Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary war, 1629 to 1725, Part 26

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USA > New Hampshire > Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary war, 1629 to 1725 > Part 26


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[R. 5-183] [Joshua Wentworth to Joseph Gilman.]


Portsm° Jany 22ª 1779


Sir. Your favr of this date pr Taylor recd & observe the order of the Committee respect'g Barrack'g soldiers - I hope you were able to procure a place for those now at Exeter - I will be up next week & assist in what may be further necessary - I send by Taylor 20 pr- L. Breaches suppos'd you might have occation for them - we have no Blankets here - we have purchas'd few p's Checks &c. & shall.


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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.


procure all in our power, & have made up into shirts without loss of time, to cloath those soldiers that are here -


I am with much regard Sir, Y' very h1 Servt Joshª Wentworth


[R. 5-183] [Edward Burnham.]


The Board of War have charg'd to Edward Burnham £5. 16. o in 1779 Jan'y & Feb'y as appears by the Board of War's accounts. Exd by Josiah Gilman Jun™


[R. 5-184] [Concerning Provisions for Falmouth, Mc.]


This may Certifie all Home it doth or may Concern that John Waite master of the Sloop Riseing States now Bound to Portsmouth in the State of New Hampshire, after provisions for this Town, we Think him to be a sutable Person to be Intrusted wth the same therefore beg the assistance of our Friends in assisting the said Waite - Given under our Hands at Falmouth this 5th day Feb'y 1779 -


Nath1 Carll Selectmen


Step" Waite of


Pearson Jones Falmouth


[Captain John Waite was allowed by the Committee of Safety to export 100 bushels of corn to Falmouth. - ED.]


[R. 5-185] [Joshua Wentworth to Joseph Gilman.]


Portsm° Feb'y 15, 1779 -


Sir. Inclosed is a letter came by Capt Martin from Boston - We have a number of Shirts ready, with some Cloath'g for G1 Stark, & Capt Stones ps Linnen & Cambrick - therefore desire a Waggon & two horses, (the small Waggon will be sufficient) sent down tomor- row morn'g early - so that they may return same day -


I am Sir yr friend & Sert


To Joseph Gilman Esq Exeter


Josh. Wentworth


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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.


[Colonel Bedel to Colonel Hazen. Bedel Papers, p. 97.]


Haverhill 8th Feby 1779.


Sir - This you receive by M' Robert Peaslee. I wod had wrote to you before this but no opportunity serving for that purpose and the Campaign this Winter being likely to fall thro,' and I having engaged with my Men in Two, all things of course must fail, and I shall be obliged to quit all Public Business. Nevertheless I am and shall stand ready to assist you or any of my worthy Friends in everything that my Abilities will admit of. We shall I am afraid be put in a Poor Situation in this Place in Case we should be surprized by the Enemy as the Regt will be disbanded. We have here above 1000 Barrels of Beef and other Stores in Proportion. I have built and Compleated a large Store since you were here to Contain the whole and have never recd anything towards the same it is allowed by the Commis- saries to be as Convenient a one as they ever saw for the size - We have here also a large number of Indians who have acted with the ut- most Impatience and are now going off a Hunting, being disappointed. I have been obliged to furnish them with Ammunition Indian Stock- ings &c at my own expense not one single farthings worth being pro- cured by the Public tho' repeatedly wrote for (now for private business)


