mitted to Mr. Story and Colonel Smith, with such as the honorable Board may join.

And the Committee are directed to confer with the Indians on the subject.

The Committee on the Letter of Benjamin Fessenden, dated Sandwich, January 13th, reported. Read, and committed, with the papers accompanying, to the Committee of both Houses this day appointed to consider a representation made to this House of several Vessels loading with the produce of the Colonies, &c.; and the Committee are directed to consider the matter at large, and report what is proper to be done, and to sit forthwith.

A Petition of Benjamin Foster, and others of Machias, praying the Court to purchase several Vessels, &., which they took last summer. Read, and the Petitioners had leave to withdraw their Petition,

A Petition of Benjamin Foster and James Noble Shannon, in behalf of the Committee of Safety of Machias, praying that the Court would authorize some persons to take charge of a number of Armed Vessels which were taken from our enemies the summer past, by the inhabitants of said Machias, together with some valuable articles which were in the Vessels; and also praying that the doings of said Committee may be established. Read, and committed to Mr. Davis, Deacon Stone, and Mr. Knowles.

Another Petition of the said Foster and Shannon, representing that Captain John Coulson sailed from Machias about the first of December last, for St. Croix, and agreed with the Committee of Safety at said Machias to bring from thence fifteen hundred weight of Powder, and praying the directions of the Court. Read, and committed to the same Committee.

Another Petition of said Foster and Shannon, signed also by James Lord, representing that one Ebenezer Beal was wounded in taking the Schooner Margaratta on the 12th June last, and is now in this place in a languishing condition, and praying that the Court would order him to be received into some Hospital. Read, and committed to the same Committee.

Benjamin White, Esquire, brought down the Report of a Committee of both Houses, appointed to consider the subject-matter of a Report of a Committee of this Court, the 10th ultimo, relative to the Petition of some of the inhabitants of Majabigwaduce, against the conduct of John Bakeman, Esquire.

In Council, February 7, 1776: Resolved, That William Lithgow, John Taylor, Ezekiel Pettce, Thomas Stinson, and Waterman Thomas, Esquires, Justices of the Peace for the County of Lincoln, or any three of them, (quorum onus,) are hereby required to make inquiry into the riot and injury committed by a number of persons, armed and disguised, against the person and property of John Bakeman, Esquire, and, also, respecting the conduct of some of the inhabitants of the County of Lincoln, in supplying the enemy with provisions and fuel, and of all breaches of the peace, and other disorders, committed in said County; and, also, to inquire what persons have been guilty of contravening the Resolves of the American or Provincial Congresses, or the Acts or Ordinances of the General Court of this Colony; and the said Justices are hereby empowered (A) to cause to come before them any persons accused in the premises, and such witnesses as may be found, and of them inquire, on oath, of all matters relative to the premises; and all persons who shall by such Justices be found so far guilty of the breach of the laws of this Colony, especially provided, or the breach of the peace, or of evil intent against the rights and liberties of America, as that, in their judgment, they ought to be brought to trial for their respective crimes and offences, that they cause such persons to recognise, with sureties, in such sums as shall appear to them reasonable, according to the circumstances of the accused, that they will appear and answer for their respective crimes and misdemeanors, at the Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize, and General Jail Delivery, next to be holden at Falmouth, in the County of Cumberland, within and for the Counties of Cumberland and Lincoln; and in default of their recognising, as aforesaid, the said person, or persons, to commit to prison until they shall so recognise, or be legally discharged; and all persons, of what quality or denomination sever, within the said County of Lincoln, are hereby commanded to assist the said Justices in the inquiry into, and execution of all matters in the foregoing Order contained;-which Justices, Officers, and Witnesses, shall be paid for their cost and expenses as in the law of this Colony is provided, in case of conviction; and in case there shall not be a conviction before the Court of Assize, they shall be paid as this Court shall hereafter order.

In Council, February 5, 1776: Read, and accepted.

Read, and concurred, with the amendment at A, viz: At A, add "and directed."

Ordered, That Major Brooks, Colonel Perry, and Captain Wilson, be a Committee to inquire for some proper persons to be appointed Assay-Masters for Saltpetre, and report to the House.

On a motion, Ordered, That Colonel Dwight, Deacon Plympton, and Colonel Norton, be a Committee to examine and make trial, or cause trial to be made, of any earths, mines, or materials, which may be thought proper for the production of Sulphur, at any place within the Colony.

On a motion, Ordered, That Major Brooks, Major Fuller, and Captain Brown, of Walertown, with such as the honourable Board may join, be a Committee to take into consideration the present high price of Goods, and report what is proper to be done, at the next sitting of the Court.

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

Tuesday, February 6, 1776.

On the Petition of the Selectmen of the Town of Spencer, for Provisions supplied a Company of Minute-Men of said town, who marched, on the 19th of April last, in defence of the country, which they procured of Mr. Jeremiah Whittemore.

Resolved, That there be pa-id therefor, to Deacon Oliver Watson, the sum of six Pounds eight Shillings and three Pence, for the use of said Whittemore.

On a motion, Ordered, That a Messenger go to the honourable Board, desiring them to pass on all publick matters as soon as possible, that the Court might have a recess this week.

The Committee on the Petition of Caleb Hyde reported. Read, and accepted:

Resolved, That there be paid out of the publick Treasury to the said Caleb Hyde, and others mentioned in said Petition, at the same rates as were allowed to the Minute-Men who marched on the 19th of April last, for billeting and wages, they preparing and presenting Muster-Rolls to the Committee for examination, in the same manner as is ordered for the services of Minute-Men.

The House, agreeable to the Order of the Day, considered the Report of a Committee relative to the Poor of Boston and Charlestown.

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be referred to the first Tuesday of the next session.

A Petition, Remonstrance, and Address, of the Town of Pittsfield, relative to the present form of Government in this Colony, and praying that the Court would issue orders for the election of a Governour and Lieutenant-Governour; that every Town may have the privilege of nominating Justices of the Peace, and every County its Judges, as well as the soldiers of every Company of Militia their Officers; and that no person may, at present, be allowed to sue for private debts, &c., Read, and ordered to lie.

The House made choice of Field-Officers for the Eighth Regiment of Militia, in the County of Essex.

Joseph Palmer, Esquire, brought down the Report of the Committee on the conduct of Colonel Cargill. Read, and recommitted, and Mr. Caldwell is appointed on said Committee, in the room of Colonel Freeman, absent.

On a motion, Ordered, That Colonel Bowers, Colonel Lowell, and Colonel Godfry, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve for building ten Sloops, for Privateers.

Afternoon.

The House passed several Resolves for the payment of