Scope and Content: The Continental Congress appointed John Allan as agent (later superintendent) of Indian affairs in the Continental Army’s Eastern Department, including New England, the St. John River region, and Nova Scotia generally (Journals, Jan. 14-15, 1777). Later that year, at the urging of Allan and others, and at the request of Congress (Journals, May 13, 1777), the State of Massachusetts Bay’s General Court authorized the raising of troops at Machias to protect settlers of its Eastern (Maine) District and appointed Allan colonel of Indian troops serving the state in the area (Resolves 1777-78, c 277, Sept. 16, 1777), and, the next day, also named him colonel of the troops just raised (c 281) –In these various federal and state posts Allan was to maintain good relations with the Indians who lived in the region to ensure their loyalty to the state and to the Revolutionary American cause, by setting up and supplying truck houses, protecting the Indians, and consulting with them to learn their concerns.  The state funded Allan’s activities, expecting ultimate reimbursement from the federal government.  Col. Allan wrote extensively to the Council, the General Court’s upper chamber, to gain recognition for Indian loyalty, forward intelligence on British actions, and ensure adequate supplies for the Indians and for colonial troops in the Machias region.
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Scope and Content: By its constitutional and statutory authority to provide advice and consent to the governor, the  Council approves, among others, the appointments of judicial and quasi-judicial officers, the adjournment or prorogation of the General Court, the granting of pardons, and warrants authorizing expenditures from the Treasury.  Council files contain letters and memoranda submitted by state agencies and offices communicating their intent to take actions that require the approval of the governor and his council as well as resolutions and orders issued by the governor and council.  The content of the files varies over time as do the actions that require approval. –Petitions relating to slavery removed from individual files for digitization and now stored separately. –Correspondence consists of copies of letters from Council executive secretary communicating Council actions to appointees or other affected state officials. –Related records, 1913-1973, are in: Special reports and hearing transcripts ((M-Ar)774)
Arrangement: In two subseries: (1) Files; arranged chronologically (2) Correspondence, 1953-1960; arranged alphabetically by state agency, thereunder chronologically in reverse order
Notes: Boxes numbered: 0-249
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Scope and Content: By its constitutional authority to provide advice and consent to the governor, the Council approves the granting of pardons, including commutations and respites (Const Pt 2, C 2, S 1, Art 8).  Pardon files include all relevant information concerning petitions for pardons and commutations that the governor has approved and now require the Council’s endorsement. –Each file may contain petitions for pardon sent to the governor by or on behalf of a person convicted of a crime; reports and recommendations from the Parole Board (known in this capacity as the Advisory Board of Pardons), which include a description of each offense and conviction for which a pardon is sought; letters opposing or supporting the pardon, including those of recommendation verifying the applicant’s period of good citizenship; correspondence among interested parties concerning the status of petitions; and a copy of the letter from the governor to the Council advising it of his decision.  Some files contain transcripts of hearings.  Included is one document box containing typewritten alphabetical lists of persons pardoned in 1963, 1964, 1969, and 1970 and one containing sets of index cards of persons pardoned, 1953-1964. –For additional files see: Council files ((M-Ar)378).  For related materials, 1861-1890, see: Massachusetts. Governor. Executive department letters ((M-Ar)567X).  For a listing of other related series see: Massachusetts. Office of the Secretary of State. Records of commissions, proclamations, pardons, and other official documents, 1713-1945 (bulk 1747-1936)((M-Ar)161X)
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by year or year span, thereunder alphabetically by petitioner
Restrictions: Correspondence: Evaluative information restricted by statutory provision; for conditions of access consult repository; MGLA c 4, s 7, c 26 (c) and c 66A
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Scope and Content: The Commonwealth had a continuing interest in the United States-Great Britain dispute over the northeastern boundary of Maine, from the Revolution to the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842: to 1820, as the state of which the District of Maine formed a part; from 1820, and pursuant to St 1819, c 161, an act to provide for separation of the District of Maine as a state, as the holder of title to certain Maine public lands.  Series relates to the appointment by the Council of commissioners to represent Massachusetts interests in negotiations prior to the 1842 treaty.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: Formerly part of state secretary’s: Miscellaneous collection
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Scope and Content: St 1692-3, c 25 (Nov. 3, 1692) provided that all controversies concerning marriage and divorce in the the Province of the Massachusetts Bay be heard and determined by the governor and council, which replaced in this function the colonial Court of Assistants.  In 1780, Const Pt 2, C 3, Art 5 continued this arrangement until it should be superseded by specific legislation, which occurred with St 1785, c 69 (Mar. 16, 1786), under which the Supreme Judicial Court assumed jurisdiction for cases of divorce and alimony.  Series consists of files from cases heard by the Council not included in other record series (see below).
