Memorial of the Inhabitants of Portsmouth to the Provincial Congress

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To the Honourable Congress of the Colony of NEW-HAMPSHIRE, now convened at EXETER for the preservation of the lives, liberties, and property, of said Colony.

The Memorial and Remonstrance of the inhabitants of the town of Portsmouth, in town meeting assembled, humbly shows: That the great rise of goods has given much uneasiness, not only to the inhabitants of this town, already being much distressed by being the frontier, and the total loss of its trade, but also to those of the Colony in general. Although the honourable Continental Congress hare recommended that the Committees of the several towns should regulate this matter, yet, inasmuch as we have been informed that goods, although high, are higher at Newbury and Salem, and higher at Cambridge, we are of opinion that it is too extensive, as well as too delicate, an affair to be in the power of any Town Committee to rectify.

We, therefore, look up to the superior wisdom of Congress, entreating that they will take up the matter on a general plan, and afford such relief as the nature of the case requires.

And your Memorialists will ever pray, &c.

JOHN PENHALLOW, Town Clerk.

Portsmouth, December 25, 1775.