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The last session of the General Court under the Crown Government was held at Salem. On the 17th day of June, 1774, the Governor directed the secretary to declare the General Court dissolved. The secretary went to the courthouse and found the door of the Representatives' chamber locked. The messenger who reported his presence at the door returned to him with the information that he had acquainted the Speaker with the fact that the secretary had a message from His Excellency, that the Speaker reported the fact to the House, and the orders were to keep the door closed. Soon after this a proclamation dissolving the General Court was published on the stairs leading to the Representatives' chamber in the presence of a group of citizens, some of whom were members of the House. Before dissolving, the General Court elected five delegates to the first Continental Congress. It also made provision for a Provincial Congress with deputies from every town.

This Provincial Congress organized at Salem on October 7, 1774, and after electing John Hancock president immediately adjourned to meet at Concord. It met at Concord from October 11th to the 14th, then at Cambridge from the 17th to the 29th, and again in Cambridge from November 23d to December 10th, with closed doors, dissolving on December 10th. The second Provincial Congress met at Cambridge on the 1st of February, 1775, sat there, at Concord, and at Watertown, adjourning at the latter place on the 29th of May. The third Provincial Congress met on the 31st day of May at Watertown. Joseph Warren was chosen president in the place of Hancock, and on July 19th it dissolved.