William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 2

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Resolved, That, if the wanton cruelties of privateering are let loose upon our seamen, it will become our duty vigorously to defend our rights and fearlessly to assail our foe, until, under our flag of the stars and stripes, our vessels are allowed, unmolested, to float in every sea.

Other votes were passed having for their object home defence, which the exposed position of the town appeared to render desirable. A committee of six were also appointed to assist in recruiting.

1862. At a meeting held on the 22d of July, it was voted to raise sixteen hundred dollars, by taxation, ‘to pay bounties to persons who have become volunteer soldiers of the United States;’ also to raise and pay to volunteers having families in Provincetown ‘a sum of money, in addition to that the town may be reimbursed from the treasury of the Commonwealth for aid to families, equal in amount to that which is reimbursed; and to volunteers who have not families or persons dependent on them the sum of fifty dollars a year during their term of service.’ August 27th, The town voted ‘to assume the liability of those individuals who have subscribed money for the payment of bounties to volunteers for nine months military service;’ also voted to pay each volunteer for nine months service, when mustered in and credited to the quota of the town, a bounty of two hundred dollars; also, to pay their families, and to those who have none, fifty dollars additional in money. The treasurer was authorized to borrow six thousand dollars for these purposes.

1863. At a legal town-meeting held on the 20th of July, the selectmen and John Nickerson were appointed to procure arms from the State or the National Government, and to do all such acts as may be necessary for the defence and protection of the town against the attacks of the enemy. Two thousand dollars were placed at the disposal of the committee. September 3d, The town appropriated $5,469.82 for payment of soldiers' bounties, in compliance with the 9th section of an act approved April 29, 1863; also voted, that the same provision be made in aid of the families of men who may be drafted as is now paid to the families of volunteers.