for the defence of Falmouth, to be deposited as he shall judge best till the further order of this Court; and the residue thereof, if the said Powder and Arms have not arrived at Portsmouth, that then the said Doctor Russell proceed to Boothbay, and apply to Mr. Nathaniel Craft, who was sent for said Powder by the Committee of Supplies of this Colony, or to Captain Johnson aforesaid, if he hath not yet delivered the same, and receive and cause to be distributed the said Powder and Arms, as before provided in this Resolve; and the said Nathaniel Craft, or William Johnson, is directed to deliver the same accordingly.

The Committee on the Petition of Elbridge Gerry and Azor Orne reported: That it is expedient that the Soldiers stationed in the Town of Marblehead, in the pay of tills Colony, on the present exigency, be paid their Billeting Money up to the first day of November instant, and one month’s wages.

Read and accepted; and thereupon

Ordered, That a Resolve be brought in accordingly.

Afternoon.

Samuel Holten, Esq., brought down from the honourable Board a Proclamation for a general Thanksgiving. Read and concurred.

“In Council, November 4, 1775.

“Although, in consequence of the unnatural, cruel, and barbarous measures adopted and pursued by the British Administration, great and distressing calamities are brought upon our oppressed Country, and on this Colony in particular; we feel the dreadful effects of civil war, by which America is stained with the blood of her valiant sons, who have bravely fallen in the laudable defence of our rights and privileges: Our capital, once the seat of justice, opulence, and virtue, is unjustly wrested from its proper owners, who are obliged to flee from the iron hand of tyranny, or are held in the unrelenting arms of oppression; our seaports greatly distressed, and Towns burnt by the foes, who have acted the parts of barbarous incendiaries: And although the wise and holy Governour of the world has, in his righteous providence, sent drought into this Colony, and wasting sickness into many of our Towns, yet we have the greatest reason to adore and praise the supreme Disposer of Events, who deals infinitely better with us than we deserve, and, amidst all his judgments, hath remembered mercy, by causing the voice of health again to be heard amongst us; instead of famine, affording to an ungrateful people a competency of the necessaries and comforts of life; in remarkably preserving and protecting our troops, when in apparent danger, while our enemies, with all their boasted skill and strength, have met with loss, disappointment, and defeat; and, in the course of his good providence, the Father of Mercies hath bestowed upon us many other favours, which call for our grateful acknowledgments: Therefore,

“We have thought fit, with the advice of Council and the House of Representatives, to appoint Thursday, the twenty-third day of November instant, to be observed as a day of publick Thanksgiving throughout this Colony; hereby calling upon Ministers and People to meet for religious worship on said day, and devoutly to offer up their unfeigned praises to Almighty God, the source and benevolent bestower of all good, for his affording the necessary means of subsistence, though our commerce has been prevented, and the supplies from the fishery denied us: That such a measure of health is enjoyed among us; that the lives of our officers and soldiers have been so remarkably preserved, while our enemies have fell before them: That the vigorous efforts which have been used to excite the savage vengeance of the wilderness, and rouse the Indians to arms, that unavoidable destruction might come upon our frontiers, have been almost miraculously defeated: That our unnatural enemies, instead of ravaging the Country with uncontrolled sway, are confined within such narrow limits, to their own mortification and distress, environed by an American Army, brave and determined: That such a band of union, founded upon the best principles, unites the American Colonies: That our rights and privileges, both civil and religious, are so far preserved to us, notwithstanding all the attempts of our barbarous enemies to deprive us of them. And to offer up fervent and humble prayers to Almighty God, for the whole British Empire, especially for the United American Colonies: That he would bless our civil rulers, and lead them into wise and prudent measures in this dark and difficult day: That he would endow our General Court with all that wisdom which is profitable to direct: That he would graciously smile upon our endeavours to restore peace, preserve our rights and privileges, and hand them down to posterity: That he would give wisdom to the American Congress, equal to their important station: That he would direct the Generals and the American Armies, wherever employed, and give them success and victory: That he would preserve and strengthen the harmony of the United Colonies: That he would graciously pour out his spirit upon all orders of men through the land; bring us to a hearty repentance and reformation; purify and sanctify all his churches: That he would make ours Emanuel’s land: That he would spread the knowledge of the Redeemer through the whole earth, and fill the world with his glory.

“And all servile labour is forbidden on said day.

“GOD save the People.”

“Read and accepted; and thereupon,

“Ordered, That the foregoing Proclamation be signed by the major part of the Council, and that a printed copy thereof be transmitted to each Religious Society through this Colony.”

Upon a motion, Ordered, That Major Hawley go with a message to the honourable Board, and desire that they would not adjourn for the present, as the House had a matter of importance to lay before them. Who reported that he had delivered the message.

Upon a motion, Resolved, That this House will now come to the choice of some suitable person to take the command of the Soldiers stationed in the County of Cumberland, and to be intrusted with other powers for the safety of the said County.

Major Moody, Mr. Mills, and Mr. Story, were appointed to sort and count the votes; who, having attended the service, reported that General Joseph Frye was chosen.

Whereupon, the House passed the following Resolve:

Whereas it appears indispensably necessary that immediate assistance should be granted to the County of Cumberland, and particularly to the Town of Falmouth, in said County, at this time of distress: therefore,

Resolved, That General Joseph Frye be, and he hereby is appointed to take the command of the whole of the men stationed in the said County of Cumberland, for the defence of the sea-coast, till the further order of this Court; and that he be empowered to order such intrenchments or fortifications to be erected at Falmouth, for their defence and protection, as he shall think absolutely necessary; and that he retain two of the said Companies generally at Falmouth, and, in case of any emergency, that he cause the Militia of said County, or any part thereof, to be alarmed and mustered, and, when mustered, to be under his command and direction, and to be by him discharged as soon as the service will admit.

And it is further Resolved, That Doctor Edward Russell deliver to the said General Frye the Powder and Arms he shall receive in consequence of the orders of this Court, to be by him used in defending and protecting the said County of Cumberland and Town of Falmouth, and annoying the enemy; he to be accountable to this Court for the same.

In Council, November 7, 1775: Read and non-concurred.

Monday, November 6, 1775.

The Committee for inquiring into the state of the Treasury reported, that the Receiver-General acquainted the Committee that there remains in the Treasury about Fifty-Three Thousand Pounds of the last Hundred Thousand that was emitted; and that, in consequence of an order from the honourable Council, he hath borrowed but about Eight Thousand Pounds of the Hundred Thousand which he was directed to borrow.

Upon a motion, Ordered, That Mr. Story bring in a Resolve for payment to be made to the Soldiers stationed at Marblehead, of their Billeting Money, to the first of November instant, and one month’s wages.