is not long since we were at great expense (for us) in settling a Minister in the Town; and as our farms are mostly new, and our land not quick to produce a crop, we are obliged every year to buy a great part of our provision; and this year especially, as the blast and vermin destroyed a great part of our grain the last year. We have no Town stock of ammunition, nor do we know how to procure it, as all the money we can get must go to purchase the necessaries of life. I am apt to think there is as many men gone and going from this Town in defence of the liberties and privileges of America, as from any Town in this Province, if not more, according to the number of people in this and the other Towns. And we should be as free with our money as with our men, if we had it, and could possibly spare it. The taxes which the Great and General Court of this Province was pleased to lay upon this Town, we petitioned to be relieved of, and not altogether without success. And we hope the Congress will be graciously pleased to excuse us for not complying with their requisitions, when it was not in our power to do it.

In the name and in behalf of the Town,

NATHANIEL STOWELL, Town Clerk.

To the Honourable the Provincial Congress, held at Watertown.

CONDITION OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, AS DELIVERED BY THEIR DELEGATES TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, MAY 27, 1775.

The Delegates from New-Hampshire beg leave to inform the Committee, that two of the principal Towns in that Colony, viz: Portsmouth and Newcastle, are situate on Piscataqua River, near the entrance of the harbour, and are much exposed to naval attacks; that those Towns are about five miles distance from each other, Portsmouth, the capital, lying farthest up the river, and not quite so much exposed as Newcastle, which lies at the entrance, defended only by a fort capable of mounting about thirty pieces of cannon, in the rampart; but the fortifications are extremely weak. That to defend the entrance of the harbour against a naval force, would be extremely difficult, if not impracticable; that batteries might be erected between those Towns, which, with booms, chains, &c., might possibly secure Portsmouth from such attack; that to defend the pass, and secure the retreat of the inhabitants, will require at least fifteen hundred men. But as they have a well-regulated Militia in that neighbourhood, which may suddenly be called together for that purpose, they are of opinion there will be no necessity of enlisting men at the Continental expense, especially as the Militia will readily agree to serve in turn for the defence of those places.

They beg leave further to inform the Committee, that there are sixteen Regiments of Foot, and two of Horse, in that Colony, the Foot amounting in the whole to upwards of sixteen thousand effective men, tolerably well provided with arms and ammunition; that the number of the Horse is uncertain, and those but ill provided; that great numbers of their Foot soldiers have been in actual service; and that out of those they are ready to raise and send to serve in Massachusetts, so many as the Committee shall choose to order; that the number of their inhabitants are very uncertain, as persons are continually emigrating from other Colonies, and settling in that more than in any other of the Northern Colonies; that the persons thus emigrating are extremely poor, for which reason the wealth of the Province bears no proportion to the number of inhabitants.

With respect to the amount of their Exports and Imports, no accurate account can be given, as the officers of the Customs have long since refused to suffer the books to be inspected.

RECANTATION OF EBENEZER LOVERIN.

Kensington, New-Hampshire, May 27, 1775.

Whereas I have offended the community in times past, by refusing to equip myself with arms and ammunition, and by my opposition to military orders, for which I am sorry: I hereby engage to equip myself according to orders, and be ready to take up arms in defence of my Country, in the present contest between Great Britain and the Colonies.

EBENEZER LOVERIN.

GOUVERNEUR MORRIS TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.

New-York, May, 1775.

DEAR SIR: When I had the honour of your company and acquaintance at Philadelphia, you made it a request that I would exert my poor abilities in the honest endeavour to keep my fellow-citizens in the line of their duty, their interest, and honour. I freely made you the promise, and I did honestly and faithfully perform it.

I am informed that the Committee of this City have drawn up a representation of Mr. Rivington’s case, for the animadversions of that respectable body of which you are a member. The consequence of this step will undoubtedly strike your mind; it is the giving a new power to the Congress. Our Association hath given them the Legislative, and this now tenders them the Judicial supremacy.

The power of Government, as of man, is to be collected from small instances; great affairs are more the objects of reflection and policy. Here both join. A mild and favourable sentence will conciliate the opinions of mankind; and what is the force of opinion, a gentleman who has made it his study to investigate the nature of Government, need not be told. I will not pretend to offer you any reasoning on this subject; because it will be tedious to repeat things which strike your mind at the first glance; but I can venture to assure you that a favourable sentence to this creature will be highly agreeable to most men here. The history of his conduct is simply this: His company, his acquaintances, his friends, were warm advocates for the power of Government; indifferently wise, his mind took a wrong bias from interest, deference for the sentiments of others, and opposition. A tool in prosperity, a cast-off in adversity, he solicits the assistance of that body which his press has aspersed. Magnanimity will dictate to that body the true line of conduct.

The liberty I take in writing to you, can only be excused by the intention I have to do good; this, I trust, will be a sufficient apology for, Sir, your most obedient and humble servant,

GOV. MORRIS.

Richard Henry Lee, Esq., Philadelphia.

RICHARD HENRY LEE TO GOUVERNEUR MORRIS.

Philadelphia, May 28, 1775.

DEAR SIR: The friends of virtuous liberty in New-York have certainly effected a most important change in the political system of that flourishing City. I congratulate you, Sir, and your worthy associates, in this happy revolution. It is most certain that a profligate Ministry have greatly relied on the assistance of your fine fertile Province for carrying into execution their cruel system; a system by which existing millions, and millions yet unborn, are to be plunged into the abyss of slavery, and of consequence deprived of every distinction that marks the man from the beast. But happily for the cause of humanity, the Colonies are now united, and may bid defiance to tyranny and its infamous abetters.

You will see that Mr. Rivington’s case is involved in all of a similar nature, which are to be determined on by the Colony Conventions where the offence is committed. I am sorry, for the honour of human nature, that this man should have so prostituted himself in support of a cause the most detestable that ever disgraced mankind. But he repents, and should be forgiven. It is not yet too late to exert his powers in defence of the liberty and just rights of a much injured Country.

I wish you happy, Sir, and I assure you that I am, with singular esteem, your friend and countryman,

RICHARD HENRY LEE.

THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO COLONEL BENEDICT ARNOLD.

Cambridge, May 28, 1775.

The expedition to Ticonderoga, &c., requiring secrecy, the Congress of this Colony was not acquainted with the orders you received from this Committee. It gives as great pleasure to be informed by the express, Captain Brown, that the success you have met with is answerable to your spirit in the undertaking. We have now to acquaint you that the Congress have taken up this matter, and given the necessary directions respecting these acquisitions. It is,

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