Massachusetts Committee of Safety to the Provincial Congress

v2:694

In Committee of Safety, Cambridge,

May 23, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: There appears to be some considerable difficulty in the adjustment of General Ward' s Regiment, so far as it respects the first that may have command under him in his Regiment. The circumstances we would beg leave to lay before your Honours: Colonel Joseph Henshaw came down Lieutenant-Colonel of a Minute Regiment, under General Ward, and still expects to hold his command under General Ward in said Regiment, upon the present establishment, as he was early applied to by the Committee for that purpose; Colonel Jonathan Ward came down Lieutenant-Colonel under General Ward, of the Standing Militia, and likewise expects to hold his command under General Ward, in the present establishment, having given out enlisting orders to the Captains in said Regiment. Seven Captains in said Regiment desire that Colonel Ward may be appointed, as appears by a certificate under their hands. This Committee have applied to General Ward to determine which, of said Colonels should have the command, but he declines to act in the affair. We therefore thought it proper to make this short representation to your Honours, that you might, in your wisdom, put a speedy end to said controversy.

WILLIAM COOPER, Secretary.

To the Hon˙ Provincial Congress in Watertown.