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The Militia Bill was again considered by the House, and ten o'clock, to-morrow morning, assigned for the further consideration thereof.
On a motion, Ordered, That Colonel Sawyer bring in a Resolve, directing that application should be made to the Selectmen of the several towns in this Colony, to purchase all the Sulphur they can on account of the Colony.
Benjamin Lincoln, Esq., brought down a Petition of Abiel Wood, praying that a Committee may be appointed to hear his defence against certain charges laid against him as an enemy to the country, with the following Vote of Council thereon, viz:
In Council, December 20, 1775: Read, and Ordered, To be committed to the Committee of both Houses, appointed to consider anew the Petition of the Committee of Inspection for the East part of the Town of Pownalborough. Read, and concurred.
The House then adjourned to half-after nine o'clock, tomorrow morning.
Thursday, December 21, 1775.
.A Petition of Aaron Wright, Keeper of the Jail in Northampton, praying allowance of an Account exhibited for keeping sundry Prisoners therein named. Read, and committed to the Committee on Accounts.
The Committee on the Petition of Samuel Brewer, entered December 15, reported. Read, and accepted.
Resolved, That the Treasurer of this Colony pay him the sum of twenty-four Pounds seventeen Shillings and four Pence half-penny, in full for his service therein mentioned.
A Memorial of William Po0well, of Salem, setting forth, that he has a Schooner at Beverly Harbour, ready to sail, and that he designs to export cash, and import powder only, and praying liberty to proceed on his intended voyage. Read, and committed to Mr. Wheeler, Colonel Cushing, and Major Goodwin.
Moses Gill, Esquire, brought down the Resolve on the Petition of Jacob Boardman, with the following Vote of Council thereon, viz:
In Council, December 21, 1775: Read, and concurred, with the amendments at A, B, and C,viz: at A, dele "four hundred," and insert "two thousand;" at B, dele "he delivering," and, at C, insert "being delivered." Read, and concurred.
Michael Farley, Esquire, brought down a Petition of the Delegates of the several Towns in the County of Cumberland,* met in Convention, at Falmouth, on the 8th of November last, relative to the defenceless and distressed situation of the said Town of Falmouth, in particular, and the County in general, and of the importance of securing the harbour of Falmouth, and praying relief. Read, and committed to the Committee appointed to consider a Letter from General Frye on the same subject.
Samuel Holten, Esquire, brought down the following
Resolve, viz:
Whereas, it hath been represented to this Court that his Excellency General Washington doth not consider himself at liberty to furnish guards for any of the sea-coasts in this Colony, saving what relates to the general defence, and it appearing to this Court necessary that certain posts should be guarded, for the security of the inhabitants:
Therefore, Resolved, That Benjamin Lincoln, Esquire, with such as the honourable House shall join, be a Committee to wait on his Excellency, and desire him that he would inform this Court to what limits he will extend his Guards.
The House again considered the Militia Bill.
Afternoon.
.Joseph Palmer, Esquire, brought down the Report of the Committee of both Houses appointed to take under consideration the circumstances of the Sea-Ports:
That they are of opinion that it is necessary there should be stationed at Gloucester two hundred and fifty men; at Marblehead, one hundred men; at Tarpaulin-Cove, one hundred and fifty men; and at Falmouth, in the County of Cumberland, three hundred men, which may serve, under a proper officer, as a guard for all the sea-coast in the Counties of York and Cumberland, excepting Kiltery, where your Committee are of opinion that there ought to be stationed not less than fifty men, and at Hingham, Braintree, and Weymouth, two hundred men.
In Council, December 21, 1775: Read, and sent down.
Read, and to-morrow, ten o'clock, A. M., assigned for the consideration thereof.
Charles Chauncy, Esquire, brought down a paper, signed by Colonel Brewer and other Officers of the Army, testifying the bravery of Salem Poor, a negro man in Colonel Frye's Regiment, at the late battle at Charlestown.
Ordered, That Mr. Phillips bring in a Resolve for reconsidering a Resolve of this Court for erecting two Powder-Mills, and to provide for the building only one, and appointing Captain Goodman to consult with the person who has been applied to, to engage in this business, on the most convenient place for erecting such a Mill.
The Committee on the Memorial of Hannah Sewall reported. Read, and accepted.
Resolved, That the Committee appointed by this Court to provide Wood for the Continental Army in this Colony, be immediately ordered to desist from cutting any more Wood on the land of the memorialist, till the further order of this Court.
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