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Portsmouth, January 6, 1776.
SIR: Mr˙ McClure tells me there was some difficulty respecting the rolls, which prevented the moneys being
Have nothing further to add, but am, sir, your most obedient servant,
PIERCE LONG.
P˙ S. After I have purchased some more wood, I will call on you, and settle the above account.
Letter from Colonel Long to the New-Hampshire Congress
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paid. I sincerely wish every obstacle may be removed, and their wages may immediately come down, for I heartily wish to see the time for the troops to get off. Mr˙ Ayres, whom you have appointed Wagon-Master, says, he cannot make it convenient to undertake for more than Captain Dearing' s, Wiggins' s, and Brewster' s companies, as the others live far out of his way, and, consequently, his expenses, in making preparations, will be large. I think, in order to save all that expense, those several Captains had better provide carriages for themselves and men, as they will be able to determine the hour, perhaps, they will go from their rendezvous. There is one Mr˙ Beal, of this town, an officer of Colonel Poor' s regiment, who is inlisting men from out of the companies down here, to serve during the war. There is a resolve of Congress, dated, I think, the 16th September last, which, no doubt, you have, which he thinks authorizes him. The prisoners who are set at liberty by virtue of your vote, are without money or friends, wandering about within their limits, reflecting on us, for making no provision for them. I have been obliged to let some of them sleep in the barracks, otherwise they would, in all probability, have perished this inclement season. I had forgot to mention that Mr˙ Beal has applied to me for a barrack and other necessaries, for his men. I would, likewise, inform you, that I have paid all the carpenters who wrought on the new barracks, and on the bridge, and have purchased near a sloop load of wood, at four dollars per cord, for the forts and troops, which leaves, in my hands, about one hundred pounds, of the sum of two hundred and thirty-five pounds received of Colonel Langdon; and must add, there is not one stick of wood now, either at the barracks or forts, excepting a small matter at Captain Salter' s. I am, this day, going again to find where I can purchase any, for they cannot do without it. I must entreat your attention to the poor prisoners, who are continually at my house, in droves, begging for provision to be made. The staff-roll will be handed to you by Mr˙ McClure.