as you mentioned to me in Person also by Sundry Letters to desire I wod purchase up some Lands for you I have ever been looking about but as yet Purchased none, by my Discourse with Mr Sam1 White I was convinced in my mind he never meant to live upon his farm at the Upper Co'os and since I have discoursed with Mr Peasle I am fully Convinced - I must recommend it to you as one of the best Farms you can purchase in these parts Mr Peasle will call upon him to know the Terms (Nature I am certain has done its Part to make the same Compleat for the best Farm on this River if I am a Judge) I find there is now at this time by Purchasing of Land a wide opening for Trade and as Mr Peasle lives near the Seaport and I imagine it is in your l'ower and you please to undertake the same I am ready to Enter into Partnership, or Assist Mr Peaslee in whatever you may judge most prudent - If any Troops shod march into Canada I am & shall be ready with a Number of Men & Indians to assist on any sudden Emergency at the shortest notice - I have had Intelligence by severall Parties who I have sent out to St Francois and to the River Masco to view the Lands in those parts who Report it is the most excellent Land they ever went over, upon their Return from St Johns I orderd them to Travel thro' your Patent Easterly to Lake Suape [?] which is the East Side of Lake Amphrobagog as


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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.


you will see by the Plan which they say is the best Land they ever Travelled upon and upon Lake Suape large Meadow superior to the Oxbow and from the Lake down to S' Francois River which is short Two Days Travell down to M' Whites Farm - from sd Lake to Con- necticut River is a short days Travel and also fine Land


[Gen. James Clinton to Colonel Bedel. Bedel Papers, p. 95.]


Albany Feb'y 16th 1779 -


Sir - Yours of the 3d Inst is come to hand. I am very sorry to find the Stores at Haverhill which are of such infinite importance are in so precarious a situation - I have sent Major Cochran with an order on the Commissary of Military Stores at Springfield for such a quantity of Ammunition as you may want who is to forward it to you as quick as possible - I have also wrote to Major Whit- comb ordering him to take Post at Haverhill for the defence of the Stores when he shall have collected his scattered Corps - I cannot Conclude without requesting you to pay the strictest attention to the safety of those Stores and use every Exertion in your power for their protection by putting yourself in the best Posture of Defence to repel an attack or prevent a surprize. - I have wrote to his Excel- lency on the subject and expect an answer speedily which I shall communicate to you - you are to call on the Militia for their assist- ance if necessary - The Commissaries of Purchase and Issues in this Department by Instructions which they have recd from Gen! Washington, are determined to have the Stores moved from Haver- hill to Nº 4 in which you will assist all that lies in your power ; as soon as part of the Stores is moved to Nº 4 you will desire Major Whitcomb to go with his Party to Guard them, while you Guard the upper Stores Forrage &c -Major Cochran is to leave part of the ammunition at Nº 4- and the rest to be forwarded to you, send me a Return by the Major of your Regiment -


Colo : Bedel (Copy)


James Clinton B. Gen1-


[Colonel Bedel to General Bayley. Bedel Papers, p. 98.]


Haverhill 17th Feby 1779 -


Sir - Yours I received by Capt Morey yesterday and am ready to deliver up the Guards agreeable to your Proposal - but Capt. Morey not being sufficient in Nº of Men to take the Guards his Provision


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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.


Return being only for Nine Men (himself included) and Forty Two Men of my Regt are now on the different Guards - In Regard to the Number of Men I Regard not, only Request your Certificate for the Delivery of the Stores, that you have received them from me in good, or bad condition, as may be found upon Examination, if I deliver up the same, and order my men away, and the Two Commis- saries being at present absent, I desire I may be set upon an Equal Footing so as to be Accountable for what I do - I understand by Sundry Persons (and Capt. Morey in Person) you are willing my Men shod take the charge of the Stores, only so many are constantly drawing Provisions which you look upon needless, You will be pleased to send me word what Number you would have employed in that duty, only Consider, it will not Answer in regard to Nº unless there can be proper Relief and you may depend upon it the way proposed in Respect to the Militia will be more Expencsive than my Men taking the Charge of the same as they now stand. You will please Sir to Consider, that Forty of the Militia at least must be upon the Ground, and the Capts. employed to raise as many more for the next Guard, and at a great distance, and their Continual Marching backward, and forward with the Additional Pay they will expect will amount to more than my Men will receive, in Regard to which I am not going to dic- tate but am ready to deliver up the Store instantly to you or any one you may appoint, giving me a Proper Certificate for the same, if one Centinel is not on the Ground, the Reason for my asking a Certifi- cate is, the Two Commissaries desired I would take the charge of the same untill their return, and in Case any Embezlement should be made in the Stores at their Return (the Militia then having the Guard) and the Stores upon proper Examinations being Delivered up by me to you or whom you may appoint wod doubtless clear the Slander which my Men might be charged with - If you chuse a Nº of my men shod be employed to Guard the Stores I shod be glad to know what Nº you think sufficient and I will use my endeavours to get them, and send you an account, the number must be so as to make proper Relief otherwise let us proceed in a regular way and deliver the Stores in proper form - I am Sir


