Massachusetts-Bay

In Provincial Congress, Cambridge, February 1775. Whereas it appears necessary for the Defence of the Lives, Liberties, and Properties of the Inhabitants of this Province, that this Congress on the first Day of their next Session, should be made fully acquainted with the Number and Military Equipments of the Militia, and Minute Men in this Province; and also the Town Stock of Ammunition in each Town District ... Signed by Order of the Provincial Congress, John Hancock, President. [Boston: Printed by Edes and Gill, 1775]



Printed broadside (14 x 8 5/8 in.; 356 x 219 mm, untrimmed). Docketed on verso "Provincial Congress Feby. 1775"; lightly offset, some very light discoloration, very slightly frayed at top margin.

Sold, Sotheby's New York, 23 May 1984, lot 269

Evans 14216; Ford 1841 (illustrated)

Planning "for the Defence of the Lives, Liberties, and Properties of the Inhabitants" of Massachusetts. This broadside recommends that "the commanding Officers of each Regiment of Minute Men" and "the Colonels or commanding Officers of each Regiment of Militia" review the preparedness of their respective companies and send to the Provincial Congress, in writing, "a State of their Numbers and Accoutrements." The second part of the resolution requests that "the Select-Men of each Town and District ... make return in Writing of the State of the ... Stock of Ammunition, and War-like Stores to this Congress." Scarce.