Letter from Abraham Tenbroeck to John Hancock, President of Congress, dated [P. 65.] SIR Kingston, Ulster County 1 March, 1777. The inclosed letters and resolutions were proposed some time since, but for reasons with which you need not be troubled were delayed. Some late proceedings of the disaffected within this State, occasions their being now transmitted. I am directed to inform you that the Convention are engaged in establishing a firm and permanent system of Government. When this important Business is accomplished, they will dispatch a satisfactory state of their Boundaries, and the principles on which they are founded for the Information of Congress. In the mean time they depend upon the justice of your Hon'ble House, in adopting every wise and salutary expedient to suppress the mischiefs which must ensue both to this State and the General Confederacy, from the unjust and pernicious project of such of the Inhabitants of New-York, as merely from selfish and interested motives, have fomented this dangerous Insurrection. The Congress may be assured that the spirit of Defection, notwithstanding all the arts and violence of the seducers, is by no means general. The County of Gloucester, and a very great part both of Cumberland and Charlotte Counties, continue steadfast in their allegiance to this Government. Brigadier-General Bailey's letter, a copy of which is inclosed,* will be a sufficient proof of the temper of the people of Gloucester County. Charlotte and Cumberland continue to be represented in Convention, and from very late Information, we learn that out of 80 members which were expected to have attended the mock-Convention of the deluded subjects of [P. 66.] this State, twenty only attended. We are informed by good authority that Colo Warner was directed by the general to send forward his men as he should enlist them, to Ticonderoga; notwithstanding which it appeared by a return from thence not long since, that only 24 privates had reached that post; nor is there the least prospect of his raising a number of men, which can be an object of publick concern, though instead of confining himself to the Green Mountains, as we understand was the intention *Gen. Bailey's letter has not been found.-ED. of the Hon'ble the Congress, he has had the advantage of recruiting in Albany and other places. I have the honour to be, with great respect, Sir, By order, AB Hon'ble JOHN HANCOCK, Esq. TENBROECK, Presid*. Order of Congress on the last three mentioned Papers. In Congress, 7 April 1777. [P. 67.] A letter of the 20th of January, and one of the 1st of March last from the Convention of the State of New York, with an Extract from the minutes of the Committee of Safety of said State, dated January 20th 1777, were received and read. Ordered, That they lie on the Table. Extract from the Journals of Congress. WILLIAM CH HOUSTON, D. Sec'ry. Order of Congress on the Declaration and Petition of Inhabitants of N. H. Grants. In Congress, 8th April 1777. A Declaration and Petition [see ante, p. 242] from sundry Inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants, was received and read. Ordered, That it lie on the Table. Extract from the Journals of Congress. WILLIAM CH HOUSTON, D. Sec'ry. [NOTE. At this juncture of the controversy, the surrender of Ticonderoga and the invasion of Burgoyne's army rendered it necessary for the new government of Vermont to ask help from New Hampshire.-ED.] SECTION VI. VERMONT ASKS AID FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE. Letter from Ira Allen to the Committee of Safety in New Hampshire urging immediate assistance. [State Pap. N. H., vol. VIII, p. 632.] Manchester, 15th July, 1777. In Council of Safety, State of Vermont. GENTLEMEN This State in particular seems to be at present the object of Destruction. By the surrender of the Fortress Ticonderoga a communication is opened to the defenceless inhabitants. on the Frontier, who, having little more in present store than sufficient for the maintenance of their respective Families, and not ability immediately to remove their effects, are therefore induced to accept such Protections as are offered them by the Enemy: By this means those Towns who are most contiguous to them are under necessity of taking such Protection by which the next Town or Towns become equally a frontier as the former Towns before such Protection;and unless we can obtain the assistance of our friends so as to put it immediately in our power to make a sufficient stand against such strength as they may send, it appears that it will soon be out of the power of this State to maintain a frontier. This country, notwithstanding its infancy, seems as well supplied [with] provisions for victualling an army as any country on the Continent; so that on that account, we cannot see why a stand may not as well be made in this State, as in the State of New Hampshire; and more especially as the inhabitants are heartily disposed to defend their Liberties. You, Gentlemen, will be at once sensible, that every such Town as accept protection, are rendered at that instant forever incapable of affording us any further assistance; and what is infinitely worse, as some disaffected persons eternally lurk in almost every Town, such become double fortified to injure their country; our good dispositions to defend ourselves and make a frontier for your State with our own, cannot be carried into execution without your assistance: Should you send immediate assistance we can help you, and should you neglect till we are put to the necessity of taking protection, you readily know it is in a moment out of our power to assist you: your laying these circumstances together, will I hope induce your Honours to take the same into consideration and immediately send us your determination in the Premises. I have the satisfaction to be your Honours The Hon Council of Safety P. S. By Express this moment arrived, we learn that between 3 & 6 Thousand of the Enemy are fortifying at the Town of Castleton-our case calls loud for immediate assistance. (On Public service.) I. ALLEN. Letter from Ira Allen, relating to hastening on Troops to Vermont, &c. [State Pap. N. H., vol. VIII, pp. 633, 634.] Manchester, 15th July, 1777. In Council of Safety, State of Vermont. To all Militia Officers whom it may concern: This is the second and perhaps the last Express we may be able to send you from this post. Your immediate Assistance is absolutely necessary: a few hundred militia troops to be joined to our present strength would greatly add to our present encouragement; as, by very late information we learn that a large scout of the enemy are disposed to take a Tour to this Post, the inhabitants with their families cannot be quieted without an assurance of the arrival of troops directly for their assistance: You will please to let us know your determination without delay. The Continental Store at Bennington seems to be their present aim. You will be supplied with provision here on your arrival. Pray send all the troops you can possibly raise. We can repulse them if we have assistance. I have the honor to be your most obedt Humbl Servt By order of Council, IRA ALLEN, Sec3. Letter from Meshech Weare, in answer to Ira Allen asking assistance as above. SIR [Slade's Ver. State Pap., p. 80.] Exeter, July 19, 1777. I was favoured with yours of the 15th inst. yesterday by express, and laid the same before our General Court who are sitting. We had, previous thereto, determined to send assistance to your State.* They have now determined that a quarter part of the Militia of twelve regiments shall be immediately draughted, formed into three battalions, under the command of Brig. Gen. John Stark, and forthwith sent into your State, to oppose the ravages and coming forward of the enemy; and orders are now issuing, and will all go out in a few hours to the several Colonies for that purpose. Dependence is made that they will be supplied with provisions in your State; and I am to desire your Convention will send some proper person or persons to Number Four, by Thursday next, to meet Gen. Stark there, and advise with him relative to the route and disposition of our Troops, and to give him such information as you may then have, relative to the manoeuvres of the enemy. In behalf of the Council and Assembly, I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, Ira Allen, Esq. Secretary of the State of Vermont. [NOTE. The fortunate result of the assistance rendered in this emergency, by the victory of Stark at Bennington on the 16th of August ensuing, is matter of history. Subsequently, the rigorous views of the government of New York seem to have been much softened, as appears by the proclamation of Gov. Clinton, which follows.-ED. By mistake, the order to Gen. Stark, dated July 19, 1777, was printed, in N. H. State Pap., vol. viii, p. 310, "July 19, 1776."-ED. |