State Papers.
DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS
RELATING TO THE
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE
DURING THE PERIOD OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION,
FROM 1776 TO 1783;
Including the Constitution of New-Hampshire, 1776; New-Hampshire Declaration for Independence; the "ASSOCIATION TEST," with names of Signers, &c.; Declaration of American Independence, July 4, 1776; the Articles of Confederation, 1778.
PUBLISHED BT AUTHORITY OF THE LEGISLATURE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE,
——————————
VOLUME VIII.
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COMPILED AND EDITED BY
NATHANIEL BOUTON, D. D.
Corresponding Secretary of the New-Hampshire Historical Society.
CONCORD, N. H.:
EDWARD A. JENKS, STATE PRINTER.
1874.
NOTICE
JOINT RESOLUTION, passed by the Legislature of New-Hampshire.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened, That His Excellency the Governor be hereby authorized and empowered, with the advice and consent of the Council, to employ some suitable person, and fix his compensation, to be paid out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, to collect, arrange, transcribe, and superintend the publication of such portions of the early State and Provincial Records, and other State Papers of New-Hampshire, as the Governor may deem proper; and that eight hundred copies of each volume of the same be printed by the State Printer and distributed as follows: namely, one copy to each City and Town in the State, one copy to such of the Public Libraries of this State as the Governor may designate, two hundred copies to the New-Hampshire Historical Society, and the remainder placed in the custody of the State Librarian, who is hereby authorized to exchange the same for similar publications issued by other States.
Approved July 6, 1866.
EDITOR'S PREFACE.
——————————
Readers of this volume will please understand that the "Provincial" history of New-Hampshire terminated with the publication of Volume VII, 1766-1776. This volume is a continuation of documents and papers relating to New-Hampshire, after it assumed government and took the name, first, of COLONY, and then of STATE of New-Hampshire. The Colonial period continued about one year. Why it was called a "Colony" the editor has found no declared reasons; though it appears that all the other Provinces, Colonies, or States assumed the same designation, and were spoken of during the early part of the Revolution as the UNITED COLONIES of America, as they were claimed to be colonies of Great Britain.
This volume will be found to be of great value, as containing the First Constitution that was adopted by authority of the people of New-Hampshire, 1776, which is claimed and understood to be the first that was adopted in any State or Colony in the Union. It contains, also, the New-Hampshire Declaration, for Independence, — the "Association Test," as it was called, — in which are found the names of all the male inhabitants of New-Hampshire above twenty-one years of age, — about 8,199 in number, — who signed it, and the names also of 773 who refused to sign it. (1) Readers will take notice that the names attached to the Association Test are not repeated in the Index.
Although, under advice, the editor has found it necessary to omit from the proceedings of the General Assembly much mat‑
—————
(1) The above statement was made by the late John Farmer, Esq., but a careful count may, perhaps, vary the sum total. — ED.
iv EDITOR'S PREFACE.
ter relating to personal and town affairs, yet he has carefully copied and included in this volume whatever records, documents, and correspondence he could find relating to the part which New-Hampshire took in the Revolution. In this regard New-Hampshire has a proud history: she furnished her full quota of men from time to time, and her officers and soldiers did noble service for liberty.
The editor regrets that the undue size of this volume, — with matter which could not be omitted, — renders it necessary to defer the proceedings of the Conventions which were called to settle a form of government for the State, and which resulted in the adoption of a new Constitution in 1783. He hopes, however, to find ample space for the same in a subsequent volume.
The editor desires to express, publicly, his acknowledgments to their Excellencies, Governors EZEKIEL A. STRAW and JAMES A. WESTON, for the interest they have taken in this publication, and the encouragement which, by their counsels, they have given him in his work.
GENERAL CONTENTS.
——————————
VOLUME VIII.
——————————
1776. PAGES
Jan. JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE 1-67
New-Hampshire takes the name of a COLONY 1-3
Takes up Civil Government 2-4
Petition of Inhabitants of Newtown 4
Councillors chosen for each County 6
Letter from Pierse Long, Esq. 6
Rules for the House of Representatives 8
Justices and other officers appointed 10, 11
Dissent and Protest from Portsmouth, &c., against tak‑
ing up Government 14-17
More justices & County officers appointed 18
Letter from General Washington 22
An anonymous letter — offensive 25-27
Letter from Thomas Wk Waldron 28
County officers 28, 29
Letter to and from General Washington 30-35
Letter from General Sullivan 30-32
Note, relating to the name of Hobart 32
Condition of the people at Gosport 34
Letter from General Sullivan, relating to Quebec 36, 37
Order from Gen. Sullivan 38
Letter from General Washington 38
Letter from John Hancock — Resolves of Congress 39-41
Letter from Gen. Sullivan 42
Letter from Meshech Weare to Gen. Washington 42
Letter to Gen. Washington 43
Orders from Committee of Safety to Joseph Wait 46
Orders to Israel Morey & John Bellows 46
Letter from Josiah Bartlett, in Congress 48, 49
vi GENERAL CONTENTS.
1776. PAGES
Jan. Oaths to be administered 50
Complaint against Adam Stuart, of Londonderry 52, 53
Instructions to Committee to visit Gen. Washington 54
Letter from Gen. Sullivan 55
Justices of the several Courts 61-61
Letter to the Continental Congress, with documents and
petition 67
CORRESPONDENCE 68-77
Letter from General Washington, relating to certain ac‑
counts 68
Petition of Capt. Titus Salter 68
Letters to certain towns to return census 69
Letter to Col. John Bellows 69
Letter to Col. Morey and Maj. Bellows — instructions 69
Feb. Letter from Stephen Moylan, relating to Col. John Stark 70
Letter of Acknowledgment made by Col. Stark 70
Court of Inquiry relative to Col. Stark's conduct 71
Petition to Congress for Continental troops 71
Letter to Hon. John Hancock 72
Letter from Committee of Safety to Col. Morey 72
Letter from Col. John Langdon to Comtee of Safety 73
Letter to the Committee of Safety from a French gen‑
tleman 74
Letters from Hon. Josiah Bartlett, in Congress . 75, 76
Letter from Hon. Wm. Whipple, in Congress 76
Letter from Hon. John Langdon 77
JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE, resumed 78-114
List of Members [see Index of Names] 78-80
A regiment of 800 men to be raised 84
Orders from Gen. Washington, on Dorchester Heights 85
Gen. Howe to leave Boston 86
Letter from Col. Morey to the Committee of Safety 87, 88
Letter from Col. Bedel to the Committee of Safety 89
Instructions to Col. Henry Gerrish 89
Letter to Col. Bedel 90
Letter from Meshech Weare to Gen. Washington 91
Letter from Gen. Washington to Meshech Weare 91
Letter from Capt. Titus Salter, a guard at Fort Point 92
Letter from Gen. Sullivan, with a list of Col. John Wal‑
dron's regiment . 92, 93
On making Copper Coin 94
GENERAL CONTENTS. vii
1776. PAGES
Feb. Regimental officers appointed 94
Price of Salt petre 98
Letter from Col. John Goffe, relating to fish 99
Memorial and Petition of Dr. Hall Jackson 100, 101
Certificates relating to Dr. Jackson 101
Permission to Capt. Eliphalet Ladd to sail for West
Indies 102
A Proclamation by the Council & Assembly 103
Letter from Capt. James Osgood 104
Letter from Col. Timothy Bedel 104
Letter from Thomas Johnson 105
Appointment of a Commissary 109
CORRESPONDENCE 115-132
Hanover Committee, relating to counterfeit money 115-117
Letter for Gen. Sullivan 117-119
Apr. Orders to Capt. Titus Salter, and his return 119, 120
Letter to Gen. Ward, and answer 120
Letter from Hon. William Whipple 121
Order to Col. David Gilman 121
Instructions to Pierse Long, Esq. 121
Letter from Hon. John Hancock, with Resolves of Con‑
gress 122
May. Letter from Col. David Gilman, relating to officers and
soldiers 123
Letter from Meshech Weare to Hon. Thomas Cushing 123
Letter from John Hancock, with resolves of Congress 124
Letter from Wm. Whipple 125
Resolve of Congress for the Colonies to take up Gov‑
ernment 126
Orders to General Folsom 126
June. Resolves of Congress, relating to supplying Militia, &c. 127
Letter from John Hancock 128, 129
Letter from our delegates in Congress 129
List of Representatives [see Index, Names] 130, 131
JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE, resumed (1) 133
Business to be transacted 134
Order to Capt. Henry Gerrish 134
A bridge to be built at New Castle 136, 164
Letter from Col. David Gilman 138
—————
(1) On p. 133, for James Bellows, read James Betton. — ED,
viii GENERAL CONTENTS.
1776. PAGES
June. Committee to draft a DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 139
Civil officers appointed 139, 140
Letter from Selectmen of Hanover 140
Address and Petition of Maj. James Hackett 142
County officers appointed — Acts passed (1) 143, 144
Letter from Hon. John Hancock to the General Assem‑
bly 146, 147
Letter from our delegates in Congress 147
Letter from Hon. Josiah Bartlett 147, 148
Declaration of Independence 149
Letter to Hon. John Hancock 151, 152
Letter from Josiah Bartlett to John Langdon 152
Letter from Commissioners in Canada, relating to Col.
Bedel, &c. 153
Resolve of Congress, relating to clothing for soldiers 153
Persons inimical to the Country 156
Proclamation of Admiral Howe 159
Letter from Admiral Howe to Gov. John Wentworth 160
Letter to General Schuyler, relating to hard money 161
Major Robert Rogers, suspected 163
Letter from John Hancock, with resolves 165-167
Bills to be emitted, form of 169, 191
Letter from Col. Jacob Bailey — note 171
Alarms in Coos County, petition, &c. 172, 173
Letter from Col. Benja Bellows, asking for arms, &c. 173
County officers appointed 174, 175
Letter from Hon. Meshech Weare to Gen. Ward 178
Letter from Hon. Meshech Wears to General Court of
Massachusetts 178, 179
Alarms at Walpole 180
Petition from Plymouth 181
July. Powder to sundry towns 185
Regiments for the reinforcement in Canada 186
Order of Gen. Folsom to Capt. James Gage 186
Order of Gen. Folsom to Capt. Stephen Peabody 187
Letter from the Selectmen of Wakefield 187
Letter from Gen. Schuyler 188
Letter from the Selectmen of Rochester 188
Letter from Gen. Sullivan 189
Hand-bills issued — call for soldiers 192
Court Maritime Fees 198
——————
(1) On p. 143 for Benjamin Baker, read Barker. — ED.
GENERAL CONTENTS. ix
1776. PAGES
July. DECLARATION OP INDEPENDENCY, U. S. 200-203
RETURNS OF THE "ASSOCIATION TEST," 1776.
[Returns from towns in the order in which they are
printed in the following pages . 204-296
Er Names not repeated in the Index.—ED.]
Non- Non-
Signore. Signers. Signers. Signers.
Amherst 201` 4 Hinsdale 35 10
Allenstown 21 1 Hopkintown 161 14
Alstead 66 4 Keene 133 13
Acworth 32 0 Kensington 118 20
Lemeter (1) 24 0 Kingstown 150 14
Unity 26 4 Lebanon 87 0
Atkinson 97 0 Exeter ? [imperfect] 48
Barnstead 37 0 Leavittstown (Effingham)
Barrington 200 12 17 0
Bedford 87 1 Lee 142 14
Boscawen (2) 108 1 Londonderry 375 15
Bow 63 0 Loudon 69 0
Brentwood 160 18 Meredith 48 0
Canterbury 128 0 Monadnock No. 5 (Marlboro')
Claremont 84 16-31 50 5
Chester 221 0 New Boston 108 0
Chesterfield 139 13 New Castle 57 4
Concord 156 0 Newington 67 3
Conway &c. 55 0 Newmarket 164 38
Deerfield 157(8) 20 North Hampton 116 0
Deering 33 2 [Newport—see p. 282.]
