USA > New Hampshire > Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary war, 1629 to 1725 > Part 32
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[R. 6-76] [E. Thompson to N. Pcabody.]
Exeter March 2ª 1780
Dear Sir. Last week I had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 16th of December last. I feel myself very much obliged to you for your kindness in forwarding the Blanks you mention, which I received,
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they were left at Exeter in my absence and as there was no line or note accompanying them (that I recd) I did not know by what con- veyance they came - I must acknowledge I stand in need of your Candour to excuse my long silence, but hope the knowledge you have of my Constant hurry, & attendance on the public Business will (at least) palliate the negligence. The General Court is now setting here and very Busy in making a new proportion among the several Towns for a Rule in paying Taxes, and indeed the payment of large Taxes (at least) nominally so becomes more and more necessary every day, the depreciation of the paper Bills is not less than Sixty for one in the year 1775 in this State.
All the Taxes Called for the year past Continental and State will be insufficient to Cloath recruits, & pay but a small advance for de- preciation of wages to our Continental Batallions.
A Committee of officers from our Batallions, with a Committee of the G Court have agreed on a Rule to settle the depreciation up to the first of January last, which appears to be Satisfactory to the army and the recruiting Business has gone on pretty well lately. The Deep Snows we have had for Two Months past has so far hindered Travelling that most of the news we have, is Manufactured among ourselves, however we are pretty well Supplied from day to day as by the time the falsity of one story is known there comes out a new one to supply its place.
Please to present my Compliments to Gen1 Folsom & M' Liver- more and accept the same yourself from
your most Humble Serv Ebenezer Thompson - Colº Peabody -
[Colonel Nathaniel Peabody was at this time a member of the Continental Congress. - ED.]
[R. 6-77]
Copy of a Letter from Folsom & Peabody to President Weare, 1780
Philada March 4th 1780
We have the Hon' to Transmit you some extracts from ye Com- munications lately made by the minister of France respecting the disposition, & probable intentions, of the several Powers in Europe, whereby it will appear indispensibly necessary for the States to Exert every political nerve in preparing for a most vigorous Cam-
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- paign the ensuing year, as well to Cooperate with our allies if neces- sary in offensive measures, as for the security and defense of these States - We have no other recent intelligence from Europe worth Communicating - Our finances tho' much deranged, are rather upon the recovery -
we most heartily regret the necessity of asking such extraordinary aid & efforts from our fellow Citizens as Congress have by their late resolves, with great reluctance been obliged to do -
,
The Spirited and Patriotic exertions of the State upon former occasions incourages us to hope they will not reject the proposed measures - every one here has a Psalm, & Doctrine upon finance and whenever any important Conclusions Can with Certainty be Drawn shall do ourselves the Hon' of Transmitting the Earliest intelligence
We have the Hon' to be Sir your most obedt obligd and very Hum1 Servts
President Weare
N. Folsom N. Peabody
[R. 6-78] [Isaac Foster to Mr. Peabody.]
Boston March II, 1780
Dear Sir - I thought when I was at Philadelphia that two hun- dred thousand Dollars would be full little enough to compleat the purchases necessary for my Department the ensuing Campaign, and to pay the officers their salaries and subsistance, altho at that time I did not know how large the Demands from the officers properly authorized to Demand would be. I have since received from Doctor McKnight Surgeon General of the middle Department and presiding at Fish Kill, a return of what is wanted at that Post, of which I inclose you a Copy, the articles for that Post, and for the Hospitals at Providence and Newport are mostly purchased but not all paid for, for want of money, those for Providence and Newport are sent on, those for Fish Kill will be forwarded as soon as the roads are pass - able, most of the officers of my Department are paid up to Decem- ber 1, 1779, which has not only exhausted the money I received but obliged me to run in Debt, the Hospitals at Danbury and the flying Hospital are as yet not provided for, as I have not received from Doctor Turner Surgeon General of the Hospital, and from Doctor Burnett Physician and Surgeon General of the Army, returns of what will be wanted to answer their Demands, to discharge the offi- cers growing pay and Subsistance, and to pay for twelve regimental
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.
