USA > New Hampshire > New Hampshire as it is. In three parts. Part I. A historical sketch of New hampshire. Part II. A gazetter of New Hampshire. Part III. A general view of New Hampshire. Together with the constitution of the State > Part 5
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detachment, sent out from Fort Edward on the same day; took the baggage and ammunition of the enemy, and seri- ously annoyed them in their retreat. After this the New Hampshire forces were employed as scouts. Another regi- ment of three hundred men was raised and employed for the same purpose.
The next year Governor Shirley planned another expe- dition against Crown Point, but he was superseded by the Earl of Loudon. At the request of the latter, three com- panies of rangers were formed from the New Hampshire regiment, and the command given to John and William Stark and Robert Rogers. But the season passed away, and but little was accomplished. The campaign of 1757 opened with a new expedition against Crown Point. New Hampshire, as usual, contributed her share of men. A part of the regiment was posted at Fort William Henry with other forces. General Montcalm invested this fort with a large body of French and Indians ; and on the sixth day the garrison, having expended their ammunition, capitulat- ed. They were allowed the honors of war, and were to be escorted to Fort Edward. But the Indians, enraged at the terms of surrender, fell upon them as they were marching out unarmed, plundered them without restraint, and mur- dered all who made any resistance. The New Hampshire troops happened to be in the rear ; and out of two hundred men eighty were killed or taken.
When William Pitt was placed at the head of the British ministry, affairs were prosecuted with new and increased vigor. The strongholds of the French were taken one after another. Quebec, the strongest city in America, yielded to the victorious arms of Wolfe in 1759. The same year, Rogers, with two hundred rangers, was de- spatched to destroy the Indian village of St. Francis. He
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halted at night within three miles of the place, which was visible from the top of a tree. In the evening he entered the village in disguise, accompanied by two of his officers. He found the Indians engaged in a grand dance. Having posted his men to the best advantage, he made an attack just before day, when the savages were asleep. But little resistance could be made. Some were killed in their houses, others were shot or tomahawked as they fled. The light of day disclosed the sight of several hundred scalps of the English elevated on poles. The assailants found the place enriched with plunder from the frontiers and by the sale of captives. Having set fire to the village, they com- menced their retreat, intending to rendezvous at the Upper Coös. They kept together for about ten days, passing on the east side of Lake Memphremagog, and then, being short of provisions, separated into small parties, that they might gain subsistence by hunting. They were now reduced to the extreme of suffering. Some perished in the woods, some were cut off by the Indians, and others at last reached Number Four.
The conquest of Canada was completed in 1760, which put an end to the Indian depredations. Many captives re- turned. From this time forth the people of New Hamp- shire were freed from the attacks of their savage and relent- less foe.
During the war, troops were continually passing through the territory now known as the State of Vermont, and had observed its fertility. Governor Wentworth claimed this as belonging to New Hampshire, and at once proceeded to make grants, and with such rapidity that in 1761 no less than sixty townships were granted on the west and eigh- teen on the east side of the Connecticut. This was a great
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source of emolument to the governor, as, in addition to his fees, a reservation was made for him of five hundred acres , in each township.
But New York claimed as far east as the Connecticut ; and finally the matter was submitted to the royal decision. An order was passed by the king in council, declaring the river to be the boundary line between the two provinces.
Great Britain, burdened with an immense national debt, now entered upon a course of oppressive measures, designed to increase her revenue, by taxing the American colonies. The first enactment that produced decided and active op- position was the celebrated stamp act, which was passed in 1765. The effect of this act was to require all notes, bonds, and other legal instruments in the colonies to be executed upon stamped paper, on which a duty was to be paid. This produced great excitement throughout the col- onies ; and the stamp officers were generally compelled to resign, to save themselves from the violence of the popu- lace.
George Meserve was appointed distributor of stamps for New Hampshire. He was in England at the time of his appointment, but soon after came to Boston. Before he landed he was informed of the opposition of the people to the act, and was requested to resign, which he readily did. He was then welcomed on shore. On his arrival at Ports- mouth, he was compelled to make a second and more formal resignation before going to his house. Soon after the stamped paper designed for this colony was brought to Bos- ton and lodged in the Castle, there being no person author- ized to receive it.