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
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Scope and Content: The Council (under the governor except 1775-1780) functioned as the executive counterpart of the upper house of the General Court under the colonial charter, 1629-1686; as the executive (sole) government, 1686-1689; and both as upper house of the General Court and executive body under the revival of colonial government, 1689-1692, under the provincial charter, 1692-1774, and in the later Revolutionary period, 1775-1780.  (There was a rival Council appointed by the English Crown under Gov. Thomas Gage, 1774-1776.)  Under the 1780 Constitution it is an advisory executive body to the governor separate from the General Court.  Executive records (formerly known as: Council records) document the Council’s executive function during the colonial (1650-1656, and stray entries, 1660-1661 only), intercharter (1686-1687 only), provincial, and Revolutionary periods; and under the 1780 Constitution, which mandates a signed register of council actions (Const Pt 2, C 2, S 3, Art 5)
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by date of meeting
Notes: Records in general are transcripts: v. 2-11 (1686-1747) from the British State Paper Office, 1846-1851.  From 1689 (not in this series) to 1776, many draft originals are in: Massachusetts. Office of the Secretary of State. Massachusetts archives collection ((M-Ar)45X), v. 81-86. (For details and listing of additional Massachusetts archives collection holdings, 1650-1774, see finding aid below.)  From 1776 source document (but with less complete text at least in earlier years) is: Massachusetts Council. Minutes ((M-Ar)329) (see that series for detailed description of contents).  From 1780 records are signed by councilors. Vol. 1-94 (1650-1881) bound as numbered (v. 74 in 2); thereafter bound annually only.  Spine title: Council records
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Scope and Content: By its constitutional authority to provide advice and consent to the governor, the Council approves the granting of pardons, including commutations and respites (Const Pt 2, C 2, S 2, Art 8).  Pardon files include all relevant information concerning petitions for pardons and commutations that the Governor has denied or that have become inactive (and which therefore do not require Council endorsement but that are nonetheless maintained by the Council). –For 1907-1935 see: Massachusetts. Council. Council pardon files ((M-Ar)328). For a listing of other related series see: Massachusetts. Office of the Secretary of State. Records of commissions, proclamations, pardons, and other official documents, 1713-1945 (bulk 1747-1936) ((M-Ar)161X)
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by varying spans, thereunder alphabetically by petitioner
Restrictions: Correspondence: Evaluative information restricted by statutory provision; for conditions of access consult repository; MGLA c 4, s 7, c 26 (c ) and c 66A
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Scope and Content: The Council has constitutional authority to provide advice and consent to the governor in approving warrants authorizing expenditures from the Treasury (Const Pt 2, C 2, S 1, Art 11), and over time acquired similar statutory authority to approve a variety of financial transactions of the executive branch.  (Such authority was in general repealed by St 1964, c 740.)  In this connection Finance Committee reports contain annual information on state securities, bonds, and notes in effect during a given year.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
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Scope and Content: During the period of the colonial charter (1629-1686), a Council assisted the governor of Massachusetts in an executive capacity, its members consisting of current and former assistants, who also functioned judicially as the Court of Assistants and as the upper house of the General Court.  After an interval during which the Council was appointed by the English Crown (1686-1689), under a revival of colonial government (1689-1692) and during the provincial and later Revolutionary periods (1692-1774, 1775-1780), the Council served in a dual capacity as legislative upper house and executive body.  In the latter role (from 1692 onward, but as well during 1686-1689), the Council had certain judicial functions, though fewer than its predecessor, the Court of Assistants.  Series includes public documents identified with the Council from 1686 onward (and a few related earlier items) in such a judicial role, including testimonies, depositions, writs, warrants, bonds, and divorce petitions.
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Scope and Content: The Council (under the governor except 1775-1780) functioned as the executive counterpart of the upper house of the General Court under the colonial charter, 1629-1686; as the executive (sole) government, 1686-1689; and both as upper house of the General Court and executive body under the revival of colonial government, 1689-1692, under the provincial charter, 1692-1774, and in the later Revolutionary period, 1775-1780.  (There was a rival Council appointed by the English Crown under Gov. Thomas Gage, 1774-1776.)  Under the 1780 Constitution it is an advisory executive body to the governor separate from the General Court.  Legislative records (formerly known as: Court records) document the Council’s legislative function as General Court upper house during the intercharter (1689-1692 only), provincial, and Revolutionary periods.  (For the Constitutional period see below.)
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by date of General Court session
Notes: Records in general are transcripts, some from British State Paper Office made in the 1840s (see finding aid below).  To 1776 many draft originals are in: Massachusetts. Office of the Secretary of State. Massachusetts archives collection ((M-Ar)45X), v. 81-86. (For details see finding aid below.  Vol. 70, p. 157-158 includes draft minutes of the Council for Safety of the People and Conservation of the Peace, May 11, 1689.  Additional Massachusetts archives collection holdings not yet determined.)  From Oct. 1780 source document is: Massachusetts. Office of the Secretary of State. Senate journal ((M-Ar)531)
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