State of New York, by reason of the claim of Vermont so called, which matters have been submitted to the determination of Congress: But there does not at present appear a prospect of a Speedy Determination of Congress respecting the Matter. It is represented, that an Agreement between the States of New York and New Hampshire, respecting the Boundaries, might probably tend to bring the matter to an issue, and that the people in general between Connecticut River and the height of land, would be better satisfied to belong to New Hampshire than to Vermont, if Vermont could be made a seperate State. What the disposition of the people on the west side of the height of land may be, I am not able to say. If these difficulties could be settled to general Satisfaction, it would be happy. I am to request, Sir, that you would take the mind of your Legislature Respecting the Matter, and favor me with the result of their deliberations thereon, as soon as may be.

I have the honor to be with much Esteem and
Respect yr most Obt & Humbl servt.

MESHECH WEARE.

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

Letter from Thomas Sparhawk and Benjamin Bellows, relating to affairs in Cheshire County.

[P. 359.] To the Honble Committee of Safety for the State of New Hampshire:

GENTLEMEN-It is with great concern we behold the spirit of opposition to the authority and measures of this State advancing with horrid strides within this County,which is apparent from the conversation and conduct of too many in every Town. The friends of Great Britain have taken unwearied pains to seduce the common People from their allegiance, and herein have been too successful; and it is morally impossible to convince the People of their danger. The idea of the Tyranny of New Hampshire is immovably fixed. The General Assembly, the Compilers of the Constitution, and the Executive authority have combined together to enslave the People, of which, they say, they are fully apprized and are resolved to free themselves

from the shackles. They are determined to raise no men nor pay any Taxes for carrying on the war; this is a burden they cannot and will not bear; they have raised too much already for the great ones to pocket &c. a particular detail of conversation of this kind would fill a volume; a general run whereof you are not unacquainted with-shall not therefore trouble you with any more of it. We have great reason to think that coercive measures must be used in some if not in most of the Towns in this County to collect the Taxes. We were informed yesterday by two persons from Westmoreland that two thirds of that Town are against paying the Tax, and that Capt. Daniel How who hath done much heretofore in the common cause now declares openly for the King of Briton and his Government, and thus it is in almost every place, there are persons of similar sentiments, Ches[P. 360.] terfield, Richmond, Claremont, Cornish, Plainfield and Croydon pay no Taxes. The Collector of Beef Cattle hath agreeable to his orders notified the Towns of his appointment, and of the time and places of his and his Deputies attending to receive Cattle; some Towns have nearly completed their first payment, and why those above mentioned which most of them are wealthier, have done nothing, cannot be conceived, unless upon the foregoing Principles of not paying any Taxes at all. Upon the whole we think from the temper and disposition of too many of the People in this part of the State, troublous times are approachingwhich may Heaven avert;—and you and all who are intrusted with our publick concerns be directed in the way to shun and ward off impending dangers.

A question arises amongst the People who are willing to pay their Taxes, whether Beef shall be received at three pence per pound for the first payment of the Tax? Upon which the Collector and many others would be glad of your opinion; some people also are desirous that the collector may be impowered to exchange Cattle whch are returned to him. (whereof many are not fit to Kill) for those which are; and it appears to us, that such a method in many instances might be beneficial to individuals, and not injurious to the State; but this is submitted to your better judgment.

We have seen a letter signed by His Excellency Meshech Weare Esq. to Mr. Jenison, wherein Jenison is at least impeached of male conduct in his office of Collector of Beef

Cattle. Mr. Jenison's integrity and uprightness was never called in question, and we are humbly of the opinion ought not now: we believe that in his late appointment he hath (as he always did upon all occasions heretofore) exerted himself for the best interest of this and the United States. He and his Deputies may have given receipts for cattle dated a day or two later than the fifteenth of July, yet not with a view of helping himself or his friend, or of injuring the State; but because he could not accomplish the business of apprising, receipting, &c. upon the very day pointed out in his order. We know he hath turned away cattle to the great displeasure of those who offered them, and we are not in the least apprehensive that he would knowingly in the smallest degree swerve from the intent and meaning of his Instructions & orders which he shall from time to time receive.