Your hble Servant


B. G. Bayley T. B.


[General Bayley to Colonel Bedel. Bedel Papers, p. 99.]


Newbury Feby 17th 1779


Sr - I always thot that the Guards for the Magazene was ordered by my Desire and you know I have so represented to his Excellency


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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.


General Washington so but if you have the charge of the Magazene from the Commissary only I shall not interfere (but I took it other- way), I would however advise that 50 men only guard untill the Com- missarys return and that no more Draw Provitions, if you think best that the militia take the Guards as many as 50 shall be raised in two days but I shall not receipt for these reasons if you kept the guard by my order there is no need and as (if you please) you shall Direct whatever Guards may be ordered for the future & if you did not nor do not keep the Guards by my order I shall order the Militia home - I am S' Your Humble Servant To Colo Timothy Bedle Haverhill Jacob Bayley


[R. 5-186] [Concerning Richard Smart.]


Atkinson Febry 16th 1779


This may Sertify that Richard Smart is a Soldier in my Comp'y & 3ª N. H. Regt - this is to Desire you to Let him have such Cloath- ing as he shall want his Paying for the Same Pr. me Benja Stone Capt.


To the Board of War at Exeter -


Received Two Check'd Linnen Shirts Two pr Shoes One pr Leather Breeches & One pr Overalls for which I am accountable - Richard Smart


[R. 5-186] [Capt. Daniel Livermore's Receipt.]


Exeter Feb'y 16th 1779 Received of the Board of War one pair Cloth Overalls & One pr Shoes for Daniel Chandler a Soldier in my Company - Also One pair Shoes for Moses Page One pr ditto for John Hillery One p' ditto for Jeremiah Fairfield they being Soldiers in my Company - Also one pair Cloth Overalls for myself


Dan1 Livermore Capt


[R. 5-186] [Lieut. Enoch Chase's Receipt.]


Exeter Feb'y 20th 1779 Received of the Board of War Twenty- eight pounds Sugar value Eighteen Shillings & Eight, for which I promise to account with them or order Enoch Chase Lt


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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.


[Colonel Bedel to General Clinton. Bedel Papers, p. 101.]


