As we have seen, the First Continental Congress assembled at Philadelphia, Sept. 5, 1774. They met in Carpenter's Hall. The First Provincial Congress of Massachusetts met at Salem, Oct. 7, following. John Hancock was chosen President. In its first set of Resolutions it announced: "the necessity of its most vigorous and immediate exertions for preserving the freedom and constitution," of the Province.

The Royal Governor, Gen. Thos. Gage, had issued his writs the first day of September, calling upon the inhabitants to return representatives to the Great and General Court to be convened at Salem on the fifth of October. In the meantime, becoming alarmed at the tumults and disorders—the extraordinary resolves passed by some of the Counties, the instructions given by Boston and some other towns to their representatives, and the general unhappy condition of the Province, he determined that the time was not auspicious for such a gathering, and accordingly issued a proclamation countermanding the call. However, ninety representatives met on that day, waited loyally for the Governor, and when he failed to appear, adjourned to the next day, Oct. 6, and met as a Convention, choosing John Hancock, Chairman. Not much in the way of business was accomplished on that day, and they adjourned again, until the next, Oct. 7th, when they met and declared themselves to be a Provincial Congress and chose John Hancock, Permanent Chairman.

Thus the First Provincial Congress was, strictly speaking a self-constituted body, with not even the sanction of a popular vote. Yet they felt secure in a popular support. They could not pass laws, but they could resolve, advise and recommend, and such acts were generally heeded by a majority of their fellow citizens.[10]

The military organization of the Province was equally without effective power, as they recognized no real commanding officer of higher rank than Colonel. It is true that the Congress had nominated three general officers, but their real powers to command were feeble. The minute men and militia were enrolled by thousands, but they were poorly equipped, without uniforms, and without discipline. They marched to Battle Road in company formation, but upon arrival or very soon after, manoeuvred and fought as individuals simply.

The Second Provincial Congress, more nearly an elective body than the First, realized their own lack of authority over the people and particularly over the military branch of their constituents. They wrote to the Continental Congress at Philadelphia, under date of May 16, 1775, stating that they were compelled to raise an army; of their triumph at having one consisting of their own countrymen; but they admitted a lack of civil power to provide for, and control it. And they asked for advice from the greater congress which represented all the Colonies as to the taking up and exercising of the necessary powers of a civil government.[11]

Let us, then, as we go forward with this narrative, bear these facts in mind, that we may not in this very first day of a new nation's struggle for liberty expect too much from those who, indeed had the wisdom, had the strength, had the courage and the skill, but greatly lacked the first elements of a civil government or a military force—discipline and efficiency.

The First Provincial Congress next met in Concord, Oct. 11, 1774. Hancock was chosen President, an office higher than Permanent Chairman. Several following days were devoted to public business. From there they addressed a communication to Gen. Gage, wherein they expressed the apprehensions excited in their minds by the rigorous execution of the Port Bill; by the alteration of the Charter; by the administration of justice in the Colony; by the number of troops in the capital [Boston]; and particularly by the formidable and hostile preparations on Boston Neck. And they asked, rather pointedly, "whether an inattentive and unconcerned acquiescence in such alarming, and menacing measures would not evidence a state of insanity?" They entreated him to reduce the fortress at the entrance to Boston, and concluded by assuring his Excellency that they had not the least intention of doing any harm to his Majesty's troops.[12]

Four days later, Oct. 17, sitting at Cambridge, they received his reply. It was altogether lacking in satisfaction. He answered them as to the fortification on Boston Neck, that "unless annoyed," it would "annoy nobody." And the rest of his communication was equally unassuring.

Oct. 19, a committee was appointed to inquire into the then present state and operations of the British Army;[13] and on Oct. 20, another committee to report on what was necessary to be done for the safety and defence of the Province.[14]

Matters were crystallizing very fast, for on Oct. 24, a committee was appointed to consider and report on the most proper time for the Province to provide a stock of powder, ordnance and ordnance stores. That same afternoon, one of the members, Mr. Bliss, was ordered to wait upon the Committee to ascertain their reply. They quickly responded that their opinion was that "now" was the proper time to procure such a stock.[15] Another committee was at once appointed to take into consideration and determine the quantity and expense thereof.[16]

