pleted and the Army formed. That you may know how tar I have proceeded, I have directed the orderly book to be transmitted to you, with a return of the men in the several departments. I also enclose you a return of the stores in each fort, with what is wanting to make a proper defence, that you may know the state of your forts. I shall leave the artillery officers and men here with the company of Riflemen till my return, which will be as sudden as possible.

Gentlemen, I am, with great esteem, your very humble servant,
JOHN SULLIVAN.

Honourable Provincial Congress.

P. S. I also enclose the Barrackmaster's return.

COLONEL WINGATE TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS.

Fort Sullivan, Sevey's Island, November 2, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I find it absolutely necessary that a person well acquainted with rivers and tides in the harbour be appointed to take the charge of the ships and fire-rafts; also, that a Surgeon be appointed constantly to reside and take care of the troops on Sevey's Island, in case of accidents, which we are constantly exposed to, independent of what might be feared from the attacks of an enemy. To the first department I have appointed Captain Robert Parke, of Portsmouth, and to the latter Dr. Samuel Wigglesworth, of Durham; in which I beg the acquiescence of the honourable Congress, and that they would be pleased to ratify the same.

JOSHUA WINGATE.

To the Honourable the Congress at Exeter.

FIELD-OFFICERS AT PORTSMOUTH TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS

Head-Quarters, Portsmouth, November 8, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: The works at the entrance of the Piscataqua harbour, which are thought absolutely necessary to defend the same, are so extensive and so exceedingly exposed, by being situated on islands so difficult to re-enforce, that eight hundred men, including the company of Artillery, the men necessary to take care and manage the shipping and fire-rafts, is fully short of what we dare undertake to defend the same with for the first month; after which time a much less number may be necessary, as the season of the year may be such as may render an attack less probable: any military gentlemen that will undertake to defend the post with a less number, to them we will resign our command with pleasure. In the mean time we will remain at our respective posts, with all the men we can persuade to tarry until superseded or re-enforced. We most heartily thank the honourable Congress for the very great honour they have done us in nominating us to the command, and, with a sufficient number of men to make ourselves worthy of the trust the Congress have proposed to honour us with, we should accept with gratitude.

Joshua Wingate,

Jonathan Burnam,

James Hackett.

DOCTOR JACKSON TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS.

Portsmouth, November 8, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: By order of General Sullivan, I raised a company of Artillery, consisting of forty-two men, officers included. Their particular duty was to take care and exercise the brass field ordnance, and in case of attack to move with said artillery from place to place, as they should be ordered. The term of their enlistment was fifteen days, which will be expired by the 15th instant. The pieces and utensils are of great value, and I have in my possession the following valuable and important stores, viz: sixty rounds of flannel cartridges, with canisters of lead shot—each canister contains forty-eight musket balls; forty rounds of paper cartridges; twenty-four single canisters charged, each four hundred and eighty-two balls; six dozen turned wooden wads; one dozen port-fires; twenty-four vent-tubes, charged with quick match and composition. Many of the stores I received, by a special request, from the laboratory at Cambridge, and are of too much importance to be left without proper persons to take care of them. I beg to know whether some few of the Company may not be retained in the service for the said purpose, and whether I shall keep the stores in my hands until further orders.

I am, with great respect, your humble servant,

HALL JACKSON.

P. S. Further stores: One dozen tubes uncharged; three dozen two and three-quarters iron round-shot; three port-fire stocks; three small bundles slow-fire match.

PORTSMOUTH COMMITTEE TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS.

Committee-Hall, Portsmouth, November 13, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: On the representation of the Delegates for this town, representing the inhabitants in Congress, that a motion being made we should take under consideration a recompense for Dr. Hall Jackson's services as surgeon to the Army at Head-Quarters, do, in consequence thereof, beg leave to inform the Congress, that on the news arriving in this town of the battle at Charlestown, in June last, and being well informed that a gentleman of known abilities in surgery was much wanted, did immediately apply to Dr. Jackson, and entreated his setting off for the camp without delay, to assist any distressed officers or soldiers that might be unfortunately wounded. Where-upon, he expressed a readiness, and observed he would, at our request, proceed without delay, and trust to a future day for reward. We therefore take the liberty to represent, that Dr. Jackson set off the 19th June on the purpose aforesaid, and was continued in that service till the 17th October, excepting about three weeks. At different times he was in this town to visit his family, in which time he was constantly employed in constructing carriages and mounting sundry field-pieces. For which services this Committee, with deference to the honourable Congress, adjudge an allowance of fifteen pounds, lawful money, per month, for all services and expenses during the time aforesaid.

By order of the Committee:

H. WENTWORTH, Chairman.

To the Honourable Congress for the Colony of New-Hampshire.

JOSIAH BARTLETT TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Philadelphia, November 13, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Enclosed 1 transmit to you the letter directed to the Speaker of our House of Assembly. I suppose it came from England, sent by the agents who presented the late petition of Congress. By it you will be able to guess what will be the fate of that petition.

I also send you a duplicate of the vote of Congress concerning our civil affairs. The first copy of the vote was sent November 6th. Yesterday Captain Langdon set off on his journey to Canada, so that I am left here alone to act in behalf of our Colony. I don't expect him here any more during this session of the Congress.

When the Congress will rise, can't say; but fear it can't till winter, if it can before spring. The affair of the ships taken at Portsmouth has not been considered by Congress, by reason of urgent business; but I expect soon that that and several other captures will be taken under consideration, and some general rules adopted. When any thing is determined on it, will inform you by the first opportunity.

I am directed by the Congress to send you the enclosed resolves for making saltpetre, and I would earnestly recommend the putting them in practice. It appears, from several experiments in this Colony, that the surface of the earth that has been for some years kept from the rain will produce saltpetre. The floor of a meeting-house being taken up, the earth under it produced one pound from every bushel; under barns, stables, &c., much more. There appears to be no more art in making it than in making potash. When the liquor is properly boiled, and put into pans to cool, it shoots and sticks to the bottom and sides very beautifully. The liquor may then be easily drained off, and either boiled over again or put on another mash. Though probably the Continent will be well supplied with powder in the spring, yet it is best by all means to put it out of the power of our enemies to defeat us of