Letter from Essex County, New Jersey, Committee, to the President of Congress

v5:101

Read, March 13, 1776.

Newark, March 7, 1776.

SIR: I am desired by the Committee of the County of Essex, to inform you that we are in great want of powder, and to beg that the honourable the Continental Congress would direct that we may be supplied. We look upon this County now to be the frontier of this Province; and in case of an invasion at New-York, we would gladly hold, ourselves in readiness to march at a minute' s warning to their relief; but at present it is impossible, some companies of our Militia not having any powder at all, and none anything like a sufficiency. There is a great and general uneasiness among the people on this account. They have cheerfully given their money agreeable to the ten thousand pound ordinance of our Provincial Congress, in hopes of getting powder for their defence, and now are much chagrined at the disappointment. We pray, therefore, the Congress would immediately take this matter into serious consideration, and grant such relief as they in their wisdom shall think best.

I am, sir, with due respect, your most obedient and humble servant,

WILLIAM BURNET, Chairman

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.