Committee of Safety appointed

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Thursday, October 27, 1774.

The Order of the Day was moved for.

Ordered, That Colonel Warren, Doctor Holten, and Colonel Lee, be a Committee to sort and count the votes for the Committees and Officers this day to be elected.

Resolved, That the Congress will proceed to the choice of the Committee of Safety, which is to consist of nine members, viz: three in the town of Boston, and six in the country, in the manner following, viz: they will give their votes first for the three members of the town of Boston, and then for the six in the country.

The Congresss accordingly proceeded to bring in their votes for the three members of the town of Boston, and the Committee appointed to count and sort the votes, reported that the following gentlemen were chosen, viz: Honourable John Hancock, Esquire, Doctor Warren, and Doctor Church.

The Congress then proceeded to bring in their votes for six gentlemen of the country; after sorting and counting the same, the Committee reported that the following were chosen, viz: Mr˙ Devens, Captain White, of Brookline, Mr˙ Palmer, Norton Quincy, Esquire, Mr˙ Watson, and Colonel Orne.

Afternoon.

The Congress proceeded to bring in their votes for five Commissaries; and the Committee having sorted and counted the votes, reported that the following gentlemen were chosen, viz: Mr˙ Cheever, Mr˙ Gill, Colonel Lee, Mr˙ Greenleaf, Colonel Warren.

Upon a motion made by Colonel Warren, that he might be excused from serving on the Committee for Supplies; and having offered his reasons therefor, the question was put, whether he be excused from serving on said Committee, and passed in the affirmative.

The Congress then proceeded to bring in their votes for a person to serve in the place of Colonel Warren, who hath been excused, and after sorting and counting the same, they reported that Colonel Lincoln was chosen.

It was then moved, that the Congress proceed to the choice of three General Officers; and, Resolved, That they would first make choice of the gentleman who should have the chief command; and the Committee having sorted and counted the votes, reported that the Honourable Jedediah Preble, Esquire, was chosen.

The Congress then proceeded to bring in their votes for the second in command, and the Committee having sorted and counted the votes, reported the Honourable Artemas Ward, Esquire, was chosen.

The Congress then proceeded to bring in their votes for the third in command, and the Committee having sorted and counted the votes, reported that Colonel Pomeroy was chosen.

The Congress then proceeded to bring in their votes for a Committee to set in the recess of this Congress, agreeable to the Resolve of yesterday, and the Committee having sorted and counted the votes, reported that the following gentlemen were chosen, viz:

The Honourable Joseph Hawley, Esquire, Honourable John Hancock, Esquire, Honourable Samuel Dexter, Esquire, Mr˙ Elbridge Gerry, Captain Heath, Major Foster, Honourable James Warren, Esquire.

Resolved, That to-morrow morning, nine o' clock, the Congress will take into consideration the propriety of appointing a Receiver General.

Ordered, That the Members be enjoined to attend, and that they do not absent themselves for any cause save that of absolute necessity.

Resolved, That the Replication of his Excellency' s Answer which was ordered to lie on the table for the Members to review, be now taken up and recommitted for some amendments.

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Upon a motion the question was put, whether the Honourable Samuel Danforth, Esquire, be desired to attend this Congress upon the adjournment, and passed in the negative.

Upon a motion, the question was put, severally, whether the Honourable James Pitts, Esquire, Honourable Artemas Ward, Esquire, Honourable Benjamin Greenleaf, Esquire, Honourable Caleb Cushing, Esquire, Honourable Samuel Phillips, Esquire, Honourable Richard Derby, Esquire, Honourable James Otis, Esquire, Honourable William Scaver, Esquire, Honourable Walter Spooner, Esquire, Honourable Benjamin Chadburn, Esquire, Honourable Jedediah Preble, Esquire, and the Honourable George Leonard, Esquire, be desired to attend this Congress at the next meeting upon the adjournment, and passed in the affirmative.

The question was then put, whether the Honourable John Erving, Esq˙, and the Honourable Jeremiah Powell, Esquire be desired also to attend this Congress, upon its being evident that they had not accepted, and upon their having given full assurances that they would not accept of their commission as mandamus Counsellors, and it passed in the affirmative.

Ordered, That Mr˙ Cushing, Colonel Prescott, and Captain Greenleaf, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve inviting the Counsellors aforesaid to attend accordingly.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o' clock.