Wishing you, this State, & the United States prosperity, and freedom from popular Tyranny and oppression, We subscribe ourselves, your obedient Humble servants.

THOS SPARHAWK

Walpole, July 30th, 1782.

BENJA BELLOWS.

Letter from Doct. William Page to President Weare. [P. 363.] SIR,

Charlestown, July 31st 1782.

Your Honor doubtless remembers I stand recognized to appear before the Superior Court to be holden at Exeter in Sept next for accepting an office under the Authority of Vermont. I wish to be discharged from the trial and beg your Honor to lay the matter before the Committee of Safety and take their opinion on the subject. Should they judge I ought to be holden to trial, I pray for the liberty of trial in this County, for which I should have apply'd to the Assembly at their last Sessions, had I not been confident that as the jurisdiction was given up by Vermont and the people returned to New Hampshire, the Assembly would have pass'd an Act of Indemnity or at least Repealed that act that subjects persons here to Trial in any County in the State. Should the Committee not grant my request, I wish the matter might be postponed, if it can be done without my appearing, & I not forfeit my Bonds, untill I have time to

lay it before the Assembly. Why I should be subject to a trial in a case where many others under like circumstances are taken no Notice of, cannot conceive. I pray for an answer by Colo Hunt.

And am sir Your Honors
Most Hbl Servant

Hon Meshech Weare, Esq

President of Comtee of Safety,
N. Hampshire.

[P. 365.]

WILLIAM PAGE.

Request of the Selectmen of Newbury that the jurisdiction of New Hampshire may be extended over said town. Newbury, November 7th, 1782. Whereas applycation was made to the State of New hampshire at their sessions at Concord In June last by Mr. Curtis agent for five Towns, and Incouragement given for Jurisdiction and protection and we are senciable that protection has been afforded from sd State for which we return sd State thanks in the name of this Town and now Desire sa State would Extend Jurisdiction over sd Town in its full Extent as it is the Desire of the Town in General.

Your Humble Servants

SELVN HEATH

JOSHUA BAYLEY Selectmen of Newbury.
FRYOR BAYLEY

P. S. The Vote of Newbury

the 31st of May is inclosed.

The Hon the President, Council and House of Representatives of the State of New Hampshire.

Proceedings at a Town Meeting held in Newbury, Vt.

Newbury, May 31st, 1782.
a full

At a leagal meeting of sa Town on said day being meeting Voted to be under the Government of the State of New hampshire at the same time Chose Gideon Smith to meet a Convension of members from towns who should be

of our opinion at Threadford in order to make application to sd State of New hampshire

but two men Voted in the Negative who were William Wollis and Levi Silvyster.

JACOB KENT Town Clerk.

Letter from P. White and John Taylor Gilman, delegates in Congress, to President Weare.

[P. 367.] SIR

Philada Dec. 11th, 1782.

On the 9th Inst. we were Honored with your Letter of the 26th ultimo, Inclosing a Representation from Mr. Blanchard in behalfe of the New Hampshire Line and the Report of a Committee thereon. The subject of a settlement with the army for Pay, Depreciation & Retained Rations is now under consideration. The substance of the Report is, that Settlements should be immediately made by the United States up to the last Day of December 1781. The propriety of this measure and the Impropriety of such Settlements being made by the States Individually is much urged: We shall endeavour to have this matter determined as soon as possible, and (for sundry reasons) are Induced to urge that [P. 368.] settlements should be made by the State's Individually up to the last day of Dec. 1781.

You have Inclosed sundry Resolutions passed the 5th Inst. respecting the affairs of Vermont; a Resolution is now under consideration for assigning a Day when Congress will make their Final Determination respecting that Territory. This we Endeavoured to have determined in season to be Transmitted by this Post, but it has met with such obstructions as has hitherto prevented; it will probably be done in a few Days-as the final Determination of this matter is of very great Importance, we have to repeat the request that the Honorable the Legislature would be pleased to give their explicit Instructions on the subject. They will undoubtedly Examine the Act of November 1779, and other Resolutions and Instructions now in force on this subject. [P. 369.] It is probable the first Question will be whether they shall be a separate and Independent State; if this should be determined in the Negative, we should then wish