USA > Connecticut > The public records of the State of Connecticut, from October 1776 to Ferbruary 1778, inclusive > Part 14
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118
PUBLIC RECORDS
[December,
leting money from their inlisting untill they shall be supplyed by the public, and shall receive one month advanced pay on their inlisting. And said officers are carefully and diligently to attend the dutys of their respective offices and places in their several places and posts, for the best good, protection and safety of the respective towns and places where they are stationed, and shall be liable to be removed or collected on special emergencies for the relief of any place on the sea coasts of this State attacked or in danger of being attacked, by order of this Assembly or in their recess of the Governor and Council of Safety.
And whereas the operations of our enemies and the appearances of things may render it necessary that other or further regulations or provisions be made for the defence and security of any of the sea coasts or any of the places aforesaid,
It is therefore resolved, That in the recess of the General Asscm- bly his Honor the Governor with the Council of Safety may and they are authorized to make other or further regulations or provisions as from the state and circumstances of the case shall appear to them ex- pedient and necessary for the safety and defence of any of the coasts or places aforesaid.
And be it further enacted and resolved, That the militia of the towns of New Haven and New London hold themselves equipped and in constant readiness for the defence of their respective towns and be liable to be removed and called out as the necessity of the case may require for the defence of any other place, as other militia by law are ; any resolve or order of this Assembly to the contrary notwithstanding.
We, your Honors committee appointed to nominate and arrange the officers for the companys ordered by this Assembly to be raised and stationed on the sea coasts of this State and lay the same before this Assembly for approbation and establishment, beg leave to report it as our opinion, that Jonathan Wells, Esq', of Hartford, be appointed a Major to command at New London, Groton and Stonington.
Adam Shapley Captain, Ithamar Harvey Lieutenant, Abner Wood Ensign, Oliver Coit Captain, William Latham Lieutenant,
of the first company of musquet men, New London.
of the 2d company of musquet men at Groton.
Samuel Smith Ensign,
Nathan Palmer Captain, ) of the third company of musquet men and John Belcher Lieutenant, § to be stationed at Stonington. William Ledyard Captain Nathaniel Coit jun" First Lieutenant, Artillery company and to be stationed at Groton. Jonathan Leeds Second Lieutenant,
Achas Sheffield Lieutenant Firc-Worker, Nathaniel Saltonstall Captain,
Martin Kirtland First Lieutenant, Daniel Starr Second Lieutenant,
Daniel Dee Lieutenant Fire-Worker,
Artillery company &e. to be stationed at N. London.
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OF CONNECTICUT.
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John Griswold Ensign, to command at Lyme.
Lee Lay Lieutenant, and to command at Saybrook.
Joseph Thomson Captain.
Samuel Willmott First Lieutenant.
Phineas Bradley j' Second Lieutenant.
Daniel Bishop Lieutenant Fire-Worker.
John Prudden jun', to command at Milford.
Samuel Uffoot jun' Ensign, to command at Stratford.
George Burr Lieutenant, to command at Fairfield.
All which is submitted by your Honors humble servants,
Signed per order JABEZ HUNTINGTON.
In the Lower House : The foregoing report is accepted and approved &e.
Attest, BENJA. HUNTINGTON, Clerk. Concurrd in the Upper House. Test. GEORGE WYLLYS Sec".
