New-Hampshire Congress to John Sullivan and John Langdon, Esquires, at Philadelphia

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Exeter, May 23, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Although it is painful to us to have occasion to realize the necessity of deciding by the sword the present controversy with Great Britain, yet we trust you will know with satisfaction that, in the fullest representative body this Province ever had, it was unanimously voted to raise a body of men for the purposes of general defence. As we conclude you bare been already sufficiently apprised of the hostile conduct of the Army under General Gage,

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We could have desired to consult a General Congress, if time had allowed, before we had taken such an important step as raising a military force. But the case seemed too plain to be doubted, and too urgent to be delayed. We have resolved to raise forthwith two thousand men. How shall we pay them, you are sensible, must now be one question.

We trust, as you know the stale of the Colony, that you will enter into the full importance of the question. We desire you will do your utmost to forward some plan in which we may be able to discharge our engagements. We must, gentlemen, press you on this article. The little cash we ever had is by one means or another almost entirely drained off. The most are ready to join, and are willing to expend one half, if they may preserve the other. Yet we seem to have no method left but borrowing, and we don' t know that we can borrow, unless we issue a proper currency ourselves, or have a currency on a general plan, or can borrow in some of the other Colonies,

With regard to what is further necessary to regulate the general policy of the Colonies, you will find our situation and views, so far as we have formed any, in our enclosed letter to the Congress. You may rely upon it that if any general regulations of the Province are thought necessary or best, we shall be ready to receive the same, and govern ourselves accordingly.

Gentlemen, we commit ourselves and you, the honourable body of which you are members, and the cause of liberty and justice throughout America and the world, to the all directing Mind, and subscribe; with much esteem, your most obedient servant.

To the Honourable John Sullivan and John Langdon, Esquires, Members for this Colony of New-Hampshire in the Continental Congress.