Whipple, William, Signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Hampshire

Autograph letter signed ("Wm: Whipple"), 3 1/2 pages (8 7/8 x 7 1/2 in.; 227 x 190 mm) on a bifolium (watermarked posthorn | Vander Ley), Baltimore, 9 February 1777, to Meshech Weare, President of the New Hampshire Council, also signed by New Hampshire congressional delegate and Signer Matthew Thornton; mounting remnant and two tiny holes at left margin.

Letters of Delegates to Congress, ed. Smith, 6:248–49

Recently resettled in Baltimore with the rest of Congress, New Hampshire's two delegates report to the state's president on their efforts to obtain continental funds for their militia. "Your favor of the 27th Decr. was handed us the l9th January by Mr. Betten. We immediately apply'd for, and obtain'd, a grand [i.e., grant] for 100,000 Dollars, & have from that time, been useing our utmost endeavour, to procure the money but the confused state of the Treasury, caused by the Removal from Philadelphia & the Pressing demands from all quarters, has prevented us from giving Mr. Betten the dispatch that we are sensible the Public service demands, But as Colonels Poor and Stark are gone home, with 12000 Dols which they receiv'd of the Pay Master for the recruiting service, we hope that important Business will not be delay'd for the arrival of this supply." In fact, John Hancock had the previous day sent to the New Hampshire Assembly "One hundred thousand Dollars, an Advance to the State of New Hampshire for publick Service, and for which your State is to be Accountable" (Letters of Delegates 6:243).

Whipple and Thornton also report that several militia officers from their state had been recommended as field officers for the Continental service and would be contacted shortly by General George Washington. "The list of the Field officers for the Regiment which has been stationed at Portsmouth did not arrive 'till after the General was vested with his new Powers, their names were therefore transmited to him & he will deliver the Commissions." Of the two New Hampshire militiamen mentioned earlier in this letter, Enoch Poor accepted a commission as brigadier general in the Continental Army, but his sometime rival John Stark determined to remain in service to his state.

The delegates remain confident in the revolutionary cause, noting that even "The seeming advantages gained by the Enemy in New Jersey, will Eventually be serviceable to the United States. The cruel Ravages commited in that Country by the British Troops, has raised such a Spirit of resentment in the Inhabitants that the Militia who could not be prevail'd on before to lend their assistance to defend their own Country now turn out with great Spirit, & have already done very essential service. On the whole, from present appearences, Our Army will end the Winter Campaign with Eclat."

Congress seems to have been anticipating France's imminent entry into the war, but Whipple and Thornton caution that the United States cannot therefore relax its own efforts: "We are in Daily expectation of very Important Intelligence from Europe, But no disposition of the European Powers Ought to cause the least relaxation in our measures. We therefore hope every Exertion will be used to raise, and Equip, the new army. When that is compleated, America will be on a Respectable footing, we then may look Bold on every Power in Europe, & shall be in a good Scituation to form what Alliencies we Please." This warning from the Granite State delegates proved prescient, since the Franco-American treaty of alliance was not signed until 6 February 1778.

As they close, Whipple and Thornton refer Weare to James Betten for the latest military intelligence, and they gratefully acknowledge their reelection to the Congress, while also expressing the hope that they might soon be relieved, "As a close application to Business without a due proportion of Exercise has a tendency to unnervate both Body & mind. ..."