Whereas it is of great importance that the fortifications at New London, Groton and Stonington should be compleated and sufficiently garrisoned for the defence of this State,
It is thereupon resolved by this Assembly, That one entire regiment or battalion including two companies of matrosses shall be forthwith raised by voluntary inlistment and fully officered, to be stationed at the several places aforesaid or at such other places within this State as the Governor and Council of Safety shall direct in case of emer- gency, for the term of one year from the first day of February, 1777, unless sooner discharged. And that each commission and non-com- mission officer and soldier shall have and receive the same wages, pay and allowances that the regiment stationed at the places aforesaid in the current year had and did receive, that is to say: a colonel ££15 per calendar month, a lieutenant colonel £12.0. 0, major £10. 0. 0, a captain £8.0.0, lieutenant £5.8.0, ensign £4.0.0, serjeant £2.8.0, corporal, drummer and fifer, each £2. 4. 0, and private soldier £2.0. 0 per calendar month. And each able-bodied effective non-commission officer and soldier engaging in said service shall have and receive as a premium and encouragement the sum of twenty shillings and a further premium of twenty-two shillings for finding and providing a good sufficient fire-arm and accoutrements and a good blanket and knap- sack to the acceptance of his captain, and in proportion for such arti- cles thereof as he shall find; and the blanket to be his own property; and shall all be entitled to receive one months advance pay on their, engaging in said service; and they shall be subjected to the same rules, regulations and mode of discipline that the battalions raised for continental service are liable to.
And it is further resolved, That his Honor the Governor and Council of Safety are desired and impowered to give orders for the immediate raising of said battalion, including said two companies of matrosses, as to them shall appear most conducive for the best good
120
PUBLIC RECORDS
[December,
and security of this State, and that they do also appoint all the neces- sary and proper officers for said battalion and matross companies, and direct and order them from time to time as they shall judge proper and expedient, and state the pay and wages of such matross officers as are not particularly stated in this bill.
And whereas this Assembly at their present sessions resolved and ordered that several companies should be raised for the defence and to be stationed at the several places aforesaid, which appears to be inadequate and not sufficient to answer the ends designed thereby,
It is therefore resolved, That the aforesaid resolves, so far as the same have relation to the raising or stationing the companies therein mentioned at the places aforesaid, be and the same are hereby repealed and made void; anything therein contained notwithstanding.
. Resolved by this Assembly, That one regiment, to consist of the same number as the continental regiments, be forthwith raised in and kept for the defence of this State, to continue during the continuance of the present war, to be regulated, officered and appointed as shall be further agreed and determined by this Assembly; and that Colo. Ely be ordered to march his regiment immediately to New London, there to continue till further orders; and that in the meantime orders be issued to raise and draft without delay one fourth part of the mili- tia of the third, eighth, twelfth, twentieth and twenty-first regiments of this State, to be marched and placed at or about New London for the defence and safety of this State untill such regiment can be raised or other proper measures taken for our defence, and not to be holden more than two months.
Whereas a large body of troops of the British army defended by a strong fleet have taken possession of the island of Rhode Island and threaten an invasion of some of the adjoining States of New England; and whereas the State of Massachusetts Bay and the State of Rhode Island have proposed that committees from the States of New England meet at Providence in the State of Rhode Island as soon as may be to consult for their immediate defence and safety; and whereas from the operations of war in New York and New Jersey a free communica- tion with the Congress is in some measure interrupted and the General and army of the United States are employed in their defence against the common enemy,
Resolved by this Assembly, That Eliphalet Dyer, Richard Law, Nathaniel Wales jun' and Titus Hosmer, Esquires, be and they are appointed a committee on behalf of this State to meet the committees of the other States of New England at Providence in the State of Rhode Island, or at any other place where they may convene, on the 23d day of December instant, or as soon as may be, and consult with them of the expediency of raising and appointing an army for the more immediate defence of the New England [States] against the
121
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1776.]
threatned invasion as well as for the more general defence in the common cause, and of such regulations as may be necessary to sup- port the credit of our currencies, to prevent oppressing the soldiers and inhabitants by extravagant prices, and in general of every measure to expedite the raising and appointing an army, or necessary for com- mon defence, and to make report to this Assembly, or in the recess thereof to his Honor the Governor and Council of Safety, of whatever they may judge fit to be done, for approbation, and that suitable meas- ures may be pursued thereon, untill the whole subject matter be laid before the Honble Congress of the United States of America, measures taken and directions given by them thereon.
