COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read July 2, 1776.]

Watertown, June 26, 1776.

SIR: Your several letters of the 4th and 11th instant, together with the resolutions of Congress for raising a number of men for reinforcing the Army in Canada and New-York, have been communicated to the General Court, and duly attended to. It is the prevailing opinion here that the number required of this Colony, was, considering our circumstances and present situation, more than our proportion. Out of the seventeen regiments raised within this Colony, twelve of those most complete were ordered this spring to New-York, together with the very best of our arms; besides which, one regiment was sent the last winter from this Colony to Canada, under the command of Colonel Porter. We have a very great extent of sea-coast, which lays this Government under the necessity of being at a vast expense in keeping a great number of men in pay to defend it. We have a formidable fleet and army in our neighbourhood, which in a day or two may invade the Colony; notwithstanding which, the General Court have been so thoroughly convinced of the necessity of the measure recommended by Congress, that they have with cheerfulness and alacrity voted to raise, from the Militia on the alarm and training-band list of the several towns in the Colony, five thousand men, to reinforce and cooperate with the Continental troops in Canada and New-York; and for encouragement have voted that there shall be paid to each non-commissioned officer and private soldier destined for New-York the sum of three pounds. They are to furnish themselves with a good fire-arm and bayonet, or instead of a bayonet a hatchet or tomahawk, a cartouch-box, knapsack, and blanket; and the Court have voted to allow them the further sum of six shillings for the use of their arms, and twelve shillings to purchase a blanket, and also one month’s advance pay on their passing muster and being equipped as aforesaid. The Court were very averse to granting a bounty, but apprehended the men could not be obtained without it, especially as they found the Colonies of Connecticut and New-Hampshire have done the like with regard to the men to be raised by them. In short, the Court have been so solicitous to take effectual measures to obtain the men designed for Canada and New-York, that they have not had the opportunity to take care of themselves, and to pursue the necessary measures for raising the two regiments granted by Congress for the defence of this Government; however, this matter will now immediately be attended to. The money the honourable Congress have sent to be exchanged for silver and gold and to enable us to raise the two regiments designed for the defence of this Government has been received by the Treasurer of this Colony. Your letter accompanying the same is now under the consideration of the House. The General Court had, previous to their reception of the resolution of Congress prohibiting the exportation of provisions, passed a resolve for that purpose, to be in force until the 10th day of November next.

I am, sir, in the name and by order of the Council, your most obedient humble servant,

JEREMIAH POWELL, President.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

COLONY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS-BAT.

To the Honourable the Council and the Honourable House of Representatives in General Court assembled at WATERTOWN, June 26, 1776:

The Committee of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety, for the town of Boston, beg leave to represent to your Honours that they are deeply impressed with a sense of the danger to which the community at large, and this town in particular, are exposed at this truly important crisis, especially as they feel this danger increased by the liberty which many disaffected persons are indulged, who yet walk at large, and some of them, by their daily conversation, de-dare their fixed enmity to this country, and their attachment to its foes, notwithstanding the proceedings of the justices of inquiry appointed by this honourable Court. This Committee have the highest reason to suppose that a channel of communication and intelligence between the Fleet and Army employed against us and these persons, has been constantly kept open ever since the town has been evacuated by the British troops; and that some of the most important manoeuvres which have been projected by your Honours have been by this means in part, if not wholly, defeated. These facts have alarmed the inhabitants of this town, who in general think it unsafe to reside here while these evils remain unremedied. The Committee, therefore, loathing the idea of subjecting any persons to confinement, against whom the common safety may be otherwise secured, would with deference suggest to your Honours whether it would not be essential to the publick peace that these persons be removed from the capital, and dispersed among the inland towns in this Colony, as well to prevent the danger to which we are constantly exposed by their plots and conspiracies, as to ease the apprehensions of the inhabitants of this town. By order of the Committee:

JOHN BROWNE, Chairman.

WORCESTER COUNTY (MASSACHUSETTS) COMMITTEE.

At a meeting of the Committee of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety, from a major part of the towns in the County of Worcester, convened at the Court-House in said Worcester, on Wednesday, the 26th day of June, 1776:

Whereas the honourable the American Congress on the 13th of April last, resolved “that Bohca Tea ought not to be sold in the smallest quantities at a higher price in any Colony than the rate of three-fourths of a dollar per pound, and other Teas at such prices as shall be regulated by the Committees of the Town or County where the Tea is sold; and that all persons who shall give or take a greater price for it ought to be considered as enemies to the American cause, and treated accordingly. And it is earnestly recommended to all Committees of Inspection and Observation, as well to be vigilant in carrying this resolve into execution, as those which prohibit the importation of India Tea from any part of the world, it being the desire of Congress to exclude all teas, except such as may make part of the cargoes of prizes taken by the ships of war or privateers belonging to these Colonies:”

And whereas this Convention have received intelligence that some persons in this Colony have given and taken a greater price for Bohea Tea than three-fourths of a dollar per pound, in violation of the aforesaid resolve:

Therefore, Resolved, That it is the indispensable duty of the several Committees in this County and others, to be very vigilant to carry said resolve of the American Congress into execution, agreeable to the trust reposed in them. And it is earnestly requested of the good people of this County, that they, and every of them who may be knowing of any person or persons who shall sell or purchase Bohea Tea at a greater price than three-fourths of a dollar per pound, would not delay to give notice thereof to some one of said Committees, that such offenders may be dealt with in the manner set forth in said resolve of Congress.

And also Resolved, as the opinion of this Convention, That exorbitant prices taken or given for any article or commodity imported, or raised, produced, and manufactured among ourselves, is of evil example, and will, at this day of calamity and distress, if generally practised, prove very destructive to the Colonies, not only in lessening the value of our currency, but interrupting that harmony and unity among us which, underGod, is our strength; that such disposition indulged, too much savours of the oppression and tyranny we so justly complain of; it is therefore recommended to every virtuous mind, especially to the good people of this County, to do everything in their power to suppress it, and discountenance such persons who shall, by example or otherwise, encourage such exorbitancy and oppression, as they regard their own interest and the salvation of their country.

Per order:

JOSEPH HENSHAW, Chairman.

CAPT. CAMPBELL (PRISONER) TO MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL.

I reading, June 26, 1776.