Haverhill March 6th 1779 -


Sir I recd your Favour By M' Lyne Dated Feby 16th 1779 you mintind that Majr Cochran was to bring some ammunition from Springfield for the use of the Troops hear he has arrivd and left the ammunition at Nº 4 and I have given him orders to leve it their with Doc' page who takes Cair of the Stores there with orders to Deliver the same to me or my order as I have Receivd a small Quantity from Boston - you mention that you had ordered Maj' Whitcomb to march to Haverhill - I have not as yet seen or heard of the Majr or his men you Directed me to take the best Cair of the Stores in my power which I shall do with the gratist Cherfullness you also men- chend the Removall of the Stores from this place to Nº 4 which is not posebel at this time as the snow is all gone and the ground is not setteled fit for Carridges Neither can the Stores be Removed till the Danger of the Enemys Coming this winter will be over a Return of my Regt you have inclosed that Nº of men or more I can Raise if Neded But I should give it as my opinion that Two Hundred men Beside Whitcombs Corps and the Militia would be a suficent Nº for the gards of the Stores or Scouting parties - and in case that Nº could be furnishd with proper Neseries - viz Clothing and Blankets I am very Cleair in it that the Enemy will not Be able to Hurt the Stores if they should not be Removed. Sir from our former acquain- tence I make the more Free I must inform you that we never had orders till about the furst of Novr to mak any Barrels there for this Beef then in Nov' we cut the stuff for them and the Barrels was made with that green stuff and in case they are Removed By Carting in the Hott season of the year the Barrels will Leak the Broyne out and the Beef will be entirely lost But I should give it as my opinion that theair should be som Vatts made very Cool and the Beef put in them and kept as much from the Heat as possible and the Enemy if they should Come would be Troubeld to Destroy them as much again as if in a proper Store and they are very easly made By the gaurd at very little expense - I Beg you will excuse me for giving my opinion so free - But I Beg leve to Refer you to Maj' Cochran who has viewd the place and the situation of affairs - In regard to Shoes we have plenty here in the Commissary of Hides Stores, and should be glad to have an order to draw some for the Men and I have never presumed to draw one pair for them - Whenever the Commissaries are ready to remove the Stores and the Roads will permit I shall give all the Assistance in my power to M' Lyne who has the Direction for the Removal of the same Gen1 Bayley looking upon himself as Com-


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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.


manding officer Ordered me about the 10th of Feby to Dismiss my men to the Nº of 50 which is the reason no more draws Provisions n n. upon the Ground


[General Bayley to Colonel Bedel. Bedel Papers, p. 102.]


S' agreeable to your Letter to the Committee met at Dresden, Capt Morey is arrived with a Party to relieve your Guards if any more men than is ordered is needed at Present they are or will be ready I wish you to give the same orders you usually have given to your Guards and assist them as to giting Provitions &c I thank you for your care in Guarding the magazenes heretofore,


am your Humble Servant


Jacob Bayley


P. S. 20 men was ordered with Capt. Morey, and 30 are ready from Lebanon and Colo Olcot


To Colº Bedle March 16th 1779


[R. 5-188]


Invoice of Clothing & Stores sent by the Board of War for the State of New Hampshire (in two Waggons) in care of Benjamin Leavitt) for Supply of the Troops raised by said State, and addressed to Jo- seph Leigh Esq" Commissary at Head Quarters, appointed by the Committee of Safety to receive the same -


Nº 40. A Hogshead Containing 364 pr Mens Shoes at 8/ £145. 12. 1086 pr Leather Knee Garters at 1 /3 67. 17. 6-213. 9. 6


-


4I & 42. 2 Barrels Ginger 1521b & 1431b 2951b Net at 15d 18. 8. 9 43. A Box Cont'g


909 Black Stocks for Troops @ 3/ 136. 7. -


5 Beaver Hatts - @ 78/ 19. 10. -


2 Beaveritt ditto - @ 48/ 4. 16. -


3 Castor


ditto -


@ 36/


5. 8. -


I ps Garlix 33 yards @ 3/6 5. 15. 6


22 yds Linnen dld Mr. Em-


0. 17. 6=172. 14. - erson @ 7/


21


1


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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.


44. A Hhd Cont'g 510 pair Mens Shoes


45. A do 430 př ditto


46. A do - 377 pr do


1317 pair @ 8/ 526. 16. -


47 I Barrel Sugar 2. I. 2


1. 16 Tare


Net 2. 0. 6 @ 74/8 7. 13. 4


£939. I. 7


Exeter New Hampshire March 8th 1779


Errors Excepted # Joseph Gilman


[Superscribed] Copy Inv° Cloath'g sent to Camp Mar. 8, 1779.


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[R. 5-190] [Petition concerning John Fisher, Esq.]


State of New } To the Honble Council and House of Representa- Hampshire ( tatives for said State in General Assembly convened at Exeter 16, March 1779.


