not to enlist any person as a Soldier who shall not furnish himself with a good and sufficient fire-arm.

Resolved, That three o’clock in the afternoon be assigned to consider the expediency of appointing a Surgeon-General for the Massachusetts Forces.

The Committee appointed to consider the Artificers’ Accounts, reported the following Resolve on Mr. Clark’s Account:

Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and he hereby is directed to pay Mr. Matthew Clark, or order, the sum of nine Pounds, six Shillings, and six Pence, in full discharge of his Account, for time and materials in repairing Boats for the use of this Colony.

The Order of the Day was moved for.

Ordered, That Major Hawley bring in a Resolve for the payment of a month’s pay to the Officers of the Army, as soon as provision can be made therefor.

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

Resolved, That Major John Bliss be allowed and paid out of the publick Treasury of this Colony, the sum of five Pounds, seven Shillings, in full discharge of the above account, and the Receiver-General of this Colony is hereby ordered to pay the aforesaid sum of five Pounds, seven Shillings, to the said John Bliss, or order, accordingly.

Major Fuller, agreeable to order, brought in the following Resolve, viz:

Resolved, That there be paid out of the publick Treasury the sum of twelve Shillings, to Mr. John Cook, for the use that Mr. Paul Revere made of his house whilst he was striking off the Colony Notes therein.

The Committee appointed to consider a proposal for exempting the Soldiers in the Army from the postage of Letters, reported as follows:

Whereas, it appears to this Congress necessary and expedient that all Letters directed to, or going from any persons belonging to the Continental Army stationed in the Massachusetts Colony, be delivered free of postage hereafter:

Resolved, That all Letters directed to any person, or sent from any person belonging to the Continental Army now stationed in the Massachusetts Colony, be delivered to the person to whom they belong, free of postage, until the further order of this Congress, or some future House of Representatives.

The Report was ordered to subside.

Major Fuller brought in a Resolve directing what Notes each of the Committee should sign, which was accepted, and is as follows, viz:

Resolved, That Abraham Fuller, Mr. Stephen Hall, Jr., and Colonel Robinson, the Committee appointed to countersign the Colony Notes now ordered to be struck off, countersign and number said Notes of the following denominations, viz: said Abraham Fuller countersign and number the Notes of eighteen, twelve, and ten Shillings, said S. Hall countersign and number the Notes of sixteen, fifteen, and nine Shillings, said Colonel Robinson countersign and number the Notes of twenty, fourteen, and six Shillings.

Afternoon.

The Report of the Committee on the Letter of General Green was read, and recommitted to Colonel Robinson. Major Brooks, and Colonel Gerrish.

Major Hawley, agreeable to appointment, reported the following Resolve, relative to advance pay to the Officers of the Army, which was accepted:

Whereas, application has been made lately to this Congress in behalf of the Commissioned Officers of that part of the Continental Army before Boston raised by this Colony, that for the relief of the present necessities of the said officers there might be immediately advanced and paid to them one full month’s pay, according to the establishment lately made by Congress for the Army: And the Congress having taken the said application into due consideration, do resolve, that it is expedient and proper that there should be advanced and paid unto the said Commissioned Officers one month’s pay, in notes or bills of credit of this Colony, as soon as provision can be made therefore, by a further emission of notes or bills of credit, than has been already ordered by Congress.

The Committee appointed to consider how Stores may be procured for the reception of Fish, reported as follows:

Whereas, a large quantity of Fish has been purchased by the Committee of Supplies for the use of this Colony, and the Stores already provided by said Committee are not sufficient for the reception or preservation of the same; therefore,

Resolved, That the said Committee be and hereby are empowered and directed to hire or to build a suitable Store for that purpose, and to agree with some person for a convenient spot of ground whereon to erect the same, reserving liberty to remove such Store as some future Assembly of this Colony shall think proper.

The Report was ordered to subside.

The Committee appointed to agree with Mr. Paul Revere, for striking off a new emission of Colony Notes, reported. The Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz:

Resolved, That there be eighteen hundred and seventy-four sheets impressed and struck off, according to the Resolve of this Congress passed the seventh instant; and that Mr. Paul Revere be employed to do said service, at the rate of six Shillings for each hundred sheets so struck off; provided said Revere find ink, and house-room, and procure suitable paper, the Colony paying only the prime cost of said paper.

Committee instructed to direct Mr. Revere to after the date of the Notes to July 8th, if it can be done.

Ordered, That Mr. Hall, Captain Batchelder, and Mr. Ellis, be a Committee to consider a Resolve of the Committee of Safety, recommending to this Congress to make an establishment for four Master Armourers.

Ordered, That Mr. Samuel Sanger, Mr. Johnson, and Deacon Wyman, be added to the Committee who were appointed to give Passes for removing the Poor of Boston and Charlestown to the Towns in the County of Worcester, and that Major Fuller be excused from serving on said Committee.

Ordered, That Captain Stone, Captain Brown, and Colonel Smith, be a Committee to revise the Resolves of Congress relative to the Poor of Boston and Charlestown, and report what they think proper to be done thereon.

Agreeable to the recommendation of the Committee of Safety,

Resolved, That Mr. Jonathan Hastings be and hereby is appointed Postmaster for the Town of Cambridge, in the room of Mr. James Winthrop.

The Committee appointed to examine several accounts of the expense of procuring Axes and Shovels, reported. The Report was accepted, and Mr. Woodbridge was appointed to bring in a proper Resolve for the paying of the several accounts agreeable thereto.

The Committee appointed to prepare an answer to the Letters from the New-Hampshire Congress, reported the following, which was accepted, and ordered to be transcribed, authenticated, and sent forward, viz:

“GENTLEMEN: We received your favour of the third instant, by Mr. Wheelock and Colonel Beetle, and much rejoice to find that the honourable Congress of New-Hampshire, and the good people of your Government in general, are so warmly attached to the common cause.

“We highly approve of Mr. Dean’s being sent to the Continental Congress, more especially as he is so well acquainted in Canada, and lately came from thence; and we think it is a matter of great importance to New-York, and all the New-England Colonies in particular, and to America in general, to satisfy our friends in Canada that we are truly friendly to them, and also effectually to prevent our inveterate enemies there from making depredations on our frontiers. And as we have the greatest confidence in the wisdom and vigilance of that honourable body, therefore we think it most advisable to wait their determination.

“We are, with great respect; gentlemen, your friends in the common cause.

“Hon. the Congress of the Colony of New-Hampshire.”