M[eshech] Weare, [Committee of Safety] LS to Jonathan Chase, July 23, 1779

State of New Hampshire) In Committee of Safety—Exeter July 23 1779

To Colonel Jonathan Chase

Sir,
It appears by Letter & Return from General Poor, that
a considerable number of Continental Soldiers have shamefully
and wickedly deserted the good cause of this Country in which
they engaged—And notwithstanding the lenitive measures
that have been taken, and the humane & most generous Pro
-clamations of Pardon & forgiveness to all those, who have been so
base & wicked as to be guilty of desertion, yet many remain
so Obstinate & blind to the good of the Country and to their own
Solemn Obligations & engagements, that they still refuse or neglect
to return to their Duty—you will therefore, without delay, take
all necessary methods to apprehend & secure any & all the said
Deserters that any are or may be within the Verge of your Regimt.
you will call on all your Officers, and the Selectmen of any
Town where any of the said Deserters may reside, that they exert
themselves to the utmost of their Power in taking up and securing
all in their Limits, in Order that this wicked practice may be
remedied now, and discourged in future; for which Service
a reasonable allowance will be made—Inclosed are Lists of
the Deserters from the New Hampshire Regiments in the continentl.
Service—

M Weare Prest.

{Note: Transcription provided by Sarah Caswell Angell Chapter, NSDAR}