On the afternoon of the following day, Oct. 25, the schedule was presented to the Congress and one of its items called for 1000 barrels of powder, and the proposed expense was £10,737. Items were added by the Congress to increase the amount to £20,837. It was likewise ordered "that all the matters which shall come under consideration before this Congress be kept secret."[17]

Oct. 26, it was resolved that a Committee of Safety should be appointed, whose business it should be "most carefully and diligently to inspect and observe all and every such person and persons as shall at any time, attempt or enterprise the destruction, invasion, detriment or annoyance of this province." And they should have the power to alarm, muster and cause to be assembled with the utmost expedition and completely armed for the defence, such of the militia as they shall deem necessary for its defence.[18] And it was also resolved that as the security of the lives, liberties and properties of these inhabitants depend on their skill in the art military and in their being properly and effectively armed, it was therefore recommended that they immediately provide themselves therewith.[19]

On Oct. 27, Congress appointed a Committee of Safety consisting of nine members, three from Boston and six from the country, John Hancock, Chairman, and also a Commissary, or Committee of Supplies, consisting of five members.[20] At a subsequent meeting on the same day, Jedidiah Preble was elected to be chief in command and Artemas Ward, second.[21]

Oct. 27 a vote was passed recommending that the inhabitants perfect themselves in the military art.[22] On that same day a committee was appointed to wait upon his excellency the governor to express their surprise at his active warlike preparations, and to announce that their constituents would not expect them to be guided by his advice.[23] But before the conclusion of this session another resolution was passed to the effect that the lives and liberties of the inhabitants depended upon their knowledge and skill in the military art.[24]

The First Provincial Congress was dissolved Dec. 10, 1774, every session of its deliberations having been devoted to the Civil Rights and Liberties of the People over which it had presided.

The Second Provincial Congress was convened in Concord Feb. 1, 1775. One of its earliest acts, Feb. 9, was to appoint Hon. Jedidiah Preble, Hon. Artemas Ward, Col. Seth Pomeroy, Col. John Thomas and Col. William Heath, general officers.[25] The same day, in an address to the Inhabitants of the Massachusetts Bay they said, "Though we deprecate a rupture with the Mother State, yet we must urge you to every preparation for your necessary defence."[26]

Nor were the Indians neglected in these strong appeals to the patriotism of the inhabitants of the Massachusetts Bay, for under date of April 1, 1775, an address was issued to Johoiakin Mothksin and the rest of the Indians of Stockbridge, expressing great pleasure that they were "willing to take up the hatchet," and announcing that Col. Paterson and Capt. Goodridge should present each that had enlisted a blanket and a ribbon. A committee was also appointed to address the chief of the Mohawks.[27]

The Committee of Safety met for the first time at the house of Capt. Stedman, in Cambridge, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 1774, and organized, as we have stated, with John Hancock, Chairman. John Pigeon was chosen clerk. Their first vote after organization was a recommendation to the Committee of Supplies to procure as soon as may be, 335 barrels of pork, 700 barrels of flour, 20 tierces of rice, 300 bushels of peas, and that these be distributed in Worcester and Concord. On Nov. 8, following, in joint meeting with the Committee on Supplies, the latter was advised to procure all of the arms and ammunition possible from the neighboring provinces, and that they might with safety engage to pay for the same on arrival.

At subsequent meetings various military stores were liberally provided. With a unanimous vote on Feb. 21, 1775, by both committees in joint session, it was decided that the Committee of Supplies should purchase all kinds of military stores sufficient for an army of 15,000 men.[28] It did not then seem to them as if a peaceful solution of the estrangement were longer possible.

The last meeting of the Provincial Congress before the battle, was held in Concord, April 15, and when it adjourned it was until May 10. But considering "the great uncertainty of the present times," it was provided, however, that a call might issue for an earlier assembling. Only two days elapsed before apprehensions of immediate danger arose, which grew so intense, that Richard Devens on the 18th, issued a summons for immediate assembling at Concord. Although it was circulated with the greatest dispatch many of the members could not have learned of it before the marching of the British troops on that same night from Boston Common.

The meeting was finally assembled on April 22, and quickly adjourned to Watertown, evidently to be in closer touch with the thrilling events that had so dramatically opened.[29]