To the Honourable the Council and Assembly of the State of the Massachusetts Bay

The Memorial of Josiah Throop in behalf of the County of Cumberland in Nova Scotia

Most Humbly Sheweth

That the Inhabitants of the District of Cumberland are Chiefly from New England and having to flee the Sweets of liberty cannot relish the bitter Potion prepared by the hand of Tyranny for them Implicitly to Swallow —

That after a Series of Arbitarry Impossisions Suffered from Government they with much difficulty and Secrecy Sent Capt Jonathan Eddy to represent their Case to this Honorable Court and if possable to procure Some means of redress

That the latter end of October last he arived in the Country with about fifty Volunteers from Machias and the river St Johns and took Capt John Walker with a party at Shepody about thirty miles down the Bay from Cumberland where he was Stationed to prevent any Communication with the American States; and then proceeded to Cumberland and being Joyned by a few of the Inhabitants, they on the night of the Sixth of November took a Sloop of about a Hundred tons loaded Chiefly with Provisions for the Garrison, on board of which was a Guard almost equal in number to the party that boarded her, and Divine Providence as an Omen of our Success and to Encourage our hearts Sent numbers more of the Soldiers into their hands in ways truly remarkable on the news Spreading the Inhabitants on the eighth and ninth repaired to Eddy and his party to the number of about two hundred — and on the tenth a Summons was sent to Col [Joseph] Goreham to Surrender the fort — on the Eleventh they received his answer refusing to Surrender, together with a Manifesto to the Inhabitants, Declaring that his Most Gracious Majesty had Sent him there to defend and protect them if they would be Peacible and Loyal — But that if they Should aid or assist the party of Resistors that had come from the Rebelious Colonies he would put the laws in force and they might depend on an !mediate Military Execution — They returned him answer by a flag that they had rather die like Men than be hanged like dogs —

On the twelfth they prepared for Scaling the walls and made an attempt that night but found it Impracticable as they had nothing but Small arms — and the Fort was Piquetted in and the walls and Ramparts lately repared they have Six Cannon about a Hundrd men and Six hundred Small arms — They on the thirteenth chose a Committee of Safety, ranged them Selves in Companies and began Such Measures of Self defence as appeared to them best in so Critical a Crisis — They then dispatched your Memorialist with advices to this Honourable Court — who left them Co[n ]sisting of about three hundrd including Accadians without Cannon or other Military Articles Save their Small arms; without Commission for what they have already done or Orders from proper authority to do more — But with a Cheerful dependence on divine Providence; in high Spirits having Shut up the fort and cut off all Succour; They were Making a brave stand in the defence of liberty waiting for Assistance from your Honours on the return of your Memorialist

Who therefore Prays — That your Honours would take our Case into your wise Consideration and Grant —

That the Counties of Cumberland and Sunbury in Nova Scotia be taken under the Protection of this State till that Province can be Subdued

That Coasting vessels for the future may Clear out for Pasamaquady the river St Johns and Cumberland and that Certificates from them places to any Port in this State may Secure them from the American Privateers

That our army now in Cumberland be considered as part of the Continental Army and taken into Continental pay

That a Colonels Commission be Sent to Jonathan Eddy Esqr to command the forces now raised and to be raised for our purpose this winter —

That blank Commissions for Officers for about five hundred men be Sent to our Committee to fill up for Such men as Shall be chosen by the Soldiers —

That Machias be fortified and Garrisoned for a retreat or Asylum for Our women and Children if need be —

That Some Cannon Mortars and War like Stores be Sent to Machias this winter So that we may have them early in the Spring

That two or three armed vessels be ready very early in the Spring to proceed up the Bay Funday and if possible, five hundred Land Men

That Provisions Powder and ball may be Sent for those that are now there as early in the Spring as May be —

Or that Such other Methods may be taken for our Safety and Success in the Cause as Your Honours in Wisdom Shall think most Expedient

And we doubt not but by the Divine Blessing and Your friendly Assistance we Shall Soon add another Stripe to the American flagg — and another Colony to the United States —

And for Your Honours Your Memorialist as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray

Josiah Throop

Boston December 23rd 1776

In the fifth Year of the Glorious American Era

[Endorsements]

In the House of Representatives Decr 25. 1776

Read with the other Papers accompanying it — and thereupon — Ordered — That Coll McIntosh Mr Gardner of Salem & Capt Batcheldor With such as the Hon Board shall join be a Committee to take the same under Consideration & — report

Sent up for Concurrence

Sam^l Freeman Speakr P—T

In Council Decr 27t 1776

Read & Concurr'd & John Winthrop & John Taylor Esqrs are joined on the Part of the Board —

Jno: Avery Dpy Secy

The Committee of both Houses appointed to consider the Memorial of Josiah Throop, and the Papers accompanying it, have attended that service, and beg leave to report as their opinion,

That coasting Vessels, under such restrictions as this Court shall direct, be permitted to clear out for Passamaquoddy, the river St John's and Cumberland in Nova Scotia; and that Certificates from those places may secure such Vessels from American Cruisers.

That a Colonel's Commission be sent to Jonathan Eddy, to command the forces raised, or which may be raised for the defence of the Eastern Frontiers of this State and the adjacent places, and the annoyance of the enemies of the United States.

That a Captains Commission be given to Josiah Throop, under Col. Eddy, — and that a Commission be given to Chaloner under Capt. Throop. These beforementioned Officers not to be entitled to pay, until further orders.

That 200 lb gunpowder, 600 lb leaden ball and 500 flints be delivered to Mr. Throop; he to be accountable to this Court for the same when called upon.

That a Letter be writ to Congress, inclosing the several Papers abovementioned, & recommending the same for their serious consideration.

All which is humbly submitted —

J Winthrop P order

Decr 28. 1776.
In Council Decr 28t 1776 Read & Sent down John Avery Dpy Secy
In the house of Representa[tives] Decr 28. 1776
Read and Accepted and thereupon Ordered That the Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to the Hon. Congress on the State of our Public Affairs be the Committee to write the Letter mentioned in said Report Sent up for Concurrence

Sam^l Freeman Speakr PT

In Council Decr 28t 1776 Read & Concurr'd Jno Avery Dpy Secy