Resolved, That there be paid to Captain Epes, for his use, the sum of eight Pounds eleven Shillings and Pence, which is in full for his gun, bayonet, nursing, board, and doctoring.

Resolved, That ten o'clock, to-morrow morning, be assigned for the appointment of Guardians for the Indians, at Grafton.

The Committee on the affair of Mr. Elias Haskill Derby, reported. Read, and considered, and ordered to be recommitted; and the Committee are directed to report a recommendation to the Committees who have the care of the goods, in what manner to proceed therewith.

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

Friday, January 26, 1776.

A state of the Ordnance, Ordnance Stores, and Ammunition for Small Arms, in the Town of Falmouth, CascoBay. Read, and committed to Colonel Thompson, Deacon Bradley, and Colonel Freeman

A Petition of Daniel Lothrop, praying allowance, and payment, for the service of a Company of Artillery, agreeable to a Pay-Roil accompanying, and, also, for the charge of removing of Cannon, &c. Read, and the House being informed that the gentleman who wrote the Petition for said Lothrop, received eight Shillings therefor:

Ordered, That inquiry be made of Mr. Lothrop of the truth thereof.

Mr. Lothrop being admitted on the floor, informed the House that one Mr. Taylor demanded, and received, eight Shillings for writing said Petition; whereupon,

Ordered, That Colonel Freeman, Mr. Stickney, and Mr. Hale, be a Committee to hear Mr. Taylor thereon.

The Petition was committed to Deacon Nichols, Mr. Swift, and Captain Gales.

On a motion, Ordered, That Mr. Story, Major White, and Colonel Freeman, be, and they hereby are empowered and directed, to employ some person, or persons, at their discretion, to pursue, and if possible, apprehend Doctor Samuel Gelston, who has lately fled from the custody of the Messenger of this House, and him bring forthwith.

A Petition of John Stone, of York, praying that he may have liberty to send a Vessel to Saltertudas with Lumber, or Cash, to procure a cargo of Salt for the Inhabitants of that town. Read, and the Petitioner had leave to withdraw his Petition.

The Committee on the Petition of Joseph Ward, Esq., read the 17th current, reported Read, and accepted.

Resolved, That there be paid to the said Joseph Ward, Esq., twenty-four Pounds, in full for his services as Aidde-camp and Secretary to the Honourable General Ward, from April 20th to July 20th, 1775.

A Petition of the Selectmen of the Town of Beverly, by order, and in behalf of the town, praying that the Court, in consideration of their being much exposed to the enemy, would grant them one hundred men for their defence, or otherwise relieve them. Read, and committed to Mr. Johnson, of Lynn, Captain Smith, and Mr. Kingsbury.

A Petition of Solomon Pierce, of Lexington, setting forth, that he was wounded on the 19th April last, where by he was rendered unable to labour for upwards of a month, and was at some expense for a Surgeon, and praying consideration and relief. Read, and committed to the Committee on the Petitions of sick and wounded Soldiers.

A Petition of the Committees, and other Inhabitants of the Townships of Machias, Goldsborough, Number-Four, Narraguagus, Pleasant-River, and Chandler's River, in the County of Lincoln, representing that, by reason of the present unhappy situation of our publick affairs, their Lumber trade is stopped, and they are thereby prevented from procuring the means of supporting themselves and families; that great pains have been taken by the Government of Nova-Scotia to engage the Indians on their frontiers, &c., and praying the consideration of the Court. Read, and committed to Colonel Bowers, Colonel Thompson, Captain Stearns, Captain Carpenter, and Deacon Codding.

A Petition of the Committee, and others, inhabitants of Machias and Goldsborough, in the County of Lincoln, praying an allowance over and above six Shillings per week, for billeting a Company of Soldiers stationed at those places, for reasons therein set forth. Read, and committed to the same Committee.

A Petition of William Nichols, Chairman of the Committees for the four Townships of Goldsborough, Number-Four, Narraguagus, and Pleasant-River, praying that they may have an allowance, over and above six Shillings per week, for billeting a Company stationed to guard the Sea-Coast, under the command of Captain Francis Shaw; and, also, for assistance of Fire-Anns and Ammunition. Read, and committed to the same Committee.

Ordered, That a message go to the honourable Board to inform them that this House propose, at twelve o'clock this day, to come to the choice of Guardians for the Indians at Grafton, by joint ballot, if agreeable to the honourable Board.

Jabez Fisher, Esq., came down and informed the House that the honourable Board had agreed to come to the choice of Guardians for the Grafton Indians, agreeable to the proposal of the House.

On a motion, Ordered, That Major Sewall, Mr. Putnam, and Captain King, be a Committee to consider at large the matter of building Powder-Mills, and report.

Thomas Cushing, Esq., came down and informed the House, that the Board were ready to come to the choice of Guardians for the Grafton Indians.

Whereupon, Ordered, That Mr. Ward, Captain Batchelder, and Captain Bragdon, be a Committee on the part of the House to count and sort the votes.

Ordered, That a message go to the honourable Board to desire that they would direct the Committee on the Resolves of the Continental Congress to sit forthwith.

The Committee appointed to count and sort the votes for Guardians for the Grafton Indians, having carried the same up to the honourable Board, reported, that Edward Rawson, Esq., Captain Stephen Maynard, and Deacon Willis Hall, were chosen.

Afternoon.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker, Colonel Orne, and Mr. Story, with such as the honourable Board may join, be a Committee to examine the late Act of this Court for encouraging the fitting out Armed Vessels, and the Resolves of the Honourable Continental Congress, relative to the capture of Vessels; and report what is proper to be done thereon.

Ordered, That Mr. Story bring in a Resolve for empowering the Committee of the Court appointed to erect a Powder-Mill at Stoughton, and to purchase a Stream for that purpose, to take a lease of such Stream and privileges as may be necessary, in behalf of the Colony, if they think best.

A Petition of the Selectmen and Committee of Correspondence of the Town of Walpole, praying that they may be released from the Resolve of Court, recommending them to supply the Army with two cords of Wood daily, for reasons therein set forth. Read, and the Petitioners had leave to withdraw their Petition.

A Petition of Thomas Townshend, of Lynn, administrator to the Estate of Daniel Townshend, late of Lynn, who was killed at the battle of Lexington, praying consideration and allowance for sundry articles of which the body of said Daniel was stripped by the enemy. Read, and committed to the Committee on the losses at Bunker's Hill &c.

A Petition of Hannah Ramsdel, of Lynn, setting forth, that her husband was killed at the battle of Lexington, and praying consideration and allowance for his gun, accoutrements, and hat, which were lost at the same time. Read, and committed to the same Committee.

The Committee on the Petition of the Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Boston, reported. Read, and accepted.

Resolved, That there be paid out of the publick Treasury of this Colony, to Messrs. William Greenleaf, Isaac Smith, Gibbins Sharp, John Sweetser, Ebenezer Putnam, William Shelleber, and Samuel Gardner, lately appointed by this Court Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Boston,