famine through the land, and no reasonable prospect remains of a speedy reconciliation with Great Britain, the Congress have resolved, "that no obedience being due to the Act of Parliament for altering the Charter of the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, nor to a Governouror Lieutenant-Governour, who will not observe the directions of, but endeavour to subvert that Charter, the Governour and Lieutenant-Governour of that Colony are to be considered as absent, and their offices vacant; and, as there is no Council there, and inconveniences arising from the suspension of the powers of Government are intolerable, especially at a time when General Gage hath actually levied war, and is carrying on hostilities against His Majesty's peaceable and loyal subjects of that Colony; that in order to conform as nearly as may be to the spirit and substance of the Charter, it be recommended to the Provincial Convention to write letters to the inhabitants of the several places which are entitled to representation in Assembly, requesting them to choose such Representatives; and that the Assembly, when chosen, do elect Counsellors, and that such Assembly and Council exercise the powers of Government until a Governour of His Majesty's appointment will consent to govern the Colony according to its Charter." In pursuance of which advice, the good people of this Colony have chosen a full and free representation of themselves, who, being convened in Assembly, have elected a Council, who, as the Executive branch of Government, have constituted necessary officers through the Colony. The present generation, therefore, may be congratulated on the acquisition of a form of Government more immediately, in all its branches, under the influence and control of the people, and, therefore, more free and happy than was enjoyed by their ancestors. But as a Government so popular can be supported only by universal knowledge and virtue in the body of the people, it is the duty of all ranks to promote the means of education for the rising generation, as well as true religion, purity of manners, and integrity of life, among all orders and degrees.

As an Army has become necessary for our defence, and, in all free states, the civil must provide for and control the military power; the major part of the Council have appointed Magistrates and Courts of Justice in every County, whose happiness is so connected with that of the people, that it is difficult to suppose they can abuse their trust. The business of it is to see those laws enforced which are necessary for the preservation of peace, virtue, and good order; and, the Great and General Court expects, and requires, that all necessary support and assistance be given, and all proper obedience yielded to them, and will deem every person who shall fail of his duty, in this respect towards them, a disturber of the peace of this Colony, and deserving of examplary punishment.

That piety and virtue, which alone can secure the freedom of any people, be encouraged, and vice and immorality suppressed, the Great and General Court have thought fit to issue this Proclamation, commanding and enjoining it upon the good people of this Colony, that they lead sober, religious, and peaceable lives, avoiding all blasphemies, contempt of the Holy Scriptures, and of the Lord's day, and all other crimes and misdemeanors; all debauchery, profaneness, corruption, venality, all riotous and tumultuary proceedings, and all immoralities whatsoever; and that they decently and reverently attend the publick worship of God, at all times acknowledging, with gratitude, his merciful interposition in their behalf, devoutly confiding in Him as the God of armies, by whose favour and protection alone they may hope for success in their present conflict.

And all Judges, Justices, Sheriffs, Grand-Jurors, Tything-men, and all other civil officers within this Colony, are hereby strictly enjoined and commanded, that they contribute all in their power, by their advice, exertions and examples, towards a general reformation of manners; and that they bring to condign punishment every person who shall commit any of the crimes or misdemeanors aforesaid, or that shall be guilty of any immoralities whatsoever; and that they use their utmost endeavours to have the resolves of the Congress, and the good and wholesome laws of this Colony, duly carried into execution.

And as the Ministers of the Gospel within this Colony, having, during the late relaxation of the powers of civil Government, exerted themselves for our safety, it is hereby recommended to them still to continue their virtuous labours for the good of the people, inculcating, by their publick ministry and private example, the necessity of religion, morality, and good order.

In Council: Ordered, That the foregoing Proclamation be read at the opening of every Superior Court of Judicature, &c., and Inferior Court of Common Pleas, and Court of General Sessions of the Peace, within this Colony, by their respective Clerks, and at the annual Town-Meetings, in March, in each town; and, it is hereby recommended to the several Ministers of the Gospel, throughout this Colony, to read the same in their respective assemblies, on the Lord's day next after their receiving it, immediately after Divine service.

In the House of Representatives: Read, and concurred.

In the House of Representatives: Resolved, That the request of his Excellency General Washington, relative to raising one Regiment, to consist of seven hundred and twenty-eight men, including officers, agreeable to the Continental establishment, to reinforce the Army in Canada, be forthwith complied with; and that the said Regiment be inlisted from the Counties of Hampshire and Berkshire, to continue in the service of the United Colonies until the 1st of January next, if required thereto; and that the Field-Officers be now appointed, by ballot, of one House of Assembly, and concurrence of the other; and, when chosen, the said officers be commissionated by the Council, and ordered on their service of recruiting without delay.

In Council: Read, and concurred..

In the House of Representatives: Resolved, That the Committee appointed for erecting a Powder-Mill for this Colony, be, and they hereby are directed, to cause the same to be built at Stoughton, without delay, and to exert themselves for executing this most important and necessary business, in preference to any other engagement which they may be at present under to this Court, and to cause the same to be constructed in such manner as shall appear to them most advantageous.

In Council: Read, and concurred.

Mr. Story came up with a message from the honourable House, to know if the Board had concurred with a Resolve of the House, for raising a Regiment in the Counties of Hampshire and Berkshire.

Mr. John Adams went down with a message to the House, to inform that the Board had concurred in said Resolve.

In the House of Representatives: The House proceeded, by ballot, to choose the Field-Officers for the Regiment to be raised in the Counties of Hampshire and Berkshire, to reinforce the Continental Army in Canada, agreeable to a Resolve of this day, and unanimously made choice of Elisha Porter, Esq., Colonel; Thomas Williams, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel; and Mr. Abner Morgan, Major.

In Council: Read, and concurred.

Adjourned to ten o'clock, to-morrow morning.

Saturday, January 20, 1776.

Present in Council: Honourables William Sever, Walter Spooler, Caleb Cushing, John Winthrop, Thomas Cashing, John Whetcomb, Jedodiah Foster, Eldad Taylor, Benjamin Lincoln, Charles Chauncy, Michael Farley, Joseph Palmer, Samuel Holten, Jabez Fisher, Moses Gill, John Taylor, Benjamin White, Esquires.

In the House of Representatives: Ordered, That the Commissary-General be directed to inform his Excellency General Washington, that he has a number of Blankets by him, and is ready to deliver them, and such as shall come in to his order, for which he is to take a receipt.

In Council: Read, and concurred.

Mr. Story came up with a message from the House, desiring that his Excellency General Washington's Letter, relative to raising a Regiment to go to Canada, might be sent down.

Mr. Spooner went down with the above Letter.

In Council: Whereas, Benjamin Lincoln, John Taylor, and Benjamin White, Esquires, have received out of the publick Treasury, the sum of eight thousand Pounds one Shilling, and one Pound sixteen Shillings, of the Selectmen of Hopkinton, for three blankets overpaid that town;