The following are the instructions by the Committee of Safety to Colonel Samuel Folsom, for General Stark. "Sir: The committee desire you to proceed to No. 4 and if General Stark has marched from thence to follow him and endeavor to find out what circumstances his men are in, how they are provided for, and what they are likely to want that can be supplied by this state.  As the Convention of Vermont proposed supplying them with provi- sions we depend they will. You will inform General Stark that it is expected that he with the advice of his Field Officers will appoint such necessary officers as they have occasion for. We are fearful that the troops will suffer for the want of kettles but hope they have carried some from home.  None could be procured in New-England that we could hear of which you will let them know. You will inform General Stark that all the medicines that could be procured, as also 44 bushels of salt and one thousand lbs of balls are now on their way to No. 4. You will endeavor  to be informed whether there is a magazine of ammunition at Bennington or whether our men must be supplied from this state, as we have but a small quantity onhand, you will inquire of Colonel Hunt, and Mr. Grout of No. 4 what quantity of ammunition they have delivered to General Stark's men and what remains in their hands; and on the whole give such advice as you find needful for the public good to all persons concerned in the service of the state in those parts, and endeavor to contrive to the furnishings such things as you can that are ab- solutely needful and make report on your return of such assistance as to you appears necessary to be sent them from home. July 30, 1777,  (B. G. Stark.)"                              ---------------------------------- "Letters from General Stark relating to stores at Charlestown (Fort No.4) and the state of the army. p.116 - Hist. of Fort 4, Charlestown, NH (continued)                                                                  Charlestown, Aug 2, 1777, Sir: I this day received your favour by Col. Folsom, for which I return you my hearty thanks. I enclose you a copy of a return of what stores there are now in the Commissioner's hands and what they have delivered out to the Brigade. The Brigade is not yet completed.  But I expect there is a sufficient quantity of ammunition on hand to furnish it.  Had all the powder here in store proved good, and fit for use, we might have had a full supply of that article for present use. As to the quantity of state stores a Bennington, it is quite out of my power to give you an account of them at present; but refer you to Col. William's letter which I transmitted to you by Express, and which I hope came safe to hand. I purpose to set out for Manchester tomorrow and after I arrive there I will forward you an account of what supplies can be got there.  I should have gone from here before now, but could not get our balls run for want of molds. I received nothing new from the Enemy since I wrote to you last: Whenever anthing comes to hand worth communicating I will forward it to you with all speed. I would have sent you an account of the strength of the Brigade, was it in my power, but cannot, because they only arrive in small parties, and as soon as I can complete a Division I commonly give them marching orders, for to set out for Manchester without delay.  After I arrive there, I will obtain a List of the number of men in that department and shall send you an account of the same. I have ordered one Company to tarry here to guard the state stores and two company's I have stationed on the height of  land between this place and Otter Creek for the security of the inhabitants. As there are no spirits to be had at our station (Fort 4) I would esteem it a favour, if you would order the stores that are at this place to be forwarded to that place and set a price upon the same; more will be wanted. I am, with regard, your most Obedient and humble Servant,                                                                       John Stark Br. Gen. N.B. Sealing Wax and Paper is much wanted.                                  -----------------------------------------                          RETURN OF STORES AT CHARLESTOWN An account of the state stores now in the custody of the following persons in this town: Colonel Samuel Hunt  - has now on hand 13 barrels of powder, 7 sheets of lead                                    or pieces, - 100 flints. Commissary Grout     - has on hand the following articles:  11 barrels of powder,                                   9 of which are condemned. About 34 bushels of salt. Mr. White* This was Jotham White, afterwards Major Jotham White.                                 - has on hand also 5 hogsheads of rum, 5 barrels of sugar                                   2 Do. Do. Commissary Grout     - has dealt out to my brigade 509 pounds of powder, 710                                   Do balls and lead."                                   ----------------------------------------- General Stark entered the camp at Manchester (NH) on the 8th of August 1777 and was just in season to countermand the order which had been given his troops to march to Saratoga. They had even set out, under General Lincoln of Massachusetts, in obedience to an order of General Gates, to march and join the Northern Army at that place; but Stark, opportunely arriving, immediately commanded them to halt, when he informed General Lincoln that by the State of New-Hampshire, he had been in- trusted with a separate command, and promptly and decidedly refused permission to his troops to comply with the order of General Gates.  This produced a great excitement, and a great outcry was raised against New-Hampshire, on account of the course she had pursued.  It was denounced as being subversive of all military military discipline and order; and the matter was carried into Congress, where an exciting debate occurred on the subject, and it was proposed and seconded by Maryland that a resolve of Congress might be passed to censure General Stark's conduct in refusing to submit to the rules and regulations of the army.  