In a former letter the Congress informed you that this Colony chose Deputies, who met the seventeenth of May last in Convention Congress at Exeter, and voted to raise two thousand men for the common defence of the Colonies, which men are now, and have been some time raised and put under the care of Nathaniel Folsom, Esq., who was appointed a Major-General under the Commander-in-Chief of the American Forces, and have joined the Army before Boston, except two companies for the guard of our seacoast. At present the news from Canada, of their hostile preparations, (an account of which from Connecticut, and by Mr.Deane, Missionary from Canada, we expect will reach you before this,) have so alarmed the inland frontiers, that the Congress have ordered three companies, of sixty-six men each, to be raised and posted for their defence. The cost of raising so many men you will readily see to be a difficult task for so small a Colony, without any money to begin with. We have wrote to you and to the Congress on the situation of our affairs several times, but not receiving any directions, we have emitted ten thousand Pounds in notes of hand, on the credit of this Colony, payable with six per cent. interest, and have ordered ten thousand Pounds more to be forthwith emitted, for supplying the present exigences of the Colony. Some conceive some resolves of the American Congress, giving such notes a currency, would be of great service. We are greatly concerned for gunpowder, as we have scarce any except what was taken out of the fort last winter, a considerable part of which we have sent to the Army before Boston, and some to our western frontiers. We hope some plan is laid for bringing it into the Southern Colonies, as New-England is so watched and guarded that there is but a little hope of getting in here. The ships-of-war and cutters, previous to the first of this month, seized all vessels laden with provisions, salt, or molasses, which have much distressed the eastern parts, but not discouraged them. They have destroyed Fort William and Mary, and carried off the cannon to Boston, except eight large pieces taken from Jersey’s Point some time ago secured, and some of them are now pointed against Boston. We are anxious to know the result of your determination, in order to conduct the affairs of this Colony, which at this time is in some confusion, the people not suffering things to proceed in their former manner. The General Court has twice met, but has not, and, we believe, will not proceed to the publick business.

We desire you, as often as opportunity will permit, to write to this Congress, or the Committee of Safety at Exeter, and to inform us, from time to time, as much of the affairs of the publick as is permitted; in particular, the directions of the Congress concerning providing for and paying the Army raised for the common defence. On the twelfth of June last, Colonel John Fenton, who was chosen a member of the General Court by virtue of the King’s, or rather the Governour’s writ, without the consent of the Assembly, made his appearance in the House, though he had for some time before kept on board the man-of-war in the harbour. The House took into consideration his election, and vacated his seat. Soon after, the people of the Town, greatly exasperated at his conduct, obliged him to surrender, though he had taken shelter in the Governour’s house; and our Congress have since confined him. The Governour and his family went off that evening to Captain Cochran’s, under the protection of the man-of-war, where they still remain. The publick records being thought unsafe in the Town of Portsmouth, have all, by order of Congress, been removed to Exeter, except the books of charters, which the Secretary says the Governour has at present in his possession. A Committee from this body has demanded and received from George Jaffrey, Esq., fifteen hundred Pounds, part of the publick money in his hands.

CONGRESS OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

Exeter, July 8, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: As the state of American affairs daily appears more critical, and we are exerting ourselves in every way we conceive expedient to aid the common cause, we think it our duty to give you the earliest account of our transactions, that thereby you may be enabled to direct our future conduct.

We wrote you some time since an account of our being formed into a Congress on the seventeenth May last, and resolved to raise two thousand men, &c., which we hope you have received.

Twenty-eight of our companies, of sixty-six men each, including officers, are posted in the vicinity of Boston. We have appointed Nathaniel Folsom, Esq., a Major-General, to take the charge of them, under the command of the General of the united American Forces, and two companies of the like number each are posted as a guard on our sea-coasts; since which we have raised three companies, of the same number each, for a guard against the incursions of the Canadians into the frontiers of this and the adjoining Colonies, (who are greatly alarmed at the repeated accounts of preparations making against them in Canada,) many of the inhabitants whereof are within two days march of the French and Indian settlements.

We have but very little gunpowder in the Colony, nor have any prospect of a supply at present, as our sea-coast is strictly watched by men-of-war and cutters, but hope soon to have a sufficient number of fire-arms, of our own manufacturing, to make up our present deficiency, though we find great difficulty in procuring steel for that purpose.

The Colony is at present wholly governed by this Congress and the Committees of the respective Towns. But we greatly desire some other regulations, as our present situation is attended with many difficulties; but we shall not attempt any thing of that kind without your direction. There is great unanimity among us in what concerns the common cause; those who do not join with us are silent, and dare not openly attempt to obstruct our measures.

The Restraining Bill is strictly enforced on our sea-coast by armed vessels, and some seizures have been made by virtue thereof.

We understand Mr. Deane, a Missionary among the Canada Indians, lately from thence, is now on his journey to Philadelphia, and will give you an account of the state of affairs there; from which you will, we hope, be able to concert some plan to frustrate the designs forming against us in that quarter, in which, if required, we shall be ready to assist to the utmost of our ability.

We are, gentlemen, with the utmost respect, your most obedient humble servants. By order of the Congress of the Colony of New-Hampshire.

MESHECH WEARE, President pro tempore.

Honourable Members of the Continental Congress, Philadelphia.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON, JULY 9, 1775.

Our dependance on New-York, and (under God) the preservation of that City and Colony from a very shameful defection, which has been fatal to the cause of freedom, has been greatly owing to the abilities, zeal, and assiduity of the worthy Mr. Holt. What pleasure is it for those whose chief enjoyment consists in the happiness and security of their fellow-creatures, to witness such exertions to save our Country, to annoy its insidious enemies, and carry into every corner of it the discoveries and advice of its friends.

The business is now to develop the schemes laying to deceive and divide the New-Yorkers, finding mere force like to answer no valuable end. They now talk of blocking up the ports, and thus distressing the trade, to make people quarrel with each other, which quarrels some are employed to foment. They have given out word that they will call Lord Chatham into office, but it is false; Chatham is old and very feeble, not able to bear the fatigues of business. Besides, he will not accept it without a total change of the Ministry, a dissolution of the present Parliament, and the calling of a new one by the free choice of the people.

The true state of the matter is, that the Ministry still intend to drive on, in hopes that you will in time submit, and all will be theirs. They use every means in their power to deceive the people, both here and in America, that they may get their plan established of keeping up a Standing Army in the Colonies, increased by degrees till they become masters of the Colonists and all their property, as they have done here.

The Lord Mayor is assiduous to the last. The Livery of London are now all alarmed, and have sent petitions