USA > Connecticut > The public records of the State of Connecticut, from October 1776 to Ferbruary 1778, inclusive > Part 15
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* The following is their report, omitting the preliminary paragraph: - That in pursuance of your Honors' directions, on the 23d of instant December we set out and with all possible diligence pursued our journey towards the army ; and on our way we call'd on all the officers of the 4 battalions and in the name of the Gen' Assembly commanded them to hasten the raising the men and as soon as possible to march, according to the order of his Honor the Governor to their stations; and in the evening of the 24th instant, on the road between Fairdeld and Norwalk, we met the Honble Majr Gen' Spencer, to whom we communicated the subject mat-
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Whereas the period for the continuance of the troops raised the last year for garrisoning the fort at New London is nearly arrived, and least the new ones proposed to be raised for that department should fail of being raised seasonably and so the forts and stores be lost and the towns of New London and Groton be ravaged,
Resolved by this Assembly, That Colo. Samuel Mott and Capt. William Ledyard and Capt. John Deshon be a committee to repair immediately to New London to apply to Maj" Wells and the other commanding officers serving in that department to use their influence with the men now in service at New London and Groton to continue in service some time longer untill new forces can be raised to supply their places ; and said committee to use their influence with the offi- cers appointed at this Assembly to raise companies for that service to raise them with as great dispatch as possible; and also said commit- tee to make enquiry about the military stores belonging to this and the United States stored at New London, and if not properly secured to sce that they are removed to some more secure place or places and make report to his Honor the Governor as soon as possible.
ter of our commission, upon which Gen' Spencer informed us that we were too late to make application to the troops who had been station'd at Peekskill and North- castle, for that he had given orders to Gen' Wadsworth to dismiss the whole of his brigade the next morning and that there was no possibility of making any proposals to any of the troops of this State except those under the command of Gen' Wooster at the Sawpits. Pursuant to which intelligence we prosecuted our journey directly to Gen' Wooster at the Sawpits and there shewed him the resolution of your Honors and conversed with him upon the subject matter thereof; and on motion the general sent for all the field officers of his corps to attend immediately at headquarters. The general informed us that he had fully wrote his Honor by express that morning, therein acquainting him that he had used the utmost of his influence to and had engaged them to stay untill Monday the 30th instant. The field officers immediately came to the general's quarters, to whom we communicated our orders. who all shewed the greatest readiness to assist us by exerting their influence in their several regiments to induce them to comply with your Honors' request, and agreeable to orders by the general issued for that purpose to the several regiments there under his command they were paraded. and the general with the field officers attended, when we acquainted them with your Honors' resolution and the same being read to them we then address'd them with all the arguments we were master of, to stimulate them into a compliance, in which we were ably assisted by the Revd Mr. Waterman and also in a sensible and soldier-like manner by the general himself, when, to try their minds, the general proposed to them to shew their complyance by raising their firelocks, in which the great part appeared to consent, except the regiment of horse and but few of them consented to tarry - their reasons for noncompliance we afterwards learned from Maje Starr and his officers were that they had rec'd no pay for the sum- mer or this campaign, that they were under the necessity of purchasing all the oats for their horses with their own money, that their money was expended, that for want of a sutler, or a commissary, to attend them they had been much imposed upon. The officers of the other regiments told us that the complaints among their men were similar as to the pay and want of a commissary. We farther take leave to mention to your Honors that antecedent to our arrival at the Sawpits, Gen1 Woos- ter had ordered 10 companies of the 9th Regt. of militia immediately to march in for the support and defence of the lines there untill other troops should arrive, which was immediately complyed with by Col. Mead and the necessary orders issued by him for that purpose.
All which is submitted by your Honors obedt humble servts Midletown, 28th day of Decr, 1776.
ELIAKIM HALL, AMOS MEAD. Rev. War, v, 193.
