The three Battalions to be raised for during the War, are to have $20 bounty, one suit of new clothes yearly, and Continental pay. For those in the Province of Maine, Col. Francis of Beverly, Lt. Col. Noah Moulton Littlefield, of Wells, and Major Leith of Georgetown. November 22d, 1776. The Bill for establishing an Independent Company of Cadets in Falmouth was read the third time, and after many debates was ordered to lie on the Table. The Committee of War. Ellis Gray, Boston. A Supply bill was brought in to enable the Treasurer to answer the Drafts of the Board of War to the amount of 200,000£, for which the Treasurer is ordered to issue his notes to the orders of said Board of War. None of which notes to be under ten pounds, redeemable March 1779. Dec. 2, 1776. A supply bill passed the house for 200,000. A warrant was to be drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Board of War, they to draw the same out as they should have occasion. Dr. Dunsmore, Mr. Metcalf and myself were a committce to appoint all the Captains and subalterns for three battalions, and to sign the beating orders. Dec. 6th. One Bill for 20,034£. One Bill passed before for the emmission of 70,000. An act passed to enable the Treasurer of this State to issue his warrants to all collectors by the last day of January next, who are deficient in paying the several sums due from them, from the year 1768 to 1774, and to issue his Execution against all Collectors for the year 1775 immediately. Eb'n'r Richardson allowed 14 10 0 for damage and the use of his house for the guard. An account from Harrison Gray, Treasurer, given in to the Gen'l Court of what the Collectors were in arrears who were appointed in ye County of Cumberland, April 5, 1777. A bill passed to punish those that shall counterfeit any of the notes or certificates of this State. In case of conviction to sit on the gallows one hour, to pay a fine not exceeding 100£, six months imprisonment, to be whipt not exceeding thirty nine lashes, and to pay threble damages, and if not able to pay the charges, to be sold for a limited time. The Tories that have absented from this State to the enemy, their estates are to be leased out by agents appointed for that purpose, and if there is no agent, then the committee of safety, &c. April 9. A Bill passed which subjects the Tories estates, that have been deserted this State, to pay all the just debts. One agent to be appointed to take all said estates into his hands, and dispose of the same for the aforesaid purpose. Simeon Mayo's petition committed to Capt. Snow, Col. Storer and Coll' Mosley, the prayer granted. April 21. Voted that there be granted to the town of Falmouth 200 small arms, and that there be 108 bbls. of Pork, and 1086 bbls. Flour, and 20 bbls. of Rice, and if the Militia are called in they are to be supplied out of the same as long as they shall be in actual service, also ten bbls. of powder and 1000 lead balls. Cow 7£. Cotton by wholesale 3s. 4d., by retail, 4s., Butter 1s. 2d., Chocolate 2s., Flax 1s. 2d., Tow Cloth 2s. 4d., Yard wide, Cotton and Linnen 4s. Tanned Hide 4d. Keeping one Yoke of Oxen. An Act. Any towns of thirty voters are, if they are not able to send a representative, to join the next town, provided two thirds of the thirty were for it. One man to be appointed in every town to make a strict enquiry into the conduct of those that are suspected persons, as being enimical to the United States, and to make out a list of such men's names, who are to be returned to the selectmen, they are then to call a meeting and * * * * April 20. Arrived a ship at Portsmouth with 58 pieces of Brass Cannon. Tents for ten thousand men. Clothing for 12,000. 5,700 stand arms. Ten tons of powder. 24 Officers of Artillery, a quantity of lead and balls, she had three months passage. Fortifications in the neighborhood of Boston. Sat. May 24, 1777. I set out from my own house in Falmouth at 7 o'clock for Boston. I stopped at Bradburys and oated my horse, then proceeded to Kimballs, dined, and then rode as far as Maxwells in Wells, oated my horse, drank half a mug of toddy, and proceeded to York. Lodged at Woodbridges. After I went to bed Mr. Vaughn from Scarboro arrived. Sunday the 25th. We set forward at 6 o'clock, proceeded to Portsmouth, passed the Ferry, and just as we were about to mount, Mr. Vaughn's friend found he had left his bag at York, called the boat back as it had just put off, and he returned to York for his bag. I proceeded to Greenland, put up at Mr. Folsom's. Went to meeting in the forenoon. Dined there on roast veal, then set forward as far as Welles at Hampton Falls, where Mr. Vaughn joined me. We supped and repaired to bed. Monday, May 26. We set forward, breakfasted at Davenports at Newbury, set forward, went by Byfield and called at Mr. Moody's school to see my son; found him well. Left him a suit of clothes and proceeded to Ipswich and dined on soused salmon, then proceeded to Peamonts ten miles from Treadwell's, oated our horses and proceeded to Newell's at Lynn, when we met with Mr. Archer and Capt. North, who built a ship at Falmouth, drank a glass of Madeira with them, then supped on hashed veal, drank a bowl of toddy and repaired to bed. Tuesday, May 27th. Set forward before breakfast, proceeded to Winnissimett Ferry, wind blew very hard. We left our horses at Watts', and crossed the Ferry. I proceeded to Bracket's, where I arrived at 10 o'clock, breakfasted and dined at Bracket's, where I saw my son Eben just come out of the hospital.* I spent the afternoon with some of my old friends, and the evening at the Town House with a number of the members of the House. Wednesday, May 28th. At ten o'clock the house met. Read the precepts, and at 12 o'clock walked in procession with the council, the Cadet Company under arms, and a band of music, to the old brick meeting house,† where the Revd. Mr. Webster of Salsbury delivered. a sermon well adapted to the occasion. I dined in Faneuil Hall, with the council, minister, and the Cadet Company; at four, the house met and proceeded to the choice of 18 Councillors for the Colony of Massachusetts Bay. There were but 13 chosen the first day, the House adjourned till tomorrow at 9 o'clock. Danl. Hopkins, 123 These below are the gentlemen's names having the most votes. Thos. Cushing, Eben'r Thayer, Francis Dana, Thursday, May 29. The House met and proceeded to the choice. of five councillors to make up the 18. After several times voting the number was made up, then we proceeded to the choice of the other council, finished about 6 o'clock, and adjourned to tomorrow at 9 o'clock. Friday, May 30th, 1777. The House met and proceeded to examine the precepts. It appeared no return had been made from the County of Cumberland and Lincoln. Mr. Pickering then addressed the Speaker, and told him it had been practised in case any member whose precept was not returned, could make it probable he had been legally chosen for him to keep his seat until it should be returned, and desired I might be called on for that purpose. I told the speaker I was loath to come, but as I had received so great a majority as 99 out of 102 votes, I thought I was under an obligation to accept. The question was put whether I should keep my seat, and passed unanimously. I dined this day at my lodgings. Saturday, May 31. Esq. Douglass returned from Ticonderoga, who was sent there last session, to inquire into the state of our army. He was admitted to the floor of the House, and informed there was great want of blankets, clothing and small stores, that they had good meat, bread and peas. That there was about the 20th of May 3000 troops in good health, and that he met a great number of soldiers on their way, supposed to arrive in two days, as would make up 4000, and that great quantity of our provisions and other stores were left last winter on the roads to Ty., and that some of them had been squandered away by the teamsters. At 1 o'clock adjourned to Monday 10 o'clock. I dined at my lodging. Went to Watertown in a whaleboat in company with a number of young gentlemen. Put ashore at Cambridge and refreshed ourselves, then proceeded to Watertown |