the following sums to Captain Samuel Epes, for the use of the persons hereafter mentioned, in full for their several Accounts for losses of guns, &c., at battle, on the 19th of April last, viz:

Eldad Taylor, Esq., brought down the Report of the Committee of both Houses, appointed to view the Harbour of Dartmouth, read January 29th, viz:

That said Harbour is very convenient for all vessels from the West-Indies and the Southern Colonies, to retreat to in time of danger, and is the only one for a great extent of sea-coast, which can be secured in such a manner as to serve for that purpose. We, therefore, think it will be advantageous to the publick to fortify and secure the same, which we apprehend may be done by stationing at that place a company of seventy-five men, including officers, some of whom to be of the train, and supplying them with ten pieces of cannon, viz: four nine-pounders and six six-pounders, with a requisite quantity of powder and ball.

All which is humbly submitted.

In Council, February 6, 1776: Read, and sent down.

Read, and accepted.

The House passed several Resolves for the payment of Accounts for losses at Bunker-Hill, on the 17th of June last, and at the battle of Lexington on the 19th of April last.

The House made choice of the following Officers for the Company to be stationed at Pemaquid, in the County of Lincoln, &c., viz: Caleb Turner, Captain; George Rogers, First Lieutenant; Thomas Thompson, Second Lieutenant; Robert Giving, Commissary.

The House also made choice of the following Officers for the Company to be stationed at St. Georges, in said County, viz: Benjamin Plummer, Captain; Joseph Robinson, First Lieutenant; James Thompson, Second Lieutenant; James Minot, Commissary.

And Thomas Rice, Esq., Mustermaster for the three Companies to be stationed in the County aforesaid.

The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve for building ten Armed Sloops, reported. Read, and accepted.

Resolved, That there be built, at the publick expense of this Colony, for the defence of American liberty, ten Sloops-of-War, of one hundred and ten tons, or fifteen tons each, suitable to carry from fourteen to sixteen carriage-guns, (six and four-pounders,) and that Captain Batchelder, Colonel Bowers, and Mr. Durfee, be a Committee, with such as the honourable Board shall join, to provide materials, and employ proper persons to build said vessels, as soon as may be, for the purpose above said; and that the sum of ten thousand Pounds be delivered to the said Committee, to enable them to proceed in building, rigging, and finishing said Vessels, as soon as possible, and that each one of the Committee be accountable to the General Court of this Colony, when thereunto called by the said Court, for the money he shall receive.

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

Wednesday, February 7, 1776.

Mr. Speaker informed the House that Colonel Parsons was at the door, from his Excellency General Washington, and desired to be admitted into the House.

He was admitted accordingly, and informed the House that he bad seventy-nine Fire-Arms in his possession, the property of this Colony, and requested that they might be appraised and put into the Continental Store for the use of the Army. His request was granted, and Mr. Cranson, Captain Ellis, and Mr. Devans, were appointed to appraise the same accordingly, and Mr. Partridge was appointed to bring in a Resolve for this purpose.

Mr. Partridge, agreeable to order, reported. Read, and accepted.

Whereas, application has been made to this Court by his Excellency General Washington, for seventy-nine Fire-Arms, the property of this Colony, now in the possession of Colonel Parsons:

Resolved, That Mr. Cranson, Mr. Devans, and Mr. Ellis, be a Committee to appraise said Arms, and deliver them to General Washington, or his order, he paying the appraisement, or giving his receipt for the same; and said Committee are hereby ordered to pay the money, if received, to the Treasurer of this Colony, and lodge his receipt in the Secretary's Office.

The House made choice of Field-Officers for the Third and Fourth Regiments of Militia, in the County of Cumberland; for those of the Second Regiment, in the County of Bristol; for those of the Seventh Regiment, in the County of Middlesex; for those of the Fifth Regiment, in the County of Essex; and for those of the Fourth Regiment (except the Second Major) in the County of Plymouth.

Ordered, That a message be sent to the honourable Board, to know if they have passed upon the Resolve which passed the House the 27th day of December last, for supplying the Committee for purchasing Saltpetre with seven hundred Pounds.

Samuel Holten, Esq., came down, and informed the House that the honourable Board had non-concurred the Resolve of the House for depositing seven hundred Pounds into the hands of the Committee for purchasing Saltpetre.

The Committee on the Petition of Jeremiah Obrien, brought from the honourable Board the 2d current, reported. Read, and recommitted.

The Committee on the Petition of Jeremiah Obrien, again reported. Read and accepted.

Whereas, it is of importance that the enemies of the United Colonies should, as far as possible, be deprived of necessary supplies, whereby they may be rendered the less capable of distressing this and the other Colonies aforesaid; and to effect this purpose, it is expedient and necessary Armed Vessels should be fitted out and employed, to prevent supplies getting into the hands of our said enemies:

Therefore, Resolved, That the Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety, of Newburyport, with Captain Jeremiah Obrien, be a Committee to prepare, and in all respects equip and man, with fifty men each, including officers, the Sloop Machias-Liberty, and Schooner Diligent, now lying at Newburyport, and that the said Committee recommend such proper persons to the honourable Council as may be necessary for officers of said Vessels, for the purpose above-mentioned, and when said Vessels are prepared, as aforesaid, the officers belonging to said Vessels be commissionated by, and following such directions as they shall receive from time to time from the Council of this Colony. And it is further Resolved, That the following sums, set against the several officers and men engaged in the above service shall be paid them upon their faithfully discharging the duties assigned them, viz: A Captain, four Pounds per month; First Lieutenant, three Pounds per month; Second Lieutenant, two Pounds ten Shillings per month; Surgeon, two Pounds ten Shillings per month; Master, two Pounds per month; Boatswain, one Pound ten Shillings per month; Carpenter, one Pound ten Shillings per month; Gunner, one Pound ten Shillings per month; Pilot and Quartermaster, one Pound ten Shillings per month; Steward, one Pound ten Shillings per month: Master-at-Arms, one Pound ten Shillings per month; Foremast-Men, one Pound four Shillings per month.

And for further encouragement to the said Officers and Seamen:

It is further Resolved, That they shall be intituled to one-third the proceeds of all captures that shall be by them