medicine Chests now just ready to be delivered to the Army, will require at least two hundred thousand Dollars more, besides which I am pressed by the Assistant Commissaries at the different Hospitals for money, to answer Contingent Expences, I should have urged for more money when I was last at Philadelphia, but as Congress was about stopping the Emissions, I choose rather to submit to some in- convenience than to embarrass them in so good a design, it is with great reluctance that I apply so frequently to Congress for money, but I cannot discharge my duty without it, and if the supplies are not furnished as called for, there are people enough ready to com- plain of me. I shall esteem it a Favour if you will communicate this letter to the medical Committee, and grant me your assistance in procuring the necessary supplies, of which, should Congress grant them, I should be glad to receive by the Bearer twenty thousand Dollars at Philadelphia, to be left with John Berrien Esq Commissary of Hospitals for this Department, and a warrant in my Favour for the remainder on the loan office here which I believe will be readily answered. the very pressing calls, and the Danger of the service suffering, oblige me to send M' Adams express upon this Business, and I doubt not you will give him every assistance in your Power. it is needless to urge his being dispatched as soon as possible, as you are no stranger to the expence of living at Philadelphia, please to present my Compliments to M' Lovel, M' Geary and the other Gen- tlemen of the House, not forgetting the ladies, and believe me to be with the sincerest respect and esteem
your obedient and most humble servt
Isaac Foster DD G ED
Honb] Nathaniel Peabody Esq
P. S. I have wrote Doctor Holton on the same subject, lest one of you should be absent, the Service must suffer if I am not supplied immediately -
[Endorsed] Letter from D' Foster Recd Mh 26 - So pr Express -
[R. 6-79]
Copy of Letters Sent to President Weare, Col. Langdon and Col. Bartlett - Communication respecting Temple.
Friday 3 Ck P. M. 17th march 1780 Philada
Sir - I have only time to observe that Congress this moment received the following information, and may probably be depended
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.
on viz. M' Temple is comming out with the following propositions to congress G. B. to acknowledge the Independence of all the States excepting Sº Carolina & Georgia, and that part of Massachusetts Bay called the province of Maine this together with So Carolina & Georgia to be given to G. Britain - Mr Temple to be allowed to draw for what sums of money he pleases - The following propo- sitions were offered by the British King & rejected by Mr Temple viz. the united States to join their arms with G. Britain agt Spain if this can't be obtained the said States not to assist Spain against Britain. if this should be rejected then to make the best terms on this head he can -
This intelligence comes from Holland to a Gentleman of high rank in this city by a letter dated 29 Dec - The post waiting
I am Sr
Copy
N. P.
Wrote Letters much of the same Tenor & Date to Col. Bartlett & to Speaker Langdon
[R. 6-83] [Samuel Livermore to Nathaniel Peabody.]
Dear Sir - I this moment recd yours of the 9th instant inclosing the Act. I deld your letter for Mrs Peabody to Capt Gile. The Gent Court is adjourned to the 7th June. Our Supr Court sets the 16th May at Portsmº The sum you mention shall be conveyed to Mrs Peabody as soon as possible. I arrived in Exeter in 13 days without any material accident. I found the Gen1 Court sitting & have at- tended to this time. I saw your family & deld your letters they are well. Consideration of sending a delegate is put off till June. In my opinion it would be well for you to meet us here when the Gent Court sits in June.
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In Greatest haste your most obedt Servant
Exeter Apr 29, 1780. Sam Livermore.
Hon Col. Peabody -
As money is going to the Devil here I must think of paying you for the mare on your return sell the horse if you please or do as you please with him. My love to all the family male & female
Note. Partridge overtook us at Morristown where we had waited a day but he soon fell behind. His horse entered a protest against hard riding -
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.
[Superscribed] To The Honble Nath1 Peabody Esq Member of Con- gress now at Morris Town [The word Philadelphia is crossed] Recd May 18th J. L.
[Impression of his seal in wax on the letter is in good condition. - ED.]
[J. Lovell to Mr. Peabody.] [R. 6-84]
May 16, 1780 Dear Sir - I send what you wrote for to Mrs Clarke to whom I shall pay 20 Dollrs on yr account.
I need not say any Thing of foreign News as you have had the Marqs de Fayette with you.
Every Thing looks well from abroad; but, Good Lord ! how is it at Home? I shall miss the post if I do not close -
y' dear Sir J. Lovell [R. 6-85]
[Mr. Gerry to Mr. Peabody.]