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Whereas the regiment raised by order of this Assembly in May last under the command of Colo. Andrew Ward was originally designed to have been stationed at Boston, and it being apprehended their ser- vice would be less difficult than that of those raised for the northern and New York departments, and on that account had a less premium granted them than the other troops, but the publie service requiring it, said regiment has been sent to and done duty with the other troops in the New York department, where they are yet serving, and by their inlistment are holden till May next; and whereas they are also desti- tute of sufficient and warm cloathing for the winter season and at great distance from their home &c. as is also represented and moved in their behalf by the colonel of said regiment,*
It is therefore resolved by this Assembly, That all the non-commission officers and soldiers of said regiment who shall faithfully serve out their term or shall be hereafter regularly discharged, shall be allowed and receive a premium of thirty shillings in addition to the sum they were entituled to on their inlistment.
And it is further resolved, That his Honor the Governor be and he is hereby desired to request his Excelleney General Washington to furnish said regiment with all necessary and comfortable eloathing out of the continental store as soon as may be; and in case he shall not be able, that [he] would, if consistent with the public safety, per- mit said regiment to return to a post east of Hudson's River as near as may be to this State, that they may be better enabled to obtain necessary eloathing from their friends or otherwise.
Resolved by this Assembly, That Joseph Hopkins and Samuel Bisop jun', Esq', be and they are hereby appointed a committee with full power to purchase at the most reasonable terms for the use of this State a certain fifty-aere lot, called Wadsworth's Grant, situate in the town of Salisbury, of the owner thereof, and take a deed thereof to the Governor and Company of this State. But if the owner of said lot refuseth to dispose of the same, then said committee are directed to agree with the owner for and purchase the wood now growing thereon at such sum as they shall judge just and reasonable. And the Committee of the Pay-Table are hereby ordered to draw upon the Treasurer for such sum as shall be necessary for the purposes afore- said in favour of said committee appointed as aforesaid, for which they shall render and settle their accounts with said Pay-Table.
Whereas it is represented to this Assembly that there are sundry old useless cannon now in the towns of New London, Saybrook &e., which will be of service to work up into bar-iron &c .: Resolved by this Assembly, that Nathaniel Shaw jun' and Doet' Samuel Field be and
* Col. Ward's letter is dated Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Dec. 24, 1776 .- Rev. War, v, 189.
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they are hereby appointed a committee to inspect said cannon and to sell such of them as shall be unfit for further service to any person who shall appear to purchase the same, and to render their account &c.
Whereas it is represented to this Assembly by the selectmen of the town of New Haven, that flags of truce from the enemy are fre- quently passing in the harbour of that town for the purpose of exchanging prisoners; and whereas it is represented provisions and intelligence may be conveyed to Long Island by persons inimical to this State, especially in the defenceless situation of that harbour on account of the removal of the cannon from the fort,
It is therefore resolved by this Assembly, That Colo. Thomson be and he is hereby authorized and impowered to replace three cannon, the property of said town, in the fort abovementioned, and also at the direction of the said Colonel Thomson to cause a sufficient number of men of his company to be stationed there for the purpose of managing said cannon from time to time as occasion may require; and that no flag of truce, vessell or water carriage of any kind be permitted by the commander of said fort to pass without express licence from some proper authority.
And it is further resolved, That said company shall be allowed at the rate of nine pence per diem for billeting themselves in lieu of rations and other provisions.
Resolved by this Assembly, That John Avery jun' of Preston be and he is hereby appointed in addition to the committee appointed to procure and purchase fire-arms in this State agreeable to the acts and resolves of this Assembly heretofore made.
Whereas there is in the care of the committee appointed by this Assembly to improve the furnace at Midletown five thousand one hundred and forty weight of lead, which with all the other lead in this State ought to be forthwith prepared in the best manner for the use and safety of the same,
Resolved by this Assembly, That said committee be and they are hereby directed to procure the lead in their care to be cast into bullets of suitable and various sizes and see the same properly stored, and return an account of the weight thereof to the Committee of Pay- Table by the first day of March next; and the said Committee of Pay- Table are hereby directed to transmit an account of the same with a particular account of the quantity of bullets which shall be returned to them by the selectmen of the several towns in this State as soon as may be to his Honor the Governor, who with his Council of Safety are requested to make an equal distribution of such bullets to the several towns according to their lists, and publish or give notice thereof, so that each town may find and obtain their proportion thereof.
