two hundred narrow Axes for the use of the Army; and when procured to put them into the hands of the Committee of Supplies, to be by them sent to his Excellency General Washington, for the use aforesaid.

In Council, July 28, 1775: Read and concurred.

Ordered, That Colonel Orne, Colonel Cashing, Mr. Greenleaf, Captain Batchelder, and Mr. Partridge, be a Committee to devise means for the immediate payment to those Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers who have not received their Advance Pay.

The Committee on the Petition of the Committee of the Town of Bristol,* reported a Letter to the honourable Continental Congress.

The Report was read and accepted.

The Order of the Day moved for.

Ordered, That a Message be sent to the honourable Board, informing them that this House is now ready to proceed to the choice of a Treasurer and Receiver-General.

Ordered, That Mr. Durfee, Colonel Bowers, and Col. Orne, be a Committee to receive and sort the votes for a Treasurer and Receiver-General.

Samuel Holten, Esq., came down and informed the House, that the Board is ready to proceed to the choice of a Treasurer and Receiver-General.

A Petition of Eli Stiles, spraying an allowance for his time and expense in bringing Prisoners from Machias, was read, and committed to the Standing Committee appointed to examine Accounts, &c.

The Committee appointed to receive and sort the votes for a Treasurer and Receiver-General, reported, that Henry Gardner, Esq., was unanimously chosen.

Ordered, That Captain Partridge, Mr. Phillips, and Doctor Church, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve for the purpose of obliging the Treasurer and Receiver-General to give Bond in the usual manner.

Ordered, That Capt. Brown, of Abington, Mr. Crane, and Col. Lovell, be a Committee to procure the Journals of the House of Representatives of this Colony, for five or six years back.

The Committee on the Return of Colonel Sergeant’s Regiment reported.

Ordered, That Dr. Church, Mr. Phillips, and Dr. Baylis, be a Committee to wait upon his Excellency General Washington, and request the favour of him to inform this House what his instructions are with respect to giving out Commissions.

Ordered, That the Report on the Return of Colonel Sergeant’s Regiment lie till the Committee last chosen report.

Ordered, That Henry Gardner, Esq., the Receiver-General, be directed to attend this House immediately.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to wait on General Washington, be directed to request the favour of him to order a Muster-Roll of the Massachusetts Forces to be laid before this House.

Ordered, That Dr. Church, Col. Bowers, Mr. Batchelder, Major Fuller, and Mr. Rawson, be a Committee to consider a Petition of Mrs. Apphia Jones, praying this Court to give directions for the appearance at this Court of her husband, confined a prisoner at Machias; or otherwise afford him such relief as this Court shall judge proper.

A Petition of several Armourers, praying for the appointment of a Head Armourer, for some advance pay, and a convenient place to work in, was read and committed to Colonel Thompson, Mr. Jewet, and Mr. Wheeler.

Ordered, That Mr. Wood, Dr. Baylis, and Mr. Goodrich, be a Committee to provide a Hospital in this Town, for the use of the sick and wounded in the Army.

Henry Gardner, Esq., attended according to order, and declared his acceptance of the choice this day made of him, as Treasurer and Receiver-General of this Colony.

Ordered, That a Message be sent to the honourable Board, acquainting them that Henry Gardner, Esq., had accepted the trust of Treasurer and Receiver-General of this Colony.

Eldad Taylor, Esq., brought down the following Vote of Council, viz:

“In Council, July 28, 1775.

“Ordered, That Col. Otis and Dr. Winthrop, with such as the honourable House shall join, be a Committee to consider what is necessary to be done relative to a Colony Seal.

“Sent down for concurrence,”

Read and concurred; and Major Hawley, Dr. Church, and Mr. Cushing, are joined.

Ordered, That Mr. Goodwin, Mr. Wood, and Major Ely, be a Committee to settle with Mr. Cross the expenditure of the Money taken out of the Treasury, for the payment of the advance pay to Col. Phinney’s Regiment.

A Memorial of the Selectmen of the Town of Sherburn, on the Island of Nantucket, praying that some way may be pointed out for opening the common channels for a supply of the necessaries of life, which, the Memorialists say, have been interrupted by ways set forth in said Petition, was read and committed to Major Hawley, Col. Freeman, Col. Dwight, Col. Norton, Capt. Goodman, Mr. Cushing, Mr. Rawson, Major Bliss, and Mr. Nye.

Afternoon.

Ordered, That Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Maynard, and Mr. Jewet, be a Committee to distribute Mr. Gordon’s Election Sermons.

The Committee appointed to examine Muster-Rolls were directed to order the Money due to the Soldiers to be paid to them respectively, or to their order.

The Secretary brought down from the honourable Board the following Message, signed by fifteen of the Council, which he read to the House, viz:

“Council Chamber, July 28, 1775.

“Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:

“We have taken into consideration the critical situation of the inhabitants of the eastern parts of this Colony, and think it expedient that some measures be speedily taken to prevent the enemies of the Country from plundering the said inhabitants of their cattle and sheep, &c., or in any wise of getting a supply there of these or any other articles; wherefore we recommend it to you, to make such an addition to the forces already raised and stationed in the County of Lincoln as you shall judge needful for that purpose, and to make suitable provision for their necessary supplies.”