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��tlirough which the colonies had suc- cessfully passed, and realized the responsibility which devolved upon them in establishing- the new state on a sure foundation.
Money at this time was very scarce, that is, gold and silver. The Conti- nental currency had depreciated so that fortv pounds represented one, and was very diflicult to dispose of at any figure, being thought nearly worthless. The new legislature voted to raise £25,000, but were aware of the difficulty of raising any. They provided for the pensions of disabled soldiers, for a light-house at New- castle, and for the pay of the officers of the state, but made the collection pos- sible by allowing evidences of state in- debtedness to be received as state taxes.
At this time the state contained a population of about 140,000 souls, mostly employed in agricultural pur- suits. Portsmouth was the only place of much importance, sending three representatives to the General Court, but its leading men were the unpop- ular Masonian Proprietors, and thus its influence was curtailed. Next in importance was the town of London- derr3^ where already had sprung up a few manufacturing industries. Deri-y- field sent no representative. This was before the days of turnpikes and canals, and the roads were carried over the hillipst and most rocky routes, to save expense in maintain- ing, and were consequently as bad as they well could be ; but as they were not much used except by foot travel- lers and horsemen, it did not much matter. Bridges were of such a char- acter that they were generally carried away by the freshet every spring, while the main dependence was placed
��on ferries. The crops on the new land on the hillside farms were abun- dant. Large families of children were raised, and were educated in the rudiments at the little school-house in every district. On every farm was a self-sustaining community : thej' raised their own wheat, corn, vege- tables, maple sugar, and all the food required ; they raised their own wool and flax ; they tanned their own leather ; they made their own cloth, and made their own garments. Every town had its minister. Then came the miller with grist-mill and saw-mill ; then the blacksmith ; and lastly, when the town had gained a certain stand- ing, a justice of the peace.
Dartmouth college was granted the right bv the first legislature of the state to hold a lottery, in order to raise £3,000.
MESHECH WE ARE,
the new president of the state, was at this time well advanced in years, being over 70. He was a native of New Hampshire, graduated at Har- vard college m 1735, and earl}' de- voted his attention to law and state- craft. From 1745, when he was elected a representative from Hamp- ton Falls, he was almost continually in the public service. He was clerk of the house for several years, was chosen speaker in 1752, and held the office for some years. In 1747 he was appointed judge Qf the superior court, and continued in that office until 1776, when he was chosen chief- justice, resigning in 1782 on account of failing health. From 1776 to 1784 he was a member of the Committee of Safety, member of the council, and president of the state.
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