support their families; that the Government of Nova-Scotia have offered to supply them with all such necessaries, provided they will join the enemies of the United Colonies;that the said Tribes have informed us of said application from Nova-Scotia, and have declared their desire to join their brethren of the United Colonies, provided they could be supplied with such things as ihey wanted, and take their Furs in return for them for the same; for which end, the said Tribes have sent three of their principal men to wait on your Honours, and that they appear to be very uneasy that something is not yet done for them. Your petitioners, apprehending, if said Indians are not supplied by your Honours, they will be necessitated to join our enemies, humbly pray your Honours would appoint a Truckmaster at Machias for that purpose."

In the House of Representatives: Read, and committed to Mr. Story and Colonel Smith, with such as the honourable Board may join; and, the Committee are directed to confer with the Indians on the subject.

In. Council: Read, and concurred, and WALTERSPOONER, Esq., is joined.

The Committee of both Houses appointed on the above Petition, report as follows, viz: That said Indians' place of abode is about eighty miles from Machias, and consists of about sixty families; they are in want of clothing, provisions, ammunition, and their fire-arms repaired. Your Committee are informed by Captain House, that he had traded with these Tribes, and that the trade was to the amount of sixteen hundred pounds, lawful money, annual ly; and said Indians appear desirous of giving the trade to our Colony, provided we will supply them by putting a quantity of goods into the hands of a proper person to trade with them at Machias. Your Committee, also, find that John Steel, with two sons, will remove to Machias, and act as armourers, for soldiers' wages, provided he is allowed for the use of tools; and, that he has twelve and fourteen pounds in stock, that he will take down with him for the Colony's use.

WALTER SPOONER; per order.

In Council: Read, and sent down.

In the House of Representatives: Resolved, That a Truckmaster be appointed by this Court to reside at Machias, and that the sum of four hundred Pounds be paid out of the publick Treasury of this Colony to said Truckmaster, to enable him to procure such Ammunition and other articles of Goods as may be necessary to supply the said Indians with; and, that he set the articles he shall supply them with, at a moderate advance, and take in return therefor their Furs and other things they may procure in hunting: he, the said Truckmaster, to be accountable to this Court for the said money, and his conduct in this affair.

And it is, further Resolved, That John Steel be desired to repair to Machias as soon as may be, and there act as Armourer in repairing the said Indians' Guns, and such others as may be sent him by order of Court; and for his service, and the use of his Tools, there be allowed, and paid to him, after the rate of four Pounds per month, to commence from the time of his setting off from Newburyport till the further order of this Court; and, that the said Truckmafter furnish the said Armourer with Stock to proceed in his business, and receive from the Indians, and others, such Pay on account of this Colony, as shall be reasonable for the stock, and work done.

In Council: Read, and concurred.

In the House of Representatives: Whereas, it appears from the state of Ordnance, Ordnance Stores, and Ammunition for small Arms, at Falmouth, in the County of Cumberland, exhibited to this Court, that most of the Cannon there are unfit for use; and, that the quantity of Shot, Powder, and Flints, is very small; and, as it is necessary for the general safety of the Province, and that part in particular, that a supply of those articles should be immediately procured. Therefore,

Resolved, That the Commissary-General of this Colony be, and hereby is empowered and directed to procure as soon as possible, at the expense of this Colony, ten good Cannon, as follows, viz: three twelve-pounders, three nine-pounders, and four six-pounders, together with one hundred Round Shot for each Cannon, suitable for the same; also, nine hundred weight of Powder, and one thousand Flints.

In Council: Read, and concurred.

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

Tuesday,February 13, 1776.

Present in Council: Honourables Benjamin Greenleaf, Caleb Cushing, Walter Spooner, John Whetcomb, Jedediah Foster, James Prescott, Eldad Taylor, Benjamin Lincoln, Joseph Palmer, Samuel Holten, Jabez Fisher, Moses Gill, John Taylor, Benjamin White, Esquires.

A Bill, entitled "An Act for ascertaining the number of Inhabitants in this Colony,"having passed the House of Representatives, to be engrossed,

In Council: Read a second time, and passed a concurrence, to be engrossed.

In the House of Representatives: Ordered, That Joseph Henderson be appointed to lay the disbursements of this Colony, in defence of American liberty, before tho American Congress for approbation.

In Council: Read, and concurred.

In the House of Representatives: Resolved, That there be paid out of the publick Treasury of this Colony to Joseph Henderson, the sum of thirty-five Pounds, to enable him to defray the expenses of his journey to Philadelphia, on account of this Colony.

In Council: Read, and concurred.

In the House of Representatives: Resolved, That the Receiver-General of this Colony be, and is hereby empowered and directed to make use of the Continental Money now in the Treasury, transmitted to this Colony by the honourable Continental Congress, as well as the Bills emitted by this Colony, for discharging all Warrants drawn upon him by the Council of this Colony.

In Council: Read, and concurred.

In the House of Representatives: The House made choice, by ballot, of Jonathan Warner, Esq., a Brigadier for the County of Worcester, in the room of Brigadier Whetcomb, who declines that appointment.

In Council: Read, and concurred.

In the House of Representatives: The House made choice, by ballot, of Ephraim Hartweell, Quartermaster of the Regiment to be raised in Worcester, as a reinforcement to the American Army, to the 1st of April next, in room of Mr. Clap, who declines.

In Council: Read, and concurred.

In the House of Representatives: The Committee to whom was referred the consideration of Mr. Elias Hasket Derby's conduct in importing Coffee and other goods, from the Island of Dominica, contrary to the Resolves of Congress, have attended that service, and have examined the several depositions in the case, as well as the orders given by Mr. Derby to Captain Lander, and heard several witnesses on the affair—upon the whole, are of opinion, that the said Captain Lander has acted quite contrary to the orders of his owners, and in direct violation of the Resolves of the Continental Congress. And as to Mr. Derby's conduct in this affair, the Committee are unanimously of opinion, that he has not, in the importation of those goods from Dominica, acted, in any way, contrary to the. Resolves of the Continental Congress, and that he ought not to be charged with the misconduct and misbehaviour of said Lander.

Resolved, That the Coffee, and such other articles as were imported contrary to the Association, in the Schooner William, Peter Lander, master, from Dominica, in tirehands of the Committee of Correspondence, of the Town of Ipswich, and of the Town of Beverly, or in the hands of whoever else it be stored, at the charge and risk ef tha owner, and kept in safe custody until the futther order of this Court.

In Council: Read, and concurred.

The Committee of both Houses, appointed to consider the Petition of Philip Hodgskins, making complaint against Colonel James Cargill;also, a Letter from Samuel Jordan, Chairman of the Committee at Goldsborough, corn plaining of Colonel Cargill;also, setting forth the state of several vessels detained by said Committee; furthermore, requesting that a number of troops be stationed there; and that the doings of Committees in places not incorporated may be confirmed, have attended that service, and beg leave to report their opinion in several paragraphs, as follows, viz: