, to seventy-four Pounds, thirteen Shillings, and four Pence, for which a receipt was taken in the minute book. One Small-Arm was delivered Colonel Gridley, for the use of his Regiment, amounting, by appraisement,, to two Pounds, four Shillings, for which a receipt was taken in the minute book. Passed upon Matthew Clark’s Account, amounting to nine Pounds, three Shillings, and six Pence, and a certificate was delivered him for the Committee on Accounts. Whereas, Mr. Seth Brown, who has had the care of the Horses for the Cannon, has resigned that employment, and as Thomas Organ, who was in the service of the late General Warren, is willing to undertake the service; looking upon him to be a person well qualified for that trust, we desire he may be appointed accordingly. The above was directed to the gentlemen the Committee of Supplies. Passed upon Mr. Isaac Bissel, a Post-Rider’s Account, amounting, as by copy on file, to two Pounds, one Shilling, and a certificate was given him for the Committee on Accounts. Whereas, a number of Soldiers in the American Army are from time to time observed to be much disguised with Spirituous Liquors, and should not some effectual measures be taken to put a stop to this disorder, not only the morals and health, but also the lives and liberties of this People will be endangered; therefore, Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby recommended to his Excellency. General, Washington, that an order be issued to suppress retailers of Spirituous Liquors within and near the camps, in such manner as to him may seem meet. Upon application made to this Committee by Captain Rogers, and due examination into the matter, the following was voted to be sent to the Selectmen, &c., of the Town of Reading, to be communicated to the adjacent Towns: GENTLEMEN:Whereas, Captain Jacob Rogers, late an inhabitant of Charlestown, but now, through the necessity of the times, has been obliged to quit Charlestown, and has since taken up his residence in the Town of Reading; but some licentious persons of the Town of Stoneham, as it is represented to us, have threatened to raise a mob and drive him out of said Reading, to the great terrour of his family, and this without any cause that we can find, evidence having appeared of his good behaviour while in Charlestown; and in order to put a stop to such disorderly conduct, it is Resolved, That all the inhabitants of this Colony are desired, as they regard the peace and welfare of the Country, to behave peaceably and quietly towards the said Captain Rogers; and jf his conduct should hereafter be unworthy a friend to American liberty, he is then to be orderly complained of to such authority as may then exist within tills Colony, but by no means to be proceeded against in any disorderly manner. Twenty-eight Guns, for the use of the Colony, collected by order of Congress, were received of Mr. John Ingraham, July3. Passed upon Mr. John Barber’s Account, amounting to seven Pounds, thirteen Shillings, and eight Pence, and a certificate was given him for the Committee on Accounts. July 8, 1775. Two Small-Arms were received of Colonel Simeon Spaldvng, for the use of this Colony, amounting, by appraisement, to two Pounds, twelve Shillings. Two Small-Arms, appraised at four Pounds, four Shillings, were delivered Captain Job Gushing, of Colonel Ward’s Regiment, as per receipt on file. Fifteen Small-Arms were delivered, for the use of Colonel Sergeant’s Regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to twenty-seven Pounds, three Shillings, for which a receipt has been taken in the minute book. The honourable the Provincial Congress having acquainted this Committee that Mr. James Winthrop, Postmaster in Cambridge, had declined serving any longer in that office, and desired that another might be recommended to them for that place, Voted, That Mr. Jonathan Hastings, Junior, be recommended to the honourable Congress as a suitable person for the trust aforesaid. Two Small-Arms were received of Mr. Seth Stone, of Cambridge, for the use of this Colony, amounting, as by appraisement, to three Pounds, eighteen Shillings, for which a receipt was given him by the Secretary. Passed upon Mr. John Gill, Junior, a Post-Rider’s Account, amounting to six Pounds, seventeen Shillings, and eight Pence, for which a certificate was given. Whereas, many complaints have been made to this Committee, that the Armourers frequently deliver the Arms out of their shops unfit for service, and delay the work unnecessarily; in order to prevent occasion for such complaints in future, and to hasten the publick service in an orderly manner, which has not yet been provided for, it is Resolved, That it be, and it hereby is recommended to the honourable Congress, to make an establishment for at least four Master Armourers, each one of whom shall work and superintend one shop, each of which shops, as we apprehend, may well accommodate eight men, including the master. Resolved, That the instructions to be given to the Officers of the Regiments, be sent to the Council of War, and if approved be forwarded. They are as follow: Instructions for the Officers of the several Regiments of the Massachusetts-Bay Forces, who are immediately to go upon the recruiting service. You are not to enlist any deserter from the Ministerial Army, nor any stroller, negro, or vagabond, or person suspected of being an enemy to the liberty of America, nor any under eighteen years of age. As the cause is the best that can engage men of courage and principle to take up arms, so it is expected that none but such will be accepted by the Recruiting Officer; the pay, provision, &c, being so ample, it is not doubted but the officers sent upon this service will, without delay, complete their respective corps, and march the men forthwith to camp. You are not to enlist any person who is not an American born, unless such person has a wife and family, and is a settled resident in this Country. The persons you enlist must be provided with good and complete arms. One Small-Arm was received of Mr. Samuel Haynes, of Sudburry, for the use of this Colony, amounting, by appraisement, to thirty Shillings, for which a receipt was given him by the Clerk. Whereas, considerable uneasiness has arisen in some part of the Army, from some of the Soldiers enlisting a second time into other companies than those which they first enlisted into, and, if not prevented, will be attended with great inconvenience; therefore Resolved, That it be recommended to the honourable Provincial Congress, to pass such an order as may cause those Soldiers who have conducted as above to return to their respective companies into which they were first enlisted, or otherwise order, as to them in their wisdom shall seem meet. Whereas, it is necessary that the house of Mr. John Vassal, ordered by Congress for the residence of his Excellency General Washington, should he immediately put in such condition as may make it convenient for that purpose; therefore, Resolved, That Mr. Timothy Austin be, and hereby is empowered and authorized to put said house in proper order for the purposes above-mentioned, and that he procure such assistance and furniture as may be necessary to put said house in proper condition for the reception of his Excellency and his attendants.
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