tain Batchelder, were appointed to receive the votes on the part of the House.

Ordered, That a message go to the honourable Board, informing them that this House propose that the gentlemen to be elected to represent this Colony at the Continental Congress, shall continue in office until the last day of December next.

Walter Spooner, Esquire, came down and informed the House that the honourable Board had agreed with the said proposal.

Leave was given to Colonel Ward to withdraw his Return of those men in General Ward's Regiment, who lost their clothes in the battle on the 17th June last.

The Committee appointed to inquire whether the Commissary-General of this Colony and his Deputies have a right to make contracts with bakers, and whether such contracts have been made?

Reported, that upon examination had of the several papers herewith exhibited relative to that matter, they cannot find that the Commissary-General, whatever his right might have been as to contracting with bakers for the Colony aforesaid, made any other than one and the same general agreement with the whole choir; nor can they find that the Commissary-General aforesaid delegated other power to any of his sub-Commissaries; therefore, are of opinion that no distinction ought to be made in their pay upon any pretence whatever. Read, and accepted.

The Committee appointed to receive the votes of the House for five gentlemen to represent this Colony at the Continental Congress, having carried up the same,

Reported, that the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., Honourable Samuel Adams, Esq., Honourable John Adams, Esq., Honourable Robert Treat Paine, Esq., and Elbridge Gerry, Esq., were chosen.

Jabez Fisher, Esquire, brought down the Report of the Committee of both Houses appointed to consider sundry Resolves of the Continental Congress.

Afternoon.

A Petition from the Town of Malden, setting forth the inconvenience attending its supplying the Army with three cords and-an-half of Wood daily, and praying relief.

Read, and committed to Colonel Woodbridge, Deacon Batchelder, and Major Johnson.

A Petition of Samuel Brewer, setting forth, that he was, on the 5th day of May last, appointed by General Thomas, an Adjutant-General of the Army at Roxbury, the duty of which office he performed till the first day of August, and praying a consideration for his services.

Read, and committed to Mr. Story, Colonel Porter, and Major Wood.

It having been represented to this House that Mr. Elias Haskitt Derby, a Member of this House had, contrary to the Association of the Continental Congress, imported Coffee and other things from the English West-India Islands:

Ordered, That Captain Foster, Mr. Bryant, and Captain Epes, be a Committee to repair immediately to Salem to make full inquiry into the matter, and to direct the attendance of the said Derby to his duty in this House.

Ordered, That the Doorkeeper immediately apprehend Mr. Abiel Wood, and him hold in safe custody until the further order of this House.

The Report of the Committee of both Houses, appointed to examine into the conduct of Abiel Wood and Jonathan Williamson, of Pownalborough, accepted by the honourable Board, was read and non-concurred, and ordered to be recommitted.

On a motion, Ordered, That Mr. Cooper, Captain Batchelder, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Phillips, and Colonel Thompson, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve for the purpose of establishing Committees of Correspondence in the several towns in this Colony.

Ordered, That a message go to the honourable Board, informing them that this House propose to come to the choice of the Sea-Coast Officers, for the. Town of Gloucester, agreeable to a late Resolve of this ourt.

Accordingly, Jedediah Foster, Esquire, came down and informed the House that the honourable Board agreed to the said proposal; and at the same time brought down the Heads of a Militia Bill, with the following Vote of Council thereon, viz:

In Council, December 15, 1775: Read, and concurred, with the amendments following, viz: at A, in the 1st, 3d, 7th and 8th Heads add, "or the major part of them."

Read, and concurred, with the amendments proposed.

In the House of Representatives, December 15, 1775

Whereas, by papers and depositions now before this House, relating to Abiel Wood, of Pownalborough, in the County of Lincoln, merchant, who is now in the custody of the Doorkeeper of this House, there is great reason to believe that the said Wood has been, within the summer past, acting in open violation to the Association entered into by the Members of the honourable Congress of America, in behalf of their constituents; and that the said Wood has used his influence to discourage the people, as well from obeying the present Government of this Colony, as uniting in the cause of their country, and thereby has given reason to suspect him to be a person unfit to go at large.

Therefore, Resolved, That the said papers and affidavits be laid before the honourable Council of this Colony, and that the said Council be, and they hereby are requested to take into custody the said Wood, and bring him before them, and deal with him in such manner as may be for the security of this Colony and all America;and that he may be so secured as that he cannot hereafter use his influence to discourage the people of this Colony in manner as aforesaid.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to bring in a Militia Bill, be directed to insert a clause to prevent the private soldiers firing away their powder without leave of their Officers.

The Report of the Committee appointed to consider sundry Resolves of the Continental Congress, brought down the 9th current, was read, amended, and accepted, and is as follows, viz:

That a Committee of both Houses be appointed to engage and fix out with all possible despatch, on the account and risk of this Colony, ten vessels, to be laden with as much provision, horses, or any other produce of this Colony, except horned cattle, sheep, hogs, and poultry, as they may deem necessary for the importation of ammunition, sulphur, saltpetre, arms, and German steel, for the manufacturing gun-locks, &c. And that the said Committee be empowered to give orders to the commander of every such vessel to export the said cargo to the foreign West-Indies, for the purposes aforesaid.

Ordered, That Mr. Starkweather be on the Committee appointed to explain the Commission of the Committee to consider the Petitions of those who were wounded and left their arms and clothes in battle, in the room of Mr. Partridge, absent.

Resolved, That all the Post-Offices and Post-Riders employed by the late Congress of this Colony, be dismissed from any further service.

Ordered, That the Doorkeeper employ two persons to hold Abiel Wood in safe custody until to-morrow.

Resolved, That eleven o'clock, to-morrow morning, be assigned for the choice of a Committee to fix out vessels to go to the West-Indies after Powder.

A Memorial of the Committee of Inspection for the Town of Newburyport. Read.

Ordered, That Mr. Story and Mr. Wheeler, with such as the honourable Board shall join, be a Committee to consider the Memorial from the Committee of Inspection of Newburyport, relative to the conduct of Benjamin Balch, of said town, in exporting fish, contrary to a Resolve of Congress.

A Petition of William Crawford, setting forth the circumstances of the people at Penobscot-River, and pails adjacent.

Read, and the petitioner had leave lo withdraw his Petition.

The House then adjourned till to-morrow morning, ten o'clock.

Saturday, December 16, 1775.

Ordered, That a message go to the honourable Board