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Constitution of the Council of Safety
in Provl Congress June 14th 1775
Resolved
That the persons to be appointed to direct and regulate the
operations of the troops and for other purposes be stiled and
denominated the Council of Safety.
That it consist of thirteen members and such of the Dele-
gates of this Colony as shall not hold Commissions, and are
not entitled to receive Pay in the provl Army.
That no military officer receiving Pay in the service of this
Colony be eligible to sit in the Council of Safety
That the said Council of Safety or a majority of such as may
be in the Colony shall have power to issue Commissions for
the Army as well to those elected by the provl Congress as in
Cases of Vacancy by Death or otherwise
That the said Council or a Majority of them be vested
with full power & authority to suspend any officer in the
army when they shall think it necessary and shall within a
convenient time not exceeding forty Days after such suspen-
sion order a general Court Martial to sit for the Trial of such
officer whose sentence shall be final unless it shall be other-
wise determined by the provincial Congress.
That the said Council of Safety shall have the supreme
Direction, Regulation, Maintenance & ordering of the Army
and all military Establishments & arrangemts subject always
to the Controul of the Congress.
That if upon any emergency it shall appear necessary to the
Council of Safety to call forth the militia they shall have full
power & authority to cary the acts of assembly for Regu-
lating the militia of this Colony in all Respects into Execu.
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