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ton, Colonel Norton, and Mr. Cushing, be a Committee to consider, and report at large, the best method of supplying the camp with Wood.
Ordered, That a message go to the honourable Board, to desire them, if they have concurred with a vote of this House on General Washington's Letter, to enjoin the Committee to sit forthwith.
On a motion, Ordered, That Major Hawley, Mr. Gerry, Mr. Cushing, Mr. Pitts, and Colonel Thompson, be a Committee to consider what further is necessary to be done for the defence of the Sea-Coast.
Resolved, That the honourable Board be, and they hereby are empowered to draw an order on the Treasurer of this Colony, in favour of the Honourable James Warren, Enquire, Paymaster-General of the Continental Army, for the sum of fifty thousand Pounds, lawful money, upon the said James Warren, Esquire, giving his note to return the said sum to the said Treasurer as soon as he shall receive a supply of money from the Continental Congress.
Jedediah Foster, Esquire, brought down the Militia Bill, with proposed amendments.
Afternoon.
Whereas, the Town of Plymouth will derive but little additional strength from the Company to be stationed there, if itbe formed wholly from the Inhabitants of said towns:
Therefore, Ordered, That the Officers who shall be appointed to raise and command said Company, do not inlist of the Inhabitants of the Town of Plymouth into said Company more than one-quarter of the same, including Officers.
Ordered, That Colonel Otis be on the Committee to cpnsider the Letter from General Washington, in the room of Mr. Pitts, engaged on another Committee.
Moses Gill, Esq., brought down the Report of the Committee on his Excellency General Washington's Letter, of the 10th instant.
Samuel Holten, Esq., brought down a Letter from the Honourable John Hancock,* Esq., dated January 2d, enclosing sundry Resolutions of the honourable Continental Congress; and, also, a Letter from the Honourables John Hancock$$, Thomas Cushing, Samuel Adams, and Robert Treat Paine, Esquires, enclosing an invoice of four hundred and forty-three thousand three hundred and thirty-three dollars, and one-third of a dollar, advanced by the honourable Congress aforesaid, in part of the Account of this Colony, which accompanied a Memorial sent to the said Congress. All which were read, and committed to Mr. Speaker, Major Hawley, and Mr. Pitts, with such as the honourable Board may join.
Ordered, That a message go to the honourable Board to inform them, that this House propose, at five o'clock, this afternoon, to come to the choice of a Commissary for Tarpaulin-Cove, in the room of Mr. Stephen Nye, who declines serving, by joint ballot, if agreeable to the honourable Board.
Ordered, That a message go to the honourable Board, informing them that this House is now ready, agreeable to the Order of the Day, to come to the choice of Officers for the Companies to be stationed at Plymouth and Truro, and for a Captain to command a Company in the County of Cumberland, in the room of Captain Rice, and that they propose to begin with the Officers for Plymouth Company.
Then, Ordered, That Colonel Howe, Mr. Dix, and Major Brooks, be a Committee to receive and sort the votes, who having carried up the votes, for the Officers of the Company at Plymouth, reported that the following gentlemen were chosen, viz: Jesse Harlow, Captain; James Churchill, First Lieutenant; Timothy Goodwin, Second Lieutenant; William Watson, Esq., Commissary.
The same Committee having carried up the votes for Officers for the Company at Truro, reported that the following gentlemen were chosen, viz: Joseph Smith, Captain; Hezekiah Harden, First Lieutenant; Seth Smith, Second Lieutenant; and Captain Samuel Harden, Commissary.
The same Committee having carried up the votes for a Captain to command a Company at Falmouth, in the County of Cumberland, reported that Captain Bryant Morton was unanimously chosen.
The same Committee having carried up the votes for a Commissary at Tarpaulin-Cove, reported that Mr. Thomas Jones, Jun., was chosen.
Ordered, That Deacon Rawson, Deacon Nichols, and Mr. Low, be a Committee to count and sort the votes for some person to go to Philadelphia with the Accounts of this Colony, &c.
Who reported that Mr. Isaac Lothrop was unanimously chosen.
On a motion, Ordered, That a message go to the honourable Board, informing them that the House propose to complete the choice of Officers for the Sea-Coast Forces, by joint ballot, to-morrow, at five o'clock, in the afternoon, if agreeable lo the honourable Board.
Ordered, That the Resolve, empowering the honourable Council to draw on the Treasurer in favour of the Honourable James Warren, Esq., be taken into a new draft, which being done accordingly, was read, and accepted, viz:
Whereas, representation has been made to this Court by a Committee thereof, that his Excellency General Washington was desirous of borrowing, for the use of the Continental Army, a supply of Money:
Resolved, That the Council be, and they hereby are empowered, to draw on the Treasurer of this Colony for the sum of fifty thousand Pounds, lawful money, in favour of his Excellency aforesaid, as Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, or for such a part of said sum as his Excellency shall have a present demand for, he giving an obligation, in his capacity aforesaid, to return the same to the said Treasurer when demanded.
The House considered and agreed to the amendments proposed by a Committee of both Houses to be made to the Militia Bill, the amendments on the last label being first taken into a new draft.
Resolved, That Major Cross be desired to furnish Colonel Lovell with some Saltpetre, made agreeable to Doctor Whiting's plan, that he may make an experiment of the same by manufacturing it into Gunpowder.
The House then adjourned, till ten o'clock, to-morrow morning.
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