I shall write you more fully when I return from this Place where I am now Confined on the Assembly wch met on Thursday last [June 1] Inclosed you have the Govrs Speech, Ld Norths Olive Branch as it is Called Vizt the Resolve of _the House of Commons is looked upon throughout every Colony whose Assembly has met as an Insult to the Injurys Offered & will not be Accepted ー [torn] are in a state... Continue Reading
Sir, I wrote to You the 1st June by Mr [Thomas] Fisher, in that I acquainted You, I was credibly inform'd that the People intended to erect Batteries in order to drive the Ship out of the Harbour, and that they were throwing up Intrenchments at Kittery on the Massachusetts Side, upon my observing their Motions, I wrote a Letter to Colonel Sparhawk and Mr Chaunsey two of the principal Inhabitants... Continue Reading
Ordered, That the Letter from GovemQr [Jonathan] Trumbull just received and read, be committed to the Committee of Safety and the Committee appointed to confer with them.
Resolved, That the four Prisoners brought to this Congress by Sergeant John Parker, be committed to the custody of the guard which is appointed to guard the public stores in Watertown, till the further order of this Congress;... Continue Reading
At a Court Martial held Onboard His Majesty's Ship Somerset in Boston Harbour this 5th of June 1775.
Present
Edward Le Gras Esqr Commander of his Majesty's Ship Somerset and Senior Captain of the King's Ships at Boston President Captain Broderick Hartwell James Chads John Robinson Tyringham Howe
The Court pursuant to an Order from Vice Admiral Graves Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships... Continue Reading
Last Saturday [June 3], George Rome having bought a quantity of flour &c. and put in some Stores on the Point, supposed for the Use of the Enemies of this country, a number of people collected together, & insisted on having the flour given up, which was accomplished before sunset, notwithstanding said Rome had the effrontery to insult the town, by getting a number of marines on shore,... Continue Reading
Sir On the 3d instt An Insurrection happened here ー The People took it in their heads, A Merchant (Mr [George] Rome) had bought some Provisions for the Use of Government ー they stopped the Carts, threw about the Flour, flew to Arms with an avowed intent to destroy the Merchant's House and Stores crying out through the Streets now was the time to kill the Tories ー Intelligence was given me of... Continue Reading
Extract of a Letter from Portsmouth to the Provincial Congress, Massachusetts, and from them forwarded to the Committees of Correspondence in Connecticut.
Gentlemen, We had two provision Vessels siezed at the Mouth of our Harbour last Night, by the Scarborough, and upon Application made to Capt. Barclay for their Release, find he has positive Orders from the Admiral to take Possession of all... Continue Reading
Yesterday being the Anniversary of his Majesty's Birth Day, when he entered the 38th Year of his Age, a Royal Salute was fired from the Asia, of 64 Guns, in this Harbour, commanded by George Vandeput, Esq; The Crew then gave three Cheers, which was immediately answered by a Number of the Inhabitants who lined the Docks at the Time.
The Loss of our Men by Desertion is so great, and the Apprehension of losing more, I therefore think it necessary for the good of the Service to retreat on Board his Majesty's Ship the Asia, and have applyed to Captain [George] Vandeput, who has been pleased to offer all the Services and Protection in his Power, and tomorrow (if you have no Objection) shall embark the five Companys under my... Continue Reading
It is galling to the surly old Admiral, who, it seems, growls like a cur dog, that our people should burn one of his cutters under his nose, and take All the STOCK off the Islands, and bum the houses, barns, &c. on Noddle's island, in which affair they lost a great many men. Mr. ---- whose integrity, you know, may be relied upon, was in Boston at the time the dead were landed, and says they... Continue Reading
Ordered, That Colonel [Samuel] Thompson, Major [Eleazer] Brooks, and Col. [Edward] Cutt, be a Committee to inquire into the circumstances of bringing the four Prisoners to this place yesterday.
Moved, That the Congress take some order at this time relative to the Prisoners.
The question being put, it passed in the negative.
Afternoon
Ordered, That the Committee appointed to inquire into the... Continue Reading
To Capt Walter Hatch of the Sloop Nance owned by Colll Elisha Downs
You are hereby Desired to Deliver sd Sloop in Dartmouth where she now is & Not remove nor brake bulk by Any Means Untill you hear from the Committee of Supplys for this Government & hall the Vessell into the Most Secure place passable Any failure herein Will incur the Displeasure of the Committee of Supplys of the... Continue Reading
June 1775
Tuesdy 6
Moor'd in Rhode Island Harbour
A M fired a Gun & made Sigl for our Boat. P M Stop't the Schooner Bonaventure Jno Waterman from Philadelph with Provisions.
By order of our Provincial Congress wch is now sitting we inclose you a Copy of a letter from General [Thomas] Gage to the Governor of your Colony.2 It was transmitted to this Town to be sent from hence to Mr [Josiah] Martin which gave us an Opportunity of Interceptg it We trust you will use it with discretion and not make it public without you shall Deem it absolutely necessary as it... Continue Reading
We the Subscribers, being appointed a Committee by the Inhabitants settled on Penobscot River; the Inhabitants of Belfast, Majabigwaduce, & Benjamins River, to make a Representation to you of the difficulties & Distress the said Inhabitants are under, in Respect to the scarcity of Corn & Ammunition occasioned by the interception of vesseles, which they depended upon for their supplies... Continue Reading
The following Resolve was passed the first of June but omitted to be entered then.
Resolved, That the Committee of Portsmouth together with Capt. Ezekiel Worthen be desired to provide a number of Fascines and also to procure propper Carriages for those guns removed from Jerry's Point, and also such other materials, as they may think necessary for erecting a Battery to hinder the passage of ships... Continue Reading
Whereas by and in Consequence of a Law of the Colony Considerable Sums of money have been paid by foreign Vessells Entering the Port of Piscataqua, which was by said Law to have been Appropriated for Purchasing Powder for the use of the Colony and whereas a part thereof has been lately paid by the Execution of the Testament of the late Govr Benning Wentworth to Samuel Livermore Esqr. Attorney... Continue Reading
The Committee appointed to consider what is best to be done with the four prisoners brought from Dartmouth via Cambridge, reported. The Report was recommitted.
Afternoon
The Committee appointed to inquire into the circumstances of the four Prisoners reported. The Report was amended and accepted, and is as follows:
The Committee appointed to take into consideration the circumstances of the four... Continue Reading
The Rebels pursuing their avowed design of cutting off possible Supply to the Army and Navy, and of destroying what they cannot carry away, burnt a great deal of Hay on Hog Island the 27th of last month; a few hours after they landed on Noddles Island not only to burn the Hay thereon bought for the Army, but also to set fire to a Store house, hired when the Glasgow was ashore, in which I had... Continue Reading
June 1775
Wendy 7
Moor'd off Charles Town Ferry
Charles Town Church Steeple N N E. the High Church in Charles Town S B E Becon Hill SW BS.
at 6 A M came onboard Captain Bishop & took Command of the Ship Saluted the Admiral with 13 Guns he having shifted his Flag