Counsellor for the Territory of Massachusetts-Bay

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Friday, July 21, 1775.

Resolved,That to-morrow morning, ten o' clock, be assigned for the choice of a Chaplain for the House.

The Order of the Day moved for.

Ordered, That Major Hawley, Colonel Otis, Mr˙ Jewet, Mr˙ Wood, and Deacon Rawson, be a Committee to collect and sort the votes for Counsellors.

Major Hawley having assisted in collecting the votes for eighteen Counsellors for the territory called the Territory of Massachusetts-Bay, desired to be excused from further attendance. He was accordingly excused, and Dr˙ Taylor appointed in his place.

The Committee having collected and sorted the votes for eighteen Counsellors for the territory called the Territory of the Massachusetts-Bay, reported that the House had elected sixteen, viz:

Hon˙ James Bowdoin, Esq˙, Hon˙ Benjamin Greenleaf, Esq˙, Hon˙ John Hancock, Esq˙, Hon˙ Joseph Gerrish, Esq˙, Hon˙ Jedediah Foster, Esq˙, Hon˙ Michael Farley, Esq˙, Hon˙ Joseph Palmer, Esq˙, Hon˙ Jabez Fisher, Esq˙, Hon˙ James Pitts, Esq˙, Hon˙ Caleb Cushing, Esq˙, Hon˙ John Winthrop, Esq˙, Hon˙ John Adams, Esq˙, Hon˙ James Prescott, Esq˙, Hon˙ Thomas Cushing, Esq˙, Hon˙ Benjamin Lincoln, Esq˙, and Hon˙ Azor Orne, Esq.

Resolved, That if more than two gentlemen shall have a majority of votes, those gentlemen shall be deemed elected who shall have the greatest number of votes.

The Committee then, having received and sorted the votes, reported that Mr˙ Samuel Adams was elected.

Afternoon.

The House proceeded to bring in their votes for another Counsellor for the Territory of the Massachusetts-Bay; and the Committee having received and sorted the votes, reported that Eldad Taylor, Esq˙, was elected.

The same Committee having collected and sorted the votes for four Counsellors for the territory formerly called the Colony of New-Plymouth, reported that the Hon˙ William Sever, Esq˙, Walter Spooner, Esq˙, James Otis, Esq˙, and Robert Treat Paine, Esq˙, were elected.

The same Committee likewise collected and sorted the votes for three Counsellors for the territory formerly called the Province of Maine, and reported that the Hon˙ Benjamin Chadbourn, Esq˙, Enoch Freeman, Esq˙, and Charles Chauncy, Esq˙, were elected.

The same Committee likewise collected and sorted the votes for one Counsellor for the Territory lying between the River Sagadahock and Nova-Scotia, and reported that Dr˙ John Taylor was elected.

The same Committee likewise having received and sorted the votes for two Counsellors at large, reported that Mr˙ Moses Gill and Dr˙ Samuel Holten were elected,

Ordered, That Colonel Gerrish, Deacon Fisher, Major Hawley, Dr˙ Holten, and Mr˙ Wheeler, be a Committee to provide some convenient place for the Council to sit in.

Ordered, That the Clerk, Captain Batchelder, and Mr˙ Hopkins, be a Committee to prepare a Letter whereby to inform the afore-named Counsellors of their election.

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The Committee on the Petition of a number of the Inhabitants of the Town of Mansfield, reported verbally, that the Petitioners have leave to withdraw their Petition.

The Report was accepted by the House.

Ordered, That Major Hawley, Colonel Barret, Captain Dix, Colonel Grout, and Mr˙ Bancroft, be a Committee to consider a Letter from Horatio Gates, Esq˙, Adjutant-General in the American Army.

On a motion made, Resolved, That this last order be reconsidered, and that the Letter of Mr˙ Gates be referred for consideration to the honourable Board.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to the Counsellors this day elected, sit forthwith.

The House then adjourned till to-morrow morning, eight o' clock.