our defence an armed force should be stationed in various parts thereof, which army cannot be subsisted and defended without an importation of those supplies, and it being of great importance proper measures should be pursued to prevent the distresses that may arise from the want of the said articles:

Therefore, Resolved, That Daniel Davis, Esq., Thomas Durfee, Esq., and Captain Josiah Batchelder, with such as the honourable Board shall join, be, and they hereby are appointed a Committee to agree for, and fix out, with all possible despatch, on account of this Colony, on the best terms, as many vessels as may be sufficient for the importing ten thousand barrels of Flour, two thousand casks of Rice, and one hundred tons of Pig-iron, from any of the Southern Colonies that shall to them appear most safe, and may be effected in the most expeditious manner; and that the said Committee deliver unto the Commissary-General of this Colony the aforesaid Flour, Rice, and Iron, when imported, taking his receipt for the same.

And it is further Resolved, That there be paid out of the publick Treasury of this Colony, into the hands of the said Committee, the sum of eighteen thousand Pounds for the above purposes, said Committee to be accountable to this Court for the same.

Resolved, That the Commissary-General be directed to lend his Excellency General Washington, fifty pounds of Saltpetre for the Continental Laboratory, if he shall desire it.

Moses Gill, Esq., brought down the Resolve of this House on the Report of a Committee relative to virgin Lead, with the following Vote of Council thereon, viz:

In, Council, February 17, 1776: Read, and concurred with the amendment at A, B, viz: Dele from A to B, and insert in place thereof, "directed to sit again, and to transmit a copy of the foregoing Report to the American Congress, and also to examine into the process, &.c, of the lead works now carrying on at Middletown, in Connecticut, and report." Read, and concurred.

The Doorkeeper was directed to call in the Members. The Members were enjoined to give their attendance, and not depart without leave of the House.

Michael Farley, Esq., brought down a new draft of a Resolve, reported by a Committee of both Houses, relative to Civil Actions. Read, and concurred as taken into a new draft.

The House reconsidered the vote of yesterday, fixing upon the 20th of March next as a suitable time to which this Court might be adjourned.

Samuel Holten, Esq., brought down the following Vote of Council, viz:

Whereas, Benjamin Greenleaf, Esq., was appointed one of the Committee of this Court for building sundry Sloops-of-War, and as his attendance at the Council is necessary for the despatch of the important business of this Colony, on which account he has desired to be excused from the service of building the said Sloops:

Therefore, Ordered, That Richard Derby, Jun., Esq., be appointed on said Committee for building the said Sloops in his room.

On a motion, Ordered, That Mr. Phillips, Colonel Brooks, and Mr. Vose, with such as the honourable Board, may join, be a Committee to make some further experiments of the Saltpetre that is manufactured in this Colony.

Ordered, That a message go to the honourable Board to know if they concurred the Resolve of the House relative to Civil Actions.

Thomas Cushing, Esq., came down and informed the House, that the honourable Board had the same now under consideration, and that when they had passed upon it they would inform the House.

Samuel Hollen, Esq., brought the same down, with the following vote of Council thereon, viz:

In Council, February 17, 1776: Read, and unanimously non-concurred, and the Board adhere to their own vote.

Voted, That the Members present give their attendance at the time to which this House shall be adjourned, and inform the absent Members they meet with, that the House require their attendance likewise at that time.

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

Monday, February 19, 1776.

Ordered, That Major Hawley, Colonel Freeman, Major Fuller, Deacon Cheevcr, and Captain Goodman, be a Committee to go up to the honourable Board and acquaint them that this House is desirous of a Conference of both Houses (immediately, if the Board pleases) on the subject of regulating law processes in civil causes, and the proceedings of the Inferior Courts of Common Pleas, in the several Counties in this Colony, until some day in the sitting of this Court after their next meeting.

Samuel Hollen, Esq., brought down a Letter from the Honourable James Otis, Esq., directed to the honouable Council, informing them that on Saturday last, a French Vessel ran on shore, on the South side of the Cape, with upwards of an hundred hogsheads of Molasses, and other small articles; that she had a French master, and one Pink-ham, of Nanluckct, an English master; that their Papers were all in French; that there was on board said Vessel one Monsieur Le Baron, a gentleman who took passage on board said Vessel, with a design to go to Philadelphia, who appeared to be much of a gentleman, and says he was in the King of Prussia's service more than twenty years, and who says that the French and English masters talked of going into Boston; that the goods were taken into custody by Major Mullet, and others, who desire the directions of the Court.

Read, and committed to Major Hawley, Colonel Freeman, Captain Batchelder, and Mr. Davis, with such as the honourable Board may join.

Thomas Cushing, Esq., came down and informed the House, that the honourable Board agreed to the proposal of the House for a Conference on the subject of regulating law proceedings in civil causes, &c., and as there was not sufficient room for the House in the Council-Chamber, the Board propose that the Conference should be held in the Meeting-House, &c.

Ordered, That a message go to the honourable Board, and inform them that the House are now ready for the proposed Conference, and propose that the President of the honourable Board should preside at the same, and that the pews on each side of the pulpit be assigned for the Members of the honourable Board.

A Conference on the subject aforesaid was held accordingly, and it being ended, the Members of the Council left the House, and the Speaker having resumed the chair, the House adjourned to half an hour after three o'clock.

Afternoon.

On a motion, Ordered, That Major Hawley, Mr. Speaker, Colonel Brooks, Major Fuller, and Colonel Bliss, with such as the honourable Board may join, be a Committee to consider what is proper to be done with respect to regulating proceedings in Civil Causes, &c., and report.

On a motion, Ordered, That the Clerk take down the names of those Members who have departed without leave of the House, since the injunction laid on them last Saturday afternoon.

Some Members present then gave in the following names, viz: Colonel Mitchell, Colonel White, of Rochester, Mr. Jewett, of Littleton, Deacon Rawson, and Deacon Watson, of Spencer.

The Members of the House were enjoined to give their attendance, and not to depart without leave of the House.

Ordered, That the Messenger of the House employ some, person, or persons, to repair forthwith to the towns hereafter mentioned, to direct the immediate attendance of the Representatives thereof at this House, viz:

Medford, Mr. Benjamin Hall.

Maiden, Mr. Ezra Sargent.

Roxbury, Colonel Aaron Davis.

Stoneham, Mr. Joseph Bryant, Jun.

Woburn, Josiah Johnson, Esq.

Dedham, Mr. Abner Ellis.

Milton, Captain Daniel Vose.

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