the people on the Continent, and the inhabitants of this Province, choose members to attend on such Congresses respectively, and to aid and assist the people of this Province in defence of our rights against a tyrannical system of the British Administration, and to resist the King’s Troops, and defend the rights of America now in contest, even to life and fortune.

JAMES BALL.

GEN. FOLSOM TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Camp on Winter Hill, July 1, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Being obliged, for want of proper tents, to quarter Colonel Poor’s Regiment in Barracks at Medford, which has created me much trouble and difficulty, they being a mile and a half distant from camp, last evening eighteen men, under the command of Captain Rowe, deserted; which might have been prevented, had they been regularly encamped. The reason, I understand, which they assigned to their Captain, before they deserted, (he not giving me or his Colonel the least notice thereof till six o’clock this morning) was, that they did not intend, when they enlisted, to join the Army, but to be stationed at Hampton. Colonel Poor has sent after them, but if he cannot get them back, hope you will take some effectual method to send them as soon as possible, and to prevent and discourage future desertions; for otherwise, if they are passed over with impunity, their example will induce other, and, that means, cause such a defection of the Troops, as will weaken, if not entirely break up your whole Battalion.

Wednesday last, the whole of the New-Hampshire Troops, fit for duty, were ordered to their alarm posts; when formed we were not able to line our breastwork more than two deep, our lines being necessarily extensive, on account of the situation of our camp; therefore desire that the two remaining companies, now stationed at Portsmouth and Hampton, may be sent, if you can possibly spare them, there being not one quarter part of the Troops in ours as in the other lines at Cambridge, Roxbury, and on Prospect Hill. In a few days the breastwork will be completed, by which time the cannon I wrote for, I hope, will arrive, so that we may be prepared to give the ministerial Troops a proper reception should they attempt to force our lines.

Nothing remarkable has transpired since my last. The enemy are fortifying themselves as strongly as possible, on Bunker’s Hill, and when they have completed their works, it is probable they will land somewhere near where the New-Hampshire Troops are encamped, it being very convenient for them to bring up their floating batteries upon our left wing; however, hope to give a good account of part of them at least whenever they come.

Your obedient servant,

NATHANIEL FOLSOM.

To the Honourable Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-Hampshire.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO GEN. FOLSOM.

In Committee of Safety, Exeter, July 1, 1775.

It gives us great pleasure to find, by yours of the 26th last month, that a reconciliation had taken place between you and Colonel Stark. We doubt not you will use your utmost endeavours to keep up a good harmony among the Troops. In order thereto, we agree with you, that a due subordination must be observed. Major Hobart, who is appointed paymaster, will have commissions for Stark’s and Reed’s Regiments, and is to consult you on filling up the vacancies.

Two twenty-four, and two double fortified six-pounders are to be sent off to-morrow morning from Hampton. The artillery company is not raised, nor have we been able to get suitable officers for that service. We think it advisable that you should inquire if a good man for that business can be engaged, and what encouragement he will expect. When we can be informed of this, we shall lay it before the Congress. We suppose if good officers can be obtained, men may be enlisted out of the battalions more suitable for that purpose than elsewhere. We enclose your commission, and hope that the appointment of any other General Officer will not be expected. We are your friends, and humble servants. By order of the Committee.

To General Folsom.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO COL. REED.

In Committee of Safety, Exeter, July 1, 1775.

SIR: The Committee, without knowing that you had in actual service, or in your eye, any person as Adjutant of your Regiment, have commissioned Mr. McGregore, a young man, we imagine, very suitable for that place. If any person you judge suitable, is disposed to act as volunteer, without pay, in that capacity, we have no objections, unless it should plainly appear to us that he would not answer the end. But you will easily perceive the unsuitableness of recalling the commission from Mr. McGregore, for no reason on his part, and commissioning and paying a person of whom, till another was appointed, we had not so much as a recommendation.

You may assure yourself, that so far as the publick service will allow, we shall take pleasure in gratifying you or the Regiment, or any individual. But although we should be willing to make use of any and the best information, we must insist upon it, that our appointments should take place, as the contrary must be attended with boundless difficulties. By order of the Committee.

To Colonel Reed, of the 3d New-Hampshire Regiment.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

New-York, July 2, 1775.

[Read July 5, 1775.]

SIR: Your letter of the 24th June, enclosing the resolutions of Congress, relative to the persons employed in taking possession of Crown Point, came to hand on Friday last. I shall procure the returns agreeable to the orders, and liquidate the sum to be paid them as soon after my arrival at Ticonderoga as affairs of more importance will admit.

Yesterday I had a conference with the Provincial Convention here on the subject-matter of employing the Grew Mountain Boys, after which a Committee was appointed to take it into further consideration; the result, I apprehend, will be to employ five hundred of them, which is full as many as they can raise, and to appoint a Lieutenant-Colonel and Major to the command of them.

Doubts seemed to arise whether your intentions were that these men should be incorporated into those Regiments, for the raising of which they had already issued warrants and nominated the officers, or to make them a separate corps. My opinion was that Congress intended the latter, and, as such, they will be formed.

You will receive from the Convention here some accounts of Colonel Guy Johnson’s conduct, too much of which I fear is true; and the inhabitants in the western quarter of this Colony, of New-Jersey, and the northern parts of Pennsylvania, will probably be exposed to some insults from the savages in their vicinity. I beg leave, therefore, to suggest, that if two Regiments more, of seven hundred and fifty men each, were raised by this Colony, and stationed, one on the southern part of its western frontiers, adjacent to Jersey and Pennsylvania, the other towards the Oneida carrying place, it would strike so much awe into the Indians, as probably to prevent their making incursions upon us.

I fear Governour Trumbull will not have it in his power to furnish me with the necessary quantity of powder. Is it not possible to procure some from Pennsylvania ? I shall be greatly distressed for want of a few field-pieces. I wish to see those in the State-House yard, Philadelphia, tried in actual service.

Governour Tryon continues a prudent conduct. I cannot learn that he has taken any step that will give umbrage. The rejection of the New-York Assembly’s Remonstrance by the House of Commons, has had the good effect to make those in this city hearty in the cause of America, whose sentiments, though friendly, differed as to the mode of procuring redress.

Congress has not provided for a deputy Adjutant-General in this department. The necessity of such an appointment would be superseded if another Brigade-Major was allowed, which seems more immediately necessary, as we have two Brigadiers.

Whoever sees the Connecticut Troops admires their strength, stature, youth, and agility; but every one laments their want of regimentals.

I am informed that seven or eight youths of the Caughnawaga tribe are at Mr. Wheelocks’s school, in New-Hampshire