1775-01-03th
At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Beverly on January 16 1775.
The Selectmen sat as regulators of said Meeting as the law directs in the choice of representatives.
Capt. Josiah Batchelder Jr. was chosen to represent them in a Provincial Congress to be held at
Cambridge on the first day all of February next ensuing, or sooner if thought necessary and to be
continued by adjournment as they shall see cause until the Tuesday next proceeding the last
Wednesday of May next and no longer, to consult, deliberate and resolve upon such further measures,
as under God shall be effectual to save this people from impending ruin and to secure those
inestimable liberties derived to us from our ancestors and which it is our duty to preserve for
posterity.
Voted the following instructions to the Representatives.
To Capt. Josiah Batchelder Jr..
Whereas the town of Beverly hath this day chosen you to represent them at a Provincial Congress to
be holden at Cambridge on the first day of February next ensuing and as said Town always hold if our
privilege to give instructions to our deputies we proceed as followith viz.. In the first place that you
will in all things that shall be agitated in said Congress you will conform yourself to the Charter and
laws of this Province.
2ndly. That you will not act anything that may have a tendency to carry the late acts of Parliament
for altering the Constitution of this Province into execution.
3ly. That in all that is acted in said Congress that nothing shall be resolved that may counter act the
Resolves of the Continental Congress - and if anything should occur which we at present do not
foresee we leave our deputy to act as he shall think proper.
Voted that Capt. John Lovett be Moderator for the remaining business of the meeting.
Voted that the second article of the warrant be referred to next March meeting.