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America’s First Constitutions and Declarations of Rights
continental army, whom by the confederation of the United States it is
provided that this Commonwealth shall appoint,—as also all officers of
forts and garrisons.
The divisions of the militia into brigades, regiments and companies,
made in pursuance of the militia laws now in force, shall be considered
as the proper divisions of the militia of this Commonwealth, until the
same shall be altered in pursuance of some future law.
xi.—no monies shall be issued out of the treasury of this Commonwealth, and disposed of (except such sums as may be appropriated for
the redemption of bills of credit of Treasurer’s notes, or for the payment
of interest arising thereon) but by warrant under the hand of the Governor for the time being, with the advice and consent of the Council, for the
necessary defence and support of the Commonwealth; and for the protection and preservation of the inhabitants thereof, agreeably to the acts
and resolves of the General Court.
xii.—all public boards, the Commissary-General, all superintending
officers of public magazines and stores, belonging to this Commonwealth,
and all commanding officers of forts and garrisons within the same, shall,
once in every three months, officially and without requisition, and at other
times, when required by the Governor, deliver to him an account of all
goods, stores, provisions, ammunition, cannon with their appendages,
and small arms with their accoutrements, and of all other public property whatever under their care respectively; distinguishing the quantity, number, quality and kind of each, as particularly as may be; together
with the condition of such forts and garrisons: And the said commanding officer shall exhibit to the Governor, when required by him, true and
exact plans of such forts, and of the land and sea, or harbours adjacent.
And the said boards, and all public officers, shall communicate to the
Governor, as soon as may be after receiving the same, all letters, dispatches, and intelligences of a public nature, which shall be directed to
them respectively.
xiii.—as the public good requires that the Governor should not be under the undue influence of any of the members of the General Court, by
a dependence on them for his support—that he should, in all cases, act
with freedom for the benefit of the public—that he should not have his
attention necessarily diverted from that object to his private concerns—