Resolved by this Assembly, That Capt. Samuel Russell of Midle- town be and he is added to and appointed one of the committee to VOL. XVI .- 9
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procure lead for the use of this State and to carry on and work the- lead mine in said Midletown for that purpose.
Whereas the article of cannon is of great importance and indispen- sably necessary in warlike preparations for offence or defence and much of ours has in the last campaign fallen into the hands of our enemies so as to render them scarce and this State is also applyed to by the Honble Continental Congress for a large number to be sent to. the northern forts and for the ships, and they are also greatly needed for our more immediate defence, and there appears no way to obtain them but by our foundery at Salisbury, and there is danger that the furnace there will soon be blown out and stopped unless effectual measures are immediately taken to continue the blast and the manu- facturing and casting of cannon as long as possible : Therefore,
Resolved by this Assembly, That Mr. Benjamin Henshaw be and he is hereby appointed and directed to repair forthwith to Salisbury and apply to Colo. Joshua Porter, manager of said foundery, and afford him all the assistance in his power, to enquire into the circumstances of said furnace and foundery, and to see what is necessary to be done, and use his utmost endeavour in conjunction with said Porter to remove every difficulty and obstruction in the way of continuing said furnace in blast and assist in providing as soon as may be needfull all necessary workmen, materials and implements of every kind requisite for carrying on said business; and they are to leave nothing practicable and reasonable unattempted to promote, carry on and.continue the casting of cannon there of such size and dimensions as shall from time to time be directed by his Honor the Governor and Council of Safety ; and to continue there as long as shall appear needfull, and to make report of what he shall find and do to this Assem- bly in their present session or in their recess to the Governor and Council of Safety.
Whereas it is of the greatest importance for the safety and defence of this and the United States of America, that the foundery of cannon should be continued at Salisbury, and in order thereto that some proper persons should be appointed to procure and furnish wood and coal and other materials for that purpose,
Resolved by this Assembly, That Colo. Joshua Porter be and he is hereby appointed to continue to take the care and oversight of carry- ing on and directing the casting of said cannon and of forwarding the same as the Governor and Council of Safety shall from to time direct him.
And that said furnace may be supplyed with wood and coal in the most effectual manner,
It is further resolved, That Mr. Benjamin Henshaw, Mr. Hezekiah Fitch and Mr. Lott Norton be and they are hereby appointed with full power to take the wood standing upon a certain fifty acre lot in said
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Salisbury now or lately the property of James Wadsworth, Esq", for the purpose aforesaid, and cause the same to be cut and measured and also to be apprized by two or three indifferent men under oath and pay the owner or owners thereof the full sum at which the same shall be apprized as aforesaid. And said committee are also further directed to take the whole care and charge of procuring and furnish- ing wood and coal and deliver the same at said furnace, and for that purpose to employ all necessary wood-cutters, colliers, teams and car- ters, and other necessary materials, in said town of Salisbury or any of the neighboring towns, and keep clear entries of their doings and settle and render their account with the Committee of the Pay-Table, who are directed to give orders upon the Treasurer for the monies necessary to enable said gentlemen to execute the business of their said appointment.
Whereas Colo. Joshua Porter was by this Assembly in their present sessions appointed to superintend the cannon-foundery at Salisbury and Messrs. Hezekiah Fitch and Lott Norton were appointed to procure coal, oar, &c. for said foundery, which is found to be inexpedient and not so likely to answer the good purpose designed, and it is of import- ance that every possible measure should be adopted by this Assembly to carry on said foundery,
Therefore resolved by this Assembly, That Colo. Joshua Porter, Messrs. Benjamin Henshaw and William Whiting be and they are hereby appointed a committee, or any two of them, with full power and authority effectually to prosecute the casting of cannon &c. at said foundery for the use of this State, and also to purchase such quantities of rum, salt &c. as they shall judge profitable to enable them in the best manner to execute said purpose, the profits of the sale thereof to be appropriated to the use of this State; and also a sufficient number of blankets for the use of the workmen; and that the Pay-Table draw on the Treasurer for a sum sufficient for said purpose.
And it is further resolved, That the said Colonel Joshua Porter and Mr. Lott Norton be directed to state and exhibit a just and fair account of the avails of said foundery while they improved it for their own particular use and benefit, together with the reasons of their im- proving it, to this Assembly at their present sessions.
Whereas there are various representations of the state and cir- cumstances of the cannon-foundery at Salisbury and several steps have been taken by this Assembly for pursuing that business through the present winter season, and finding difficulties yet attending the management thereof and may from time [to time] arise, which this Assembly not having time and as it may be not opportunity to adjust:
Resolved therefore by this Assembly, That the further conduct, management and direction of said foundery be and the same is hereby
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[December,
referred to his Honor the Governor and Council of Safety, who are authorized and impowered to consider, regulate and give all necessary orders and directions concerning the same and appoint any suitable person or persons to oversee, conduct and carry on said business from time to time as they shall think proper and as occasion shall require : always subject to the control of the General Assembly.
Whereas it is represented to this Assembly that the troops that marched under the command of General Wooster in the year 1775, and also that Colo. Ward's and Waterbury's regiments that marched to New York in the year 1776, were billeted upon the inhabitants of the towns of Norwalk, Stamford and Greenwich in their said march, and that the said inhabitants have applyed to Samuel Squire, Esq', com- missary for this State, to pay the accounts &c. for billeting said troops, and said Squire has entirely neglected to pay said accounts though often desired: Resolved by this Assembly, that the said Squire be and he is hereby directed and required forthwith to receive the afore- said accounts for billeting said troops and exhibit them to the Com- mittee of the Pay-Table for adjustment, and procure an order on the Treasurer to receive such sums as shall be found due on said accounts and pay the same to said inhabitants in satisfaction of their respective demands.
Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honor the Governor and Council of Safety be and they are hereby authorized and directed to employ couriers and affix their stages, according to the recommenda- tion of the Honble Committee of the States of New England at their meeting in Providence, December, 1776.
Resolved by this Assembly, That the Committee of the Pay-Table draw orders upon the Treasurer in favour of the commanding officer of the battalion or several battalions of voluntiers now called upon to march in the defence of their country for such sum or sums as shall be sufficient to enable them to advance to each non-commission officer and soldier the sum of forty shillings (including the sum ordered to be advanced them by a former resolve of this Assembly) to assist them on their march: to render their account of the same.
It being represented to this Assembly that the keeping and confin- ing such prisoners in the goal of the county of Hartford is attended with great difficulty, by reason of their intercourse with inimical per- sons from without, whereby sundry escapes have happened and great disadvantage as well as expence has accrued to this State,
It is therefore resolved by this Assembly, That a proper guard, not to exceed the number of fourteen men under the command of one ensign commandant and one serjeant, the number to be at the discre- tion of the sheriff of said county and the Committee of the Pay-Table, be inlisted and engaged to keep guard at and about said prison for
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such term as they shall find and judge to be necessary; and such guard shall carefully and diligently attend the duty assigned them by said sheriff and committee, and obey the orders of said commandant on pain of forfeiting their pay and wages and such other punishment as this Assembly shall think just and reasonable. And the officers and soldiers of such guard shall be exempted from any other military duty and allowed during the time of their service such pay and wages as the said sheriff and committee shall agree upon and to be approved by the Governor and Council of Safety ; and the ensign of said guard shall be appointed by the Governor and Council of Safety and com- missioned by his Honor.
Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honor the Governor be authorized and desired to draw on the Treasurer of this State in favour of Lieut. Colo. Elisha Sheldon, commandant of a regiment of cavalry ordered to be raised by the Honble Congress, for the sum of ten thousand pounds money of this State, being in compliance with the request of his Excellency General Washington to said Governor, by his letter dated December 16th, 1776, to furnish him, said Sheldon, with what money he may want out of the treasury of this State.
Resolved by this Assembly, That all proprietors of powder-mills within this State shall and they are hereby directed and enjoined to make, execute and lodge with the Treasurer of this State at or before the first day of March next a bond, with sufficient surety, to the Governor and Company in the penal sum of two thousand pounds, L. money, conditioned that such proprietor or proprietors shall account to said Governor and Company for all the saltpetre being the property of said State which he or they shall receive to manufacture into gun- powder for their use; and if any such proprietor shall neglect to comply with this order and injunction he or they shall be liable to be amerced by and at the discretion of this Assembly.
Whereas it is represented to this Assembly by Capt. Oliver Han- chett who commanded a company under General Arnold against Que- beck in December last, that after he and several of his officers and soldiers were captivated in the attack then made upon that city, one James Knowles, the ensign of said company applied to the general and pay-master in the northern department and drew the whole of the pay and wages due to said company ; that the said Knowles instead of doing justice to the said company hath squandered and imbezzled their said monies and refused to do them justice therein; that he is now gone off to engage in privateering and is insolvent and said company are like to be greatly wronged and defrauded, and thereby a great discouragement brought upon the service of the United States :
Resolved by this Assembly, That the Committee of the Pay-Table be and they are hereby appointed with full power to enquire into the
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several matters complained of, and find what and how much there is due to said company for wages and allowances while in the service of the United States, and how far they received of the said Knowles, and make report thereon to the next General Assembly, and that in the meantime the said committee apply to Majr General Spencer at Provi- dence, or any other civil or military authority in any of the United States, and request and obtain if it may be that the said Knowles be apprehended and returned into this State and held to answer to the matters alledged as aforesaid.
Upon the report of a committee on the memorial of Maj' Ebenezer Backus in behalf of himself and the officers and privates under his command in the corps of light-horse lately employed in the contin- ental service, &c.
Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honor the Governor be and he is hereby desired to transmit to the Honble Continental Congress a copy of said memorial with a copy of his Excellency General Wash- ington's request by virtue of which the light-horse under the command of said Backus was sent from this State and the General's correspond- ence on said subject together with a copy of the General's dismission to said Majr Backus and his corps, requesting said Congress to settle and determine the pay and allowances the said Majr Backus and his corps should receive for their said services ; and the Delegates of this State are hereby instructed to forward this application and transmit a return as soon as possible.
This Assembly do appoint Maj' General David Wooster, Esq' to be first Major General over the whole militia of this State.
This Assembly do appoint the Honble Jabez Huntington, Esq', to be second Major General over the whole militia of this State.
This Assembly do appoint Erastus Wolcott, Esq", to be Brigadier General of the first brigade of the militia of this State.
This Assembly do appoint Brigar General James Wadsworth ju. Esq', to be Brigadier General of the second brigade of the militia of this State.
This Assembly do appoint Gurdon Saltonstall, Esq', to be Briga- dier General of the third brigade of the militia of this State.
This Assembly do appoint Gold Selleck Silliman, Esq", to be Brig- adier General of the fourth brigade of the militia of this State.
This Assembly do appoint the Honble Eliphalet Dyer, Esq", to be Brigadier General of the fifth brigade of the militia of this State.
This Assembly do appoint Brigdr General Oliver Wolcott, Esq', to be Brigadier General of the sixth brigade of the militia of this State.
This Assembly do appoint Jeremiah Mason, Esq', Colonel of the twelfth regiment of militia, in the room of William Williams, Esq", resigned.
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This Assembly do appoint Joel Jones, Esq', Lieutenant Colonel of the twelfth regiment of militia, in the room of Jeremiah Mason, Esq", promoted.
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