NEW-HAMPSHIRE DELEGATES TO PROVINCIAL CONGRESS AT EXETER.

Philadelphia, June 20, 1775.

Your favour of the 24th of May is now before us; in answer to which can only say, we easily conceive the “painful sensation” that every honest man must feel when he sees the unnatural conflict between Great Britain and these Colonies rising to such a height. But when we consider it not of our own seeking, but drove by the sons of tyranny and oppression to the sad alternative of being made slaves or appealing to the sword in defence of our just liberties, cannot but think we shall stand justified, before God and man, in vigorously seizing the latter.

We are much pleased with the proceedings of New-Hampshire, shewing their attachment to the common cause, by raising so large a number of men for the defence of America. We are very sensible of the inability of our Province to support them, and the necessity of a paper currency.

We are at liberty to inform you that the Committee of the whole Congress have agreed to report a Continental currency, which, no doubt, will be emitted immediately, and forwarded for the payment of the Troops.

The Congress have appointed General Washington to the command of the American Forces, who will set out for the camp to-morrow or next day; have also agreed upon a Continental Army. The other proceedings of Congress are not yet to be made publick, unless what appears in the prints.

It is impossible to conceive of a greater unanimity in the Colonies than that which at present subsists, one and all being determined to defend our rights to the last. May the great Author of all things bless and assist us, is the most ardent prayer of, your most obedient humble servants,

JOHN SULLIVAN,
JOHN LANGDON.

Matthew Thornton, Esq.

P. S. Enclosed is an order for a general fast.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS,

[Read before Congress, June 26, 1775.]

Lebanon June 20, 1775.

SIR: This acknowledges the receipt of your letter of the 10th instant, and enclosed resolves. Am happy in being able to inform, you, that by advice of my Council, appointed to act in the recess of the Assembly, convened on the 7th instant, I had ordered fifty barrels of powder from this Colony, containing one hundred and ten pounds each, to be sent with all despatch and secrecy to the American Army before Boston, which reached them about Friday last; and since the receipt of yours have ordered ten barrels more, of the same quantity each, which moved the 19th, and to proceed night and day; and wish it was in our power to supply much more for the necessity of the Army, and in compliance with the request of your wise, firm and patriotick assembly, on whom, under God, the salvation of America greatly depends. It is an unhappy truth, that no supplies of that article are to be obtained in this Colony. We have taken all care in our power to procure much larger quantities than we have yet received, but daily hope to expect the arrival of some, yet fear it may be intercepted by the vigilant malice of our enemies.

The New-York Congress informs us they have sent six hundred and fifty-five pounds for the same purpose, which I find has been detained at Stamford, for General Wooster’s Regiment, but the same quantity is to be immediately furnished from the eastern part of the Colony, in addition to what is already sent. Only eight hundred and forty pounds have been imported into this Colony since our Delegates left it.

I am not at present able to procure any accurate estimate of powder, arms and ammunition. By the standing law, every Town ought to have fifty pounds to every sixty militia men, four pounds of bullets, and twelve flints; and by an act of last October, a double quantity of powder is ordered; but, I suppose, take one with another, we are more than half deficient of a single supply. If they were full, it would be about forty-four thousand seven hundred pound. As to lead and flints, perhaps we have a tolerable supply.

Have not yet been able to carry into execution your resolve of collecting saltpetre and brimstone, and forwarding to the Provincial Congress of New-York, but shall pay the greatest attention to it as fast as possible, but expect no great quantity can be obtained.

The General Assembly of this Colony, at their last session, offered very large premiums on saltpetre manufactured in and of materials found within the same, for one year; and on sulphur manufactured in this Colony from materials found in any of them, viz: twenty pounds per hundred weight of the first, and five for the second. Proposals have been made to me by Mr. De Witt of Norwich, with two of his friends near New-York, for speedily making very large quantities of the saltpetre, if they could be assisted with the loan of a sum sufficient to erect necessary buildings, &c., for which they will give ample security. This Colony having given such bounty, and the Assembly not sitting, nothing can be done here in that way. Your wisdom will direct what might be proper for you to do, if application should be made; and your patriotism will certainly incline you to every tiling your wisdom shall dictate for the common good. If it is possible for Philadelphia or any Southern Colony to spare any manufactured, or other powder, to the Cambridge Army, it is and would be a most necessary and acceptable thing. I fear for their supply, where there is most important occasion.

You are doubtless possessed of every intelligence that is attainable, and can better judge whether, notwithstanding every shew and appearance to the contrary, the whole force of the enemy will not be collected, and their utmost exertions made to cut off the head of the snake; if so, although our men are ever so resolute or numerous, they can do nothing without powder; and there must be a vast consumption of it. A very great proportion must have been expended in the several engagements which have already happened, and we have just received the important (but very imperfect) news of a vigorous attack on our Army, on Friday night or Saturday morning last, in consequence of their attempting to take possession of the important posts at Bunker’s Hill in Charlestown. Our forces have been obliged to retreat, but on the whole suppose they have suffered far less than their enemies.

I am, with great truth and regard, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

Honourable President of the Continental Congress.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE-ISLAND, TO HIS FRIEND IN NEW-YORK, DATED JUNE 20, 1775.

You doubtless have been alarmed with divers accounts of the contest which happened on the 17th instant, between the King’s Troops and our Army; shall give you a narrative in a few words, as the post now waits.

On the evening of the 16th, Colonel Putnam took possession of Bunker’s Hill, with about two thousand men, and began an intrenchment, which they had made some progress in. At eight in the morning a party of Regulars landed at Charlestown, and fired the Town in divers places. Under cover of the smoke, a body of about five thousand men marched up to our intrenchments, and made a furious and sudden attack. They were driven back three times; and when they were making the third attack, one of our people imprudently spoke aloud that their powder was all gone; which being heard by some of the regular officers, they encouraged their men to march up to the trenches with fixed bayonets, and entered them; on which our people were ordered to retreat, which they did with all speed, till they got out of musket shot; they then formed, but were not pursued; in the mean time six men-of-war and four floating batteries were brought up, and kept up a continual fire on the causeway that leads on to Charlestown; our people retreated through the fire, but not without the loss of many of the men.

Our loss is sixty men killed and missing, and about one hundred and forty wounded. The brave Doctor Warren is among the former, and Colonel Gardner among the latter. We left six field-pieces on the hill; our people are now intrenched on Pleasant Hill, within cannon shot of Bunker’s Hill. The loss of the King’s Troops must be very considerable; the exact number we cannot tell. If