USA > Connecticut > The public records of the State of Connecticut, from October 1776 to Ferbruary 1778, inclusive > Part 2
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9
OF CONNECTICUT.
1776.]
And be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any person or persons shall presume to vend any kind of gun-powder manufac- tured within this or any other of the States of America, which hath not been duly inspected and approved as aforesaid, and shall be thereof convicted before any court proper to hear and determine the same, shall forfeit double the value of such gun-powder, to be re- covered by action, bill, plaint or information ; and the inspectors aforesaid are directed to be particularly vigilant in that respect.
An Act in Addition to an Act for the more effectual carrying into Execution the several Acts relative to the Making of Salt-Petre and Gun- Powder within this Colony.
Whereas the selectmen in each town are in and by said aet ap- pointed inspectors of salt-petre ; notwithstanding which sundry quan- tities of that article, either through the unskilfulness or inadvertency of the inspectors, have been found upon tryal when brought to the powder-mills to be impure and unfit for the manufacturing of good gun-powder, and thereby the public much injured : Which mischief to prevent for the future,
Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That there be appointed for each powder-mill in this Colony a good and skilfull inspector of salt-petre, who shall be under oath and shall carefully reinspeet all the salt-petre brought to said respective mills, before any premium is paid thereon or price therefor ; and whatsoever salt-petre shall be found bad and impure shall be refused by said inspector, and the selectmen of the town from whence it came notifyed thereof and of the expence attending the same, which shall be deducted to- gether with the wastage thereon arising from the premium and price thereof, and the remainder paid over to the owners thereof.
An Act to prevent Ingrossers and for the better Supply of our Troops in the Army with such Necessaries as may be wanted.
Whereas many are so abandoned and lost to all the feelings of humanity as to prey upon the bowels of their country in this day of public distress and struggle by endeavouring to engross many of the necessary articles of life, especially of such as are more immediately wanted for the comfort and support of our armies, whereby much ex- tortion and oppression arises upon the poor and the soldiery : Which to prevent,
Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That his Honor the Governor with the advice of his Committee of Safety, be and they are hereby enabled, impowered and directed, that whenever and whatever article or articles of necessary support for the army may be wanted, to impress and seize the same out of the hands of any in- grosser for the use aforesaid, and to have the same apprized by two indifferent judicious men under oath appointed for that purpose, which price so affixed shall be paid to the owner or owners thereof ;
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PUBLIC RECORDS
[October,
and that suitable persons shall be appointed by his Honor the Gover- nor and his Committee aforesaid, to furnish and supply the army with necessaries as aforesaid upon the most reasonable terms, agreeable to the encouragement given by this Assembly.
Whereas the article of Salt is much wanted in this State, and notwithstanding the bounty ordered by this Assembly in May last to all those who should make 500 bushels or more yet is found inade- quate properly to encourage the setting up said branch of business and making smaller quantities,
Resolved by this Assembly, That a bounty of one shilling per bushell upon any lesser quantity than 500 bushells shall be paid out of the public treasury upon each bushell of good salt that shall be made in this State before the first day of November, 1777 ; and upon the makers of salt producing a certificate under the hands of the selectmen of the town where salt was manufactured of the quantities so made shall receive said bounty, and the Treasurer is hereby di- rected to pay the same to the respective manufacturers accordingly.
Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honor the Governor, with the advice of his Council of Safety, shall be impowered and enabled, and he is hereby impowered and enabled, upon finding it necessary and expedient for the benefit of the public, to lay any further Embargo upon the exportation of swine, or any other article, out of this State as shall be thought requisite in the recess of the General Assembly of this State.
Whereas it is resolved and recommended by the Honorable Conti- nental Congress, that a Loan Office be established in each of the united States of America, and that a Commissioner to superintend such office be appointed by the said States, respectively, &c., and this Assembly judging that such loan offices may be beneficial : It is there- upon resolved, that John Lawrence, Esq", of Hartford, be and he is hereby appointed a Commissioner to superintend such loan office as shall be established by said Congress within this State agreeable to and for the purposes mentioned in their resolutions of the third of October instant.
Resolved by this Assembly, That Roger Sherman, Samuel Hunt- ington, Eliphalet Dyer,* Oliver Wolcott, Richard Law, and William Williams, Esqrr, be and they are hereby appointed Delegates to repre- sent this State at the General Congress of the United States in Amer- ica for the year ensuing and untill new be chosen ; any or either of them who shall be present in said Congress are hereby fully author-
* November 21. 1776. Col. Dyer sent in his resignation, alledging his ill health and that of some of his family, and the state of his private affairs occasioned by his long absences. Rer. War, v, 122.
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OF CONNECTICUT.
1776.]
ized and impowered to represent this State in said Congress, to con- sult and advise and resolve upon measures necessary to be taken and pursued for the defence, security, and preservation of the rights and liberties of the said United States, and for their common safety ; and of such their proceedings and resolves they do transmit authen- tic copies from time to time to the General Assembly of this State.
Resolved, That the Delegates appointed by this Assembly to at- tend the Congress of the United States of America be instructed that only three of them give constant attendance at one time at the public expence ; that they attend by turns, and agree between themselves as to the time and conveniency of each ones attendance.
This Assembly do appoint Colo. Thomas Seymour, Esq", one of the Council of Safety, in the room of Richard Law, Esq", excused.
This Assembly do appoint Jesse Root; Esq", to be one of the Com- mittee of Pay-Table.
Resolved by this Assembly, That all matters begun and entered upon by the Governor and his Council of Safety during the recess of the General Assembly, relative to our naval affairs and the fortifying and defence of our sea coasts agreeable to the resolution of the As- sembly heretofore made, be still referred over, taken up, pursued, and carryed into execution, by his Honor and his said Council of Safety, the sessions of the Assembly notwithstanding.
Resolved by this Assembly, That a bounty or premium of one shilling per pound be paid out of the public treasury of this State for all Salt-petre that shall be manufactured according to the laws already provided for manufacturing salt-petre and nitre from the first day of January next and before the first day of June next.
Whereas it is represented to this Assembly that many of the con- stables heretofore chosen by the several towns in this Colony to col- lect the colony tax the current year are now engaged in the army, whereby great delay and loss may happen in that respect : Resolved by this Assembly, that the several towns in this Colony do as soon as may be choose some suitable person to collect the colony tax in the respective towns where their former chosen collector is gone into the army, and make return of such collector to the Treasurer, who shall insert the name of such collector in the warrant to be by him issued for the collecting of said tax in said respective towns, as also of any such constable who hath already been chosen in any of said towns for the reason and purpose aforesaid, who shall be accountable and make up and settle his account with said Treasurer according to law.
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PUBLIC RECORDS
[October,
Resolved by this Assembly, That an Embargo be forthwith laid upon the exportation out of this Colony, by land or water, without a permit from his Honor the Governor, of the following articles, to wit: Wheat, rye, indian corn, pork and salt, pease, beans, bread, flour and every kind of meal except necessary stores for vessels outward bound ; likewise all kind of cloaths, linnen and woollen, fit and suit- able for cloathing for the army, except such as shall be provided for and sent for the use of our army or navy ; and also that an embargo be laid upon the exportation out of this Colony by water of the fol- lowing articles, to wit : beef, live cattle, sheep, butter and cheese. Provided this act shall not extend to prevent any particular person or persons from carrying or sending to such soldiers in the army as may be under the care and special relation of such person or persons any necessary cloathing or provision they may want for their own use and consumption ; and that his Honor the Governor be and he is hereby desired to issue a proclamation accordingly.
Resolved by this Assembly, That in compliance with the resolution of the Congress of the United States of the 16th of September last and of the eighth of October instant, eight battalions be immediately raised out of the troops belonging to this State now in the army and such other inhabitants of this State as will voluntarily inlist, to serve during the war on the gencrons encouragement offered by Congress; and as a further encouragement this Assembly will make suitable provision for furnishing said troops with cloathing and other neces- saries not provided by the Congress, on the best terms that they can be procured, which shall be delivered to them at prime cost and charges, and will also take care that the sick and wounded be well accommodated and provided with necessaries for their comfort and relief, and that a suitable person or persons be appointed to procure and deliver out such cloathing and other necessarys.
Whereas this Assembly have resolved to raise eight battalions of troops in this State, to serve in the continental army during the pres- ent war, upon the wages, bounty and allowances, offered by the Hon- orable Continental Congress : And whereas the General Assembly of the State of Massachusetts Bay have added to the wages and allow- ances of the troops to be raised in that State for said service,
Resolved by this Assembly, That every non-commission officer and soldier, inhabitants of this State, who shall inlist into the eight bat- talions now ordered to be raised in this State as aforesaid, shall have and receive from this State so much over and above the wages allowed and offered, or that shall be allowed and offered, by the Honorable Continental Congress as to make up the pay of a soldier to be three pounds per month during said service, and the pay of the non-com- missioned officers in proportion thereto.
And it is also resolved, That each non-commissioned officer and soldier that shall inlist into said eight battalions or either of them as
13
OF CONNECTICUT.
1776.]
aforesaid, shall annually have and receive from this State a good blanket in addition to the cloathing offered and to be provided by the Honble the Continental Congress during the term of their service as aforesaid.
Resolved by this Assembly, That each tent ordered to be made by act of this Assembly in the several towns in this State shall contain the quantity of twenty-seven yards of cloath one yard wide, or equal thereto in eloth of different wedth, well manufactured of yarn not coarser than thirty nots to the pound.
This Assembly do appoint John Durkey, Jedidiah Huntington, An- drew Ward jun., William Douglas, John Chester, Philip Burr Brad- ley, Heman Swift and John Douglas, Esqrs, to be Colonels of the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint Samuel Prentice, Giles Russell, Solo- mon Wells, Obadiah Johnson, James Arnold, Thomas Hobby, John Chandler and Josiah Starr, to be Lieutenant Colonels of the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint John Sumner, John Ely, Waterman Clift, Hezekiah Holdridge, David Dimon, John Ripley, Mathew Mead and John Bigelow, Esq"", to be Majors of the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
Captains.
This Assembly do appoint Noah Phelps, Hezekiah Parsons, Elijah Robinson, Abner Pryor, Amasa Mills, John Isham, Jonathan Johnson, Eliphalet Holmes, Ichabod Norton, John Harmon, Jonathan Wells, Chester Wells, Jonathan Parker, Simon Wolcott, Abraham Tyler and Edward Eells, to be Captains in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint Edward Russell, Jonas Prentice, Na- thaniel Bunnell, William Hull, Peter Perrit, Eli Leavenworth, Stephen Hall and David Smith, to be Captains in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint David Fithin Sill, Christopher Darrow junr., Jedidiah Hide, Abel Spicer, Christopher Ely, William Belcher, Aaron Stephens, Edward Shipman, Richard Deshon, Ebenezer Brewster and Ebenezer Huntington, to be Captains in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint Robert Walker, Elijah Abel, Samuel Keeler, Joseph Hait, Silvanus Brown, Noble Benedict, Phineas Beardsley, Jabez Botsford, Ezekiel Sanford and Albert Chapman, to be Captains in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint Thomas Grosvenor, John Kyes, James Clark, James Dana, Benoni Cutler, Vine Elderkin, Wells Cleft,
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PUBLIC RECORDS
[October,
Stephen Brown, Daniel Allen and Daniel Tilden, to be Captains in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint Nathaniel Tuttle, Isaac Bostwick, Abra- ham Bradley, Simeon Smith, Edward Rogers, Jesse Kimball, Solo- mon Strong, Bezaleel Bebee and Theodore Woodbridge, to be Captains in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
First Lieutenants.
This Assembly do appoint Edward Bulkley, John Barnard, Eli- phalet Chamberlin, Henry Champion jun., Marcus Cole, George Gris- wold jun., Thomas Hollister jun., Isaac Spencer, Ambrose Sloper, David McCluer, Thomas Abby, Ichabod Hinckley, Samuel Carver, Stephen Palmer, Samnel Granger and Ebenezer Wright, to be First Lieutenants in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint Joseph Mansfield, Israel Potter, Nathan Parsons, Michael Brunson, Ephraim Chamberlin, Gilbert Dudley, Samuel Barker jun., and Samuel Baldwin jun, to be First Lieutenants in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint David Nevins, Edward Hallam, Thomas Avery, Jonathan Palmer, Caleb Baldwin, Elisha Lee, Simeon Hunt- ington, William Adams, Jacob Dewit, Oliver Babcock, and Beriah Bill, to be First Lieutenants in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint Robert Lewiss, Josiah Lacy, Joseph A. Wright, Joseph Webb jun., John Jones, Lemuel Benedict, William Hawley, James Betts, Silvanus Mead and William Green, to be First Lieutenants in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint John McGregor, John Shumway, Abner Bacon, William Frizel, James Sprague, Josiah Child, Elias Weld, Jo- seph Talcott, Abner Robinson and Andrew Fitch, to be First Lieuten- ants in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint Peter Mills, Thomas Converse, Jesse Cook, Nathan Stoddard, Asahel Hodge, Elisha Bostwick, Eleazer Clag- horn, John Rockwell and Obadiah Gore jun"., to be First Lieutenants in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
Second Lieutenants.
This Assembly do appoint Roger Hooker, Edward Payne, Joseph Booth jun., Simeon Newell, Thomas Haydon, Ezekiel P. Belding, Abraham Wright, Aaron Hale, Jonathan Humphry jun., Peleg Heath, Samuel Hazard jun., David Starr, Elijah Chapman, Silas Blodgett, Samuel Felt jun". and Jonathan Hart, to be Second Lieutenants in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint Charles Norton, Amos Fowler, Ambrose
15
OF CONNECTICUT.
1776.]
Hine, Ebenezer Fowler jun., Stephen Potter, William Clark, Nathaniel Edwards and Elias Stillwell, to be Second Lieutenants in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint John Blackleach, Ebenezer Banks, Thaddeus Weed, Henry Warring, John St. John, James Hnghs, Jud- son Whiting, Reuben Sceovel,* Samuel Hoit and James Barns, to be Second Lieutenants in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint Enoch Reid, William Richards, Park Avery jun., Nathaniel Bishop, Moses Dudley jun., Daniel Collins, William Raymond, Ezra Selden jun., Henry Hill, Ebenezer Perkins and Joshua Tracy, to be Second Lieutenants in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint Daniel Knowlton, Josiah Fuller, Joseph Birge, Sanford Kingsbury, Joshua Bottom, Ebenezer West, Paul Brigham, Silvanus Perry, Samnel Campbell and Benjamin Durkee, to be Second Lieutenants in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint Noah Judson, John Holenbeck, Reuben Calking, Ebenezer Hill, John Jenkins jun., Josiah Stoddard, Jesse Grant, Samuel Stone Butler and Samuel Pettibone, to be Second Lieutenants in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
Ensigns.
This Assembly do appoint Elijah Ransom, Samuel Richards, Elisha Bruster jr., Simeon Belding, Powning; Deming, Josiah Blakesley, Benjamin Holcomb, Simon Gains, John Buell, Orlando Mack, Benjamin Henshaw jr., Bildad Granger, Titus Bunnell, David Spencer, Samuel Smith and Phineas Grover, to be Ensigns in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint John Odell, Jeremiah Beard Eells, Gideon Waterbury, Thomas Hobby jun., Ebenezer Olmsted, Ben- jamin Hecock, Timothy Taylor, Clement Botsford, James Bebee and Stephen Betts, to be Ensigns in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint William Smith, David Dudley 3d, Joseph Shaylor, Joseph Beach jun"., John Mansfield, David Hitchcock, Edward Riggs and Timothy White, to be Ensigns in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint Obadiah Child, Ichabod Bosworth, Joseph Hull,¿ Lemuel Grosvenor, Lemuel Cleft, Ebenezer Wales, Jonathan Nichols, Simon House, David Dorrance and John Alden, to be Ensigns in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
* Schofield as originally passed. Tev. War, iv, 349, but written Scoril, id. 353. Rer. War, iv, 347.
+ Pownal as originally passed.
# Hale, Rev. War, iv, 348, 353.
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PUBLIC RECORDS
ctob r',
This Assembly do appoint Daniel Wait, Daniel Billings, John Durkee jun., Jabez Smith jun"., David Bill, Asa Story, Richard Douglas, Benoni Shipman, Charles Fanning, Thomas Updike Fosdick and Reuben Clark, to be Ensigns in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State.
This Assembly do appoint David Goff, Elihu Smith, Salmon Agard, Zerah Beach, Alexander Waugh, Israel Jones jun"., Charles Goodwin, Asa Brunson and John Jameson, to be Ensigns in the eight battal- ions now ordered to be raised in this State.
Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honor the Governor and Coun- cil of Safety do and they are hereby impowered and directed to appoint all the Staff Officers of the eight battalions now to be raised within this State, and also from time to time to fill up all such offices as may become vacant in said battalions, either of commission or of the staff, by reason of refusal or otherwise, during the recess of this Assembly ; and also to appoint pay-masters to the several regiments now to be raised within this State.
Whereas the Sea Port Towns in this State adjoining to the Sound are greatly exposed to the incursions of the enemy in their present situation : Resolved by this Assembly, that his Honor the Governor be desired to apply to the Honble the Congress of the United States of America, to allow two battalions, at the expence of the several United States, to be posted along the sea coast of this State at such places as the Governor and Council of Safety of this State shall direct.
This Assembly do appoint David Wooster, Esqr., to be Major Gen- eral of the militia of this State, and his Honor the Governor is hereby desired to commission him accordingly.
: Whereas the near approach of the enemy to the western parts of this State, as well as the critical situation of the continental army, and the danger there is of the enemy cutting of all communication between the country and the army, calls for the utmost speedy exer- tion of all our force and strength in that quarter to oppose the further inroads of the enemy as well as to facilitate the operation of our army,
|. Resolved, That as many of the militia as are fit for service and of other householders etc., able-bodied effective men within the limits of the ninth, tenth, thirteenth and sixteenth regiments within this State, be immediately called forth, well armed and equipped, and embodied under the command of Majr General Wooster appointed by this State to lead them forth, command and direct them in the necessary opera- tions against our enemy, and to give all possible relief to our army, notifying the General and Commander in Chief of the continental army of his situation and readiness to cooperate with him, taking such
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OF CONNECTICUT.
1776.]
directions from him as he may obtain how and in what manner he may most conduce to his assistance and annoy the enemy, and to consult and advise with any other general or commanding officer or officers of our army who may be nearest to him for that purpose.
Resolved by this Assembly, That the third regiment of light horse and the troop of [light*] horse in the tenth regiment of militia be ordered forthwith to march to the western part of this State, to join the forces under the command of Maj" General Wooster, who is hereby directed and impowered to give orders for their march, operations and stations.
Resolved by this Assembly, That the Committee of Pay-Table draw orders upon the Treasurer in favour of the colonel or commanding officer of each regiment of the militia now ordered to march, for such sum as will be sufficient to enable said colonels or commanding officer to advance twenty shillings to each officer and soldier of such respec- tive regiments that shall join and march as aforesaid ; the said colonel or commanding officer to be accountable for the same; and that the troops of horse and militia now ordered out shall not be holden in ser- vice longer than the term of two months from the time of their march. And his Honor the Governor is desired to give order accord- ingly.
Whereas a number of non-commission officers and soldiers [that] neglected to march to New York in August or September last when ordered by the Governor, [but] now in complyance with his Honor's proclamation issued the present session of Assembly are [upon] their march to join General Wooster but have not money sufficient for their marching [expence : ]
Resolved by this Assembly, That Colo. Jonathan Fitch of Newhaven and Colo. John Me[ad] be directed to pay each of said officers and soldiers that shall march according to said pro[clamation] twenty shillings, lawfull money, and exhibit his account thereof to the Pay- Table who are [directed] to draw on the Treasurer for payment.
An Act to compel the Furnishing necessary {Supplies] and Assistance to the Quarter Master General of the Continental Army.
Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That if any person [or persons ] within this Colony shall upon request refuse to sell or supply to the Quarter Master [General] of the continental army the articles of timber, boards, shingles, brick or stone, [or to sell] or let their horses, oxen, carts or carriages, for transporting the same, or to furni[sh any ] other necessary supplies and assistance for the use of said army, it shall be [the duty] of any one assistant or
* This word is in the original bill. Rev. War, iv, 364.
VOL. XVI .- 2
18
PUBLIC RECORDS
[October,
justice of the peace within this Colony and they are he[reby ordered] and directed, upon application to them made by any such quarter- master or [quarter-masters,] their agent or agents, to grant a proper warrant or warrants for the impressing from [any such] person or persons so refusing any of the necessary articles or things aforesaid or [of any other article] or thing needfull for the support or supply of said army or for the transportation [of the same,] directed to the sheriff, his deputy, constable, or any indifferent person within the [county where] such application shall be made ; who shall impress and cause an apprizement to [be made] thereof by two or more in- different men within said county, to be appointed by the [authority ] granting such warrant, at the just and true value, and deliver the same to said [quarter-master] or quarter-masters, their agent or agents, he or they paying to the owner or owners thereof or into the hands of such officer who shall impress the same, the sum or sums at which the said article or thing shall be appraised as aforesaid, or so much as shall be reasonable for the use of such horse or horses, oxen, cart or carriage where the same shall be returned again to the owner thereof by his own consent and agreement .?
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