Today, the Massachusetts State Quarter and Lexington-Concord Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coins remember the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts and the beginning of their defense using minute men.
From The History of the Rise, Progress and Establishment of the Independence of the United States of America, published in 1801, by William Gordon:
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The following day they met in provincial congress, and adjourned to Concord, about 20 miles from Charlestown, and when there, chose Mr. Hancock president.
They proceeded to appoint a committee to wait upon the governor with a remonstrance, in which they apologize for their meeting, from the distressed state of the colony; express the grievous apprehensions of the people; assert that the rigor of the Boston port-bill is exceeded by the manner in which it is carried into execution; and complain of the late laws, and the hostile preparations on Boston Neck.
They conclude with adjuring him to desist immediately from the construction of the fortress at the entrance into Boston, and to restore that pass to its natural state.
The governor was involved in some difficulty as to giving them an answer, for he could not acknowledge the legality of their assembly.
Necessity however prevailed.
He expressed great indignation at the idea’s being formed, that the lives, liberties, or property of any people, except avowed enemies, could be in danger from English troops; and observed, that notwithstanding the enmity shown to the troops, by withholding from them almost everything necessary for their preservation, they had not yet discovered the resentment which might justly have been expected to arise from such hostile treatment.
He reminded them, that while they complained of alterations made in their charter by acts of parliament, they were themselves, by their present assembling, subverting that charter, and now acting in direct violation of their own constitution; he therefore warned them of the rocks they were upon, and to desist from such illegal and unconstitutional proceedings.
But they were not in the least diverted from prosecuting their measures. They adjourned to and met at Cambridge [Oct. 17.]
[Oct. 21.] A committee was appointed to draw up a plan for the immediate defense of the province.
It was concluded to raise and enlist a number of minute-men, now for the first time so called, from their being to turn out with their arms, at a minute’s warning.
Upon the debate for raising money to purchase military articles, a thousand pounds lawful (a fourth less than sterling) was moved for and seconded; then two thousand.
The country members, in common, had no conception of the expenses attending warlike operations; and were dreadfully afraid of voting away their own and their constituents’ money, however necessary the expenditure of it.
They are generally persons of good understanding in matters within their own sphere, but are not competent judges of those that lie without it; and being accustomed only to small sums, startle at the mention of those which to them have the comparative appearance of enormously large; and yet it is needful to humor their want of scientific knowledge, to prevent disgust and obtain their support.
Of this the more intelligent members of the assembly were sensible—
Therefore the debate was closed by appointing a committee to give in an estimate of the articles wanted, together with their cost; this being done, the committee of safety were empowered to assemble the militia, when they shall judge the same necessary for the defense of the inhabitants of the province; and the committee of supplies to purchase ammunition, ordnance, stores, &c. not exceeding the value of £.20,837 lawful, or £.15,627, 15s. sterling — a glorious sum with which to oppose the power and riches of Great Britain!
The committee of safety and the committee of supplies, consist of different persons, and are intended for different purposes.
The first, beside being empowered to assemble the militia, are invested with other authority for the safety of the province, and are to recommend to the committee of supplies the purchasing of such articles as may be deemed necessary.
The last are to assist the committee of safety not only by purchasing supplies, but by affording them help for executing the measures which may be thought by them requisite for the public benefit.
Both are to sit and to continue to do business when there is a recess of the provincial congress, as also when none existeth.
It is resolved [Oct. 25.] That all matters shall be kept private; but in such a numerous assembly it is next to impossible to effect it.
Were all equally true to the same cause, each will not have the like power of retaining a secret.
[October 27.] The honorable Jedediah Pribble, the honorable Artemas Ward, and colonel Pomeroy, all of whom have seen some service in the last war, were elected general officers, to have the command of the minute-men and militia, in case they should be called out to action.
[October 29.] The provincial congress adjourned to November 23.
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The Massachusetts State Quarter and Lexington-Concord Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coins show with an artist’s image of Minute-Men, circa 1876.
