be only witnesses, as yet, of the scenes of pillage and of slaughter, perpetrated by the sons of violence. The enemy were retreated. Our situation obliged us to return, not to neglect the cause, but that we might prosecute, by united and consistent counsels, with steady firmness.

As soon as convenience would allow, being directed by our brethren of this Colony to act for them in the present exigence, which seems not to allow time for consulting America at large, feeling for ourselves, our friends, and our Country, we have determined to exert our utmost efforts in defence of the common cause of America, and for the present have resolved to raise the number of two thousand men, (including officers,) to be employed as occasion shall require, under the regulation of this Convention, until we have the advice of the Continental Congress, to whose superintendence we choose to submit. We have, in consequence, engaged to provide for the pay of the above number, until the last day of December next.

We beg leave to suggest that this will, of course, introduce a vast expense. We will not conceal that the circulating cash in this Province is very small, in but a trifling proportion, as we suppose, to the necessary demand on this occasion. We ask the advice and assistance of the Congress with regard to the best method of carrying the above vote into execution. We desire to have the benefit of some general plan for bills of credit, or that we may act with the advice of the Congress in issuing such ourselves; or that we may be pointed to such other methods as shall appear just and equal, in apportioning the expense of the common cause.

Although we ardently wish that, if possible, a connection may yet be preserved between Great Britain and these Colonies, founded on the invariable principles of justice, and the general principles of the British Constitution, yet we are entirely disposed to respect, and willing to submit to any plan of further uniting the Colonies, for the purpose of common security and defence.

We will not conceal that many among us are disposed to conclude, that the voice of God and Nature, to us, since the late hostile design and conduct of Great Britain, is, that we are bound to look to our whole political affairs.

We have not yet largely and fully consulted with one another on this article, but have only acted with the single view of the plain necessity of certain steps to be taken, to secure us from the ruin which the British Ministry have prepared for us. We trust we shall keep this alone in view until we hear the united plan of the Colonies in the General Council, which we pray and trust may be under the influence of Heaven.

By order of the Convention of the Colony of New-Hampshire.

I am, gentlemen, your most humble servant,

MATTHEW THORNTON, President.

To the Honourable Members of the Congress now sitting in the City of Philadelphia.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

GENTLEMEN: We acknowledge the honour of an interview with your Committee, the Honourable Joseph Gerrish, Esquire, and Colonel Ebenezer Sawyer, and the intelligence by them communicated to us; and, in way of reply, would inform you, that in consideration of the present alarming state of the Colonies in general, and your Province in particular, we have determined to raise, for the common defence and safety, two thousand men, including officers and those already employed in the publick service, belonging to this Province; to be raised and qualified as soon as may be, and more, if it shall appear to be our proportion, as soon as a proper estimate can be made. And in respect to such other matters as your Committee had in commission to us, we shall take them into our serious consideration; as they are matters of so great importance we cannot immediately determine respecting them, but would wait the advice and direction of the General Congress, to which we are about immediately to apply, as we find you have done. We would beg leave to assure you that the people of this Province appear to be heartily engaged in the common cause, and at all hazards determined to stand by and support it, relying on Divine Providence for success.

By order of Convention:

MATTHEW THORNTON, President.

To the Honourable Congress of Massachusetts-Bay.

COLONEL JOHN FENTON TO THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

Portsmouth, N. H., May 23, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I this moment received your letter of the twenty-third instant. I do assure you, gentlemen, I mentioned the matter respecting the Indians coming down on our frontiers, in my letter to the people of the County of Grafton, as a matter of opinion only, nor have I the least clue or circumstance to guide me in these sentiments but mere opinion.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN FENTON.

P. S. I wrote that letter to the people of the County of Grafton out of absolute friendship and regard to the County.

Portsmouth, April 26, 1775.

To the People of the County of GRAFTON, from a real friend, who sincerely wishes their well doing: :

For God’s sake pay the closest attention to the sowing and planting your lands, and do as much of it as possible, not only for your own and families’ subsistence, but to supply the wants of your fellow-men down country; for you may be assured that every kind of distress, in the provision way, is coming upon them.

Let nothing induce you to quit your farming business. Mind no reports; and do not think of coming down country to fight. There are enough without you; therefore your diligence in farming will much more serve your Country than coming to assist us. Much depends on the back settlements raising plenty of grain.

I am informed that should the people from the back settlements take up arms, a number of Indians and Canadians will fall upon them; but that if they remain quiet they will not. This I inform you of from the love I bear you, and give it you as a sincere friend should do.

JOHN FENTON.

Exeter, June 27, 1775.

Colonel Fenton’s compliments to the President of the Congress, requests to know if it will be convenient to be called before them to-morrow morning; if so, he begs he may be informed, as his family are only waiting to know what is to become of him, before they quit this Province.

In Congress, Exeter, June 30, 1775.

Upon a full hearing of sundry complaints against Colonel John Fenton :

Voted, That the said Colonel John Fenton is an enemy to the liberties of America.

July 1, l775.

Voted, That Captain Josiah Moulton be desired to take four men and an officer out of Captain Elkins’s Company at Hampton, and convey Colonel John Fenton to Head-Quarters of the New-Hampshire Forces, and deliver him to General Nathaniel Folsom, there to be confined till further orders.

PETITION OF CAPTAIN DELAPLACE.

To the Honourable the General Assembly of the Governour and Company of the ENGLISH Colony of CONNECTICUT, in NEW-ENGLAND, in AMERICA, now convened at HARTFORD.

The memorial of William Delaplace, a Captain in His Majesty’s Twenty-sixth Regiment, and commandant of the Fort and Garrison of Ticonderoga, in behalf of himself and the officers and soldiers under his command, beg leave to represent our difficult situation to your Honours, and petition for redress.

Your memorialist would represent, that on the morning of the tenth of May instant, the Garrison of the Fortress of Ticonderoga, in the Province of New-York, was surprised by a party of armed men under the command of one