The Committee on the Petition of the Selectmen of Stoughton, reported. Read, and recommitted, and the Committee are directed to ascertain facts.

James Prescott, Esq., brought down the Report of the Committee of both Houses appointed to take into consideration a Memorial of the Selectmen of Sherburne, in the Island of Nantucket, viz:

That a representation of the present state of that Island,

and of the conduct of the inhabitants, be made to the American Congress, and that the inhabitants be supplied with necessaries for their subsistence, in the manner directed by a Resolve of the Congress, until their determination on such representation may be had. All which is humbly submitted.

J. WINTHROP, per order.

In Council, February 2, 1776: Read, and accepted, and thereupon Ordered, That a representation, to the purpose mentioned in the foregoing Report, be made to the American Congress accordingly. And that John Winthrop, Esq., with such as the honourable House shall join, be a Committee to make said representation.

Read, and concurred, and Mr. Brown, of Boston, and Mr. dishing, of Scituate, are joined.

On a motion, Ordered, That Colonel Bowers, Major Cross, and Colonel Orne, be a Committee to make an estimate of the expense of fitting out ten Armed Sloops, to carry sixteen carriage guns, each.

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

Saturday, February 3, 1776.

Benjamin Lincoln, Esq., brought down the Report of the Committee of both Houses appointed to examine Doctor Samuel Gelston and Mr. John Brown.

An Account of John Newton and others, for their time and expense in guarding Doctor Gelston and John Brown, from Rhode-Island to Watertown, and for their time going back. Read, and committed to Mr. Dix, Mr. Ingalls, and Colonel Godfrey.

A Petition of William Eaton, of Deer-Island District, representing that said District is in a distressed situation, and praying that a Company may be stationed there for its protection. Read, and the Petitioner had leave to withdraw his Petition.

The Committee on the Petition of Jeremiah Obrien, read February 2d, reported. Read, and recommitted.

A Letter from the Honourable John Whetcomb, Esq., declining to take a commission as Brigadier for the County of Worcester, on account of his age and infirmity.

A Petition of Thomas Winship, of Lexington, setting forth, that he was wounded at the battle of Lexington, on the 19th April last, whereby he lost his musket and a fortnight's labour, and praying the consideration of Court. Read, and the Petitioner had leave to withdraw his Petition.

Afternoon.

The House considered the Report of the Committees of both Houses who were appointed to examine Doctor Gelston and Mr. Brown, viz:

In Council, February 3, 1776: Whereas, it appears by Doctor Gelston's confession that he has contravened the Resolves of the American Congress, and has supplied the enemies of America with sundry articles of provision, and by other evidence it appears, that the same Samuel Gelston is unfriendly to the rights and liberties of this country: And whereas, the greatest danger must necessarily result from permitting such persons to go at large, and continue their traitorous practices of opposing the measures adopted for our defence, and of spreading false and discouraging rum ours, and of communicating information of all our operations to our unnatural enemies: And whereas, the said Gelston did make his escape from the Messenger of the honorable House of Representatives, who had him in his keeping, and it appears that he should be effectually secured:

It is, therefore, Resolved, That the said Samuel Gelston be forthwith confined (A) at his own expense, in some Jail in this Colony, (B) there to remain till the further order of the Council.

And whereas, it appears by the examination of John Brown and Doctor Gelston, that the said Brown, also, contravened the Resolves of the American Congress, and aided the said Doctor Gelston in making his escape from the Messenger of the honourable House of Representatives, who had him in his custody, and carried him off to Rhode-Island, where he and the said Gclston were apprehended and secured by order of the honourable House:

It is, therefore, Resolved, That the said John Brown be forthwith confined (A) at his own expense, in some Jail in this Colony, (B) there to remain till the further order of the Council.

And whereas, there was found in the custody of the said Brown, about ten pounds weight of India Tea, which is now in the custody of the Committee of this Court:

Therefore, Resolved, That the Messenger of the honourable House of Representatives be directed to cause the said Tea to be publickly consumed by fire this day, at (C) one o'clock, P. M.

In Council, February 3, 1776: Read, and accepted.

Read, and concurred, with the following amendments, viz: At Adele the words, "at his own expense." At B, insert, "that the Council shall order;" and at C, dele "one" and insert "five."

The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve to explain a clause in the Militia Bill, reported. Read, and debated, and the further consideration put off to Tuesday next, ten o'clock, A. M.

The House then adjourned till ten o'clock, Monday morning.

Monday, February 5, 1776.

Upon application of Mr. Phillips, Ordered, That Mr. Harling, the master-workman of the Powder-Mill erecting for the use of the Colony, have leave to repair to Andover at any time after lie has given such directions concerning the Mill at Stoughton, as that the other workman employed in that business may proceed thereon in his absence, and assist the said Phillips in the Mill erecting at his risk.

Whereas, representation has been made to this House, that Colonel Doane, of Barnstable County, has sent two Vessels to the West-Indies, loaded with the produce of the Colonies, and that Mr. Solomon Davis, of said Barnstable, is now loading two Vessels, and Mr. Cuit, of Saco, another, and that a Vessel at Falmouth, Casco-Bay, is likewise loading with the like produce, contrary to the Resolutions of the American Congress:

Therefore, Ordered, That Mr. Speaker, Major Cross, and Mr. Story, with such as the honourable Board may join, be a Committee to make inquiry into the matter, and report what is proper to be done.

The House made choice of Officers for the First and Second Regiments of Militia in the County of Cumberland.

Ordered, That Colonel Thompson procure all the Resolves of the Continental Congress that can be had.

Mr. Speaker was also desired to write to some of the Delegates of this Colony at the Continental Congress for four sets of all the Proceedings of said Congress, that are, or may from time to time be published.

The Commissary-General having asked some directions of the House with respect to procuring Cannon:

Ordered, That in this matter he use his best discretion in procuring the same as speedily as possible.

Afternoon.

A Petition of Nathan Jones, of Goldsborough, setting forth, that a Vessel, &c., was taken from him in the month of August last, by sundry persons from Deer-Island, and praying to be heard thereon. Read, and committed to Mr. Davis, Mr. Whitney, and Mr. Aden.

A Petition of a number of the inhabitants of the Easterly part of the County of Lincoln, representing, that the Indians of St. John's are in great want of Clothing and Ammunition; that the Government of Nova-Scotia have offered to supply them; that the said Tribes are willing to join the service of the Colonies, and have sent three of their Chiefs to wait on the Court; and praying that they may be supplied by the Court, and that a Truckmaster might be appointed for that purpose. Read, and com-