Committee on the proposal of Colonel Arnold

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May 2, 1775.

Doctor Warren, Colonel Palmer, and Colonel Gardner, were appointed a Sub-Committee to confer with General Ward, relative to the proposal made by Colonel Arnold, of Connecticut, for an attempt upon Ticonderoga.

A number of Recantations, from the Town of Marblehead, having been laid before the Committee for their opinion as to the propriety of receiving them:

Voted, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that said Recantations be received, and that the persons making them be made acquainted with the Proclamation lately issued by Congress, respecting those who may incline to get into Boston; and that it be recommended, to the inhabitants of this Province that they be protected from all injuries or insults whatsoever, so long as they adhere to their several Recantations, now before this Committee, and continue to assist and abide by their Country, and the inhabitants of Marblehead in particular, in the important dispute between Great Britain and America.

Voted, That two Muster-Masters be appointed, one at the Camp in Cambridge, and one at the Camp in Roxbury.

Voted, That General Thomas be desired to give such orders respecting the Whale-Boats at Falmouth, and other parts southward, as he may judge proper.

Voted, That the Massachusetts Congress be desired to give an order upon the Treasurer for the immediate payment of one hundred Pounds, in cash; and also order two hundred pounds of Gunpowder, two hundred weight of Lead Balls, and one thousand Flints, and also ten Horses, to be delivered unto Captain Benedict Arnold, for the use of this Colony, upon a certain service approved of by the Council of War: said Arnold to be accountable for the same, to this or some future Congress, or House of Representatives of this Colony.

Voted, That two Companies be raised in Braintree, for the immediate defence of the sea-coast of said Town; the said Companies to be joined to such Regiment in future as they may be ordered to, should there be occasion, or discharged from service as soon as the publick good would admit of it; and that Colonel Thayer be furnished with two sets of enlisting papers for this purpose.

Voted, That General Thomas be, and he hereby is directed and empowered to stop the Trunks mentioned to be in Colonel Taylor' s hands, until this Committee send some proper persons to examine their contents.

Resolved, That agreeably to a Vote of Congress, General Thomas be directed and empowered to appoint suitable persons to accompany such people into the country as may be permitted to bring their effects into Boston, upon the conditions mentioned in the Proclamations posted up, and that General Thomas give such general orders as he may judge the common safety requires.

Voted That Colonel Arnold, appointed, to a secret service, be desired to appoint two Field-Officers, Captains, &c., to be allowed the same pay during their continuance in service as is established for officers and privates of the same rank, who are ordered by the Congress of Massachusetts-Bay to be raised for the defence of the rights and liberties of America; the officers and privates to be dismissed by Colonel Arnold, or the Committee of Safety, whenever they shall think proper.

Voted, That the Committee of Supplies be desired to procure ten Horses for Colonel Arnold, to be employed on a special service.

Voted, That Mr. Isaac Bradish, Keeper of the Prison in Cambridge, be supplied with Provisions out of the Colony Stores, for the support of the Prisoners under his care, who have or may be committed by the orders of the Council of War, or this Committee.

The Quarter-Master General having informed that some persons unknown had made spoil of Liquors in the cellars

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of General Brattle, and Mr. Borland, and others; whereupon,

Voted, That he be directed to take possession of those Liquors, and other Stores, immediately, in all the houses which are deserted, and that a particular account of such stores be taken, and they then be committed to the care of the Commissary-General.

Committee on the proposal of Colonel Arnold, for an attempt on Ticonderoga, Recantations from Marblehead received, Money, and c., to be delivered to Captain Arnold, for the use of the Colony, upon a certain service, approved of by the Council of War, Colonel Arnold appointed to a secret service, authorized to appoint certain Officers, Ten Horses to be procured for Colonel Arnold, to be employed on a special service. [1775-05-02] Massachusetts, Committee of Safety. [S4-V2-p0750] [Document Details][Complete Volume]