Letter from Colonel Hobart to the New-Hampshire Congress

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Medford, December 33, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Agreeable to the order of the late honourable Congress, Colonel Walker and I proceeded to this place, to pay our troops to the 1st of August. We were not particularly instructed how to pay them, but were directed to pay them in the same way that the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay pay their troops. In order to know their establishment, we waited upon the honourable Council, who favoured us with a copy, here enclosed, which is different from what we expected. Instead of paying billeting, they pay one penny per mile to the camp. The number of miles each man travelled is ascertained in their pay-rolls, and the sum due carried off against each man' s name, and added to the whole amount of his wages. This, together with paying by lunar months, gives all our Captains the trouble of making new rolls, and our Colony the disagreeable necessity of paying more money than we expected.

They are very explicit in the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, in putting all their stoppages into their rolls, guns, blankets, &c˙, in order, as they say, that duplicates may be sent to the Continent to refund the money. If we are to be as explicit in our rolls, I am afraid they will be imperfect; for the amount of guns, blankets, &c˙, supplied by so many hands, and some of them so intricate, that it is almost impossible to find out the true state of the matter. However, I shall lose no time, nor spare no pains in my power, to put every thing in as clear and true a light as possible; and shall cheerfully observe your commands, and obey your instructions, as far as I am capable. Colonel Walker will give you any information about these matters, and in particular how much money it will take to complete our business. The great despatch with which the recruits were lately raised in our Colony, and the eager speed of their march to guard the lines against our unnatural enemies, has done great honour to New-Hampshire.

Gentlemen, I most heartily wish you the Divine influence and direction in the important matters before you; and am, gentlemen, your most obedient and humble servant,
SAMUEL HOBART.

To the Honourable Congress at Exeter.