Letter from Lazarus Stewart

v5:127

Read March 12, 1776. — Ordered to lie on the table.

Westmoreland, March 8, 1776.

SIR: The inhabitants of this town being sensible of the blessings of liberty, and desirous of taking a share in defence thereof, by risking their lives and fortunes in the service of the honourable Continental Congress; it seems they could think of no better way of testifying their attachment to the common cause than by meeting together this day, and making choice of us as their officers; desiring, at the same time, we should apply immediately to the honourable Continental Congress for commissions, that we maybe in readiness to march if your Honours call for us, at the shortest notice. If your Honours please to honour us with commissions, as the people were pleased to choose us their officers, we will use our utmost skill and ability, in conjunction with the other troops in the Continental service, to subdue the enemies of American liberty. We have, therefore, despatched Mr˙ William Stewart, with copies of the instrument to which we have subscribed, and bound ourselves by, with a list of the names of those who made choice of us, and by whom the honourable Congress will please to send such commissions, and instructions how to draw sustenance, money, clothes, and arms and ammunition for the men. We are, sir, with due regard to truth, your Honours obliged humble servants,

LAZARUS STEWART,
TIMOTHY SMITH,
DETHICK HEWIT,
PHINEAS PEIRCE,

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.