It is also Resolved, That Colonel John Baker, of Ipswich, in the County of Essex; Captain Ichabod Goodwin, of Berwick, in the County of York; Captain Oliver Witt, of Paxton, in the County of Worcester; Captain Elijah Hunt, of Northampton; Mr. Aaron Ashley, of Springfield, in the County of Hampshire; Captain David Bush, of Pittsfield, in the County of Berkshire; Doctor David Cobb, of Taunton, in the County of Bristol; Mr. Michael Blackwell, in the County of Barnstable; and Captain James Hatch, of Pembroke, in the County of Plymouth; be, and they hereby are respectively empowered to receive for the Colony, at the price and during the time aforesaid, all Fire-Arms which shall be offered them for sale, and manufactured as aforesaid; and they are directed to deliver the same once a month to the Commissary, and, taking his receipt therefor, to apply to the Council for a sufficient sum wherewith to pay for such Fire-Arms, the charges of transportation, &c. Provided, always, That the owner of each Fire-Arm which shall be received for the Colony, shall prove the same at his own risk, by four inches and a half of powder, a ball and wads on each, in presence of one of the Committee aforesaid, or, in failure thereof, before the Commissary.

And it is hereby recommended to the Committee of Correspondence and Selectmen of each Town in this Colony, to apply to the manufacturers of Fire-Arms in their respective Towns, and afford them all necessary encouragement, and to post this Resolve, that the inhabitants of each Town may promote this salutary measure.

[Thus far is proposed to be published.]

Resolved, That the honourable Council, or a major part of them, be, and they hereby are empowered to allow and pay out of the publick Treasury, for Fire-Arms which shall be delivered to the Commissary as aforesaid, such sums as by his receipts shall appear due to the Committee aforesaid, or venders thereof, together with the charges of purchasing and transportation, and also at any time to order such sums to be delivered to the Commissary, for payment of Fire-Arms which he may receive in their recess or adjournment, as they shall judge necessary, the Commissary to be accountable to this Court for the same.

Resolved, That there be paid out of the publick Treasury to Richard Devens, Esq., the sum of one hundred Pounds, to be forthwith invested by an Armourer, or some other judicious person, to be by him appointed in Steel, Files, and other tools, necessary to carry on the manufactory aforesaid; and he is hereby directed to supply with said articles the manufacturers in this Colony who shall need them, and pay him therefor, at such advanced prices as shall be sufficient to pay the charges of purchasing and transportation, and to account with this Court for the same. And he is further directed to hire or provide, at Concord, a suitable building for an Arsenal, and a guard therefor, when furnished with Colony Arms, and to cause said Arms to be marked on the barrel, near the lock, with the letters M. B., and also to be numbered, and to employ an Armourer when necessary, for this and other purposes; and the Commissary is also directed to procure good Sheaths for the Bayonets.

In Council, November 4, 1775: Read and concurred.

The Committee for considering the conduct of Benjamin Church, Esq., &c., reported.

Whereas, from certain facts expressly acknowledged and confessed by Benjamin Church, Jun., Esq., a member of the said House, at their bar, on Friday, the 27th day of October last, it manifestly appears that he, the said Benjamin Church, in the month of July last, did endeavour to carry on a secret correspondence with the enemy in Boston, highly criminal and dangerous:

And whereas it also appears, from the said facts so confessed, that there are grounds for a violent presumption, that before that time he had secretly communicated intelligence to the said enemy, most injurious and destructive to this and all the United American Colonies; and as it is of the highest importance to this Colony that this House should not in any degree connive at such wicked and detestable practices, nor afford any protection to such traitorous criminals; but, on the other hand, in every proper way testify to the world their utmost abhorrence of such deceitful conduct, horrible ingratitude, and breach of trust:

It is therefore Resolved, That he, the said Benjamin Church, be expelled this House, and he is accordingly hereby utterly expelled the same, and his seat therein declared vacant; and that this House will not afford to him, the said Benjamin, any of that special privilege and protection which every worthy and honest member of this body is, by the law and Constitution, entitled to, may challenge, and which this House will always grant.

Upon a motion, Ordered, That a Precept issue to the late inhabitants of the Town of Boston, to return a Member, if they see cause, to represent them in the Great and General Court, in the room of Benjamin Church, Jun., Esq., and that Mr. Pitts report a form for the same.

The Committee on the state of the Schooner and Cargo belonging to George Erving and Capt. Wormwell reported. Read and accepted.

Whereas the Committee of Correspondence of the Town of Plymouth did, some time past, take into their possession three fourth parts of the Cargo of said Schooner, consisting of Rum, Sugar, and Molasses, belonging to George Erving, inhabitant of Boston, and have detained the said Schooner, three-fourths of which belong to said Erving, waiting the orders of this Court: therefore,

Resolved, That the said Committee of Correspondence be, and they hereby are ordered to sell and dispose of that part of the Cargo aforesaid to the Commissary-General of the Continental Army, he paying the price usually given for such articles; which money shall be paid to the Treasurer and Receiver-General of this Colony, to be appropriated in such manner as this Court shall hereafter direct.

And be it further Resolved, That the said Committee be directed to have the said Schooner appraised by three men, under oath, and that they make return of said appraisement to this Court, as soon as may be; and that the said Schooner be delivered to his Excellency General Washington’s order, for him to improve her as an armed vessel, for defence of the Country, he giving his receipt therefor; a duplicate of which receipt said Committee are directed to lodge in the Treasurer’s office aforesaid, as soon as may be.

In Council, November 3, 1775: Read and concurred.

Friday, November 3, 1775.

The Committee on the Memorial of the Selectmen of Newburyport* reported. Read and accepted; and

Resolved, That the Poor of the Town of Boston, that are now in the Town of Newburyport, be destined in the manner following, viz:

To the Town of Groton: Captain Philip Bass, wife, and three children; Widow Bounds and two children; and Peter Meers and wife.

Andover: Christopher Brazer and wife, and five children; Christopher Brazer, Jun., and wife, and one child; James Hinkes and wife, and two children; Lewis Follings and wife.

Leominster: Joannah Trevoy and three children; Ambroise Colby and wife, and three children; Mrs. Patterson and two children; Mary Calef and daughter-in-law, and two children.

Lunenburgh: Walter Piper and wife, and five children; Walter Piper, Jun., wife, and mother, and seven children; Jos. Grant, wife, and mother, and four children.

* Memorial of the Town of Newburyport showeth: That in consequence of a resolve of the late Congress of this Colony, a number of the poor inhabitants of the Town of Boston have taken residence in this Town, viz: thirty-five adults and forty-three children, the greater part of whom have been here for the last three months; and that the supplies they have called for, and have been furnished with, amount nearly to sixty Pounds, lawful money, though all frugality, consistent with their necessities, has been used; now, as little or no provisions are raised in this Town but brought from the country, and as wood, a necessary article the approaching season, must be scarce and dear, from our communication with the eastern country being so impeded, and in the winter season provisions of all kinds will be dearer, and the expense of maintenance will be nearly double, your memorialists apprehend that the beforementioned people may be as well accommodated, and at less expense, in some of the farming Towns back of the sea-coast, and pray your Honours to take orders thereupon; at the same time expressing no dissatisfaction at further supplying said people, if your Honours shall judge it expedient; and they further beg leave of your Honours to give order that what they are already in advance should be refunded, upon authenticated accounts being exhibited, as their Town aforesaid has been at heavy charges in preparation for defence from the enemy, &c., the preceding season.