Read and non-concurred; and the House adhere to their own vote.

The Committee on the Message from the honourable Board reported again. Read and accepted.

The multiplicity of important publick affairs which have been under the consideration of this Court, during this session, having unavoidably prevented a new appointment of Military Officers within this Colony; and it being of the utmost importance to the safety of the Colony, that the Militia thereof should be well equipped and disciplined, and in the best posture of defence:

Resolved, That the several Military Officers who have been chosen by the people of this Colony, agreeable to the Resolves and recommendation of the late Provincial Congress, be, and hereby are ordered to remain and continue in the several stations to which they were appointed as aforesaid, until the further order of this Court; and all such Officers are directed to use their utmost exertions in putting the Militia under their respective commands in the best posture for defence they are able.

The Secretary came down with the following Message from the major part of the Council:

“Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:

“The Council accede to the proposals made by the honourable House in their message, this day received by the Council, relative to appointing one officer to command in the County of Cumberland, by joint ballot, at twelve o’clock, this day, saving that it be not improved for the future as a precedency, as expressed in our second message to the honourable House of the 10th instant.

“Council Chamber, November 11, 1775.”

Ordered, That Mr. Gerry go to the honourable Board, and acquaint them that the House is now ready to proceed to the choice of some person to command in the County of Cumberland, agreeable to the foregoing Message.

The House then appointed Mr. Mills, Capt. Batchelder, and Mr. Watson, to sort and count the votes of the House. Who, having carried up the same, reported, that General Joseph Frye was chosen.

The Committee appointed to take into consideration a Letter from Joseph Greenleaf, Esq., one of the Committee for establishing a Post-Office in this Colony, reported. Read and accepted.

Resolved, That the said Joseph Greenleaf be, and he hereby is directed to settle with the several Postmasters and Post-Riders, to the 5th of October last, and discharge their several Bonds; provided, nevertheless, that if the Postmaster-General should choose to undertake (by himself or his Agent) to settle the whole matter from the beginning, in such case,

It is further Resolved, That the said Joseph Greenleaf be, and he hereby is directed to put over said settlement into the hands of the Postmaster-General, or his Agent, and to empower either of them to receive the moneys now due to said Colony, from the several Postmasters, for said purpose.

In Council, November 11, 1775: Read and concurred.

Mr. Gerry brought in the following Resolve, which was read and accepted.

Resolved, That the honourable Council be, and they hereby are empowered, any time before their recess, to order the Treasurer to deliver to the Committee of Council for concurring Accounts which shall be preferred against the Government, and previously examined and passed by a Committee of the House, provided for that purpose, such a sum as the honourable Board shall think sufficient to pay and discharge Accounts which may be so concurred during their recess; said Committee of Council to be accountable to this Court for said sum.

In Council, November 11, 1775: Read and concurred.

The Committee appointed to take into consideration the case of Dr. Church reported. Read and accepted, as follows:

Whereas it appears to this House that Dr. Benjamin Church, late a Member thereof, by his past conduct has discovered himself to be inimical to the United American Colonies, and has laid himself open, in their opinion, to a criminal prosecution for his past conduct, in holding a traitorous correspondence with our enemies: And whereas the Court-Martial, in whose custody he now is, from the want of a suitable provision in the Continental Articles of War, may be unable to bring the said Church to condign punishment, and the setting him at liberty may be attended with dangerous consequences to the cause of America: therefore,

Resolved, That the honourable the Council of this Colony be, and they hereby are desired to take suitable measures for causing the said Benjamin Church, in case of his being liberated from his present confinement, to be apprehended and secured, that such further measures, with respect to him, may be pursued, as the security of this people loudly demands, and the laws of this Colony will justify.

In Council, November 11, 1775: Read and concurred.

Afternoon.

The Committee on the Memorial of James Lyon reported. Read and accepted.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Towns in this Colony, to supply the people at Machias with such a part of their Town stock of Powder as they can spare, to relieve them in this time of great danger; and the said Towns are desired to deliver the same to the said Lyon, or such person or persons as the inhabitants of Machias shall appoint, so as the whole do not amount to more than three barrels, they to be accountable to this Court for the same: and this Court will replace such Powder as shall be so supplied them by such Town or Towns, as soon as may be, or pay them for the same, not less than five Shillings per pound.

In Council, November 11, 1775: Read and concurred.

Upon a motion, Ordered, That Mr. Story be appointed, in the room of Mr. Perry, to deliver to the Adjutant-General the Blanks for the Muster-Rolls when printed.

Upon a motion, Ordered, That Mr. Watson acquaint General Washington with a proposal of Mr. Hobart’s, for running Cannon.

The Committee directed to prepare a Resolve for protracting the Commissions of the Delegates of this Colony, at the Continental Congress, reported. Read and accepted, as follows, viz:

Whereas the Hon. John Hancock, Thomas Cushing, Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat Paine, Esquires, have been duly appointed to represent this Colony at the American Congress, now held at Philadelphia, and by their commission are appointed to represent this Colony in said Congress, until the last day of December next; and whereas the important business of the Colony has hitherto prevented this Court from proceeding to a choice of Delegates to represent this Colony in the said American Congress, after the said last day of December; and whereas this Court is near adjourning for a short space: therefore,

Resolved, That the time limited in the said commission of the present Delegates of this Colony, now attending the American Congress, for their representing this Colony therein, be further extended unto the last day of January next; and the said John Hancock, Thomas Cushing, Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat Paine, Esquires, are hereby fully empowered to act for and represent this Colony in the said American Congress, agreeable to their former commission, until the last day of January next.

In Council, November 11, 1775: Read and concurred.

Benjamin White, Esq., brought down the Resolve for continuing Military Officers.

In Council, November 11, 1775: Read and concurred, with amendments.

Read, and non-concurred in the amendments proposed, and the House adhere to their own vote.

Upon a motion, Ordered, That Major Hawley go with a message to the honourable Board, informing them that the House have passed on all important publick matters that have come before them, and inquire if the Board have done the same. Who returned, that he had delivered the message.

John Taylor, Esq., came down and said that the Board had passed on all publick business that had come before them from the honourable House.