Derryfield 47 0 Northwood 61 1
Dublin 57 (4) 0 Nottingham 104 25
Dunbarton 59 10 Nottingham W. (Hudson)
Dunstable [no return] 118 1
Canaan 24 0 Packersfield (Nelson) 38 1
Enfield 13 0 Pembroke 129 9
Epping 209 11 Peterborough 84 0
Epsom 68 2 Piermont (5) 35 0
Exeter — [no complete Portsmouth 509 46
returns; see p. 248.] Raby (Brookline) 23 0
East Kingston 78 3 Richmond 156 12
Francestown [no return] Rindge 150 0
Gilmanton 115 32-21 Rochester 198 22
Gilsom 42 0 Rye 123 0
Hampton 174 2 Salem 171 36
Hampstead 97 21 Salisbury 83 2
Hampton-falls [no return] Sanbornton 80 1
Hawke (Danville) 74 4 Sandown 103 7
Henniker 51 22 Sandwich 37 9
Hillsborough 35 1
—————
(1) In Lempster, for the name Trugrace, read Freegrace.
(2) In Boscawen, for Willm Welch, reset Mirick; and for Jerome Little, read Friend.
(3) By error, 101.
(4) By error, 22.
(5) Dorchester was classed with Piermont. — ED.
x GENERAL CONTENTS.
Non- Non‑
Signers Signers Signers. Signers.
Newport 36 0 Temple 84 3
Croydon 31 4 Wakefield 62 0
Saville 18 0 Weare 131 41
Society Land (Antrim) Westmoreland 130 6
25 0 Wilton 128 2
South Hampton 85 4 Winchester 103 15
Stratham 131 42 Wyndham 96 (1) 3
Burry 42 0
1776. PAGES
July. CORRESPONDENCE 297-318
Alarm on the Frontiers. Meeting in Hanover 297
Petition from Lebanon asking assistance 298
Letter from J. Hurd, Esq. Appeal for help 298
Petition from Conway for assistance 299
Letter from Capt. Ira Allen 300
Orders to Benja Giles 300
Portsmouth instructions to Representatives 301
Commission for Col. Isaac Wyman 302
Orders to Capt. David Woodward 302
Letter from Committee in Kittery 303
Letter to the Selectmen of New Market 303
Letter from Capt. Robert Parker 303
Letter to Capt. Jeremiah Eames — instruction 304
Letter from Maj. Jonathan Child 304
Letter from Committee in Moultonborough 305
Letter to Hon. John Hancock 305
Letter from Capt. William Barron 306
Letter from Col. John Hurd 306
Order respecting Samuel Dyer, of Berwick 308
Orders to Col. Joshua Wingate 308
Direction for Col. Jacob Bailey for raising men 308
Letter from Portsmouth Committee about Capt. Roach 309
Letter from Portsmouth Committee relating to Mrs.
Livius 309
Order to Brig. Gen. Stark 310
Letter from Benja Giles 310
Letter from Col. Hurd 311
Letter from Col. Joshua Wentworth 311
Letter from Col. John Bellows 311
Complaint of Zacheus Clough, of Poplin 312
Certificate for Zacheus Clough, of Poplin 312
—————
(1) Persons who add the above returns may find a different sum total from that stated in the text, p. 204. — ED.
GENERAL CONTENTS. xi
1776. PAGES
July. Petition from Warren for fire-arms, &c. 313
Letter from Col. David Gilman 313
License for Mrs. Livius to go to Quebec 313
Letter to Benja Giles 314
Orders to Lieut. John Gilman 314
Letter from Col. John Hurd 314
Letter from M. S. Metcalf to Col. Bailey 316
Letter from Col. Wait to Col. Hurd 316
Aug. Letter from Col. Hurd to Meshech Weare 317
Letter from Eleazer Russell to Meshech Wears 317
Proclamation by Gen. Howe 318
Sept. JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE, resumed 319-357
List of members [see Index — "Names"] 319-321
Massachusetts Resolves, relating to the ship Raleigh 322
Report of Committee, and papers relating to Asa Porter 324-331
New Hampshire assumes the name of State of New‑
Hampshire 332
Special Convention, proceedings of 337, (1) 338
Form of oath to be taken by Representatives 341
Form of precept for calling a new House 342, 343
Oct. Special Convention, proceedings of 349-351
Resolve of Congress for raising an army during the war, 349
Letter from Hon. John Hancock, relating to enlistments, 351
Pay-roll of members of the Convention, 356
CORRESPONDENCE 358-396
Letter from Charlestown Committee to Gen. Gates 358
Letter from Col. Moulton to N. H. Committee of Safety, 359
Letter from Col. Jacob Bailey 360
Letter from Col. Thomas Stickney 360
Letter from J. Brackett, relating to ship Prince George, 360
Letter from Portsmouth Committee, relating to a
billiard table 361
Letter from John Hancock, relating to an attack on
New York 361
Letter from Selectmen of Charlestown to N. H. Com.
of Safety 362
Letter from Eleazer Russell, on Maritime fees 363
Letter from Col. David Gilman, on being superseded, 365
Resolution of Congress, relating to gunpowder, 366
Orders to Col. Benjamin Bellows, jun. 366
—————
(1) On p. 338, for Capt. Sutler, read Salter. — ED.
xii GENERAL CONTENTS.
1776. PAGES
Oct. Letter from Col. Hurd, relating to Rangers at Cohos 366
Letter from General Washington, on exchange of
prisoners, 367
Letter from N. H. Committee of Safety to Gen. Ward 368
Petition in favor of Lt. Abraham Perkins 368
Col. John Langdon's return of enlisting men 369
Letter from Col. Bailey, relating to affairs in Canada 369
Resolves of Congress, relating to blankets, &c. 370
Letter from Gen. Ward 370
Letter from Andrew Colburn to Matthew Thornton 371
Letter from Col. Wigglesworth, relating to sickness at
Crown Point 371
Resolves of Congress, relating to Physicians, &c. 372
Letter from Hon. John Hancock on same subject 373
Petition of Joshua Heath, of Conway 373
Resolves of Congress, relating to the army 374-376
Letter from Hon. John Hancock on the same 377
Letter from Joseph Whipple, relating to roads, &c. 377
Representation relative to Capt. Jere. Eames 378
Tories sent from New York to New-Hampshire — names 379-384
Letter from France to N. H. Committee of Safety 385
Instructions to Committee sent to Ticonderoga 386
Introduction to Gen. Washington 387
Letter from Col. Thomas Tash to Com. of Safety 388
Letter from Col. Joseph Welch 388
Letter from Hon. John Jay, of New York, relating to
tories 389
Order of Col. Robt Van Ransilaer about tories 390
Letter from Col. Blanchard relating to raising men at
Ticonderoga for the army 390
Col. Blanchard's Report of Commissioned officers, &c. 391, 392
Letter of thanks from Gen. Gates to N. H. officers and
soldiers 392
Inlisting orders to Capt. Joshua Abbot 393
Action of N. H. Com. of Safety relative to New York
tories 393
Certificate &c., relating thereto 394
Letter from Hon. Wm. Whipple relating to the army 395
Resolve of Congress for a supply of shoes for the army 396
Nov. JOURNAL. OF THE HOUSE — resumed 397-427
List of members — names [see Index — "Names"] 397-400
GENERAL CONTENTS. xiii
1776. PAGES
Nov. County officers appointed 401
Restrictions on tory prisoners 403
Letter from Col. Jacob Bailey, relating to Indians 405
Resolves of General Assembly of Massaehusetts 406
Resolves of General Assembly of Rhode Island 406
Letter from Governor Trumbull, of Connecticut 407
Letters from Gen. Charles Lee to Gov. Bowdoin 407, 410
Letter from Col. Anthony Wayne to Col. Hurd 410, 411
Letter from Gov. Cooke, of R. I., to N. H. Assembly, &c. 411
Letter from Gov. Cooke to Gov. Bowdoin, of Mass. 411
Letter from Hon. Meshech Weare to Gov. Bowdoin 412
An embargo ordered 412
Names of muster-masters, &c. 415
Letter from Gen. Schuyler 417
Day of Fasting and Prayer 419
Letter from John Man, a prisoner 419
Letter from Hon. Meshech Weare to our Delegates in
Congress relating to troubles in Grafton County, &c.,
in Hanover, Lyme, Haverhill; also, in Acworth, Ches‑
terfield, Marlow, &c., &c. 420-425
Letter from Gen. Geo. Measam, commissary of cloth‑
ing, with Resolves of Congress 426
Letter from Gen. Washington on exchange of prisoners 426
Dec. JOURNAL of a new House of Representatives 428-471
List of Members [see Index — "Names"] 428-430
Affairs in Rhode Island — Gov. Cooke 431, 432
Letter relating to New York prisoners in Exeter 434
Letter from Doct. Peter Green, of Concord 435
Col. Asa Porter — reward offered for his apprehension 436
Delegates to Congress chosen 437
Letter from Capt. Eliphalet Daniels 438
Letter to Hon. John Hancock 439
Letter to our delegates in Congress 440
Letter from Col. Pierse Long, relating to the schooner
George 443
Letter from Capt. Thomas Thompson — on the same 444
Letter relating to Washington's victory at Trenton 444
Letter from Gen. Heath on the same 445
1777. Letter from Hon. Matthew Thornton 445
Jan. Letter from Col. Peirce Long, — explanatory 446
Officers of the schooner George placed in Concord 447
Letter from John Jay, on New York prisoners 448
xiv GENERAL CONTENTS.
1777. PAGES
Jan. Report on affairs in Grafton county 450
Certificates of money sent to New-Hampshire 453
Prices of sundry articles fixed 455, 471
Letter relating to John Powell, a deserter 458
Letter from Gen. Schuyler, relating to Ticonderoga 460
Letter from Hon. Jan Hancock on the same 460
Letter from Gen. Ward 462
Resolves of Massachusetts, concerning Ticonderoga 462
Propositions relating to couriers for New England 462
Report relating to Continental battalions, &c. 464
Military officers appointed 466
Letter from Col. John Langdon, relating to lead and
flints 467
Prisoners of war to be exchanged 468
CORRESPONDENCE 472-502
Letter from Col. Peirse Long 472
Letter from Gov. Bowdoin of Mass., relating to a
privateer 473
Letter from Timothy Walker, jun., relating to tories 473
Letter from H. Wentworth on the same 474
Commissary orders to Nichs Gilman 474
Orders to Capt. John Haven about prisoners 474
Letter from Joshua Gidney, a prisoner 475
List of British prisoners sent from N. H. to R. I. 476, 477
Letter from Gen. Schuyler, relating to Ticonderoga 480
Letter from Col. Long to the Committee of Safety 480
Letter from Comtee of Safety to Capt. Osborne 480
Letter from Hon. John Langdon to Com," of Safety 481
Petition of Josias Eltinge, a New York prisoner 481
Letter relating to clothing for Col. Scammell's regiment 482
Letter from Thomas Thompson on enlistment of marines 482
Letter from Thomas Thompson 484
Letter from Capt. Osborne on same subject 484
Application to Gen. Ward for fire-arms 485
Letter from Gen. Washington 485
Letter from Hon. Sam. P. Savage, of Mass., on sending
a vessel to sea 486
Certificates of money sent to New-Hampshire 486
Invoice of money and certificates sent 487
Letter from Hon. John Hancock, relating to money 487
GENERAL CONTENTS. xv
1777, PAGES
Jan. Instructions to James Betton and Win. Gregg in regard
to money 488
Letter to Capt. Osborn about enlistments 489
Letter from Gen. Washington 489
Letter from Gov. Trumbull, of Conn. 490
Letter from Gen. Sullivan 490
Letter from the Council in Massachusetts 492
Letter from Lieut. Worthen relating to Ticonderoga 492
Letter from Gen. Schuyler to Nichs Gilman 493
Letter from Gov. Cooke, of Rhode Island, on counter‑
feits 494
Order relating to New York Prisoners 494
Letter from Hon. John Hancock, with Resolves 495
Letter from Capt. Thomas Thompson, respecting a pris‑
oner 496
Letter from Comtee of Safety to Gen. Washington 496
Letter from Comtee of Safety to Gov. Trumbull 497
Letter from Comtee of Safety relating to N. Y. prisoners 497
Letters from Capt. House, Wm. Trumbull, and Enoch
Bartlett 498
Letter from Francis Worcester relating to a tory 499
Letter from John Langdon about rum 499
Orders relating to the seizure of rum 500
Letters from Tho's Wk Waldron on N. Y. prisoners 501
Petition from Mrs. Sarah Elliott, for her husband 501
Letter from James Martin on tasting cannon shot 501
Commission of Capt. Isaac Fry — note 502
Mar. JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE — resumed 503-542
Names of new members 503
Letters from Elijah Grout, Commissary 504
Letters from Col. John Stark 505, 506
Order for arrest of Col. Holland and —— Moore 507
Letter N. Y. Convention to Comtee of Safety 508
Letter from Col. Bedel on defence of Coos, &c. 510
Orders to Gen. Folsom for raising troops 512
Letter from Noah Emery, Jun., relating to stores, &c. 514
Complaints against certain tories 515
Letter sent to Col. Langdon about blankets, &c. 517
Col. Stark's letter of resignation 518
Report of Committee on N. Y. prisoners 519
Letter from Col. Stark 521
Letter from Maj. George Reed to Col. Stark 521
xvi GENERAL CONTENTS.
1777. PAGES
Mar. Letter from Maj. Jona. Child on enlistments, &c. 522
Report of Comtee on date of Commissions (1) 524
Officers appointed in different regiments 531
Letter from Gen. Schuyler 534
Resolve from Rhode Island — aid asked 536
John Taylor Gilman to receive soldiers' Certificates, &c.
Litigations discouraged 538
Letter from Elijah Grout, Commissary 540
CORRESPONDENCE between April 12 and June 4, 1777 541-570
Letter from Gen. Wayne, at Ticonderoga 542
Letter from Col. Enoch Hale on enlistments 543
Letter from Col. Enoch Hale in favor of Jon. Parker, Jun. 544
Daniel Fowle and Benja. Dearborn summoned 544
Compliments from Robert Fowle 545
Certificate given to Robert Fowle 545
Petition from Hollis Committee 545
Letter from N. H. Committee of Safety to Gen. Prescott 546
Letter from Gov. Trumbull to Meshech Weare 546
Letter from Gov. Trumbull to Meshech Weare 547
Letter from Hon. John Langdon, on military stores 548
Letter from Gen. Sullivan, relating to losses at Dan‑
bury, Conn. 549
Wages of guard on the sea-coast 550
Letters from Hon. Josiah Bartlett on dangers of our
country, raising men for Ticonderoga, &c. 551
Letter from Maj. Jona. Child, on mustering men 552
Letter from Gen. Washington — Resolve of Congress 553
Letter from Comtee of Safety to Col. Langdon 553
Letter from Londonderry, asking for powder and lead 554
Letter from Comtee of Safety, Doct. Silas Hedges accused 554
Memorial of Lt. John Colcord 555
Letter from Gov. Cooke, of Rhode Island 555
Orders to Gen. Folsom for Colonels 555
Letter from Gen. Sullivan, about Danbury 556
Letter from Jethro Hurd, of Dover 557
Certificate to Persons named therein 557
Letter from Comtee of Safety, relating to counterfeiters 558
Orders to Gen. Folsom 559
Letter from Jacob Treadwell to Maj. Geo. Gains 559
—————
(1) The name "Nathl" Gilman should be Nich. — ED.
GENERAL CONTENTS. xvii
1777. PAGES
Mar. Letter from Col. Scammell to Committee of Safety 560
Proceedings at a meeting in Hampton 560
Letter to our delegates in Congress, asking for aid 561
Postmasters and post-riders exempted from military
duty; a prize Ship at Portsmouth — certificate for 562
Paul Hale, a counterfeiter 562
Boscawen applies for arms, &c. 563
Memorial of prisoners at Portsmouth 563
The sloop Friends Adventure 564
Letter from Hon. John Bell, of Londonderry 565
Deposition of Adam Dickey 565
Letter from Dr. Richard Bartlett, of Pembroke 565
Letter from Noah Emery, jun. 566
General staff of the army, 1775-1777 566
Letter from Massachusetts relating to an expedition to
St. John's, in Nova Scotia 567
Letter from Gov. Trumbull to Meshech Weare 568
Letter from Nicholas Pike, relating to Col. Asa Porter 568
Sundry letters referred to 568, 569
Petition of Jacob Sheafe of Portsmouth 570
June. JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE, resumed 571-613
List of members [see Index — "Names,"] 571-573
Letter from Capt. Thompson of the ship Raleigh 574
Letter from Gen. Enoch Poor, at Ticonderoga 576
Letter from Gen. Horatio Gates 576
Letter from Hon. Meshech Weare to John Parker, sheriff 577
Vote for apprehension of Col. Asa Porter 578
County officers appointed; providing for troops 579
Tories arrested by Col. Thomas Stickney; proceedings
at Portsmouth relating to tories 580, 581
Letter from Gen. Schuyler 581
Votes relating to tories &c. in gaol 582, 583
Letter from Gen. Sullivan, relating to Gen. Howe 583
Committee of Safety; tories 584, 585
Petition of Capt. Wm. Scott 586
Order from the Board of War 587
Instructions to our delegates, soliciting aid 588
Petition to Congress for money 588
Letter, intercepted, relating to tories 589
An Act for taking up, &c., persons dangerous to the State 592
Depositions and orders of Justices, in the county of
Cheshire, relative to tories 594-598
xviii GENERAL CONTENTS.
1777. PAGES
June. Regiments of N. H. militia divided into three brigades 600
Letter from Gov. Cooke of Rhode Island; answer
thereto 601, 602
Military officers appointed 605, 612
Justices of the Peace and civil officers appointed 609
Letter from Noah Emery, jun., commissary 611
Expedition to St. John's, — Massachusetts proceedings 613
CORRESPONDENCE: between June 28th and July 17th,
1777 614-628
Letter from Gen. Schuyler, relating to Ticonderoga 614
Certificate of Jno O'Neil 615
Application of Epping Committee for salt 615
Letter from Keene, asking help for Ticonderoga 615
Letter from Vermont, — the Militia of that State 616
Letter from Col. Seth Warner, of Vermont 616
Letter from Meshech Weare, relating to salt for Epping 617
Letter from Col. Joseph Badger, relating to Ticonderoga 617
Letter from Col. Ebenr Smith to Committee of Safety 618
Letter from Gen. St. Clair, Ticonderoga evacuated 618, 619
Letter from Gen. Washington, relating to Gen. Howe 620
Letter from Comtee of Portsmouth on ship Raleigh 621
Letter to Gov. Trumbull — evacuation of Ticonderoga 621
Letter from officers at Bennington — evacuation of Ti‑
conderoga 623
Letter from officers of New-Hampshire regiments
evacuation of Ticonderoga 623
Orders to Capt. Thomas Gilman, of Exeter gaol 624
Letter from Maj. Stephen Peabody — battle of Castleton 625
Letter from Col. Benj. Bellows — our losses and dangers 625
Letter from Col. Timothy Walker on persons returning
from the army 626
Letter from Col. Enoch Hale in gaol at Charlestown 626
Private letter from Gov. John Wentworth 627
Private letter to Gov. John Wentworth 628
July. SPECIAL SESSION — Journal of the House 629-639
Report of Committee on business 629, 630
Letters from Ira Allen, Esq., of Vermont 631
Letters from Gen. St. Clair 631-633
Letters from N. H. Committee of Safety to Massa 634
N. H. Militia divided into two Brigades 635
Persons inimical to the American cause to be disarmed
Militia may be drafted 638
GENERAL CONTENTS. xix
1777. PAGES
July. CORREPSONDENCE between July 19th and
Sept, 17th,1777 640-680
Letter to General Stark on the condition of the army 640
Letter from Col. Seth Warner to N. H. Committee 641
Orders to draft men. Advance of British troops 642
Letters from Beza Woodward, Col. John Hurd, &c. 642, 643
Letters from Col. Jacob Bailey and Col. Morey 644
Letter from Gov, Cooke, of R. I., on appearance of a
fleet 645
Committee of Safety to Gen. Ward 645
Orders to Militia Colonels to draft. Letter from Gen.
Schuyler. Defence of Portsmouth 646
Letter from Gen. Folsom 647
Letter from New York Council of Safety on their tri‑
als, &c. 647
Letter from Gen. Wm. Williams to Gen. Stark 648
Resolves of Congress, relating to evacuation of Ticon‑
deroga 649
Instructions for Gen. Stark 650
Letter from Gen. Stark to Comtee of Safety 650
Resolves of Congress for raising recruits 651
Letter from Gen. Washington to Gen. Putnam relating
to the British fleet 652
Letter from Comtee of Safety to Wm. Weeks, Esq. 653
Letter from Gen. Washington to Gen. Putnam relating
to Gen. Howe's movements 653
Letter from Gen. Stark, relating to stores at Charles-
town, &c. Return of said stores. Letter to Gen.
Stark 654, 655
Resolves and order of Congress 656
Letters from Jona. Gove and John Stevens, prisoners
at Exeter 656
Letters from Gen. Gates, asking for troops, and from
Hon. John Hancock. Order of Gen. Stark, &c. 657
Gen. Burgoyne's orders to inhabitants of Castleton 658
Gen. Schuyler's address to the same 658
Letter from Gov. John Wentworth to his father 659
Letter from Gen. Washington on army regulations 660
Proclamation by Gen. Burgoyne 660
Letters, &c., relating to Gen. Stark's command 662, 663
Gen. Burgoyne's instructions to Col. Baum 664
Letter from Maj. Jona. Hale to Col. Morey 666
Letter from persons in the army belonging to New Ipswich 667
xx GENERAL CONTENTS.
1777. PAGES
July. Vermont Council of Safety to Col. Marsh 668
Gen. Stark's first engagement at Bennington; trophies
of war sent to New-Hampshire 669
Gen. Stark's account of the battle at Bennington, 16th
August, 1777; notes, &c. 670, 671
Letter from Gen. Stark; order of Committee of Safety;
Col. Nathan Hale to be arrested 672
Resolves of Congress, relating to Quakers 673
Letter from our delegates in Congress 673
Resolve of Congress, relating to military stores, &c. 675
Petition of William Vance for relief from prison 675
Remonstrance against release of Col. Holland 675
Letter from Jere. Clough, in Exeter gaol, to his father 676
Letter from Plymouth, relating to counterfeiters 676
Resolution relating to Mark Hg Wentworth 677
Movements of Gen. Lincoln; the battle of Brandywine 678
Letters from Gen. Stark and Gen. Gates 679
Orders to Col. Stephen Evans to march to Bennington 679
Letter to Gen. Stark desiring him to remain in the
service 680
JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE — resumed 681-699
List of members, towns, and distance 681-683
Report of Committee on a new proportion of taxes 685-689
Letter from Capt. Thomas Thompson, of the ship
Raleigh 690
Report of Committee on paper currency 691
Report of New England Convention at Springfield, Mass. 691
Letter from Capt. Paul Jones 692
Letter from Col. Stephen Evans, order to march 693
Resolve relating to driving cattle, &c., out of the State 696
A prison-ship to be provided for prisoners 697
Gen. Whipple to command the Northern army 697
Letter from Gen. Jacob Bailey 697
Letter from Gen. Bailey 698
Letter from Peter Labaree, Esq. 698
Orders from Charlestown Comtee of Safety about prisoners 698
Vote for calling new members of the Assembly 699
Sept. CORRESPONDENCE, from Sept. 30 to Oct. 23, 1777 700-711
Letter from Col. John Hurd, relating to Capt. Thornton 700
Letter from Comtee of Safety in Newington, about Benj.
