Report of the Committee on the State of the Militia

v1:1338

Tuesday, February 14, 1775, A˙ M.

The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve relative to an inquiry into the state of the Militia, Town Stocks, &c˙, reported; the Report was recommitted for amendments.

Afternoon.

The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve relative to inquiring into the state of the Militia, &c˙, having amended their Report, again reported, which was read and accepted, and ordered that it be printed, and a copy thereof attested by the President, sent to each Town and District in this Province, and is as followeth, viz:

Whereas, it appears necessary for the defence of the lives, liberties, and properties of the inhabitants of this Province, that this Congress, on the first day of their next session, should be made fully acquainted with the number and military equipments of the Militia and Minute-men in this Province, as also the Town stock of Ammunition in each Town and District;

It is therefore Resolved, That it be and hereby is recommended to the Commanding Officers of each Regiment of Minute-men that now is or shall be formed in this Province, that they review the several Companies in their respective Regiments, or cause them to be reviewed, and take an exact state of their numbers and equipments; and where there is any Company that is not incorporated into a Regiment, the Commanding Officer thereof shall review the several Companies, or cause them to be reviewed, and take a like state of their number and equipments.

And it is also recommended to the Colonels or Commanding Officers of each Regiment of Militia in this Province, that they review the several Companies in their respective Regiments, or cause them to be reviewed, and take a state of their numbers and accoutrements; which said state of the Minute-men and Militia, shall be by said Officers returned in writing to this Congress, on the first day of their next session after the adjournment.

And it is further Resolved, That it be recommended to the Selectmen of each Town and District in this Province, that on the same day they make return in writing of the state of the Town and District stock of Ammunition and Warlike Stores to this Congress.

Mr˙ Patterson reported a Resolve relative to appointing an Agent for and in behalf of this Province, to repair to the Province of Quebec, &c˙, which was recommitted, and he, with Mr˙ Bigelow and Colonel Henshaw, are directed to bring in a Resolve directing and empowering the Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Boston, to establish an intimate correspondence with the inhabitants of the Province of Quebec, &c.

Adjourned to ten o' clock to-morrow morning.