Letters from Massachusetts-Bay

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Saturday, June 10, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

Several Letters, from Massachusetts-Bay, Ticonderoga, Crown Point, &c., were laid before the Congress and read.

Upon motion, the Congress came to the following Resolutions:

Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby earnestly recommended to the several Colonies, of New-Hampshire, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, and the interiour Towns; of Massachusetts-Bay, that they immediately furnish the American Army before Bostonwith as much Powder out of their Town, and other publick stocks, as they can possibly spare; keeping an exact account of the quantities supplied, that it may be again replaced, or paid for by the Continent. This to be effected with the utmost secrecy and despatch.

That it be recommended to the several Towns and Districts in the Colonies of Massachusetts-Bay, New-Hampshire, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, and the Eastern Division of New-Jersey, to Collect all the Saltpetre and Brimstone in their several Towns and Districts, and transmit the same, with all possible dispatch, to the Provincial Convention of New-York.

That it be recommended to the Provincial Congress of the Colony of New-York, to have the Powder-Mills in that Colony put into such a condition as immediately to manufacture into Gunpowder, for the use of the Continent, whatever materials may be procured in the manner above directed.

That it be recommended to the Committees of the Western Division of New-Jersey, the Colonies of Pennsylvania, Lower Counties on Delaware, and Maryland, that they, without delay, collect the Saltpetre and Sulphur in their respective Colonies, and transmit the same to the Committee for the City and Liberties of Philadelphia; to the end, that those articles may be immediately manufactured into Gunpowder, for the use of the Continent.

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That it be recommended to the Conventions and Committees of the Colonies of Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina, that they, without delay, collect the Saltpetre and Sulphur in their respective Colonies, and procure these articles to be manufactured, as soon as possible, into Gunpowder, for the use of the Continent.

That it be recommended to the several inhabitants of the United Colonies, who are possessed of Saltpetre and Sulphur, for their own use, to dispose of them for the purpose of manufacturing Gunpowder.

That the Saltpetre and Sulphur, to be collected in consequence of the above Resolves of Congress, be paid for out of the Continental Fund.

Resolved, That Mr. Paine, Mr. Lee, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Schuyler, and Mr. Johnson, be a Committee to devise ways and means to introduce the manufacture of Saltpetre in these Colonies.

The Committee for examining Governour Skene' s Letters, &c., having communicated to Congress what they found relative to the dispute between Great Britain and these Colonies,

Resolved, That Governour Skene, Lieutenant Moncrief, and Mr. Lundy, be released from their present confinement, and suffered to go at large any where within eight miles of the City, between Delaware and Schuylkill, on their parole of honour not to pass those limits, and that they will hold no correspondence with any person whatsoever on any political subject.

That Mr. Gadsden be added to the Committee for examining Governour Skene' s Papers, and that they enlarge them upon their parole, agreeable to the above Resolve.

Resolved, That the Order of the Day be postponed till Monday next.

Adjourned till Monday, at nine o' clock.

Letters from Massachusetts-Bay, Ticonderoga, Crown Point, etc., received and read, New-Hampshire, Rhode-Island, Connecticut and interior Towns of Massachusetts, requested to furnish the American Army before Boston with all the Powder they can spare, All the Colonies requested to collect Saltpetre and Sulphur, to be made into Gunpowder, for the use of the Continent, Committee to devise the ways and means to introduce the manufacture of Saltpetre in these Colonies, Governour Skene released on parole. [1775-06-10] Continental Congress. [S4-V2-p1845] [Document Details][Complete Volume]