USA > Connecticut > The public records of the State of Connecticut, from October 1776 to Ferbruary 1778, inclusive > Part 49
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Resolved by this Assembly, That for supplying the militia which have already marched or that may in future be called into service with tents and other necessaries, all the tents that can be procured in this State be immediately sent forward to the militia that have joined General Putnam; and that canteens, kettles or pots, sufficient for fifteen hundred men, be provided and sent forward in like manner. That the canteens, kettles and pots, be provided as far as may be in the western brigades. That some suitable person be appointed in each brigade to procure said articles, and properly mark the tents. belonging to each town, and keep a proper account of the tents and other articles provided, and to what town or person they belong, and that the articles so provided be directly delivered by the person who procured them to the commanding officers of each regiment of said militia now with them in equal proportion, and take his receipt, and that such commanding officer be directed to appoint some proper per- son to take care of and deliver out said articles, and collect and return the same when the service of said militia shall be expired, into the towns or unto the particular persons of whom they were received, taking their receipts therefor, and make return of their doings with an invoice of the articles so returned and to what town or particular person or persons belonging, to the General Assembly or in their recess to his Excellency the Governor ; and that for the future when the militia of this State shall be called into service, the brigadier gen- eral of the brigade from which such militia shall march shall give
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orders for the furnishing such militia with such tents and other necessaries as they may want, which articles so taken and delivered shall be taken care of and returned in the same manner as is above provided for those now to be delivered to the militia now in service.
And be it further resolved, That in case any of said tents or other utensils, being the property of any town or particular person, shall be lost or damaged, that said loss or damage shall be paid for to the owner or owners out of the public treasury of this State; the same being first duly estimated by judicious disinterested apprizers.
It being represented to this Assembly that there is great want of small iron pots and kettles for the use of the militia of this State when called forth in defence of the country,
It is therefore resolved, That his Excellency Governor Trumbull, with advice of the Council of Safety, be desired and he is hereby desired, and soon as may be, to give orders to the managers of the furnace at Salisbury to have without delay run six hundred pots or kettles proper for camp use, to be distributed to the several brigadier generals of this State for the use of their several brigades, according to orders to be received from his Excellency and Council of Safety.
Whereas the Honble Continental Congress did resolve that it be recommended to the legislative authority of this State to appoint re- cruiting officers for continental service and furnish them with money for the purpose aforesaid and charge the same to the account of the continent :
Resolved by this Assembly, That the several resolutions of Con- gress respecting the recruiting service aforesaid be immediately printed, as also the resolution of his Excellency the Governor and Council of Safety appointing said officers in the several brigades in this State ; and that one dozen of each be delivered to each officer so appointed ; and also that 2000 inlistments be printed and delivered to said officers for the purpose aforesaid ; and that the sum of £300 0s. Od., lawfull money, be advanced to each recruiting officer for the pur- pose mentioned in said resolves of Congress, and the Committee of the Pay-Table are hereby ordered to draw on the Treasurer for the same and charge the same to the account of the United States: taking bond with sufficient surety or sureties of said officers for the faithfull discharge of their duty, and oblige them to account as by said resolu- tion of Congress is provided.
Upon the complaint of Increase Mosely, jun", Esq", against John Hinman, captain of the 11th military company in the 13th regiment of militia in this State, for disobedience of orders &c .: Resolved by this Assembly, that the said Captain John Hinman be and he is hereby dismissed from his said office of captain, and that said company be led to a choice of another captain and such other officers as may be
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necessary ; and the colonel of said regiment is directed to give orders for the same accordingly ; and that the said John Hinman pay the cost arisen in the premises, allowed to be £9 7 1, and that execution issue accordingly. Execution granted Nov 1, 1777.
Whereas the listers in a number of towns in this State, by means of the sudden call for the militia, have not been able to compleat the lists in said towns, by means whereof inconvenience may arise : Which to prevent,
Resolved by this Assembly, That each of the towns in this State shall have and receive their school money after the rate of forty shillings on every thousand pounds of all the additions of the polls, rateable estate and assessments, that shall or may be brought or re- turned to the Secretary of this State on or before the 15th day of Jan- uary next ; and the Treasurer is hereby ordered and directed to pay the same to said towns accordingly.
