And it is absolutely necessary that we be provided with ammunition and carriages, &c., to save them, of which we are entirely destitute.

I am, by order of the Committee, your most humble servant,

H. WENTWORTH, Chairman.

To Matthew Thornton, Esq., President of the Congress at Exeter.

MESHECH WEARE TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS.

To the Provincial Congress for the Province of NEW-HAMPSHIRE, convened at EXETER, MAY 31, 1775:

GENTLEMEN: As you have now under your consideration the important affair of raising Troops, and appointing them to proper stations, as well for the safety and defence of this Province, as for promoting the common cause at this critical and alarming season, we doubt not but you will kindly receive intimations from any number, of persons of things which appear to them of great importance; we therefore beg leave to represent, from frequent alarms we have had, and from authentick advice from General Ward, that a number, of armed cutters are sailed from Boston, for what design is unknown. We apprehend it to be absolutely necessary that a proper proportion of the Troops to be raised in this Province be immediately assigned for the defence of our sea-coasts; and permit us to suggest, that if a proper number of Troops for this purpose were ordered to be raised in the Towns near the sea-coasts, it would greatly facilitate the raising the men immediately, and be a great help for procuring immediate supplies, and we can conceive will be much more service to the common cause than sending our men elsewhere. It will also be a great discouragement to men enlisting to be sent to a distance, at the same time that they leave their friends and substance exposed by their absence, when they themselves might be more advantageously employed for their defence.

We therefore pray that a proper quota of men may be assigned, and Officers for enlisting them, for this service, as soon as may be, which we submit to your wisdom and determination.

MESHECH WEARE.

To the President of the Provincial Congress.

At the request of many persons who represented to me that the general mind of the people in the Towns near the sea-coast, is as above represented, and that much uneasiness is in their minds until some provision be made for their defence, I subscribe, on their behalf, to save the time of collecting a great number of subscribers.

M. W.

WINBORN ADAMS TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

GENTLEMEN: By a message from Portsmouth, I am desired to go there to-morrow with my Company, to assist in endeavouring to destroy the men-of-war in our harbour. As my Company were enlisted under your direction, I think it my duty to wait your order on any movement, therefore have sent the bearer, and desire your direction in this affair, which I shall endeavour to obey. And am, with great respect, your very humble servant,

WINBORN ADAMS

To the Honourable the Provincial Committee of Safety at Exeter.

P. S. The plan proposed to execute the aforesaid affair I have not heard in particular, only that it was thought the deck might be commanded with small arms from the shore, while she was set on fire by rafts sent down by water.

CHARLES JOHNSON TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS.

To the Provincial Congress convened at EXETER:

GENTLEMEN: We hereby inform you that we sent a scouting party towards Canada, which party returned on Saturday last, by whom we have the following information:

They give us to understand that, by the best information that could be got, there is a body of Indians now lying on the west side of the Lake Champlain, nearly opposite to the mouth of Onion River. What the particular number of them is, we cannot certainly determine; but by the best information, not less than four or five hundred. And furthermore, that the day before the scouting party left the mouth of Onion River, they were informed there were ten canoes of Indians from Canada, who joined said party. And, moreover, that Governour Carleton, of Quebeck, is enlisting men in Canada;and also, he has sent to those tribes of Indians whom General Montcalm had with him at the reduction of Fort William and Henry. The same party give account of the taking Ticonderoga and Crown Point by our parties of the Southern Government.

Now, gentlemen, as to the situation of these parts. How near the borders of the enemy we are, every one knows who is acquainted with the boundaries of our own Province. As to the position of defence, we are in difficult circumstances; we are in want of both arms and ammunition. There is but very little, or none worth mentioning, perhaps not one pound of powder to twenty men, according to calculation, and not the one-half of our men have arms. Now, gentlemen, we have all reason to suspect, and really look upon ourselves in imminent danger of the enemy, and at this time in no capacity for a defence, for want of arms and ammunition. And, moreover, we have not a sufficient number of men to defend, these our frontiers, without some assistance from the lower Towns, which assistance, gentlemen, we humbly conceive should necessarily be here, in order to act upon the first alarm.

We, gentlemen, refer the matter to your mature consideration, whether it is not necessary to give us assistance, that we may be ready in case of invasion. We have, gentlemen, a number of men in these parts of the Country who have not any real estate, who will certainly leave us, unless some assistance be given; and who are ready to assist, and stand by our cause with their lives, provided encouragement be given them.

If, gentlemen, you shall think it necessary to raise forces-to defend this our Province, if you will give orders in what manner assistance shall be procured, please to inform us as expeditiously as the nature of things will allow. There is no doubt of enlisting numbers, without distressing or much interfering with the lower Towns near the sea-coasts, provided we have the platform to act upon.

We are, gentlemen, with all due respect, your humble servants. In behalf:

CHAS. JOHNSTON,

Clerk to the Committee of the Northern Regiment in the County of Grafton.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED AT WATERTOWN, DATED LONDON, JUNE 1, 1775.

The intelligence by Captain Derby, of the defeat of General Gage’s men under Lord Percy, by the Americans, on the 19th of April last, has given very general, pleasure here, as the newspapers will testify. ’Tis not with certainty that one can speak of the disposition of people in England with respect to the contest with America; though we are clear that the friends of America increase; every day, particularly since the above intelligence.

It is believed the Ministers have not as yet formed any plans in consequence of the action of April 19th. They are in total confusion and consternation, and wait for General Gage’s despatches by the Sukey, Captain Brown. The talk of the day is, that more troops and ships are to be sent immediately; but this, it is thought, cannot be done without calling the Parliament to raise more money. If it should be attempted, much disturbance may be expected in England.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED IN NEW-Y0RK, DATED LONDON, JUNE 1, 1775.

It is my indispensable duty to inform my countrymen on your side the water of whatever resolutions are formed on this side injurious to your sacred rights, that you may be timely on your guard to defeat the pernicious attempts of that implacable and tyrannical Administration. My intelligence is founded on the best information, and therefore full credence ought to be paid to it.

On the arrival of the news of the defeat and retreat of the detachments under Lord Percy and Colonel Smith, this great city was agitated to its centre. The friends to

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