Whereas the sick and impotent soldiers of other States as they pass and repass through this State while in the service of the United States do often stand in need of support and relief,
Resolved by this Assembly, That the selectmen of the several towns shall and they are hereby ordered to afford proper and neces- sary support and relief to such sick and infirm soldier or soldiers belonging to any other State as may be passing or repassing through this State in the service of the United States and not able to provide for themselves, and exhibit an account of the expence that hath or shall accrue therein to the Committee of the Pay-Table, which for the future shall be acknowledged by such soldier or soldiers under his or their hand, also signifying to what State he or they belong and what regiment and company he or they are of within such State: pro- vided he or they are capable of giving such information and subscrib- ing such acknowledgment. And the Committee of Pay-Table are thereupon desired to adjust said account of expence and give order for the payment thereof upon the Treasurer and charge the same to the State to which said sick and unable soldier belongs or to the United States of America, in order that it may be repaid.
An Act in Alteration of the Fare of Parkers Ferry over Mystick River.
Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That for the future the fare over Parkers Ferry shall be as follows, viz: For man, horse and load, three pence; for a foot man, one penny half- penny ; led horse one penny half-penny ; ox or other neat kine two pence half penny; any law, usage or custom to the contrary notwith- standing.
Whereas several regiments of militia in this State by order of this Assembly in October last marched to Stamford, Greenwich &c. and put themselves under the command of Majr General Wooster, and have faithfully served in defence of their country in a tedious and ex- pensive season, some of whom have probably sustained cost occasioned by sickness on the road returning home &e.
122
PUBLIC RECORDS
[December,
Therefore resolved by this Assembly, That the Committee of Pay- Table be authorized and directed to adjust and allow all such reason- able sums for such cost of sickness on the road according to resolve of this Assembly in October last in favour of the militia and new levies; and all the non-commissioned officers and soldiers who marched in obedience to said orders and shall produce a proper discharge or that were permitted to return on furlow or by reason of sickness, shall be allowed twenty shillings each for their extraordinary expences, and the heirs and representatives of such as dyed in said service be enti- tuled to the twenty shillings premium as well as such who were dis- charged over and above the wages and mileage allowed by the Honble Continental Congress, and that the commanding officers of the regi- ments aforesaid return the names of such persons in their respective regiments as are returned deserters from said service to the Commit- tee of Pay-Table, to enable them to execute the trust reposed in them.
Resolved by this Assembly, That the stores of medicine &c. now deposited in Stamford under the care of Dr. Philip Turner be removed in whole or in part to the town of Danbury at the said doctor's dis- cretion with the best advice he can obtain both as to the time and manner of such removal, and that the sum of £500.0.0 be advanced out of the publie treasury to the said Doet" Turner, by him to be improved in his present department as he shall find occasion, being accountable therefor; and the Committee of the Pay-Table are hereby authorized and directed to draw an order in his favour accordingly.
Whereas by a resolve of this Assembly heretofore made, the Treasurer has been directed to receive continental bills in lieu of the bills emitted by this State ordered to be collected by a tax granted for the purpose of a sinking fund, which said continental bills will not fully answer the purposes of a sinking fund: Resolved by this Assem- bly, That the Treasurer shall issue and pay out said continental bills received as aforesaid in payment of such orders as shall be duly drawn upon him by order of this Assembly, and that the Treasurer shall from time to time issue his own promissory notes at 4 per cent. inter- est for the redemption of the bills emitted by this Assembly in April 1775, as the same become redeemable, unless he shall have sufficient sum in his hands of silver and gold for the purpose of redeeming said bills according to the form and further directions that shall be given by this Assembly.
Resolved by this Assembly, That the Secretary do forthwith make out an attested copy of an act passed during the sessions of this Assembly, respecting taverners and for stating the price of victuals, refreshments, &e. in order that the same may be printed.
Whereas it is stipulated and recommended by the committee of the New England States that this State furnish and send as its quota
123
OF CONNECTICUT.
1776.]
of the army proposed for the defence of Providence &c. against the British forces now in possession of NewPort the number of 1092 troops : Wherefore, in order to supply said quota,
Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honor the Governor by the advice of his Committee of Safety be impowered and directed to send for- ward Colo. Ely's battallion and make up the remainder or any deficiency that may happen of said number so agreed to be sent as aforesaid in sneh manner and out of such troops as they shall think best and in the speediest way to effect the same.