Whereas complaints have been exhibited against a number of mili- tary officers belonging to this State : Resolved by this Assembly, that Capt. John Watson, Hezekiah Fitch, and Jedidiah Strong and Reuben Smith, Esqrs, be and they, or any three of them, are hereby appointed a committee to examine into the conduct of the several military offi- cers in the county of Litchfield against whom complaints have been made, and report make of what they find in the premises with their opinion thereon to this or some future Assembly.
Whereas the committee appointed by the General Assembly in their sessions in May last to confer with a committee of the reverend corporation of Yale College on sundry important matters respecting the present situation of said college, have, among other things, re- ported to this Assembly that in their opinion the education of youth in that important seminary might be put upon a more extensive plan of usefulness in sundry respects without deviating from the original design of its institution, in which opinion the committee of said cor- poration were agreed and have applied to this Assembly requesting a further conference on that subject : Resolved by this Assembly, that Abraham Davenport and Samuel Huntington, Esqrs, Titus Hos- mer, Samuel Bishop, William Hillhouse, Gold Selleck Syllyman, Nathaniel Wales jun', and Daniel Sherman, Esqrs, be and they are hereby appointed a committee to confer with such of the Revd Corpor- ation as shall be appointed a committee for that purpose, upon the ways and means for concerting a plan to effect the above valuable purposes, and report make of the result of their conference to some future Assembly.
Resolved by this Assembly, That the Committee of Pay-Table be and they are hereby appointed to receive from the selectmen or com-
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mittees of the respective towns in this State the accounts of and for the articles of cloathing provided for the use of the non-commission officers and soldiers belonging to this State in the continental army pursuant to orders given by his Excellency and Council of Safety, compare, adjust and render equal the accounts rendered in, so that justice and equity be done among the towns, and that they draw on the Treasurer for payment accordingly.
Resolved by this Assembly, That a tax of twelve pence on the pound be laid on the list of the polls and rateable estate of the inhabi- tants of this State given in in August last with the additions that shall be brought in ; and in order thereto, that the listers of the respective towns in this State be and they are hereby directed and ordered to compleat and bring in said list with the additions and lodge the same with the Secretary by the fifteenth day of January, 1778. Said tax to be levied and paid by the 15th day of April, 1778, and the Treas- urer is hereby ordered to issue his warrants accordingly ; and that the clerks of the respective towns certify to the Treasurer of this State by the 15th day of January next the name of the person chosen in the respective towns to collect the country rates for the year 1778.
It being represented to this Assembly that a prize ship has lately arrived at Salem in the State of the Massachusets Bay, on board of which is a considerable quantity of cloathing that may be suitable for soldiers and may likely be purchased for that purpose ; and that Maj Jonathan Otiss of Midletown is now on his journey to Salem and will undertake to purchase the same or part of them for this State: Resolved by this Assembly, that said Maj' Jonathan Otiss be and he hereby is desired and authorized to enquire into the quality and price of said cloathing, and if found suitable for the use of the soldiers in the continental army and to be purchased on reasonable terms, that he purchase for the use of this State to the amount of four thousand pounds. lawfull money, and that an order be drawn on Samuel Eliott jun', Esq', of Boston, agent for this State, to pay to said Maj Otiss in whole or in part of said sum as occasion may require for the pur- pose aforesaid.
Resolved by this Assembly, That a bounty or premium in the pro- portion of forty shillings per month be allowed and granted to the non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the light-horse and militia of this State that have been called into public service to join the con- tinental army during the campaign the summer past, except such as have been allowed the same bounty by any former act of the General Assembly.
Resolved by this Assembly, That the militia and volunteers that have lately marched or are now on their march to the aid of General
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[October,
Putnam near Fishkill, shall be intituled to the same pay, bounty and refreshments, as the forces sent on to Albany last August. That a proper person be appointed to proceed immediately with three thousand pounds to pay out to any of said militia or volunteers in advancement as part of their pay as they shall have occasion, not exceeding twenty shillings to each man. That a quantity of rum be also immediately forwarded to the issuing commissary to deliver out accordingly for their refreshments. And also, that the person sent on to said forces be directed to make the most speedy return to the Assembly of the number, state and accommodations of our forces with General Putnam. And his Excellency the Governor is desired to give the necessary orders for carrying the above resolutions into immediate execution.
