Page images
PDF
EPUB

State of

New Hampshire

SIR

In Committee of Safety

Exeter Sept 28th 1781.

Inclosed you have a copy of Major General Heath's letter in consequence of which we have ordered Lieut Colonel [P. 95.] Raynolds with the regiment under his command to march to Charlestown as soon as may be. We have requested of Colo Hunt to supply them with provisions as Issuing Commissary in case there is no Continental Issuing Commissary there & if there is not any continental store there, we have desired him to call on Esq Blood for beef & bread to whom we have wrote on the subject and directed him to receive such quantities of bread (in lieu of beef) from the towns as may be necessary for that purpose. As we have no money in the Treasury to purchase with must rely on the towns supplying with the necessary quantities. We shall request of Majr Gen1 Heath that the men may remain in this State or parts adjacent that they may be ready to assist in case the enemy should attempt to make any inroads from Canada. We have directed Col° Raynolds, in case there is no continental General Officer in that department to command him to receive such orders as may be given him from time to time by any Gen1 Officer belonging to this State. You will therefore give him such orders & directions from time to time as you may judge necessary.

[blocks in formation]

Inclosed you have a copy of Maj. Gen1 Heath's letter in consequence of which, we sent an express to Springfield, and have ordered Col° Raynolds with the men under his command to march immediately to Charlestown. We have wrote to Colo Hunt to call on Francis Blood Esq. for supplies, and to see to the issuing the same to the troops.

In case of an attack by the enemy it is likely that Colo

Raynolds will be sent to your assistance: he is to be under the Command of Gen1 Bellows, in case there is no continental Officer sent to take command. Should they be sent to your assistance, it is expected you will do all in your power to supply Esq. Blood with beef & bread, who will call on the towns for the same. The price of the bread supplied will be deducted from the beef called for by this State, as there is not money in the Treasury to purchase it. It is probable that Colo Hunt will see that some person is employed to issue provisions, if they should march up the river. We have inclosed some copies of a Resolve of Congress relative to the Vermont affair, which you may distribute as you [P. 97.] please. We have sent a large number of the copies to the several towns in Cheshire and Grafton.

[blocks in formation]

SIR-Your letter of the 17th instant directed to the President of this State was received the 25th instant. The President being absent, the Committee have taken the same under consideration. The accounts we have lately received from the western parts of this State serve to confirm us in the sentiments held forth in your letter, that the enemy will probably attempt to make inroads on the settlements at Connecticut river.

Some part of our militia had marched previous to the receipt of your letter & had orders to rendezvous at Springfield; But the great difficulties subsisting in the western part of this State, on account of the dispute of Vermont, in addition to the probability of the enemy's movements that way, induced the Committee to order that those men, who [P. 98.] had set out for Springfield should be immediately marched to Charlestown and that those who had not marched should be sent thither by the nearest rout. We are doubtful whether the continental stores there are suffi

cient for the men and have given orders for the supplying them from the provisions which we were to raise by orders of Congress the present year.

We have given orders to the Commandant of the Regiment to report to you name rank and the number of militia with him, agreeably to your letter.

The greater part of the towns in two Counties of this State (East of Connecticut river) deny the jurisdiction of the State, and have joined the State of Vermont (so called) and notwithstanding the late Resolutions of Congress still persist in joining Vermont.

The difficulties are so many and great in those parts, that the Committee are of opinion that it is absolutely necessary the men should remain in that Quarter. If the men should be ordered to the Southward the march will be long, and the term of their enlistment being short will expire before they can do much Service-If you should be of opinion that they remain there and no Continental Officer should be in [P. 99.] that quarter to give them orders, Brigadier General Bellows (of this State's Militia, who lives at Walpole) will be near and will give the necessary orders in case of alarm &c.

[blocks in formation]

Your letter of the 4th Instant we received, are well pleased with your exertions in collecting beef. Have sent by the bearer three hundred pounds new Emission. Trust you will lay it out to the best advantage, you will receipt for the same to the bearer-Hope you will do you utmost to procure flour for the troops at the Westward.

By order of the Comtee

Francis Blood Esq.

JOSIAH BARTLETT Chairm" Copy.

[P. 100.] State of

}

SIR

New Hampshire ( In Comtee of Safety Exeter
Oct 6th 1781

Your letter of the 2a Instant we have received & observed the Contents have given Orders to the Board of War to send a Waggon with 300lb powder 600lb of Lead or Balls and a 1000 flints to Charlestown as soon as possible and to deliver said Articles to you for the use of Colo Runnels's Regiment which you will deliver them at such times and in such quantities as you may think proper-With respect to Barracks fuel Cooking utensils &c if you cannot supply them in your official Capacity must request that you would do the same in the best way you can on account of the state for which you will be paid-Doubt not you will do every thing in your power for supplying provisions &c.

I am

Your most Obt Servt

JOSIAH BARTLETT Chairm"

Colo Sam' Hunt.

Copy.

State of

In Committee of Safety New Hampshire Exeter, Octo 12th 1781.

SIR

The Regiment of militia raised by this State (on account for the United [States] at the request of his Excellency General Washington) and now at Charlestown under the command of Lt Col Raynolds were ordered to that place in consequence of a Letter from General Heath of the 17th ult In [P. 101.] which Letter the General requests that we would order the Issuing Commissary to see that they are served with provisions while detained in the State-Agreeably to which request (as we are informed that you are Issuing Commissary in that department) You are directed to furnish them with the necessary supplies while detained in this State. M. WEARE President.

[blocks in formation]

State of

In Committee of Safety, New Hampshire ( Exeter Octo 12th 1781.

SIR

As you have represented to this Comtee that you cannot comply with their Orders of the 27th ulto for exchanging Beef for Flour-This is therefore to authorize you to dispose of as many of the Beef Cattle which you shall collect (to the best advantage) for hard money as shall enable you to purchase a sufficiency of flour to supply the regiment commanded by Lt Col Raynolds with bread while they continue on duty in this State.

Francis Blood, Esq. Copy.

State of
New Hampshire

SIR

M. WEARE Presdt.

In Committee of Safety
Exeter Octo 12th 1781.

You are hereby desired to receive from any Individual (in those Towns where the Beef Tax is not made) such quantity of beef or wheat or flour equal thereto as they may chuse to deliver you giving them a receipt in the form following

State of

New Hampshire

M. WEARE, Presidt.

Received of
wt of
Beef or wheat or flour

equal to so much Beef which shall be allowed as part of
the proportion of the Town of
to the Beef Tax
which was made by an Act of the General Court of the
27th of January last or the full value of said Beef paid to
the said
by this State.

[blocks in formation]
« PreviousContinue »