Humbly shews Mark Hunking Wentworth of Portsmouth in the County of Rockingham and State aforesaid Esqr in behalf of John Fisher of said Portsmouth Esqr That the said Fisher having impor- tant urgent Business to transact in Great Britain, went from hence for that purpose, with a determination to return here again, as soon as his Business there was accomplished - Accordingly he lately returned to New York, where he was seized with a lingering disorder, which de- tained him there untill he received Letters acquainting him of the ill- ness of his only Brother and of the pressing occasion of his immediate return to see his Brother in England. Which unhappy and unex- pected Events, caused the sd Fisher to postpone his return here, untill after he had visited his Brother there - But the said Fisher being anxiously concerned to see his wife, and take care of the education of his elder children, desired her to beg of the State leave for her to come, with such of his Children to him at New York -In consequence of which, his wife petitioned the Honble Committee of Safety for said State, for such leave and also for leave to return with her said husband here, as soon as his Business, & opportunity would permit - She obtained leave to go, and went with some of her chil-


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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.


dren, * leaving the rest here with longing expectation of returning soon to see them again. - Your Petitioner further suggests that he has the strongest reasons to believe, that M' Fisher declined engaging in any Business in Great Britain which might hinder his return here. That when he came to New York, it was with design to come here which no doubt he would have accomplished, had not those sad acci- dents prevented : And as Mr. Fisher's conduct when here & while ab- sent has not been inimical, but on the contrary, he has ever exhibited a friendly disposition, in acts of kindness and generosity to American Prisoners, as many in this, and the other United States gratefully ac- knowledge and will testify. Which facts had they been known to the General Assembly of this State, at the time of passing the proscribing act, your Petit' conceives would have prevented the said Fisher's name from being inserted among the proscribed. Wherefore your Petit' humbly prays your Honors would take M' Fisher's peculiar hard . case into your wise and candid consideration and grant him leave to return & live in this State - and your Petitioner as in Duty bound will ever pray &c. Mark H'g Wentworth


State of New In the House of Representatives March 17th 1779- Hampr Upon reading and considering the foregoing Petition - Voted, That the Petitioner be heard thereon before the General Assembly on the first Tuesday of their next session, & that the Peti- tioner in the mean time cause the substance of the Petition and order thereon to be published three weeks successively in one of the New Hampshire newspapers & in one of the Boston newspapers that any person may appear and shew cause why the prayer thereof may not be granted - and that all Process against the said Fisher & his estate be suspended in the meantime -


Sent up for Concurrence John Dudley Speak™ pro. temp. In Council the same day read and Concurred


E. Thompson Sec'ry


[R. 5-191] [Testimony presented to support the Foregoing.]


Capt Thomas Palmer of lawful age testifieth and saith he sailed from this Port [Portsmouth] on the ninth day of June A. D. 1778 bound to


* [October 23, 1778, the Committee of Safety granted a permit to "Ann Fisher with her 4 Children & 2 Servants & baggage, to proceed from Portsmº to New London in Connecticut, to meet her husband Jnº Fisher Esq" in ord' to go to England."-ED.]


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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.


France with Dispatches from the Continental Congress and two days afterwards was taken by the Experiment Ship of War and car- ried to New York after being close confined sometime on board a Prison Ship was admitted to go on shore on Parole when John Fisher Esq' sent for him he (sd Palmer) waited upon sd Fisher who expressed a Concern at not knowing he was a Prisoner at the time Capt Lewis was released as sd Fisher said he would then have endeavoured to have procured his discharge also sd Fisher then made particular en- quiry what Piscataqua Men were the prisoners & in what manner they were treated & whether any were in immediate want of Relief being informed Capt Gregory was very sick, he sent him some Money by him the sd Palmer, said Fisher then told the sd Palmer he would en- deavour to procure a Flag the Release of him and others some time after sd Fisher told the sd Palmer he had procured a Flag to transport twenty two Prisoners to New London as the States then being in Debt to the Admiral to the number of ninety Prisoners sd Fisher told him a greater number could not be released at that time & desired he would visit the Prison Ships and bring him a List of the Prisoners belonging to the State of New Hampshire to that amount upon enquiry the sd Palmer found there were only nine of the aforemen- tioned Prisoners then on board the Prison Ships at New York whose names he returned to sd Fisher who told him to make up the aforesd number among those who stood in most need of Relief sd Palmer further saith thro' sd Fisher's means twenty two Prisoners were at that time sent in a Flag to New London - and further saith not.


