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Sabbath morning, Ten o' clock, April 23, 1775
The Town met, according to adjournment.
The said Committee made a verbal report. Whereupon it was desired that the Committee would withdraw and reduce their Report to writing, which was accordingly done, and is as follows, viz:
" The Committee appointed by the Town to wait upon his Excellency General Gage with a copy of the two Votes passed by the Town yesterday in the afternoon, report: That they being read to him by the Committee, and a long conference had with him upon the subject-matter contained in the said votes, his Excellency finally gave for answer, that upon the inhabitants in general lodging their arms in Faneuil-Hall, or any other convenient place, under the care of the Selectmen, marked with the names of the respective owners, that all such inhabitants as are inclined may depart from the Town with their families and effects, and those who remain may depend upon his protection; and that the arms aforesaid, at a suitable time, would be returned to the owners."
Whereupon, Voted, That the Town accept of his Excellency' s proposal, and will lodge their arms with the Selectmen accordingly.
Voted, That the same Committee be desired to wait upon his Excellency the Governour with the vote of the Town complying with his Excellency' s proposal, and the Committee are desired to request of his Excellency that the removal may be by land and water, as may be most convenient for the inhabitants.
"The Committee appointed to wait upon his Excellency report, that they accordingly wait upon him, and read the vote of the Town, which was accepted by his Excellency; and at the same time his Excellency agreed that the inhabitants might remove from the Town by land and water with their effects, within the limits prescribed by the Port Act; and also informed the Committee he would desire the Admiral to lend his boats to facilitate the removal of the effects of the inhabitants, and would allow carriages to pass and repass for that purpose; likewise would take care that the poor that may remain Town should not suffer for want of provision after their own stock is expended, and desire that a letter might be wrote to Dr˙ Warren,
The Town unanimously accepted of the foregoing Report, and desired the inhabitants would deliver their arms to the Selectmen as soon as may be.
Boston Town Meeting
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Chairman of the Committee of the Congress, that those persons in the country who may incline to remove into Boston with their effects, may have liberty so to do without, molestation."