CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS.
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which have been so amply and liberally afforded by them since the commencement of the war insupport of the common Cause. It is become my Duty however to provide in time for suchoperations, as the Legislature may think proper to adopt in consequence of the Resolution ofCongress , which I have reason to imagine will be considered as by no means satisfactory. I havetherefore to request that your Excellency will be pleased to give the necessary Directions forreturning within the State the six brass six Pounders together with their apparatus which the Statelent for the use of the Army in 1776 or that in case of loss, you will order them to be replaced as soonas possible. In order that timely Measures may be adopted for supplying a sufficient quantity ofProvisions for the Army I think it incumbent on me to inform your Excellency that the Magazineof Flour which the Legislature have authorized me to collect may probably be wanted for theoperations which may be deemed necessary to support the authority of the State; and that it is notunlikely I shall not only be prevented from filling up the continental Battalions by the drafts fromthe Militia already made but that by the Attention to the civil and military duties I owe particularlyto the State in this critical Conjuncture I may not be able to carry into Execution the measures Isuggested to your Excellency, and which you thought proper to approve of, for favoring theoperations on the western frontiers: However as I am particularly anxious for the success of theEnterprize in that quarter it is my determination, to abide by my former Intentions, unless restrainedby superior Considerations, and to continue to give your Excellency every aid in my Power, underthe present Circumstances of the State, for opposing the common Enemy.
I am &c. &c. &c.
His Excellency Gen 1 Washington. Geo: Clinton.
RESOLUTIONS OF CONGRESS ON THE PRECEDING.
The Committee to whom was referred the Letter of 7 th June from Governor Clinton brought in aReport whereupon Resolved unanimously that the Officers acting under the State of New York ,who w'ere lately restrained of their liberty by certain Persons of a District called the New HampshireGrants ought to be immediately liberated.
Resolved unanimously that the Committee appointed to repair to the Inhabitants of a certainDistrict known by the Name of the New Hampshire Grants be directed to inquire into the Mattersand Things contained in the Letters of Governor Clinton of the 29 th May and of the 7 th Instant andthat Copies of the said Letters be transmitted to the said Committee and that they be directed toreport specially to Congress .
Resolved unanimously that it was not the Intention of Congress by their Resolutions of the firstInstant nor ought the same or any part thereof to be construed, to hold up Principles subversive ofor unfavourable to the internal Polity of any or either of the united States.
That Congress expect very salutary effects from the Appointment of the said Committee therefore,all further proceedings on Governor Clinton’s Letter be postponed until they report.
Extract from the Minutes
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Cha Thomson Sec r r