Adams 701
GENERAL CONTENTS. xxi
1777. PAGES
Sept. Letters from Col. Goffe and Hon. Nathl Folsom 701
Oct. Orders to Gen. Whipple to re-inforce the Northern army 701
Thanks by Congress to Gen. Stark 702
Letter relating to a flag of truce from R. I. 702
Reply to said letter 702
Letter from Stephen Holland to be allowed bonds 703
Letter from Comtee of Safety to Gov. Trumbull 703
Letter from Dr. Silas Hedges about counterfeiters 703
Court-martial, — Maj. Gen. Sullivan 703
Letter relating to the above from Hon. John Hancock 704
Orders of Committee of Safety to Noah Emery, Jun. 705
Letter from Gen. Sullivan — battle of Germantown 705
Letter from Gen. Folsom relating to Gen. Howe's army 706
Letter from Gen. Wm. Whipple 706
Letter from Gen. Wm. Whipple relating to Burgoyne's
army 707
Account of the British army under Burgoyne 708
Prisoners taken at Saratoga 708
Ordnance and Stores taken at Saratoga 709
Letter from Col. Evans relating to a part of his Regi‑
ment 709
Deserters from Col. Evans's regiment, names of 710
Nov. JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE—resumed 712-725
Vote in relation to Quakers 713
Form of Oath and Declaration to be taken 714
General Thanksgiving for Victory, &c. 716
Affairs in Grafton County — Asa Porter 717
Embargo Act repealed 718
Appointment of Civil officers 718
Act relating to taxes in unincorporated places 719
Letter from Gen. Bailey 720
Act relating to persons suspected of treason 721
Encouragement for manufacture of paper 721
Abstract of proceedings of the Assembly from the 19th
to the 29th of November 722-725
CORRESPONDENCE from Nov. 1 to Dec. 17, 1777 726-736
Letter from Col. Bailey relating to suspected persons 726
Resolves of Congress, relating to North River passes 726
Letters from Col. Morey and Geo. J. Trumbull. Arti‑
cles of agreement relating to manufacture of powder 727
xxii GENERAL CONTENTS.
1777. PAGES
Nov. Letter from Col. Senter. Richard Peters. Resolve of
Congress relating to outstanding bills, &c. Letter
from Gen. Heath about Canadian prisoners 728
Resolves of Congress relating to prosecution of the war 728-732
Letters from Londonderry, relating to Col. Holland 732
Resolves of Congress, relating to an enterprise under
Gen. Stark 733, 734
Letter from Londonderry, relating to Robert Fulton 734
Letter from Gen. Poor about N. H. troops. Note 735
Dec. JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE—resumed 736-746
List of members of the House [see Index — "Names"] 736-739
List of members of the Council 739
Rules of the House 740
Petition of Comtee of Safety in Chesterfield 741
Letter from Gov. Cooke of R. I. John Robertson. Hon.
Henry Laurens. Answer to Gov. Cooke, and report
and resolution relative to aid for Rhode Island 742
Gen. Sullivan in the battle of Brandywine. Letter
from Gen. Sullivan 743
Act relating to persons inimical to the States 745
Report on public affairs 746
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION 747-753
Letter from Hon. Henry Laurens relating to said articles 754
Letter from Hon. Nathl Folsom relating to the same 755
Hon. Josiah Bartlett and Wm. Whipple, delegates to
Congress. Nicholas Gilman, treasurer and receiver‑
general 756
Directions for calling a free representation in conven‑
tion to form a new constitution 757, 758
Order respecting New York tory prisoners at Amherst 759
Wyseman Clagett. Note 759
1778.
Jan. Military and civil officers appointed 761
Return of numbers wanting to complete the Continental
troops—Resolves of Congress 764, 765
Feb. JOURNAL — continued 766
List of Representatives and of the Council [see Index
— "Names"] 766, 767
Notice to absentees and deserters from the army, by
Gen. Poor 789
GENERAL CONTENTS. xxiii
1778. PAGES
Feb. Board of War appointed 771
Samuel Livermore, Esq. Note 772
Exeter the place of Rendezvous for soldiers 770, 773
Report on calling a Convention at Concord, to form a
constitution 774, 775
Act to dissolve the marriage relation of Robert and
Elizabeth Rogers 777
Mar. Report on the manufacture of wool cards 777
Resolution to adopt the Articles of Confederation 778
Vote to raise money, iSsue notes, &c. 779
Delegates to Congress chosen 780, 783
Play at cards by members of the house offensive 783
Notes by the editor 786
Aug. JOURNAL of the House — continued . 787-815
List of members of the House [see Index — "Names,"] 787, 788
List of the Council 788
Delegates to Congress, appointed 789, 790
Vermont controversy. Note 790
Prisoners at Exeter, — report upon 791
Committee of Safety, appointed, &c. 792
Case of Stephen Holland of Londonderry. Note 793
Oct. Defence of Piscataqua harbour 797
Rhode Island volunteers 800
Manufacture of paper 802
Resolve to confiscate property of tories, 803, 808
Naval and civil officers. Thanks to Gen. Sullivan 805
Damages and losses at New Castle—estimated 806
PUBLIC ACTS: (1) To prevent the return of certain
deserters, who have joined the British. (2) To con‑
fiscate the estates of such persons 810-814
Dec. Proceedings of General Assembly from Dec. 18 to
Dec. 24 815, 816
Resolves of Convention relating to New Hampshire
Grants 817, 818
JOURNAL of General Assembly from Dec. 26, 1778 to
Apr. 3d, 1779 819-826
List of Representatives [see Index — "Names,"] . 819-821
List of Council, Rules, &c. 821
1779
Mar. Sale of Gov. John Wentworth's estate (in part) 822
xxiv GENERAL CONTENTS.
1779. PAGES
Mar. Vote of thanks &c. to Col. Joseph Cilley 823
Committee of Safety. Civil officers 825, 826
June. Address of Congress to the people of the United States 827
Civil officers appointed 828, 829
Raising soldiers for the Continental service, and, pro‑
portion for Rhode Island 830
Oct. New-Hampshire Grants. Tory families in Danbarton,
Goffstown, &c. 833, 834
Nov. Field officers for the 9th regiment 835
Stores at No. 4 to be disposed of 836
Civil officers appointed. Soldiers to be supplied with
clothing, &c. 837, 838
Dec. List of Representatives [see "Names" and index] 839-841
Members of the Council 847
Re-enlisting Continental troops. Bounty 842
Samuel Livermore, Esq., delegate to Congress 844, 845
1780.
Jan. Committee of Safety 845
Implements for counterfeiting found 847
Depreciation money 848
Rule of estimation for inventory of estates 849-851
Instructions to Committee of Safety 854
April. Supplies for the Continental army. Gov. Wentworth's
farm at Wolfeborough 855, 856
Table of depreciation of currency 858
June. Members of the Council. Sale of Gov. Wentworth's
estate 860, 861
Rule for proportioning men to be raised from the militia
in the State 862, 863
Estates of absentees to be sold 864
Proportion of men to be stationed at Portsmouth, and
on the Western frontier 865
Proportion of officers and men for the Continental army 866
Militia of the State to be in four Divisions 867
CORRESPONDENCE 868-873
Letter from Col. Moses Nichols relating to our troops in
the Highlands, N. Y. 869
Letter from Gen. Washington on distressed condition
of the army 870
Letter relating to the troops in Coos 872
GENERAL CONTENTS. xxv
1780. PAGES
June. Letter — appointment of Col. Jabez Hatch, Dep. Qr.
Master 872
Letter from the President of Congress on arrangements
for the army 873
Oct. JOURNAL — resumed 884
Precept for calling a new Assembly, and also a Conven‑
tion to settle a Plan of Government 875
Nov. Officers of the tenth Regiment of militia, and civil offi‑
cers 878, 879
List of Towns discounted for money advanced for boun‑
ties to Soldiers 880
1781.
Jan. Rev. Israel Evans — note 882
Letter from Gen. John Stark 883
Instruction to delegates in Congress respecting the New‑
Hampshire Grants 885
Report of Committee on calling a Convention 885
Report of Committee on pay of soldiers in the army dur‑
ing the war 886
Votes relating to delegates for Congress 887
Scouting parties on the Western frontiers. Committee
of Safety 888
Mar. Names of members of the Council 890
Votes relating to N. H. soldiers in the Massachusetts
service, and to depreciation of currency 892
Report on Petition of Gen. James Reed — supplies for
the army 893
Votes relating to Ecclesiastical difficulties in Goffstown,
to a representative from Hollis, to a Convention in
Concord for settling a form of Government, to milit-
ary offices in the State, soldiers not to be imprisoned
for debt 894, 895
Apr. Phillips Exeter Academy incorporated 895
Estates of Absentees to be confiscated. Dartmouth Col‑
lege lands. Western frontiers 896
Resolve for calling a Convention, at Concord, to form
a Constitution. Yeas and nays 897
Letter relating to the sale of Stephen Holland's lands 899
June. List of members of House of Representatives 900-903
Appointment of 650 men for the army — field officers 904, 905
xxvi GENERAL CONTENTS.
1781. PAGES
June. Table of depreciation of currency 907
Letter from Lt. Bezaleel Howe 909
Letter from Capt. Ebenezer Webster 909
Aug. Filling up our quota of the Continental army 912
Nov. Appointment of civil officers 916
Release of persons imprisoned at No. 4 917-922
Dec. Rules of the House 918-921
Names of members of the Council 921
Delegates to Congress 923, 929
An armed force for the western part a the State. Pro‑
portion of men to be drafted therefor, &c. 925-929
A tax, to raise £110,000 927
Batteries at Piscataqua harbour 929
Meeting of the General Assembly at Concord 932-936
1782.
Mar. List of Representatives and of the Council, 1782 933-935
Courts opened in Grafton county. Appointment of
civil officers 939
June. Defense of Piscataqua harbor 941
Celebration of the birth of the Dauphin of France 942
Resignation of Chief Justice, Hon. Meshech Weare 942
Resolution relating to certain towns in Vermont 943
Hon. Samuel Livermore appointed Chief Justice 944
Hon. John Sullivan, Attorney General 945
Companies for defense of the frontiers 946
Letter from Capt. Isaac Frye 948
Sept. Towns classed for representatives 949
Nov. Votes relating to Mrs. Holland, wife of Stephen H. 953, 960
Ferry over Merrimac river 953
Appointment of civil officers 955
Payments to civil officers and others 957
Address to the Commander of the French forces at
Portsmouth 960
1783.
Jan. Letters from Hon. John T. Gilman 962-964
Articles of Peace signed at Versailles 963
Feb. Letter from Hon. John Sullivan. Delegates to Congress 965
Form of Inventory for taxes 966
Estate of John Tufton Mason 967
Resolution relating to the existing form of government 969, 970
Mar. Appointment of civil and military officers 970, 972
Names of sick or wounded soldiers 973-975
GENERAL CONTENTS. xxvii
1783. PAGES
April. Enlistments suspended 976
Report of a committee of Congress, relating to the
inhabitants in the several States for taxation 976
June. A ferry over Saco river. Phillips Exeter Academy 977
Civil officers appointed. Custom House at Portsmouth 978
Address to the people of New-Hampshire, relating to
the eighth article of confederation 980-983
THANKSGIVING FOR PEACE, — A PROCLAMATION 984
Names of the Honorable Councilors in New-Hampshire, under the Constitution, from 1776 to 1783.
1776. MESHECH WEARE,
MATTHEW THORNTON,
WILLIAM WHIPPLE,
JOSIAH BARTLETT,
NATHANIEL FOLSOM,
THOMAS WESTBROOK WALDRON,(1)
EBENEZER THOMPSON,
WYSEMAN CLAGETT,
JONATHAN BLANCHARD,
SAMUEL ASHLEY,
BENJAMIN GILES,
JOHN HURD.
1777. NICHOLAS GILMAN,
GEORGE ATKINSON,
TIMOTHY WALKER,
MATTHEW PATTEN,
BENJAMIN BELLOWS.
1779. MOSES NICHOLS,
JACOB ABBOT.
1780. GEORGE ATKINSON,
JOHN McCLARY,
——————
(1) It does not appear from the records that Thomas W'k Waldron took his seat as a councilor, but that Hon. John Wentworth was in his stead aa councilor from Strafford Co.
xxviii GENERAL CONTENTS.
1780. TIMOTHY FARRAR,
SAMUEL HUNT,
ENOCH HALE,
CHARLES JOHNSTON.
1781. WOODBURY LANGDON,
GEORGE FROST,
JOHN HALE,
WYSEMAN CLAGETT,
BENJAMIN BELLOWS,
FRANCIS WORCESTER.
1782. TIMOTHY FARRAR,
JACOB ABBOT,
THOMAS SPARHAWK,
CHARLES JOHNSTON.
1783. FRANCIS WORCESTER.