Portsmouth March 16th 1779 -


Thomas Palmer


[Sworn to before Samuel Penhallow. - ED. ]


[Capt. Thomas Lewis's Testimony.]


Capt Thomas Lewis of lawful age testifieth and saith that he sailed from this Port on the sixth day of May A. D. 1778 in the armed Ship Portsmouth on a Cruize against the enemies of the United States of America and on the eleventh day of the same Month was taken by the Experiment James Wallace Commander that he was detained on board the Ship Portsmouth and ordered to New York by the sd Wallace. In his passage to New York he fell in with a Fleet of Transports bound to New York under Convoy of the Ardent, Ship of War, Admiral Gambier Commander on board of one


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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.


1


of which ships was John Fisher Esqr - Some weeks after they arrived at New York sd Fisher came on board the Prison Ship where in the sd Lewis was confined and told him the sd Lewis he should have come to see him before had not a fit of sickness prevented him and asked sd Lewis if he would chuse to have his parole provided he would give his honour to send a Man in Exchange and if agreeable to be landed at Elizabeth Town in New Jersey sd Lewis told him the sd Fisher he had rather tarry a few days longer provided the sd Fisher could pro- cure his parole to be sent in a Flag to New London which the sd Fisher kindly promised to endeavour sd Lewis a day or Two after went on shore waited upon sd Fisher who told him he had procured his Exchange to go in a Flag to New London accordingly in a few days sd Lewis was exchanged and sent to New London - sd Lewis further saith sd Fisher asked him if he stood in need of any money or other Necessaries he the sd Fisher said he would supply him while he remained a Prisoner- and further saith not.


Thos Lewis


[Sworn to at Portsmouth, March 16, 1779, before Samuel Pen- hallow. - ED.]


[R. 5-193]


[Nahum Akerman testified that his son Benjamin was a seaman on board the ship Portsmouth, was taken prisoner and sent to New York, and that Mr. Fisher obtained his release. - ED. ]


[R. 5-194] [Capt. John Gregory's Testimony.]


Capt John Gregory of lawful age testifyeth and saith that on the fourth day of February A. D. 1778 he sailed from this Port [Ports- mouth] Commander of the armed Brigantine McClary on a Cruize against the enemies of the United States and on the seventh day of the same month was taken by one of the Enemy's Ships and carried into New Port and there close confined two months from thence removed to New York where he was kept under close confinement four months longer. . ·


John Gregory


[He further stated that he was sick and was supplied with money by Mr. Fisher, who subsequently procured his release. - ED.]


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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.


[R. 5-197] [Letter from Commissary Leigh.]


Camp Reading March 18th 1779


Sir - By M' Emerson I wrote you somewhat fully with respect to the Roles of Deficiencys - Lt Blanchard of the 3d Batt" is Re- turned from Philadelphia and in order that you might be able to Form a right Idea when the Cloathing acct may be Brot to a close - have Inclosed you what that Gen1 wrote me on the occasion -


I am making the necessary Preparation to Receive the Roles of Deficiency but then I shall not look on them as authentic till I am in Possession either of the Originals or an attested Copy of their Settle- ment with the Continent - Unless your pleasure is Signified to the contrary - you1 Perceive in the Debit side of the inclosed acct Currt. that Shoes are charged at three Dollars & Hatts at two-In your acct of Issues as well as the Invoices at times sent both them articles are rated at 8/- as the acct of Issues now stands in these two articles the Difference is £827 : 18/- to the Disadvantage of the State -




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