NOTE BY THE Editor. The papers which follow are copies of letters written by the Committee of Safety of New Hampshire, 1779-1784, in relation to matters of immediate concern at that time; and are of especial historical value, as showing the embarrassments of the country, the difficulty of raising money for the support of the war; the dangers of frontier towns; the patriotic spirit of the committee, and the sacrifices made by the people. That portion of the papers which relates to the troubles in border towns, 1780-1783, is printed in connection with other documents relating to the same affairs. The letters were mostly written by Hon. Meshech Weare, President of the Committee of Safety, but a part of them by Hon. Josiah Bartlett, who was next to Mr. Weare in influence and authority. LETTERS, &C., BY THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. [P. I.] State of New Hampshire. In Committee of Safety January 9th 1779. SIR-A Letter from your committee to the Committee of Correspondence for the town of Alstead, has been laid before this Committee, and the son of Simon Baxter (mentioned by you) examined, who hath confessed, that he received of his said father about six hundred Dollars in Bills which he supposes were counterfeits, that he passed to one Joseph Welsh of Cambridge in your State about two hundred Dollars in said Bills for which he received of said Welsh two Guineas and two half Johannes's in hard money & the use of two horses to carry him & his Baggage to Littleton, that Welsh knew the money was counterfeit, and that Welsh is a great enemy to the United States, which he knew before and therefore called on him at that time. Some part of the money he says hath not been passed and the Committee expect to get possession thereof as an officer is gone in quest of it, as also to apprehend some person accused of uttering several Bills. If any thing of moment should turn up in further sifting this affair relative to sa Simon Baxter, or any Person in your state the earliest notice will be sent you. [P. 2.] P. S. The examinant declareth that said Welsh manifested a great desire of getting to New York and enquire concerning the Rent of Houses & there. State of New) To the Officer or Officers having the Hampshire. charge of the Continental Stores of Provisions & Ammunitions at Coos: By direction of the General Assembly of this State, I am to request you to furnish the Troops sent by this State for the defence of the Western frontiers with the necessary Supplies of the above articles during their continuance in those parts. Feb. 19th 1780. SIR Exeter March 7th 1780. The Treasurer of this state laid before the General Assembly two Drafts from Congress on him in your favour for three hundred thousand Dollars cash, and at the same time, represented that the Treasury was destitute of money. I am directed to inform you, that notwithstanding the whole sums which Congress called on this State for, to be paid by the first of January last, have been assessed on the Inhabitants & the greatest part thereof paid into the Treasury as also a large sum for the contingency of the State & [P. 3.] in addition thereto as much as could be procured on Loans; Yet such hath been the amazing Depreciation of the Currency as so far to exceed our Calculations, that the whole hath been found quite insufficient for the Demands which we are under the necessity of answering within our own State, such as recruiting the Army, providing cloathing, paying a small part of what we have agreed to pay our soldiers for Depreciation, and other contingencies, that it is with great regret they find it impossible to pay your Drafts. Jacob Cuyler Esq. State of New I am &c. In Committee of Safety March 31st 1780. To Major Joseph Bass, Clothier for the New Hampshire Troops in the Continental Service. In executing the Business of your department you are to strictly observe (as possible) all the Acts, Rules, and Regulations of Congress relative thereto. Also to observe & obey the Instructions & Directions you shall receive from the Board of War of this State, to whom you are to apply from time to time for Orders in managing the Business you are intrusted with, And you are constantly as opportunity shall offer, & circumstances require, to correspond with said Board of War & inform them of the state of the supplies in your hands, & call on them for new supplies. [P. 4.] SIR. Exeter April 28th 1780. I am honored with the receipt of your favour of the 18th Inst which I immediately laid before the Gen1 Assembly, who after due consideration thereof were very sensibly impressed with the distresses of our Brethren, inhabitants of the eastern parts now suffering and exposed to the enemy holding possession of Penobscot, And of the importance of Defending against their excursions in those parts and if possible to rescue that Post out of their hands; And are very sorry that they cannot at this time afford assistance to a sister State in Defence of that Country being under the necessity of raising considerable forces to defend their Northern & Western Frontiers which we apprehend to be in eminent Danger from Canada. But in Case an expedition should be ordered by Congress to reduce the enemy at Penobscot this State will exert themselves to the utmost to assist in carrying it into execution. Hon. Jerem Powell Esq. GENTLEMEN Exeter April 28th 1780. The Indians drove from the Seneca County having arrived in Canada the winter past and the probability of their being inspired with sentiments of Revenge have greatly alarmed the inhabitants of our Western frontiers together with the likelihood of their being joined by a great number of Refugees from this and the neighbouring States. The Canada Indians & perhaps some of the British Troops |