On this day 250 years ago the Massachusetts Provincial Congress passed resolutions stating:

That Mr. [Samuel] Adams, Major [Joseph] Hawley, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Hon. Mr. [Thomas] Cushing, Mr. [Robert Treat] Paine, Col. [Joseph] Palmer, and Mr. [Benjamin] Freeman, be a committee to bring in a resolve holding up to the people of this province, the imminent danger they are in, from the present disposition of the British ministry and parliament, and that there is reason to fear that they will attempt our sudden destruction: and the importance it is to the inhabitants of this colony to prepare themselves for the last event.

. . .

That the great law of self-preservation, calls upon the inhabitants of this colony, immediately to prepare against every attempt that may be made to attack them by surprise; and it is, upon serious deliberation, most earnestly recommended to the militia in general, as well as the detached part of it in minute men, that they spare neither time, pains, nor expense, at so critical a juncture, in perfecting themselves forthwith in military discipline, and that skillful instructors be provided for those companies which may not already be provided therewith: and it is recommended to the towns and districts in this colony, that they encourage such persons as are skilled in the manufacturing of firearms and bayonets, diligently to apply themselves thereto, for supplying such of the inhabitants as may still be deficient.

Source: https://archive.org/details/journalsofeachprma00mass/page/100/mode/2up?view=theater