of a motion made by Mr. Foster, of Gloucester, for an additional Force and supply of Ammunition for the defence of that Town.

John Adams, Esq., brought down the Bill for annulling the Commissions of the several Officers, civil and military, in this Colony, with a new Draught thereof, and the following order of Council thereon, viz:

In Council, August10, 1775: Read and concurred, as taken into a new Draught.

Sent down for concurrence.

Ordered, That the Resolve appointing a Committee to bring in a Bill to prevent the waste of Powder, be reconsidered, and that said Committee be directed to bring in a Resolve for that purpose.

An. Account of Stephen Barret, of the charge of carrying a Prisoner from Concord to Mr. James Boice’s, of Milton, was read, and Mr. Barret had leave to withdraw the same.

Colonel Prescott brought down a number of Letters found on board the vessels taken at Machias, which were committed for revision to Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Partridge, and Mr. Crane.

The Committee appointed to draw up an Advertisement calling on all persons who have paid Moneys into the hands of Mr. Treasurer Gardner, to produce a duplicate or copy of his Receipt therefor into the Secretary’s Office, re ported. The Report was ordered to lie till to–morrow morning.

Afternoon.

An Account of Jonas Dix, Esq., for forty–five days’ time employed in administering the Oath to Officers and Soldiers of the Massachusetts Army, was read, and committed to the Committee on Accounts.

The Committee appointed in the forenoon to consider the subject of a motion made by Mr. Foster, of Gloucester, reported:

Ordered, That Mr. Story and Captain Goodman, with such as the honourable Board shall join, be a Committee to wait on his Excellency General Washington, and confer with him on the propriety and manner of supplying the Town of Gloucester with Ammunition and Men for their defence in their present exigence, and to inquire particularly with regard to a Company raised by Captain John Lane, part of which are now in the Camp at Cambridge.

Sent up for concurrence.

Ordered, That the Speaker, Colonel Freeman, and Major Hawley, with such as the honourable Board shall join, be a Committee to confer with his Excellency General Washington on the subject of a number of Letters brought from Machias.

Michael Farley, Esq., brought down the Report of the Committee of both Houses appointed to take into consideration a Letter from his Excellency General Washing ton, with one enclosed from General Greene, relative to one Thomas Cowden, of Fitchburgh, who has been soliciting an office in the Army:

“In Council, August 10, 1775

“The Committee of both Houses of Assembly appointed to take into consideration a Letter from his Excellency General Washington, with one enclosed from General Greene, representing that one Captain Thomas Cowden, of Fitchburgh, hath been soliciting an office in the Army of the United Colonies raised for the defence of American liberty, and that he hath invariably opposed every measure pursued for the restoration of our violated privileges, especially when the veins of our heroick countrymen were inhumanly opened at Lexington and Concord, he exerted himself in preventing that succour and relief which justice immediately called for, having taken said Letters and the evidences against him into consideration, and given the said Cowden fair hearing in defence, do find it clearly proved that the said Cowden hath heretofore been a constant opposer of the publick measures taken for the security of our violated rights, so far as he conveniently could, whereby he hath forfeited the attention and confidence of his Town, and they have justly considered him as inimical to his Country; and notwithstanding he professes a full conviction of his past errours and misconduct, the most sincere contrition for the same, a hearty friendship for his Country, willingness to risk life and fortune in its defence, humbly imploring forgiveness of the General Assembly and his Country, and in the most solemn manner promises amendment and reformation, the sincerity of which hath, in some measure, of late been evidenced by an apparent friendly exertion with his countrymen, and a kind entertainment of the soldiery, and especially by discovering a great abhorrence of, and indignation against that grand deceiver and betrayer of his Country, whose name and letters are equally execrated by all good men, yet the absolute necessity of taking the most effectual care that the Army be supplied with no officer but of known integrity and well approved friendship for the liberties of this Country, as well as of martial abilities and good courage, induce us to forbear recommending him as a person at present fit to be intrusted with a commission in the service; nevertheless, we humbly apprehend, the voluntary confession by himself made, and herewith exhibited,* his solemn engagements to behave well for the future, and his late kindness to the soldiery, being some evidence of a reformation, render it safe and proper that he should be released from his present confinement, and allowed to return to his family and estate in peace, and that he ought, and hereby is recommended to the forgiveness and protection of his countrymen; and that a copy of this Report be given to said Cowden, for his own security against the further resentment of the publick for his past offences, and that he have leave to publish the same, with his confession, if he sees fit; and that a copy hereof be sent to his Excellency General Washington, in answer to his Letter,

“WALTER SPOONER, per order.”

Read and concurred.

The new draught of a Bill for annulling the Commissions of the Civil and Military Officers in the Colony, brought down from the honourable Board in the forenoon, was read, and concurred, with amendments.

Ordered, That to–morrow morning, eight o’clock, be assigned to take into consideration the Contract made by the Committee of Supplies with certain persons, for Beef for the Army; and that the Committee of Supplies be notified to attend at that time.

A Petition of the several Committees of the Townships of Gouldsborough, Narraguagus, Number–Four, and Pleasant River, relative to the distressed situation of those Towns, &c. was read, and committed to Major Hodges, Mr. Howard, and Major Brooks.

The Committee appointed to consider at what rates Teamsters should transport the Poor of Boston and Charlestown, and their effects, reported. The Report was read, and accepted, and thereupon,

Resolved, That there be allowed and paid out of the publick Treasury unto the Teamsters, or such person or persons as shall transport or carry any of the Poor of the Town of Boston, and also of Charlestown, and their effects, to any place whatsoever, agreeable to the orders of the late Congress, after the rates following, viz: For every person upwards of eighteen years of age, who is unable to travel, after the rate of three Pence a mile; for every person from twelve to eighteen years of age, who is unable to travel, after the rate of two Pence a mile; and for every person under the age of twelve years, who is unable to travel, one Penny a mile; and that there be allowed and paid for transporting the goods and effects of all such poor persons after the rate of one Shilling per ton a mile; and that the honourable the Council be desired to give orders

*Whereas I, Thomas Cowden, of Fitchburgh, in the County of Worcester, have been, by many good people of this Province, accused of being inimical to my Country; for the removal of which accusation, I do now acknowledge that in some things I have acted very imprudently, viz: 1st. By allowing hands under me to work on the Publick Fast recommended by the Association of Boston Ministers. 2d, By speaking diminutively of the County Congress at Worcester, in which they recommended to people not to take Hicks’s and Mills’s Paper. 3d. By endeavouring to hinder two persons, who were at work at a frame for me, to go down when the publick alarm was at Lexington. 4th. By not sufficiently encouraging people to sign the Covenant. 5th. By being too backward in Town affairs, with regard to the liberties of the Country. For all which I am truly sorry; beg the forgiveness of the honourable Board and House of Representatives, and of all the good people of this Country who have been aggrieved or offended thereby, and, in justice to myself, must say, that in these things I erred through judgment, not will; and am now ready to convince the world of this solemn declaration, not only by word and interest, but even exposing my life itself, if my Country calls me thereto.

THOMAS COWDEN.