Resolutions providing for a present supply of Powder to the most exposed of the Eastern Towns

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Thursday, May 11, 1775, A˙ M.

The Petition of James Cargill, of New-Castle, committed to the Committee who were appointed to consider the applications to this Congress for Ammunition, &c.

The Committee appointed to take into consideration the several applications to this Congress for a supply of Ammunition, &c˙, reported. The Report was recommitted, and the Committee directed to inspect the list of Returns of the Town' s stock of Powder, &c˙, that it may be known whether this Congress can, with prudence, recommend to any Town which may be stocked therewith, to supply those Towns which are destitute.

Adjourned to twelve o' clock, this day.

Noon.

Congress met agreeably to adjournment.

The Committee appointed to consider the several applications made to this Congress for Ammunition, and to inspect the list of Returns, &c. reported. The Report was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz:

Whereas, the Towns of Falmouth and Arundel, and the District of Cape Elizabeth, being seaport places, and much exposed to the rage of our enemies, and not having a sufficient quanity of Gunpowder to defend themselves in case of any long attack; and the Town of Andover being well stocked with Gunpowder, and not so much exposed: therefore,

Resolved, And it is hereby recommended to the Selectmen of the Town of Andover, that they deliver to Mr˙ Joseph McLellan, of Falmouth, two half barrels of Gunpowder for the use of the Town of Falmouth; also, deliver to Mr˙ Zebulon Trickey, of Cape Elizabeth, one half barrel of Gunpowder for the use of said Cape Elizabeth; also, deliver to Mr˙ John Hovey, of Arundel, two half barrels of Gunpowder for the use of said Arundel; they paying them for said Powder, which shall be replaced, if needed, as soon as the Colony Magazine can be supplied.

Whereas, the Towns of Brunswick, Pownalborough, Bristol, and Newcastle, being seaport places, in the eastern parts of this Colony, and much exposed to the rage and incursions of our unnatural enemies, and not having a sufficient quantify of Gunpowder to defend themselves, in case of any attack; and the Towns of Marlborough, Sudbury, and Framingham, being well stocked with Gunpowder, and not so much exposed: therefore,

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Resolved, And it is hereby recommended to the Selectmen of the above mentioned several Towns, that they deliver, as follows, viz: The Selectmen of Sudbury, one half barrel of Gunpowder to Nathaniel Larrabee, for the use of Brunswick; the Selectmen of Marlborough, two half barrels of Gunpowder — one to Joseph Tinkham, for the use of Pownalborough, the other to Lieutenant John Farley, for the use of Newcastle; the Selectmen of Framingham, one half barrel of Gunpowder to Thomas Bracket, for the use of Bristol; they paying them for said Powder, which shall be replaced, if needed, as soon as the Colony Magazine can be supplied.

Ordered, That each person, now in waiting, who has made application to this Congress for Powder, be served with a copy thereof.

Information being made to this Congress, that two Men-of-War, with Troops, had sailed from Boston to New-York, with a design, as it is supposed, of frustrating a design of the inhabitants of that Colony and Connecticut, to secure the Arms and Ammunition now in the fort at New-York:

Ordered, That Mr˙ Gerry, Colonel Warren, and Col˙ Lincoln, be a Committee to prepare a Letter to the Committee of Correspondence of New-York,, informing them of the sailing of said Men-of-War, and inserting such articles therein, as will put the people upon their guard against any attempt that may be made against them by said Ships.

Ordered, That this Committee prepare said Letter, and forward it forthwith, without waiting to report to this Congress; said Committee laying before this Congress, as soon as may be, a copy of said Letter.

Adjourned to four o' clock, P˙M.

Afternoon.

Met at four o' clock, according to adjournment, and adjourned to eight o' clock to-morrow morning.