William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 1

Mr. Northend, of Essex, introduced a bill of eighteen sections, entitled ‘a bill to provide for the disciplining and instruction of a military force.’

Petitions were presented of James W. White, and eighty others of Grafton, and of the commissioned officers of the Twelfth Regiment of Infantry (Colonel Webster), severally for an act to legalize the appropriations of cities and towns in behalf of the volunteer militia, and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

May 15. In the Senate.—Petition of Robert Morris and seventy-one others, for a law authorizing colored men to form military companies; of John Wells and others, of Chicopee, for a law to allow cities and towns to raise money for the support of volunteers and their families.

On motion of Mr. Carter, of Hampden, a joint committee was appointed to consider the expediency of tendering the service of members of the Legislature free of expense.

Mr. Stone, of Essex, reported a bill regulating drill companies, also in favor of the bill for the establishment of a home guard. On motion of Mr. Boynton, of Worcester, it was voted, that the joint special committee on the Governor's address consider the expediency of providing by law for the expense of improving and drilling the volunteer companies, and also of re-imbursing such expenditure of money as towns and military companies have incurred for such purposes.

Mr. Northend, of Essex, reported his bill from the joint committee to provide for the discipline and instruction of a military force.

The same gentleman, from the same committee, introduced a bill ‘in aid of the families of volunteers.’ Mr. Stone, of Essex, from the same committee, reported a bill to enable banks to purchase government securities.