The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

Copy of a letter from the honorable Major General the Baron Steuben, to Major General Sullivan.

SIR,

I HAVE the honor as President of a Convention, for establishing the Society of the Cincinnati; to present you with a plan of its formation, together with several resolutions which have taken place relative to it.

The principles, on which the society is founded, will, I hope, meet your approbation, and engage you to become one of its members and supporters.

Not only your character and station in civil life, but the superior rank you held in the army of the United States, point you out as the most proper person in the State of New Hampshire, to whom the forming a society in that State, can be committed.

Your friendship for the officers of the American army, with whom you were so long connected, induces me to believe you will embrace with pleasure, the opportunity of joining them in an institution, the chief motive of which is, to perpetuate that virtuous affection which, in so exemplary a manner, subsisted among them, while in arms, for the defence of their country.

With the greatest respect,

I have the honor to be, &c.

STUBEN. Major General, President.

West Point, July 1783.

The Hon. Major General Sullivan.

The Baron having also communicated a letter from Major L'Enfant, enclosing a design for the medal and order, containing the emblems of the institution, Major General Sullivan proceeded to notify the persons, pointed out by the institution, as fit members to join the order, to meet in Convention at Col. Samuel Folsom's, in Exeter, on Tuesday the 18th day of November, A. D. 1783. for the purpose of forming a State Society, in the State of New Hampshire.

Tuesday, November 18, 1783

Then met the following gentlemen, viz. Major General Sullivan, Col. Cilley, Col. Dearborn, Capt. Case, Capt. Sullivan, Capt. Munro, Capt. M'Clary, Lieut. Mills, Lieut. Gookin, Lieut. Adams, Lieut. Cilley, Lieut. M'Gaffey, and Lieut. Wilkins.

And after hearing and approving the regulations for the order of the Cincinnati, proceeded to choose Major General Sullivan chairman.

Also voted, Capt. Sullivan, Clerk, P. T. to record the minutes.

The Gentlemen above named, as met in Convention, unanimously voted, That they cheerfully embrace the opportunity of forming a society in this State ; and hereby engage to become members of the order of the Cincinnati ; and to regulate themselves, and support the honor and intent of the institution, according to the regulations transmitted by the honorable Major General the Baron Steuben, to the honorable Major General Sullivan.

They then proceeded to sign the following Covenant

We the subscribers, officers of the American army, do hereby voluntarily become parties to the foregoing institution ; and do bind ourselves to observe and be governed by the principles therein contained : For the performance whereof, we do solemnly pledge to each other our sacred honor.

Done at Exeter this 18th day of November, in the year 1783.

After signing, the members proceeded to elect, by ballot, the officers prescribed by the institution.

The ballots being examined, Major Gen. Sullivan was elected president. Col. Dearborn, vice president. Capt. Sullivan, secretary. Col. Cilley, treasurer. Capt. Case assistant treasurer.

The society being formed, and after duly considering the method proposed, for establishing a fund for the society, for the purposes and in the manner as prescribed by the institution, communicated by Baron Steuben ; it is considered, that a number of the members of this society have no right to draw on John Pierce, Esq; pay master general to the united army, of the United States.

It is therefore voted, That the fund for this society be established by each member's depositing in the hands of the treasurer general for this society (in lieu of bills on the pay master general for the united army of the United States) public security of the State of New Hampshire, to the amount of one month's pay for his services ; which security, by the members who have now signed, and who shall sign previous to the next meeting of this society,- shall be deposited on the adjournment, in the hands of the treasurer general.

Voted, That the secretary be directed to make out a copy of the proceedings of the society, at this meeting, together with a notification to such persons as have a right to join the order ; that they may give their attendance at the time and place, to which this society shall think proper to adjourn ; and that he cause the same to be published, in the New Hampshire Gazette.

Voted, That the society do adjourn to Wednesday the seventh day of January next, at ten of the clock in the forenoon ; then to meet at this place.

JOHN SULLIVAN, President.

By order of the Society,

EBEN. SULLIVAN, Sec'ry

In obedience to the foregoing direction, I hereby notify all officers, now residing in the State of New Hampshire, who have served three years and upwards as officers, in the service of the United States of America, either in the army or navy; as well those who have resigned with honor or been deranged by resolutions of Congress, as those now in actual service : That they have by the institution, a right to become members of the society, and are desired (if they see cause) to give their attendance for that purpose, at the house of Col. Samuel Folsom, in Exeter, on Wednesday the seventh day of January next, at ten of the clock in the forenoon,

By order of the society,

EBENEZER SULLIVAN, Sec'ry

Durham, November 19, 1783.