Philadelphia 16th May 1780
My Dear Sir - I shall use every Measure that is proper, for obtaining ye Payment of your Warrant, & would have you give your- self no Concern about any Inconveniences on my Side, whether it is paid or not. I very luckily met with an opportunity of selling a Draught for ye greatest part of ye Money required to discharge my Congressional Bills, & would have drawn for ye Money wanted by yourself, had it been possible to make sale of another Draught. shall send Mr Shelden to ye several Boards, quarter Masters, Com- missarys &c &c for a Conveyance of your Chest to Camp, but know not of any advantage you can derive from ye Horse at Hiltzhiemen, as there is no Baggage here, belonging to yourself, excepting what is contained in your Chest & Boxes. I inclose you ye latest Papers, and remain with esteem yours sincerely [Signature torn off.]
P. S. Should you write a line to Congress as before hinted for ye payment of your Warrant, & inclose to me ye Letter, I can deliver it or not, as occasion may require - I propose to leave ye City next week -
Honª Mr Peabody
[Endorsed] from Mr Gerry May 1780
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.
[Mr. Lovell to Mr. Pcabody.] [R. 6-86]
May 19, 1780
Dear Sir - Yrs of 16th I recd 17th by Mr. Mathews The picture in it is indeed a black one ; and very singularly unwelcome at this Time as we appear from it to be in danger of losing a most glorious opportu- nity to cooperate with the aids sent by our good ally. There is a sadly obstinate Contest against every extra power to be given to any Com- mittee or Individual for the purpose of essential Dispatch. Some- thing however is now in Train which doubtless you will know more accurately from Mr Mathews. You can have no Idea to what mean Distress I am reduced for want of money. I cannot get a Dollar from the Treasury or sell a Bill upon Sight. I have many Chagrins in the domestic way which are fit only for a Tête a Tête - I suspect that Magdalen has not had a line from "the most honest Man that ever was in a Camp." I hope you have never touched upon the Topic of "pretended addresses. " Yrs [Endorsed] from M' Lovell may - 1780 J. L. [Impression on seal is a ship under sail. - ED.]
[R. 6-87]
[Mr. Lovell to Mr. Peabody.]
May 30th 1780 -
Dear Sir - you will, eer this reaches you, have had many Reports of grand Doings in our favor at Charlestown but nothing absolute is here known except that Fort Moultrie is in the Hands of the Enemy. We do not venture to assert that there has been a second assault upon the Lines. Col. White & Col. Washington have escaped after · being "surprized " * by the Enemy. They swam their Horses over Santee River the deepest & most rapid thereabout - I pity poor Lincoln ; but really I do not yet give up Charlestown.
We must reserve for more laughable Times several matters which have turned up near Home. - Broadhunt [?] is returned, and is going to live in Baltimore. Tr -- n will not see a Body on the oppo- site side of a narrow Street - But I cease - I am running into Tête a Tête Subjects. -
* The Letter writer should have said overtaken as they were returning with prisoners and had actually embarked them.
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.
I have pd Shield. But I have got not a Line from M' H nor one Half Joe from Boston Yrs affectionately J. L.
[Superscribed] Honble Nathaniel Peabody Esq' Member of Congress now at Head Quarters Morris Town
[Mr. Lovell to Mr. Peabody.] [R. 6-89]
June 15th 1780
Dear Sir - I was two days ago much obliged by the Receipt of your Favor of the 10th- Congress has this day by a circular Letter sanctified the measures you had adopted in Comtee I own I think the Call upon Mass. very heavy but the Crisis of Things seems to point it out as indespensible. The paper which I send in print is as good for your information as if it had Thompsons sanction. Col. Terrant [?] arrived yesterday and Gen1 Lincoln may be hourly ex- pected - If no misfortune takes suddenly place upon our army at Morris Town, we shall do very well, upon Supposition that the other States rouse as much as this appears to have done. Gen1 Gates is ordered to the Southward. I wish I knew what were Gen1 Washing- tons Intentions in regard to him - I know a letter was sent on from Head Quarters about 10 Days ago but whether it was only a Letter of Intelligence from the Gen. or an order I cannot guess. - My Son will deliver this and repay what you was so very kind and fatherly as to furnish him with in his late Embarrassment on his way hither. He is prodigiously grown since I left him at home. He is quite young in his manners - a Colt without Education - a sample of the Injury wch arives to my Family from my long absence. I regret more than ever that I cannot return : but our affairs are now such that I should feel as if I was sneaking away from the Burthen of them, if I paid such attention just at this time to my private concerns bad very bad as they are described to be : I will first see public matters mended. We live here not quite so pleasingly as when you was an eye witness and could praise our Situation, in a confidential midnight Tête a Tête. We are of six Sorts. - No Returns of men or Provisions at the dif- ferent periods of the seige of Charlestown are come to Hand, so that you can have nothing new beyond what Rivington has given.