The stamp act was to take effect on the 1st day of. No- vember. On the last day of October the New Hampshire
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Gazette * appeared with a mourning border. The next day a funeral ceremony was held over the Goddess of Liberty. On depositing her in the grave some signs of life were dis- covered, and she was borne off by the rejoicing multitude. By such exhibitions the spirit of the people was kept up, and the opposition to arbitrary enactments strengthened.
It was rumored that Meserve intended to distribute stamped paper, notwithstanding his resignation. The Sons of Liberty took the alarm, and, having assembled in force, compelled him to give up his commission and instructions, which they carried off in triumph. Meserve took an oath before a justice that he would neither directly nor indirect- ly attempt to execute his office. His commission was sent to the agents of the province in London.
During these proceedings Governor Wentworth remained silent. His failing health, his advanced age, and his ample fortune were all averse to his taking an active part in the contest, or using his authority, as the royal governor, to crush the spirit of the people. For a time it was doubted whether the courts could go on with their usual business without the stamped paper, and some hoped to be freed from the payment of their debts. But voluntary associa- tions were formed at Portsmouth, Exeter, and other places, to aid in enforcing the laws and to support the magistrates. The stamp act itself proved a dead letter, and in 1766 was repealed, to the great joy of the people.
In 1767 Governor Wentworth was superseded by his nephew, John Wentworth. This appointment was very acceptable to the people, by whom Wentworth was held in great esteem. He had used his influence to procure the repeal of the stamp act, which rendered him still more dear
Established at Portsmouth in 1756.
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to them. He had a taste for agriculture, and encouraged the cultivation of the soil both by precept and example.
An act of Parliament, passed in 1767, laying a tax on glass, paper, painters' colors, and tea, revived the bitter feelings which had been allayed by the repeal of the stamp act. But the personal popularity of Governor Wentworth, together with the influence of his friends, prevented the adoption of a non-importation agreement in Portsmouth. " We cannot depend on the countenance of many persons of the first rank here," wrote the Sons of Liberty to their brethren in Boston, "for royal commissions and family connections influence the principal gentlemen among us at least to keep silence in these evil times."
The establishment of Dartmouth College was among the events of this administration. It was founded by Eleazar Wheelock, in 1769. About the same time the province was divided into five counties, named by the governor after some of his friends in England - Rockingham, Strafford, Hillsborough, Cheshire, and Grafton.
The duties were soon repealed on all articles excepting tea. The trading towns passed resolutions not to allow this article to be landed or sold. This proved effectual. In some instances it was sent back in the same vessels which brought it. At Boston it was destroyed.
The first cargo brought to Portsmouth was landed and stored in the custom house. A town meeting was called, and a proposition made to the consignee, Mr. Parry, to re- ship it, to which he assented. It was then peaceably sent to Halifax. A second cargo sent soon after to the same person caused some disturbance. Mr. Parry's house was attacked and his windows broken. He applied to the gov- ernor for protection, who summoned the council. But in the mean time the committee of the town prevailed on the
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consignee to send this cargo also to Halifax, which ended the difficulty. This was in 1774. .
The assembly which met in the spring of the same year appointed a committee of correspondence. The governor, who had labored in vain to prevent this, now dissolved the assembly ; but on a summons from the committee the mem- bers came together again. The governor entered their meeting, declared it illegal, and ordered them to disperse. After he retired they adjourned to another place, and wrote letters to all the towns in the state, requesting them to send deputies to hold a convention at Exeter. They also ap- pointed a day of fasting and prayer, which was observed with due solemnity. The convention met in due time, and chose Nathaniel Folsom and John Sullivan delegates to the Provincial Congress at Philadelphia.
An order was passed by the king in council forbidding the exportation of gunpowder to America. The news of this reached Portsmouth at a time when a ship of war was expected from Boston to take possession of Fort William and Mary, at the entrance of the harbor. The committee of the town, with all possible despatch and secrecy, raised a party, which assaulted the fort, and, having confined the captain and five men, who were the entire garrison, carried off one hundred barrels of powder. The next day another company removed fifteen of the lighter cannon and all the small arms. These articles were secreted in the different towns. Major John Sullivan and John Langdon were lead- ers in the enterprise. Immediately after its accomplish- ment the Scarborough frigate and the sloop-of-war Canseau arrived with several companies of soldiers, who took pos- session of the fort.
