Committee to repair to Chelsea

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Sabbath-day, July 30, 1775.

The Speaker having received a Letter last evening from General Washington, relative to a number of the Inhabitants of Boston coming over to Chelsea, as many Members as could be summoned, (viz. about fifty,) met at the Meeting House, at eight o' clock, and the Letter from Gen. Washington being read and considered,

Ordered, That Major Hawley, Mr. Cushing, and Col. Orne, be a Committee to bring in a resolve for the appointment of a Committee to repair to Chelsea, to take some measures for providing for such inhabitants, and guarding against the small-pox: who reported the following Resolve, which was accepted, viz:

Upon advice received last evening from General Washington, that the inhabitants of Boston are unexpectedly coming out from that Town to Chelsea, by way of Winnisimit Ferry: and as this House are apprehensive that the people of the country may be exposed to take the small-pox; the said inhabitants of Boston being suffered indiscriminately to resort into the country, and to such parts as they may choose: and probably some of the said inhabitants may be in such weak and infirm circumstances as to stand in need of immediate relief:

Therefore Resolved, That Mr. Freeman, Col. Orne, Mr. Cushing, and Major Smith, with such as the honourable Board shall join, be a Committee immediately to repair to Chelsea, to inspect the state and characters of such inhabitants of Boston as have, or may arrive there from

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thence; and that the said Committee be empowered and ordered to do and direct every thing that they shall find absolutely necessary for the safety of the Country, and the immediate relief of any helpless and indigent persons belonging to said Boston, who may arrive at the said Chelsea; and that the said Committee, as soon as may be, acquaint this Court of their proceedings in the premises.

In Council, July 30, 1775: Read and concurred, and Jedediah Foster, Joseph Palmer, and Moses Gill, Esqrs., are joined.

The House then adjourned till to-morrow morning, eight o' clock.

Committee to repair to Chelsea, and examine into the removal of the Inhabitants of Boston, and take measures for guarding against the Smallpox. [1775-07-30] Massachusetts, House of Representatives. [S4-V3-p0292] [Document Details][Complete Volume]