Then the Speaker asked Dr. Church, whether he pave the Council of War the answers therein contained? He answered, not exactly.

Dr. Church was then asked, whether the Letter which had been read was a true copy of his Letter. He answered; the translation is not literally true.

An adjournment was moved for. Whereupon,

Ordered, That the Committee for providing for the Guards direct them to attend Dr. Church to a proper house, and from thence to return with him to the bar of this House, at three o’clock, P. M.

Afternoon.

Upon a motion, Ordered, That Mr. Gerry go to the honourable Board, and acquaint them that seats will be assigned them in the House, if they would choose to be present at the hearing of Dr. Church. Who returned, that he had delivered the message. Dr. Church was again admitted.

He then presented to the Speaker his Letter, as it had been read, and offered a correction of some errors (on separate paper) which he said were made either in deciphering, or by himself, when he transcribed it in ciphers.

The Speaker asked him, if the Letter with his corrections, was a true copy of that which he attempted to convey to Boston. He answered, I believe it is.

Various questions were put to him, which he answered, and declared that the only motive he had in writing was the publick good; that he took care to exaggerate our strength and firmness, with a view to dishearten and intimidate; that he particularly enlarged his accounts of our ammunition, at a time when an attack might have proved fatal, on account of the scarcity of that article; and that he was induced to the practice of art and dissimulation, which in such cases he thought admissible, by the hopes of obtaining intelligence from his brother Flemming, who was much devoted to Administration, which would serve the general cause—as he had before gained information of importance by such means, which he had employed much to our advantage.

Upon a motion, Ordered, That Dr. Church have leave to retire, under the charge of the Messenger of the House, so far only, as that if there should be occasion he may be again brought to the bar,

Ordered, That the Messenger of the House, under the conduct of the Guard, return Dr. Church to the place from whence he was taken.

Upon a motion, Ordered, That Mr. Speaker, Major Hawley, Colonel Orne, Mr. Gerry, and Mr. Mills, be a Committee to take into consideration the conduct of Benjamin Church, Esquire, and such order as is proper for this House to take thereon, and report.

Saturday, October 28, 1775.

Upon a motion, Ordered, That the Galleries be kept clear for the future, unless in any case the House order otherwise.

James Prescott, Esquire, brought down a Letter, in answer to General Washington’s of the 6th instant, reported by a Committee on the same.

Benjamin White, Esq., brought down a Memorial from Jeremiah Powell, Esquire, in behalf of the Committee of Safety of North-Yarmouth, and Isaac Parsons, in behalf of the Committee of Safety of New-Gloucester, expressing their apprehensions of an intention in the enemy to take possession of Falmouth-Neck, and to improve the harbour the approaching winter, for the King’s Ships, and the dangerous consequences that would ensue from such a measure; and praying for assistance.

This was accompanied with a Letter from Jeremiah Powell, Esq., informing of Deserters from the fleet that burnt Falmouth.

Afternoon.

The Report of the Committee for considering a more expeditious method of settling Accounts, after debate had thereon, and amendment made, passed as follows:

Whereas an attention to the more important affairs of the Government, in the present times of difficulty and distress, renders it impracticable for this House to receive and examine the numerous Accounts now daily exhibited against the Government, agreeable to the mode heretofore usually practiced; and the payment thereof may be greatly delayed, to the detriment of individuals as well as the community:

Therefore, Resolved, That Col. Porter, Nathan Cashing, Esquire, Mr. Wood, Mr. Durfee, Mr. Watson, Major Brooks, and Captain Stone, be, and they hereby are appointed a Committee, until the further order of this House, to receive, examine, and, in behalf of this House, finally pass upon all Accounts, not otherwise committed, which shall be presented to them for payment of services done, and articles bought, by order of Congress or the General Court, and properly vouched; and the doings of said Committee shall be considered as valid as any vote or resolve of the House, touching said Accounts. And said Committee, or any four of them, who are hereby appointed a quorum, are directed to open an office, and advertise the publick thereof, and of this Resolve, that the business may be constantly attended and effectually performed.

And said Committee are further directed to keep in a book a true copy of all Accounts which shall be passed by them, and sent to the Board for concurrence and payment; and to cause the same to be laid before the House, for perusal and inspection, once, or oftener, in each session, as the House shall judge necessary.

Also, Resolved, That the Secretary be, and he hereby is directed to keep such Accounts as shall be passed by such Committee, and in consequence thereof concurred and ordered to be paid by the honourable Board, in separate files.

Also, Resolved., That the honourable Board be, and they hereby are empowered, in the recess of the General Court, to concur and order payment for Accounts which shall have been passed by the Committee aforesaid, as effectually as if the General Court had been then sitting.

Monday, October 30, 1775.

The Committee on the Petition of William Davis* reported as follows, which was read and accepted, viz:

As it is of the utmost importance that this Colony be well provided with Gunpowder, in order to make a proper stand against our merciless enemy: therefore,

Resolved, That the Petition of William Davis be granted; and that the said Davis be, and he hereby is permitted to send the Sloop Reliance to any foreign ports, in order to purchase and bring into this Colony a cargo of Gunpowder, provided that the said Davis, or the Master of said Sloop, shall give his Bond, with sufficient surety or sureties, to the Receiver-General of this Colony, in the penal sum of two thousand Pounds, conditioned, that if the said Sloop shall, bona fide, bring the Powder she shall take on board during said voyage into some port in any of the United Colonies, (Boston and Nantucket excepted, ) and shall take on board no other cargo, in order for said voyage, than cash only; and, also, no more provisions than what shall be allowed by a permit, under the hands of the Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Dartmouth, as being absolutely necessary for the prosecution of said voyage, then the said Bond shall be void; or else, to stand and remain in full force, effect, and value.

In Council, October 30, 1775: Read and concurred.

Charles Chauncy, Esq., brought down from the honourable Board an Order for the appointment of a day for a general Thanksgiving, passed in Council viz:

“In Council, October 30, 1775.

“Ordered, That James Otis and Eldad Taylor, Esqs., with such as the honourable House shall join, be a Committee to appoint some day for holding a general Thanksgiving

* Petition of William Davis, of Dartmouth, humbly sheweth: That the Town of Dartmouth, where your petitioner now dwells, as well as many of the neighbouring Towns, are much exposed to the ravages of the enemy, and almost destitute of that essential article, powder, and as there is a Company stationed at Dartmouth, by your honourable Court, for the defence of the sea-coast, your petitioner apprehends it will be very necessary for a supply of powder at hand upon all emergencies. Your petitioner humbly requests that the honourable Court would grant him a permit to send his sloop, called the Reliance, now lying at Dartmouth, ready to put to sea, with her ballast, to some of the French West-India Islands, with moneys, under such restrictions as your Honours shall see most expedient and beneficial to the publick, in order that your petitioner may procure and bring back a cargo of powder, which is much wanted in Dartmouth and the neighbouring Towns, and most essentially necessary for the preservation of the country. Your petitioner prays your Honours’ consideration, and your petitioner, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.