Early in 1775 a second convention met at Exeter to con- sult on the state of affairs and to choose delegates to the
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next General Congress, to be holden on the 10th of May. Sullivan and Langdon were appointed.
On the 19th of April the first blood of the revolution was shed at Lexington. The people of New Hampshire, as well as of the other colonies, then flew to arms. Yet the governor still hoped "to plant the root of peace in New Hampshire." The assembly met in May, and he urged conciliatory measures. The house desired a recess, to consult with their constituents, which he reluctantly granted. In the mean time a convention met at Exeter, in which the province was fully represented. They passed a vote of thanks to those who had taken the powder and arms from the fort the preceding winter. They also instructed the assembly how to proceed at their next meeting. The house met, pursuant to adjournment, on the 12th of June. Their first act was, in obedience to the instructions of the convention, to expel three members whom the governor had called from new towns on account of their devotion to the royal cause, while older and more populous towns were unrepresented. The governor then adjourned the assem- bly. One of the expelled members, having censured the proceeding, was assaulted by the populace, and fled to the governor for protection. The people demanded him, and, to enforce it, pointed a gun at the governor's door, upon which the offender was given up and carried to Exeter. Wentworth retired to the fort, and his house was pillaged. When the assembly met again he sent a message, adjourn- ing them to the 28th of September ; but they met no more. In September he came to the Isles of Shoals, and issued a proclamation adjourning the assembly to the next April. This was the closing act of his administration. . The British government, which had subsisted ninety-five years in New Hampshire, was now at an end.
CHAPTER IX.
The Revolutionary War. - Forces raised by New Hampshire. - Preparations for Defence. - Treatment of the Tories. - Formation of a temporary Govern- ment. - Expedition to Canada. - Declaration of Independence. - Battle of Bennington. - Surrender of Burgoyne. - Sullivan's Expedition against the Seneca Indians. - Close of the War. - Adoption of a State Constitution. - Troubles with Vermont. - Distress and Rebellion. - Formation and Adop- tion of the Constitution of the United States. - Conclusion.
IT is not our purpose to give a detailed account of the revolutionary war, but only to relate the part performed by our own state in that momentous struggle. On receiving the news of the battle of Lexington, twelve hundred men went from New Hampshire to join their brethren who were encamped in the vicinity of Boston. From these, two regi- ments were formed, and the command given to Colonels James Reid and John Stark. The latter was working in his sawmill when he heard of the commencement of hos- tilities. He at once dropped the implements of his labor and proceeded to the scene of action. These regiments were present at the battle of Bunker Hill, where they be- haved with great bravery. Soon after this battle a third New Hampshire regiment, under Colonel Poor, joined them. The whole were posted on Winter Hill, under the immedi- ate command of General Sullivan.
In the autumn it was suspected that the British intended to attack Portsmouth. General Washington thereupon sent General Sullivan to take command of the militia and defend
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the Harbor of Piscataqua. Some fortifications had already been erected. These were strengthened, and other prepara- tions were made for defence. A company of artillery was stationed at the forts, and a company of rangers on the Connecticut River. The militia was divided into twelve regiments, out of which four regiments of minute men were enlisted - so called because they were to be ready to march at a minute's warning. When called into service, they were allowed the same pay as soldiers of the continental army.
While most of the people of New Hampshire espoused the cause of liberty, there were some who still clung to the royal government. Against these - who were called tories - a most violent resentment was excited. Some were im- prisoned ; others fled to Nova Scotia or to England, or joined the British army at Boston. Others who remained were restricted to certain limits and their motions watched. Jealousy, hatred, and revenge were unrestrained. Al- though many lamented these excesses, there was no effect- ual remedy. The courts of justice were closed, and all the restraints of former authority were broken. Yet much was accomplished in the maintenance of order by the ex- ample of the leading men and by the moral sense of the people.