The report of Messrs. Eliphalet Dyer, Richard Law, Nathaniel Wales, j' and Titus Hosmer, Esqrs, a committee appointed by this Assembly at their present sessions to meet the committees of the rest of the States of New England at Providence in the State of Rhode Island, to confer with them on the expediency of raising and appoint- ing an army for the more immediate defence of the New England States &c. as well as for the more general defence in the common cause and of such regulations as may be necessary to support the credit of our currency, &c., which report under the hands of said committee dated the fourth of January, 1777, and exhibited to this Assembly, is accepted and approved accordingly.
Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honor the Governor be and he is hereby directed to write to the Honble Continental Congress lay- ing before them the reason, occasion and necessity of the meeting of the several committees from the New England States at Providence in the State of Rhode Island, together with a copy of the proceedings of said committees.
Resolved by this Assembly, That an Embargo be and the same is hereby laid on all privateers and on all shipping whatever except con- tinental vessells and armed vessells belonging to the respective States on permission being first had and obtained from his Honor the Gov- ernor and his Committee of Safety to depart.
And provided also, and it is hereby resolved, That his Honor the Governor with the advice of his said committee may at any time per- mit such vessels to sail as they may judge necessary to import such medicines and other necessaries as they may think wanted for the good of the State.
Said embargo to continue till the rising of this Assembly in May next. Provided nevertheless, that his Honor the Governor with the advice of his said committee may suspend the same within said time if found requisite. And the Governor is desired to issue a proclama- tion accordingly.
Whereas the articles of tanned leather and shoes are become scarce and greatly wanted by the inhabitants of this State,
124
PUBLIC RECORDS
[December,
Resolved by this Assembly, That an Embargo be and the same is hereby laid upon the exportation of tanned leather and shoes, either by land or water, out of this State untill the rising of this Assembly in May next, under the regulations, pains and penalties contained in an act of this Assembly made and passed in November last, entituled An act to enable the Governor to lay an embargo and for rendering the same when laid effectual. And his Honor the Governor is desired to issue his proclamation accordingly.
Resolved by this Assembly, That the field officers of the four bat- talions lately ordered to be raised for the continental service immedi- ately and without delay apply themselves to the business of raising their respective battalions, that they take especial care to see that all the inlisting officers under them are properly encouraged and stimu- lated to proceed in said business, and that as soon as the number of twenty in a company, as mentioned in said act, are raised, to order them to march and rendezvous at Horse Neck and give intelligence thereof to the commanding officer in that quarter and wait his further orders and proceed accordingly. And that a copy of this resolve be immediately sent to each field officer in the said four battalions.
Whereas this Assembly by a resolve at their sessions in June last required the selectmen of the several towns in this State to collect the lead in their respective towns for the use of this State and return an account of the same to the Committee of Pay-Table, and as the said selectmen have in many instances neglected their duty in the premises, and as it is necessary for the safety of this State that every prepara- tion for defence be speedily made,
Therefore, be it enacted by the Governor, Council and Representa- tives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the selectmen in the several towns in this State shall forthwith collect the lead in their respective towns according to said resolve and procure the same to be cast into bullets of suitable and various sizes, and those who have already collected the lead in their towns accord- ing to said resolve shall cause the same to be cast into bullets as aforesaid and return an account of the cost and charge thereof with the weight of the same to the Committee of Pay-Table, which commit- tee are directed to give proper orders upon the Treasurer for payment of the same. And if the selectmen of any town shall neglect or refuse to collect the lead in their respective towns, cast the same into bullets as aforesaid, and render their account thereof to the said Committee of Pay-Table by the first day of March next, such select- men for such neglect or refusal shall forfeit and incur a penalty of five pounds, and also a further penalty of twenty shillings for each and every week after the said first day of March in which they shall so neglect or refuse to comply with their duty required by the resolve aforesaid and by this act, to the Treasurer of this State, to be recov-
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OF CONNECTICUT.
