Ordered, That Mr. Hobart, Colonel Farley, and Mr. Webster, be a Committee to inquire of the Committee of Supplies, in what manner the Military Stores in Watertown are guarded; and that they take effectual care that they be properly guarded, and that there be not so large a quantity kept together as there now is in one place.

A Letter from the Committee of Safety respecting Gen. Ward’s ordering them to deliver out Small-Arms to such Officers as may apply, was read; the consideration whereof was referred to nine o’clock, to-morrow morning.

The Committee on the Petition of Mr. John Calef, reported. The Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz:

It appearing to this Congress inconsistent with the best interest of this Colony that the within mentioned Ship should proceed on her voyage, as requested by the within memorialist; therefore, Resolved, That the said Ship do not accordingly proceed on said voyage till further order of this Congress, or some future House of Representatives.

Afternoon.

Ordered, That Colonel Freeman, Doctor Taylor, and Mr. Lothrop, be a Committee to consider in what manner Listing Orders and Commissions shall be given to the Officers of the several Companies to be stationed on the sea-coasts.

Mr. Palfrey was introduced to this Congress, who brought with him a number of Letters, which were brought from England by Captain Jenkins.

Resolved, That Ensign Campbell, now a prisoner at Concord, be sent for to this Congress, and that Doctor Taylor and Captain Stone be directed to search his packages, and see that he is brought to this Congress; and that Mr. Partridge be directed to bring in a Resolve empowering said gentlemen to perform this service.

Ordered, That the Letters directed to gentlemen in Rhode-Island, be sent to the Officers of the Rhode-Island Forces; those to Connecticut, to the Officers of the Connecticut Forces; and those directed to New-Hampshire, to the Officers of the New-Hampshire Forces.

Ordered, That Doctor Whiting, Mr. Webster, and Col. Freeman, be a Committee to take under consideration a Resolve of Congress, empowering the Committee for procuring Guns, to draw on the Treasurer for the value of what they purchase, and to report what alterations are necessary to be made therein.

Ordered, That Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Phillips, and Colonel Farley, be a Committee to supervise the Letters brought to this Congress by Mr. Palfrey.

Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be directed to furnish the Committee appointed to go to Concord, with Horses.

Mr. Partridge, agreeable to order, reported the following Resolve, which was accepted:

Resolved, That Doctor Taylor, and Captain Stone of Framingham, be a Committee, whose duty it shall be to repair to the Town of Concord, and make search, or cause strict search to be made, into the pockets and packages of Ensign Campbell, now a prisoner at Concord, and is suspected of having Letters of publick concernment concealed in his possession; and that they cause said Campbell to be brought immediately to the door of this Congress, in order for examination, if they judge it necessary.

The Committee appointed to prepare an Address to the several Towns in the Counties of Hampshire and Worcester, recommending them to supply the Army with Powder, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz:

To the several Towns in the Counties of HAMPSHIRE and WORCESTER:

This Congress, taking into their most serious consideration the great want of Powder in our publick Magazines, and considering how much depends on that important and most necessary article, which, under God, if provided, may prove the salvation of America; and as your Towns lie the least exposed to the ravages of our enemies, therefore, it is most earnestly recommended by this Congress to the Selectmen of each Town and District in the County of Worcester, that they deliver the whole of the Towns’ stocks, in said County of Worcester, to Mr. John Caldwell, Mr. Amos Singletary, and Deacon Israel Nichols, a Committee appointed by this Congress to receive the same. And it is likewise recommended to the Selectmen of each Town and District in the County of Hampshire, to deliver; their respective Towns’ stocks of Powder to Captain Noah Goodman, who is appointed by this Congress to receive the same from said County of Hampshire; except so much as is allowed to be kept in each Town, which will appear by the schedule hereunto annexed; and that it be replaced, as soon as the state of the Colony magazines will admit thereof, or otherwise paid for in money.

Ordered, That Mr. Caldwell, Mr. Singletary, and Deacon Nichols, be a Committee to procure Powder from the several Towns in the County of Worcester, agreeable to said schedule; and Captain Goodman, from the County of Hampshire.

Ordered, That Captain Brown, Colonel Davis, and Mr. Fairbanks, be a Committee to inquire where safe and convenient Stores may be had, for storing what Gunpowder is, or may be procured for the use of this Colony; and that they sit forthwith.

An Account exhibited by Mr. Ichabod Goodwin, was read, and committed to Deacon Stickney, Captain King, and Mr. Thompson.

The Report of the Committee on the motion of Doctor Whiting, was again read, amended, and accepted, and is as follows, viz:

The Committee appointed to take into consideration a motion made for sending some proper person to New-York, in order to advise with Doctor Graham and others, and procure from them directions for the manufacturing of Saltpetre, have attended that service, and beg leave to report, by way of Resolve; that Doctor William Whiting be a Committee to repair to New-York, and confer with Doctor Graham, or any other gentlemen that may have had experience in the manufacturing of Saltpetre; and that he be directed to procure from him or them, the most minute, particular, and intelligible account, relative to the manufacturing of this article possible; and that (if to be found) he procure and engage some ingenious person, who has been used to work in the business of making Saltpetre, to come immediately to this place, who shall be employed in said business; and that the expenses of said journey to New-York, and the travel of said workman to this place, be paid out of the publick Treasury of this Colony.

The Report of the Committee on the Account of Mr. Paul Revere, was read, and is as follows, viz:

The Committee appointed to take under consideration the Account of Mr. Paul Revere, have attended that service; and report by way of Resolve:

Resolved, That there be paid out of the publick Treasury to Mr. Paul Revere, in Colony Notes, sixty-eight Pounds, six Shillings, and eight Pence, in full for four copper plates, and engraving the same, and printing fourteen thousand five hundred impressions for the use of the Colony; and the Receiver-General is directed to pay the same

Whereupon, Ordered, That to-morrow morning, ten o’clock, be assigned for the consideration thereof.

The Committee on the Petition of Robert Shillaber, reported. The Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz:

Resolved, That Mr. Robert Shillaber be, and he hereby is permitted to export to the West-Indies eighty hogsheads of Jamaica Fish, provided that no other Provisions be shipped with the said Fish, except so much as will be sufficient for such a voyage; and the Committee of Safety in Salem are directed to see this Resolve strictly complied with.

Ordered, That Major Goodwin, Colonel Dwight, and Captain Bragdon, be a Committee, to prepare Instructions to the Committee who were appointed to procure Powder from the Counties of Hampshire and Worcester, and that they sit forthwith.

The Committee on the Account of Major Goodwin, reported. The Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz:

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