[Watertown] Saturday, July 29, 1775
Ordered, That a Message be sent to the honourable Board desiring the Board to send down the Petition from Deer-Island, the Petition from St. George's, and the Letter from the Rev. Mr. [John] Murray, relative to the distressing situation of the Eastern parts of the Colony.
Samuel Holten, Esq. brought them down accordingly.
Ordered, That Dr. Church, Colonel Orne, and Captain Batchelder, be a Committee to consider the Account of Richard Derby, Esq.
Ordered, That Captain John Derby's Account be committed to the Committee last mentioned.
The Committee on the Petition from Machias reported that the same lie on the table until an application be made from the Committee at Machias.
Afternoon
The Committee appointed to consider a Message from the honourable Board reported. Read and accepted.
Resolved, That Dr. Church, Mr. Woodbridge, and Mr. Sewall with such as the honourable Board shall join, be a Committee to wait on his Excellency General Washington and infonn him of the distressed situation of the inhabitants of the Eastern parts of this Colony, and know of him if he can, consistent with his instructions and the general service, order a detachment there, to prevent the enemy from ravaging the country, and plundering the inhabitants of their cattle, sheep, wood, &c., to supply themselves.
In Council, July 29, 1775: Read and concurred, and James Otis and William Sever, Esqrs. are joined.
The Committee attended the service, and reported, verbally, that his Excellency General Washington gave them for answer, that it was the expectation of the [Continental] Congress that each Colony should defend their own sea coast at their own proper expence.