1776.]
ered by action, bill, plaint, or information, in any court proper to hear and determine the same. And the selectmen in the several towns in this State are hereby required and directed forthwith to apply to his Honor the Governor for proper orders on the powder makers or others for such quantitys of gun-powder as will be sufficient to compleat their town stores according to law, and see the same properly placed in their respective towns for publie use.
Whereas this Assembly at their sessions in June last resolved that the committee appointed to procure arms for this State should dis- tribute them to the several towns in proportion to their list, and it being represented to this Assembly that said resolve has not been fully carried into execution : Therefore, it is resolved, that said com- mittee lay before this Assembly in May next an account how far and in what manner said resolve has been complyed with, and also an account of the number of fire-arms by them then procured and where they are, that they may be disposed of and used as the exigencies of the State may require.
Resolved by this Assembly, That the Committee of the Pay-Table do as soon as may be call upon all such officers as received monies out of the treasury of this State for the purpose of raising the troops called the New Levies ordered to be raised by this Assembly in May and June last, and see that they render their account thereof. And such officers are directed forthwith upon notice had to apply to said committee and settle their several accounts accordingly ; and the said Committee of Pay-Table are to make report in the premises to the next session of this Assembly.
Whereas it is represented that the prisoners of this and other American States who have unhappily fallen into hands of the enemy in the last campaign have been treated with great severity and have suffered extreme hardship and distress by hunger, cold and naked- ness, and many thereby reduced to sickness, and the sick crowded in heaps, neglected and left to dye for want of medicine or any reasona- ble care: in order therefore to obtain the truth and certainty of facts relating thereto,
It is resolved by this Assembly, That the present members thereof immediately on their return call upon such honest and intelligent offi- cers and persons within any of their towns as they may think neces- sary, who may have returned from such imprisonment, and carefully and cautiously examine them concerning the treatment said prisoners had and met with and their sufferings and deaths during such impris- onment, and take their account and narrative thereof in writing and cause the same to be properly attested and sworn to, and the same transmit as soon as possible to his Honor the Governor, that such use may be made thereof as may appear reasonable and proper and tend- ing to prevent the like injustice and cruelty in future.
126
PUBLIC RECORDS
[December,
And it is further resolved, That the committee and commissary appointed by this Assembly to take care of and provide for prisoners taken from the enemy and sent into this State be and they are hereby directed to state a just account of the numbers of such prisoners under their care as near as may [be,] how and in what manner they were kept, treated, provided for and supported, and also of the conduct and behaviour of such prisoners, and the same attest and certify under oath before lawfull authority, and if they shall find proper and need- full, in order to ascertain any of the matters or faets as aforesaid, to call upon and take the testimony of any ereditable person or persons acquainted with anything material in the premises and canse the same to be attested and certifyed as aforesaid, and the whole transmit as soon as may be to his Honor the Governor to the end and for purpose as aforesaid.
Resolved by this Assembly, That Capt. Eliakim Hall and Doet" Amos Mead be a committee in the name and behalf of this Assembly to repair immediately to the posts where the troops of this State are stationed east of Hudsons River or to the most important of them, and to exert their utmost influence to induce the officers and soldiers whose term is nearly expired to continue in the service for the defence of those posts a little longer and untill their places can be supplyed, to let them know the measures pursuing by this Assembly for that pur- pose by raising four battalions and the progress made therein and by encouraging other volunteers, and the great probability there is that their places may be very speedily filled, to set before them the very dangerous consequences of leaving those posts exposed to the ravages of a watchfull enemy, and to assure them also that this Assembly will make them a reasonable allowance for such continuance over and above their present wages, and in general by all lawfull means in their power excite and engage them not to quit the service of their country in this critical moment, nor leave the important stores and magazines prepared for future operations exposed to be seized and plundered, which would be an irreparable loss and much retard if not utterly defeat our future operations; and also as it may fall in their way call upon any officer of the said four battalions and charge them in the name of this Assembly to hasten the raising their men and forthwith to march to their proper stations; and of what they shall do in the premises to make report in due and proper season .*
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