The Enemy are at Liberty to put down great Numbers for the Garrison because all the Citizens are rated like militia in the Spirit of the Capitulation but Col. Ternant says that there were not above 900
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.
(nine hundred) armed militia and about 2000 called Continentals - They had been 3 days without meat and had but little store of Rice. They were treated with all the Ceremonies due to the troops of an Independent Nation, in the arrangements consequent upon Gen. Lin- coln's last printed letter in which he desires that persons might be appointed for such purposes and which was granted though Rivington does not give the Result.
M' Laurens is not yet gone from North Carolina. I believe we shall empower M' Adams or Mr Dana to take up the Business till M' Laurens shall be on the spot to execute his Commission.
I cannot scrawl on without neglecting Wife &c &c - Your affectionate
[Endorsed] from MY Lovell June 15 - 1780 J. L.
[R. 6-91] [President Weare to Mr. Peabody] 1
Hampton falls July 2ª 1780
Dear Sir - I have just Received your favor of the 24th of June giving me an account of the situation of our Army, and of the action on the 23d for which I am much Obliged to you; It is long since I received any letter from you except as one of the Comtee However I can excuse it knowing how much you must be engaged in matters of the greatest importance :
But I could wish that you would even borrow part of a sleeping hour to let me know by every Opportunity the situation of our Army and Military Operations at this Critical Moment, about which I am very anxious, and nothing can be depended on by common information ; shall therefore be greatly Obliged to you to give me as frequent information as you can how matters go on. I have not time to write any thing of private affairs, and indeed our public affairs seem at present to demand the whole attention of every one. I can only add that I am with much Esteem and Respect
Yr Obt Humle Sert
Col - Peabody M. Weare
[Endorsed] from Col Weare with the answer July 1780 - Recd 22d 1780 answered 25th by Mr Emery
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.
[Mr. Lovell to Mr. Peabody.] [R. 6-93]
Sunday 22ª July, So
Dear Sir - I called again the 30th time upon yr Syringe-maker and he told me that he had "quite forgot all about it"; without even renewing his old Lye, that he would set to work upon the next day. I blessed his Impudence, and thus have dropped the affair. The Bearer you doubtless know - Doct' Cochran -a Thought struck me from seing his Behavior to the Family of Bethlehem, particularly to the Virgin, that he is quite capable of giving anecdotes that may be depended on.
There are easy moments in which you may put Questions founded in a Pride of your own Judgment and without any Expectation of ever having again any thing to do with them - I wish to know all I can, before I quit : an agreeable plan is formed, an House only is want- ing ; when that is obtained we shall move. In the mean Time - Face is the Parole of our party. My newly arrived Colleagues are out of all patience with the Situation in which they find matters in their Lodgings - I find there is still a serious thought of Maj' W-lk-r, tho' I believe he has not wrote a Line since he left the odd Fancy here.
I take for granted that you know at Head Quarters all that is com- municated here. The Report of this Day is that the English Ships have sailed from New York. If so, I should think that cowardly Villains of magnitude, in that City, would be now trying to purchase their peace of us by giving our General the fullest Information of all Things going on there - I shall be particular in keeping any anec- dotes you may send about P. D. to myself. I think considering your unfixed state you had best burn this and all like it.
your Friend & humble Servt J. L.
Honble Nathaniel Peabody
[Endorsed] from Mr Lovell, Recd 28 - answd 29 -
[R. 6-94] [Copy of Letter. Mr. Peabody to President Weare.]
