of the last Congress in relation to the invasion of the enemy on our sea-coasts, &c, and a Petition from some inhabitants of Deer Island; and sit forthwith, and report as soon as may be.

Order of the Day moved for.

Ordered, That Mr. Jones, Mr. Bliss, and Mr. Toby, be a Committee to receive, sort, and count the Votes for a Chaplain.

The Committee having attended that service, reported that the Reverend Mr. Gordon was chosen.

Ordered, That Colonel Davis, Mr. Wheeler, and Major Bliss, be a Committee to wait on the Reverend Mr. Gordon, informing him that this Congress have made choice of him to officiate as their Chaplain during its session in this place.

The Committee appointed to inquire how many Armourers were appointed, &c, reported, that the Committee of Safety informed them that there were thirteen appointed, and several others nominated; and that the General Officers had agreed that thirteen was a sufficient number, but that they were in want of tools and stock.

Afternoon.

Ordered, That Commissions be given to the Officers of Colonel Scammon’s Regiment, (except such Captains as have already received their Commissions,) agreeable to the list by him exhibited.

Ordered, That Colonel Prescott, Colonel Freeman, Honourable Mr. Spooner, Mr. Partridge, Colonel Cushing, Colonel Spaulding, and Colonel Sayer, be a Committee to consider the Petition of Captain Jacob Gerrish and seven other Captains in the Massachusetts Army.

Ordered, That Colonel Richmond be, and hereby is appointed to countersign the Notes which were ordered to be prepared for the Soldiers’ advance pay, in the room of Major Fuller, who declines serving further in that business.

Ordered, That Deacon Baker, Major Brooks, Mr. Nichols, and Colonel Grout, be added to the Committee who were appointed by the last Congress to draw up some easy and concise method of making Saltpetre.

Ordered, That the Officers of Col. Gardner’s Regiment be commissioned agreeable to the list by him exhibited.

Ordered, That Captain Parker, Captain Thatcher, Mr. Jewett, Colonel Porter, and Mr. Singletary, be a Committee to consider what is best to be done with the Horses lately taken from Noddle’s Island.

The Committee appointed to take into consideration the Petition of Captain Jacob Gerrish, and others, reported verbally, that they think it expedient that Colonel Gerrish be notified to attend said Committee to-morrow morning, at eight o’clock, at the house of Mr. Learned, in Watertown (if he sees cause). Thereupon,

Ordered, That the same Committee be directed to bring in a short Resolve for this purpose.

The Committee appointed to consider what is best to be done with the Horses taken from Noddle’s Island, reported. The Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz:

The Committee appointed to consider what shall be done with the horses taken by our forces from Noddle’s Island, which belong to our enemies, beg leave to report, that the same horses be delivered to the Committee of Supplies, to be by them used and improved for the benefit of the Colony, as they shall think fit, until further orders from this or some future Congress, or House of Representatives.

Ordered, That Colonel Farley, Deacon Baker, and Mr. Batchelder, be a Committee to inquire of the Committee of Safety what progress has been made in the raising a Regiment for the Train.

The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve, whereby to notify Colonel Gerrish to appear before said Committee to-morrow morning, reported the following; which was read and accepted; and Captain Thatcher was desired to carry it to Col. Gerrish this evening. It is as follows, viz:

To Colonel SAMUEL GERRIES:

A number of gentlemen have presented a Petition to this Congress, in behalf of themselves and the men they have enlisted, praying that Captain Moses Little and Mr. Isaac Smith may be appointed and commissioned as two of the Field-Officers over them. Six of the said petitioners are returned by you as Captains, as appears by your Return; and the Petition has been committed to a Committee to hear the petitioners, and report to the Congress; and it is, therefore,

Ordered, That the said Colonel Samuel Gerrish be notified, and he is hereby notified, to attend the said Committee at the house of Mr. Learned, in Watertown, the third day of June instant, at eight o’clock in the forenoon.

Read, accepted, and Captain Thatcher was desired to carry this Resolve to Colonel Gerrish this evening.

The Committee appointed to consider the subject of the Letter from the Selectmen of Hopkinton, again reported. The consideration of the Report was ordered to be put off till to-morrow morning, eleven o’clock.

The Committee appointed to wait on the Reverend Mr. Gordon, reported, that they had informed Mr. Gordon that this Congress had appointed him their Chaplain; and that Mr. Gordon told them he would attend this Congress to-morrow morning.

The Committee appointed to consider the expense Mr. Phelps had been at in supplying the Massachusetts Forces at Ticonderoga, exhibited an account which they looked upon was not supported by any vouchers, and therefore submitted the matter to Congress.

Ordered, That the consideration of the same be put off to to-morrow morning.

The Congress then adjourned to nine o’clock to-morrow morning.

Saturday, June 3, 1775.

Ordered, That Colonel Palmer, Colonel Davis, Mr. Glover, Deacon Gould, and Mr. Webster, be a Committee to consider a Resolve of the Committee of Safety respecting a person in Brookline who is broke out with the Small-Pox; and that they sit forthwith.

The Committee appointed to consider, the situation and circumstances of the Islands and Sea-Coasts, reported:

1st. That the Petition of Colonel Lithgow be committed to the Committee of Supplies.

2d. A Resolve on the subject of Mr. Nye’s Letter; which is as follows:

Whereas, the forces under the command of General Gage are frequently plundering and making depredations on the islands and sea-coasts of this Province, particularly on the Island of Naushan, and others adjacent, whereby not only individuals, but the publick are much injured, and our enemies strengthened:

Resolved, therefore, That it be recommended to all those persons occupying the islands or sea-coasts aforesaid, which are exposed to be ravaged or plundered, and cannot be defended by the inhabitants, to remove all their Hay, Cattle, Horses, Sheep, &c., so far into the country, or otherwise dispose of them, that they may be out of the way of our implacable enemies; also, that it be recommended to the Committee of Correspondence in each Town and District, or Selectmen, (where no such Committee is chosen,) to take effectual care that this Resolve be immediately, strictly, and fully executed; and that all persons who refuse to comply herewith be viewed as disposed to furnish our enemies with such unremoved Hay and Stock, and shall therefore be held as inimical to the liberty and rights of this Country.

The Committee appointed to consider a Resolve of the Committee of Safety, reported the following Resolution; which was accepted, viz:

Whereas, a person is now broke out with the Small-Pox at Brookline, on the road between Cambridge and Roxbury, whereby the publick in general, and the camps in particular, will be greatly endangered, if said person is suffered to remain in said house: therefore,

Resolved, That said person be immediately removed to the house of Ebenezer Smith, in Little Cambridge, wherein the Small-Pox has lately been; and that the Selectmen of Brookline are hereby directed to remove said person to said house in the most careful manner, at the expense of the said Town of Brookline; and the Selectmen of Cambridge