And Whereas, by the said Resolves of the 2lst of January, three Companies were to be raised from the County of Berkshire, as part of the said Regiment: And whereas, nearly four hundred men have already inlisted and marched from the said County of Berkshire, into Canada, to serve the United Colonies there, until the 15th of April next, many of whom, it is hoped, and expected, will be willing to continue in the said service until the 1st day of January next:

Therefore, Resolved, That the Field-Officers of the said Regiment be directed to inlist, as soon as possible, out of those already marched as aforesaid, two whole Companies, to join the said Regiment; whose advance wages and bounty, including what they have already received from General Schuyler, shall be made equal in every respect to those who now inlist, according to the terms proposed by the honourable Continental Congress; and that six Companies only be now raised for the said Regiment, until this Court shall be informed of the success of raising the said two Companies out of those now in Canada, as aforesaid.

Ordered, That Brigadier Thompson get the foregoing printed.

Ordered. That Mr. Speaker and Major Hawley, with such as the honourable Board shall join, be a Committee to wait on his Excellency General Washington, to inform him that this Court is about to rise, and to know if he has any application to make to the Court.

The Committee appointed to examine the Money brought from Philadelphia by Mr. Fessenden, reported verbally:

That they had examined the same, and found it agreeable to the invoice; that they had deposited it in the publick Treasury, and had taken the Treasurer's receipt there for, which they had lodged in the Secretary's Office.

The House made choice of Samuel Harnden, Esq., as Brigadier for the County of Lincoln, in the room of Arthur Noble, Esquire, who has been non-concurred by the Council.

The House made choice of Oliver Prescott, Esq., as a Brigadier for the County of Middlesex, in the room of John Cummings, Esq., non-concurred by the Council.

The Committee appointed to consider the necessity of raising a Company of Matrosses to defend the Fortress erected at Marblehead, reported Read, and accepted.

Whereas, it appears to be of great importance to the safety and welfare of this Colony, that the Harbour of Marblehead be effectually secured against the attacks of our enemies: And whereas, the inhabitants of that town have at a very great expense, erected Batteries, wherein twenty pieces of Cannon are mounted, and it being absolutely necessary for a successful defence, that there should be a number of men, well acquainted with the management of Cannon, appointed to said Batteries:

Therefore, Resolved, That a Company of Matrosses, consisting of thirty-eight men, exclusive of officers, be immediately raised for the purpose aforesaid, and that a Captain and two Lieutenants be chosen for said Company, their pay to be the same with officers of the like rank on the Sea-Coast establishment; and the Commanding Officer of the two Companies of Sea-Coast men stationed at Marblehead, is hereby directed and empowered to draft twenty-five men from each of said Companies to be joined to said Company of Matrosses, which will then consist of one hundred men, officers included.

Afternoon,

A Petition of Stephen Smith, of Machias, praying allowance for the expense he was at in supporting a number of Indians of the St. John's and Passamaquoddy Tribes, who came to Machias in December last, to agree upon some methods for establishing trade, and to promote a union between said Tribes and this Colony. Read, and committed to the Committee appointed to consider the Report of a Committee relative to the Indians, &c.

Whereas, the Committee on Accounts, the Committee for Signing, &c, the Bills emitted by order of this Court, the Committee on Clothing, and the Committees on the Muster-Roils of the Army and Militia, have in their Memorial represented, that in order to their discharging the duties required of hem, most o their time has been employed, they having been deprived the pleasure and benefit of the publick debates, have been in a great measure prevented doing their duty to their particular constituents, by which they have been not a little injured, and praying that for part of their services they may be paid out of the publick Treasury of this Colony.

Therefore, Resolved, That the above Committee be paid for their respective services, one half out of the publick Treasury of this Colony, and the Committee on Accounts are hereby directed to pay the same accordingly, and the other half to be made up in the Pay-Roil of the House of Representatives.

The Committee on the state of the Ordnance, &c, at Falmouth, reported. Read, and accepted.

Whereas, it appears from a state of the Ordnance Stores and Ammunition, for Small-Arms, at Falmouth, in the County of Cumberland, exhibited to this Court, that most of the Cannon there are unfit for use, and that the quantity of Shot, Powder and Flints, is very small. And as it is necessary for the general safety of the Province, and of that part of it in particular, that a supply of these articles should be immediately procured:

Therefore, Resolved, That the Commissary-General of this Colony be, and hereby is empowered and directed to procure, as soon as possible, at the expense of this Colony ten good Cannon, as follows, viz: three twelve-pounders, three nine-pounders, and four six-pounders, together with one hundred round-shot for each Cannon, suitable for the same; also nine hundred weight of Powder, and one thousand Flints.

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

Monday, February 12, 1776.

Mr. Speaker communicated to the House a Letter from his Excellency General Washington, representing that the Army is in want of Fire-Arms, and proposing that the Court would depute some of its Members to make application to the different Towns for a quantity thereof.

Read, and committed to Colonel Orne and Mr. Cushing, with such as the honourable Board may join.

The Resolve appointing Mr. Isaac Lothrop to present the state of disbursements of this Colony, &c., to the Continental Congress, was read, and Mr. Isaac Lothrop having declined accepting that trust, his name was erased, and that of Mr. Joseph Henderson, who was appointed by the House in the room of Mr. Lothrop, on the first of February current, was inserted instead thereof.

Resolved, That Mr. Henderson be allowed for such service the sum of thirty-five Pounds, provided he is not obliged to tarry at Philadelphia longer than one fortnight, in which case he is to have a further allowance, as this Court shall judge reasonable, and that Colonel Orne bring in a Resolve expressive of this agreement.

Eldad Taylor, Esquire, brought down the following Vote of Council, viz:

In Council, February 12, 1776: Ordered, That John Winthrop, Esquire, with such as the honourable House shall join, be a Committee to prepare a Proclamation for a General Fast throughout this Colony.

Read, and concurred, and Major Hawley and Mr. Hopkins are joined.

A Petition of Hannah Goldthwait, late of Boston, setting forth, that she is in low and declining circumstances, and praying the Court to order a sum of money to be paid to her which was taken by order of Court from Mr. White, of Marblehead, who brought the same out the Boston, from her husband for her.

Read, and committed to Mr. Dix, Mr. Cooper, and Mr. Hobart.

The Committee to whom was referred the consideration of the Petition of a number of the inhabitants of the County of Lincoln, reported, that they are of opinion, that it is of great importance that the St. John's and Passmnaquoddy Indians should be furnished by this Colony with ammunition and such articles as are necessary for them, and that they may not be obliged to seek supplies elsewhere; and, therefore, report the following Resolves, viz:

Resolved, That a Truckmaster be appointed by this Court to reside at Machias, and that the sum of four hundred Pounds be paid out of the publick Treasury of this