The convention which assembled at Exeter in May, 1775, was chosen for a period of six months. During this time they established post offices, and appointed a committee of safety, which was considered as the chief executive. Be- fore their adjournment they called a new convention, agree- ably to the recommendation of Congress, designed to secure a more general representation of the people. This conven- tion met on the 21st of December, and proceeded to form a temporary government. Having assumed the name of
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House of Representatives, they chose twelve persons to be a distinct branch, called the Council, with power to elect their own president. It was ordained that no act should be valid unless passed by both branches ; that all money bills should originate with the House of Representatives ; that the secretary and other public officers should be chosen by the two houses ; and that the present assembly should continue one year ; and if the dispute with Great Britain should continue, precepts should be issued annually to the several towns, on or before the 1st day of November, for the choice of councillors and representatives, unless Con- gress should direct otherwise. No provision was made for an executive branch; but during their session the two houses performed the duty of this department of govern- ment. At their adjournment a committee of safety was ap- pointed to sit in the recess. The president of the council was president of this committee. To this responsible office Meshech Weare was annually elected during the war, and was also appointed judge of the Superior Court. Such was the confidence of the people in him that they did not hesi- tate to invest him with the highest legislative, executive, and judicial authority at the same time.
Congress having ordered several vessels of war to be built, the Raleigh, a frigate of thirty-two guns, was launched at Portsmouth, and, after some delay, was completed, and joined the fleet under Commodore Hopkins.
Two thousand men were raised for the services of 1776, and formed into three regiments, under the same officers as in the preceding year. A regiment, under Colonel Bedell, was also raised in the western part of the state, to be ready to march into Canada. The three regiments under Gen- eral Sullivan were sent into Canada to meet and succor the army which had been despatched against Quebec the pre-
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vious year, and was now retreating before a superior force of the enemy. Sullivan met them at the mouth of the So- rel, and took the command- General Thomas, the com- mander-in-chief, having fallen a victim to the small pox, which had broken out among them. Sullivan conducted the retreat with great prudence. It was computed that nearly one third of the New Hampshire soldiers perished by sickness. The remainder joined the army under Washing- ton, and took part in the battles of Trenton and Princeton.
The declaration of independence * was hailed with joy by the people. Within fourteen days it was published by beat of drum in all the shire towns of the colony, which now took the name of the State of New Hampshire.
For the campaign of 1777 three regiments were raised in this state, and put under the command of Colonels Jo- seph Cilley, Nathan Hale, and Alexander Scammell. The officers were appointed by Congress for the war, and the men were enlisted either for that time or for three years. They rendezvoused at Ticonderoga, under the immediate command of Brigadier General Poor. They remained at. this place until the approach of the British under Burgoyne rendered it advisable for them to retreat. Hale's battalion was ordered to cover the rear of the invalids, which brought him seven miles behind the main body. On the second morning he was attacked by a party of the enemy at Hub- bardtown. A skirmish ensued, in which Major Titcomb was wounded ; and Colonel Hale, Captains Robertson, Carr, Norris, and three other officers, with about one hundred men, were taken prisoners. The main body of the army retreated to Saratoga. During their progress a skirmish
* This was signed, in behalf of New Hampshire, by Josiah Bartlett, Wil- Liam Whipple, and Matthew Thornton.
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took place at Fort Anne, in which Captain Weare, son of the president, was mortally wounded, and died soon after at Albany.
The approach of Burgoyne compelled the people of Ver- mont to ask for assistance. The committee of safety at Exeter, to whom they had applied, called together the as- sembly, and in three days decisive measures were taken for the defence of the country. The militia of the state was formed into two brigades -one commanded by William Whipple, the other by John Stark. A portion of each was ordered to proceed at once to the western frontier. Stark joined the Vermont forces under Colonel Warner, then as- sembled twenty miles north of Bennington. Burgoyne, learning that the provincials had a large quantity of pro- visions at Bennington, despatched Colonel Baum, with about fifteen hundred men, to seize them. Some of the In- dians who preceded the main body being discovered about twelve miles from Bennington, Stark sent Colonel Gregg, with two hundred men, to oppose them. Hearing that a body of regular troops was advancing, he marched with his whole brigade to support Gregg, whom he met on the re- treat. When he came in sight of the enemy he drew up his men in full view, but they declined an engagement. He then withdrew about a mile and encamped. The next day being rainy he kept his position, but sent out detach- ments to skirmish with the enemy. On the morning of the 16th of August his force was increased by a company of militia from Berkshire county, Massachusetts. He had now' about sixteen hundred men. In the afternoon he moved to the attack. After two hours' hard fighting, the enemy were completely routed. While the militia were dispersed in search of plunder, the reinforcements sent to the aid of Baum arrived and attacked them. Fortunately Colonel
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Warner, with his regiment of Green Mountain Boys, met the enemy. Stark rallied his forces, and the victory was complete.