But, on motion being made to that effect, it was agreed by a great majority, that it should lie on the table. - Said the New-Hampshire delegates in communicating the matter to the government:  "We informed Congress that a motion of that sort came with a very bad grace from Maryland who, only, of the thirteen United States had seen fit to make laws directly in opposition to Congress by refusing their Militia should be subjected to the rules and regulations of the army when joined; and we informed Congress that we had not the least doubt but the first battle they heard of from the North would be fought by Stark and the troops commanded by him." That was true; and the battle had already been fought at the time of the debate; and whatever judgement may be passed on the action of New-Hampshire, when viewed in a military light, one thing is certain, and that is that the victory at Bennington resulted from it.   This Battle was fought on the 16th of August 1777 and had not only the effect to free the inhabitants of No.4, and others on the River from many of their apprehensions, but caused a thrill of joy through all the American Colonies. After the Battle of Bennington, Stark, at the earnest solicitation of New Hampshire, remained in the service and patriiotically co-operated with General Gates in all his plans for circumventing and subjugating Burgoyne.  General Whipple's Brigade was also ordered by New-Hampshire to the scene of expected conflict, from which soon after his arrival, he wrote as follows:                                                                     "Batten Kill, 15 Oct. 1777. Sir: I have been so much engaged since I have been at this Post  that it has not been in my power to wait on Gen. Gates till yesterday; while I was there Mr. Burgoyne sent his Adjutant Gen'l with a Flag desiring a cessation of arms for a short time; which was granted till sunset; the substance of the proposal made by Gen. Gates is that Gen. Burgoyne shall surrender prisoner of war - the officers to be on their parole except such as haver heretofore broke their parole; these terms I expect will be agreed to today when the army will be in a situation to march down the country and I hope will soon have Mr. Clinton in the same situation that Mr. Burgoyne is in now.  If Mr. Burgoyne does not agree to the terms proposed by Gates we shall have a smart brush tomorrow.  You'll excuse this hasty scrawl as the man who takes it to Charlestown (NH) is in a hurry.  I have the honor to be with every sentiment of respect                                                       Your most Humble Serv't                                                                            Wm. Whipple." This was supposed to have been addressed to Hon. Meshech Weare.                            ------------------------------------------------ p.118 A few days afterwards he wrote of General Burgoyne's surrender as follows:                                                                       "Albany, 21st 1777 Sir: I did myself the pleasure to advise you a few days ago that a capitulation was negotiating between Gen'l Gates and Gen'l Burgoyne.  This business  was happily concluded on the 16th inst.     And on the 17th the British Army marched out of their encampment and layed down their arms.   I beg leave most heartily to con- gratulate you and my Country on this happy event.  Gen. Gates has given the Volunteers of New-Hampshire an honorable dismission.  The two regiments who engaged till the last of Nov'r still remain here.  I am directed by the Gen'l to attend Mr. Burgoyne to Boston."                             ----------------------------------------- So ended the the formidable expedition of Burgoyne, much to the joy of the country and to the special relief of those sections which had entertained apprehensions of an invasion from his army. At the special session of the New-Hampshire Assembly, on the 19th of July, a committee had been appointed, on account of the dangers which threatened, to tke into consideration a proper day to be appointed  for a day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, to be observed throughout the state and to form a proclamation to that end.  The day appointed was the 8th of August, the very day that General Stark arrived in camp at Manchester, NH.  After the happy issue of affairs through the capitulation of Burgoyne, the Assembly saw fit also to set apart a day for Publicke Thanksgiving.  Thursday, the 4th of December was the day appointed.  Congress, also with a becoming spirit, appointed a National Thanks- giving on the 18th of the same month, as will be seen by the following communi- cation:                                        GENERAL THANKSGIVING                                                      "Yorktown, Penn. 1st November, 1777 Sir: The arms of the United States of America having been blessed, in the present campaign, with remarkable success, Congress have resolved to recommend that one day, Thursday, the 18th of December next, be set apart  to be observed by all the inhabitants throughout these United States for the General Thanksgiving to Almighty God:  And I have it in command to transmit to you, the inclosed extract from the Minutes of Congress for that purpose. Your Honor will be pleased to take the necessary measures for carrying the Resolve into effect in the State in which you preside. You will likewise  find inclosed a certified copy of a minute, which will shew your Honor the authority under which I address you.          I am, with great esteem and regard, Sir, your Honor's most ob't and most          humbl' serv't                       Henry Laurens, Pres't in Congress To Hon'ble Meschech Weare, New Hampshire."                              ------------------------------------------------- -- p.120 "In Congress, Nov. 1st, 1777 Congress proceeded to the choice of a President, and the ballots being taken, Mr. Henry Laurens was elected. Extract from the minutes.                        Charles Thomson, Sec'y"                                ----------------------------------------------- -- Author, Rev. Henry H. Saunderson  "History of Charlestown, NH - Old Fort No. 4 notes at the end of this Chapter 7: The inhabitants of Charlestown (NH) were not only characterized by a spirit of patriotism during the preceding exciting events, but during the whole period of the continuance of the war, as we have reason to believe, acted well and faith- fully their part in the great struggle.  Charlestown continued to be a military post for supplies for the army to the close of the war, in which a commendable part was taken by a large number of her citizens, whose names will be found recorded in the Historical Miscellany of this work.  Some notices of many of them will also be found in the department of this works entitled: Genealogies and Brief Historical Sketches of Charlestown Families".    Rev. H. H. Saunderson. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth