repair to this camp by the last instant, if possible, to be in readiness to act in such manner, till the 1st of April, as circumstances may require. Of this number, they apprehend the Massachusetts should furnish seven, Connecticut four, and your Government two, being agreeable to the proportion settled by Congress.

“In order that each regiment may consist of a proper number of officers and men, I have enclosed you a list for their regulation, and of the Continental pay. I must earnestly solicit your attention and regard to arms, ammunition, blankets, kettles, and clothing, that they may come as well provided with these necessaries as possible, particularly the first, as, from the amazing deficiency here, I shall not have it in my power to supply them.

G WASHINGTON.

“Hon. Matthew Thornton, Esq.”

Another Letter from his Excellency General Washington.

“Cambridge, January 21, 1776.

“SIR: In the hurry of my last despatches to you, of the 19th instant, I forgot to intimate that, for the encouragement of the regiment destined for Canada, a month’s advance pay will be allowed officers and soldiers by me, in behalf of the Congress; at the same time, I think it but right that you should be apprized of the intention of this Government to allow their regiment another month’s pay, to enable the men to provide for so long and fatiguing a march, and, in the mean time, leave something for their families to subsist upon during their absence. I have no doubt but that this last advance will be pleasing enough to Congress, and that the money will be speedily refunded; but as I have no authority to direct it, and would not appear, by any act of mine, to put the three regiments for Canada upon a different footing than those who have been raising for this Army, I only give you a hint of the intention of this Government, that, if you think proper, the regiment from your Colony may be placed upon the same footing, as I know all kind of distinctions are considered by troops with an evil and jealous eye. Such necessaries as are absolutely requisite for the march of this regiment you will please have provided, upon the best terms you can, and regular accounts, with vouchers thereof, kept, that payment may be made. The importance of despatch will, I am persuaded, appear in so urgent a light to you, that I need add nothing on this head, but shall be glad to hear what progress you make in the business.

“Being with the sincerest regard and esteem, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

G. WASHINGTON.”

The House adjourned to two o’clock, afternoon.

Met according to adjournment.

Voted, That the Account of the Committee of Safety of Exeter, amounting to seventy-nine Pounds thirteen Shillings, be allowed and paid out of the Treasury, and that the President of the Council give his order on the Treasurer for payment of the same.

The information and complaint of the Committee of Safety of Londonderry, against Adam Stuart, being read and considered in the House,

Voted, That the parties be heard thereon on Tuesday next, afternoon.

Voted, That there be an Assistant Clerk of this House; and that Noah Emery, Esq., the present Clerk, have liberty to appoint said Assistant.

Voted, That John Dudley, Esq., Samuel Dudley, Esq., Captain Prentice, James Betton, Esq., and Major Bellows, be a Committee of this House, to join a Committee of the honourable Council, to examine into and report what Wages or Pay each Committee-man, that have been employed by the late Congresses, and by this House, ought to receive for their services, and to make report to this House thereof.

The House adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o’clock.

Saturday, January 20, 1776.

The House met according to adjournment.

Voted, That Nicholas Gilman, Esq., Treasurer of this Colony, be desired to forward the Blankets collected for the Continental Army, to Head-Quarters, as soon as may be, with an account thereof to the General, and to receive the money for them, or a receipt from the Commissary-General.

Voted, That the Muster-Roll of Captain James Merrill, amounting to four Pounds five Shillings and three Pence, be allowed and paid out of the Treasury, and that the President give his order on the Treasurer for payment thereof.

Voted, That Colonel Walker, John McClary, Esq., and Samuel Sherburne, Esq., be a Committee of this House, to join a Committee of the honourable Board, to make report to this House what pay Dr. Hall Jackson ought to receive for his past services to this Colony, and what establishment he shall have in future.

Voted, That Captain Moulton, Colonel David Gilman, and Major John Bellows, be a Committee of this House, to join a Committee of the honourable Board, to consult about appointing the Field-Officers of the Regiment this day voted to be raised for the Continental Army, and for further carrying the said vote into execution, and make report to this House.

Voted, To raise one Regiment of Soldiers forthwith, to consist of eight Companies; each Company to consist of one Captain, two Lieutenants, one Ensign, four Sergeants, four Corporals, one Drummer, one Fifer, and seventy-six Privates, all to be on the lines of the Continental Army by the first day of February next, and to continue in the service until the first day of April next, on the establishment of the Continental Army; and also to raise more men, so as to make up another Regiment, of the same number, in case General Sullivan shall fail of raising a full Regiment out of our Militia now in the service; and that a Committee of this House be appointed to join with a Committee of the honourable Board, and be fully authorized to carry this vote into execution, saving to the Council and Assembly the right of appointing the Field-Officers.

Voted, That Joseph Wait, Esq., be Colonel of the Regiment, voted to be raised in this Colony for the Continental Army; and that Henry Gerrish, Esq., be Lieutenant-Colonel, and Isaac Butterfield, Esq., be Major, of said Regiment.

Voted, That the Regiment this day voted to be raised in this Colony, to continue in the service until the first day of April next, and to be on the lines of the Continental Army by the first day of February next, on the establishment of the Continental Army, shall be, instead of that service, inlisted for the service in the Northern Army, commanded by General Schuyler, now in Canada, to continue in that service until the first day of January next, unless sooner discharged, and to be on the same establishment with the other officers and soldiers in the said Army; and that Colonel Timothy Bedel command the said Regiment as Colonel; that Joseph Wait, Esq., be Lieutenant-Colonel; and Isaac Butterfield, Esq., be Major, of such Regiment; and that each officer and soldier that shall inlist in said service, shall receive two months’ advance pay upon their being mustered; and in case the said Major Butterfield shall be by any means rendered incapable of proceeding in said service, that a blank commission be given to Colonel Bedel or Colonel Wait, to appoint some other person to be Major in his stead, this vote notwithstanding.

Voted, That the Muster-Roll of Captain Eliphalet Daniel, amounting to thirty-one Pounds fourteen Shillings and six Pence, be allowed and paid out of the Treasury, and that the President of the Council give his order on the Treasurer for payment thereof.

Adjourned to three o’clock, afternoon

Met according to adjournment

Voted, That Doctor Hall Jackson, Mr. Sherburne, and Captain Long, be a Committee to procure one hundred and fifty stand of Arms, now in Portsmouth, belonging to the Massachusetts Colony, and all the Duffills for Blanketing, that they can procure at Portsmouth, and transport them to Exeter, as soon as may be.

Voted, That Colonel Morey be appointed to procure four hundred Hatchets, and also Snow-Shoes, for the use of the Regiment going to Canada, sufficient for their service.

Voted, That Mr. Richard Champney be desired to procure and deliver to the Treasurer one hundred and twenty good Tin Kettles, as soon as may be, for the use of the Regiment going to Canada.

Voted, That Colonel Morey and Major Bellows be Mustermasters