In the arrangement of general officers for the preceding year, a junior officer had been promoted over Stark, who thereupon retired from the army, and was now acting un- der the direction of the New Hampshire assembly. When the news of the victory reached Congress, although they had previously censured his movements as destructive of military subordination, they passed a vote of thanks to him, and promoted him to the rank of a brigadier general.
The army under General Gates was increased by the militia of the neighboring states. Colonel Whipple, with a large part of his brigade, joined him ; while volunteers from every part of the state flocked to his standard. In the battles of Stillwater and Saratoga the New Hampshire forces took a conspicuous part. The surrender of Bur- goyne with all his army soon followed .*
The scene of war was then transferred to the south. In the battle of Monmouth a part of the New Hampshire brig- ade, under Colonel Cilley and Lieutenant Colonel Dear- born, were closely engaged, and behaved with such bravery as to receive the particular approbation of Washington. The following winter they were encamped at Reading.
In 1779 General Sullivan was appointed to the command of an army of four thousand men designed to go up the Susquehannah River and attack the Seneca Indians. The New Hampshire brigade formed a part of the forces. The expedition was carried on with great judgment and intre- pidity. Several engagements took place, in which the In- dians were worsted. After their return they rejoined the
* October 17, 1777.
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main army, and passed the winter at Newtown, Connecti- cut.
In the following year the New Hampshire regiments were stationed at West Point, and afterwards marched to New Jersey, where General Poor died. The winter was spent in a hutted cantonment near the Hudson River, at a place called Soldier's Fortune. At the close of the year the three regiments were reduced to two, which were com- manded by Colonels Scammell and George Reid. In 1781 a part of them went to Virginia, and were present at the capture of Cornwallis. Here the brave Colonel Scammell fell. They were. afterwards quartered at Saratoga and on the Mohawk River, until the return of peace secured the independence of the United States.
The temporary constitution adopted at the beginning of the war had so many defects that in 1779 a convention of delegates, chosen for this purpose, drew up a new system of government. It was submitted to the people, and reject- ed. Another convention met in 1781, and continued for two years. They at length proposed a constitution, which was adopted June 2, 1784. The essential features of it are retained in our present constitution.
Sixteen towns in the western part of the state refused to send delegates to this convention, on the ground that the war had dissolved all allegiance to a superior jurisdiction, and that each town had a right to govern itself as an inde- pendent municipal corporation. They petitioned to the as- sembly of Vermont to be admitted into their state, which was granted. This led to a long controversy, which was finally settled by Congress. Vermont was required to give up her claim to the revolted towns as a requisite to her ad- mission into the Union. This was done, and the people returned to their former allegiance.
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The revolutionary war left the country deeply in debt. Congress had no power to establish a system of imposts, and consequently heavy taxes were levied on polls and .es- tates. This, in connection with other circumstances, pro- duced a season of distress and suffering, from which New Hampshire did not escape. The assembly did what they could to relieve the people, and urged them to diligence and economy as the only effectual remedy. But this seemed too slow a process to those who were suffering the combined ills of excessive taxation and poverty. Some imagined that the establishment of a paper currency would free them from all their embarrassments, and for this they became clamor- ous. As the numerical strength of the party increased, they increased their demands. Some went so far as to re- quire an abolition of debts and an equal distribution of property. The excitement rose to such a pitch that in 1786, while the assembly was sitting at Exeter, about two hundred persons assembled at Kingston, and proceeded to the seat of government, armed with guns, swords, clubs, and scythes, and demanded an answer to their petitions. The president, General John Sullivan, stated the reasons why the assembly could not comply with their wishes. Meanwhile the members of the assembly were held as pris- oners, the mob having placed sentries at the doors, and threatened death to any one who should attempt to escape before their demands were granted. But early in the even- ing some of the citizens of Exeter beat a drum at a dis- tance, while others cried, "Huzza for the government ! Bring out the artillery!" The insurgents then fled in dis- order. The next morning the militia were assembled from the neighboring towns, and took about forty of the rioters prisoners, of whom all but six were dismissed. These, with two others who were apprehended afterwards, were
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