Camp Preakness July 25th 1780
Sir - The 22ª inst I was hon'd by your very obliging favour of the 2ª acknowledging the Rect of my letters of the 24th ulto - you ob- serve that it had been long since you had had one from me before, but make a generous excuse for me, yourself. You will give me leave to assure you sir nothing except being personally with a friend could
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.
equal the satisfaction I feel upon receiving letters from my friends when at a distance and consequently am proportionaly in addressing them, and tho I have been obliged from utter necessity to neglect addressing my friends when my inclination urged to the performance, yet I have wrote a number of letters to them upon various occasions, some of which were upon very interesting subjects - and which from ye Rect thereof not having been acknowledged, & other Circum- stances, renders it more than probable have took a different rout from what I intended - perhaps where they may have given information to those that it had been better for us they had remained ignorant. - This circumstance has prevented me from making observations in letters to my friends that I otherwise should - Once in a great while I get a line from New Hampshire. Last winter I did myself the hon' of' addressing you upon the subject of having a post office in Exeter and inclosed a Certificate from the Postmaster Gen' that he had given positive orders to M' Hazzard to establish a post office there and to appoint M' Jos Gilman Postmaster - and to direct the Post Rider to take his rout accordingly - but to my no small surprise am informed by Mr Emery that no such Change had taken place - I also wrote you in the mº of March 2 long letters upon various subjects, and at the same time addressed Col. Bartlett - but by a letter just Recd from that Gent1 Conceive he never Recd them - I was very happy upon seeing Mr Emery but more so upon being fully advised of the great exertions of that State at this important Crisis - he is appointed by the Quarter master Gen1 and Commissary Gen1 to re- ceive all ye supplies from that State &c and I must beg leave to refer you to that Gent1 for information upon that head. -
The fatigues incident to a faithful discharge of the trust reposed in me and in - reflections upon the embarrassed situation of our public affairs hath considerably injured my health but hope when the rays of prosperity shall have brightened a little more, that I can afford a degree of relaxation sufficient to remedy this evil - My most sincere regards to the GentIn of the Contee of Safety.
I sensibly feel for ye distress of ye Citizens, & of them in particu- lar for they have undertaken an arduous Task a great & necessary work. I wish them to be strong and Courageous and the Lord shall prosper them - Yours
Presd' Weare
Copy not exact - I mentioned my uncertainty whether I was con- tinued &c &c
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.
[R. 6-95]
[Colonel Abeel to Mr. Peabody.]
Morris Town 26th July 1780
Sir - I received your Letter concerning the Sulkey but as I have been disappointed in getting the Wheels finished untill a day or to ago, and they are now painting, I would not send it down, however soon as they are dry I shall either come myself or send a Person so as you may see it - I am in the mean time - Sr
Your most Hble Servt
Jas Abeel D Q M Gen1
Nathaniel Peabody Esq Head Quarters
[R. 6-96]
[Mr. Brasher to Mr. Peabody.]
Camp 28th July 1780
Dear Sir ; I hope this will find you at Morris in a better state of health than when you left us, if not, that the change of air and a freedom from the perplexities of public business will both contribute to its reestablishment in a short time. - Yesterday the army had orders to hold itself in readiness to march at the shortest notice. I believe you did not hear this before you left us - Peacock the bearer, is sent to Morris to procure the follows articles - be so kind as to direct him - 2 saddle cloaths - 3 or 4 padlocks - 4 rolls of black balls, some hair powder - some pomatum -- a pr of shoe brushes - and any other articles which you may judge necessary for the use of the committee - Let me beseech you to be totally disengaged from the thought of public & private business - a solicitude about either will be injurious to you - and believe me I am too much your friend to wish you should neglect anything which may contribute to the recovery of that, without the enjoyment of which, life drags on heavily.
We have received nothing material since your departure, no mate- rial occurrence has turned up worthy of your notice - if any thing should, opportunities will not be wanting, I shall do myself the pleas- ure of making the communication - present my best respects, if you please, to our friends at Morris - I wish you may be happy among them, and believe me, interested in your health and welfare, to be Dear Sir Your sincere friend & most humble servt
Colº Peabody
Ab. Brasher
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.
General Schuyler desires if M' King has no boots & leather breeches, you will be pleased to give an order to Robinson for a pr of each, on the Cloathier generals store.
[Superscribed] Colo Nathaniel Peabody, Morristown # Mr Wm Peacock
[Colonel Abraham Brasher was a member of the general committee of the State of New York. - ED.]
[R. 6-97] [Colonel Brasher to Mr. Peabody.]
Head quarters 29th July 1780
Dear Sir - I am to inform you that this morning about 3 oclock the Army moved forward on its way to King's ferry, by the Paramus rout - General Schuyler desired me to give you this information and expressed a wish that you would be pleased to come as soon as possi- ble, if your health will permit - There is nothing new here, except this movement - Be pleased to present my love to my family, and my best respects to my friends, and believe me to be with sincere wishes for your health Dear Sir Your sincere friend and most humble servant Ab. Brasher
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