Whereas it evidently appears to this Assembly that the late Com- missary General has a large quantity of salt and other stores in his hands belonging to the United States, and no person hath yet appeared properly authorized to receive them, and no commissaries of purchases appointed by Congress to purchase provisions under the late regula- tions in the Eastern Department have accepted the trust, and General Putnam hath lately sent his earnest pressing request that fat cattle for the use of the army under his command may be immediately pur- chased, but no person here inclines to undertake the service without the order of Congress or this Assembly, they not being furnished with money for that purpose : And as there are considerable quantities of beef and pork that might be now procured in this State for the use of the army, which will probably be otherwise disposed of unless speedily secured : Resolved by this Assembly, that his Excellency the Governor be desired to write by express to the Honble Congress of the United States to acquaint them with the matters aforesaid, that they may take such measures therein as they shall think fit.
Resolved by this Assembly, That the commissaries appointed by this Assembly to furnish tents for the use of the militia under the command of General Putnam return those tents to the towns they belong to, and Captain Jabez Huntington is directed to notify said commissaries of this resolve.
This Assembly do appoint Mr. James Bull in the first brigade, Mr. Elnathan Camp in the second brigade, Mr. Jonathan Deming in the third brigade, Mr. William Hawley in the fourth brigade, Mr. Samuel Gray in the fifth brigade, and Capt. Lynde Lord in the sixth brigade of militia in this State, to provide tents, pots and kettles, canteens and other utensils, for the militia of this State now in service with the army under the command of Maj' General Putnam and forward them immediately to the chief officers commanding the militia there, observing the rules therein prescribed by a resolve of this Assembly passed in the present sessions.
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Resolved by this Assembly, That the Governor and Council of Safety be authorized to appoint proper persons and give necessary directions for purchasing provisions and other supplies for the land and sea forces of this State.
Resolved by this Assembly, That notice be immediately sent to the persons appointed in the several brigades in this State ordered to provide and send forward tents and other camp utensils for the mili- tia of this State who have joined Maj' General Putnam, that it is un- necessary to provide any articles but tents, said militia being already sufficiently provided with all the camp utensils except tents ; and Capt. Huntington is appointed to send notice to the persons ordered to provide the aforesaid articles.
This Assembly do appoint Lt. Colo. Jonathan Wells in the room of Mr. James Bull, who was appointed in the first brigade to provide and forward tents and other camp utensils for the use of the militia &c. and hath declined said office.
Upon the complaint of General Syllyman against sundry military companies and military officers in the county of Fairfield for disobedi- ence &c., on which complaint a committee has been appointed who have made their report and the same has been accepted : Whereupon it is resolved by this Assembly, that Ezra Kirtland, cornet of a troop of horse in the third regiment of light-horse in this State, for his mis- behaviour be and he is hereby cashiered of his said office, and that the east military company in the town of Redding be and the same is hereby dissolved and annexed to the west company in said town, and that the 15th militia company in the fourth regiment formerly com- manded by Capt. Henry Summers be and the same is hereby dissolved, and that they be annexed to the respective military companies to which they heretofore belonged, and that the said Ezra Kirtland pay the cost arisen in the premises, allowed to be two pounds one shilling and six pence; and that Daniel Hill of Reading and David Hait of Stamford, two of the officers complained of as aforesaid, also pay the cost arisen in the premises allowed to be two pounds one shilling and six pence each, amounting in the whole to the sum of £6 4 6, and that execution issue against them respectively for the same.
Upon the complaint of General Silliman against sundry military companies and military officers in the county of Fairfield, on which a committee has been appointed who have made their report, and the same being accepted : Whereupon it is resolved by this Assembly that the major of the third regiment of light-horse in this State be and he is hereby ordered and directed to lead the troop of light-horse in said regiment of light-horse of which Samuel Belden of Norwalk was some time since appointed captain to the choice of a captain, lieutenant,
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[October,
quarter master, and such other officers as may be necessary for said company ; and that the said Samuel Belding pay the cost arisen in the premises, allowed to be £2 1 6, and that execution issue accord- ingly.
Resolved by this Assembly, That Jabez Hamlin, Esq", General Erastus Wolcott, General Wadsworth, Colo. Joseph Platt Cook, Capt. Halsey, Mr. Wales, Colo. Porter and Mr. Treadwell, be and they are hereby appointed a committee, they or any three or more of them, for the purpose of revising the militia laws of this State now in force, and to prepare a bill containing a system of militia laws with such addi- tions and alterations as they shall judge necessary for the better reg ulation of the militia, and to render the same more effectual for the safety and defence of this and the other United States in America, and report the same to this Assembly at their next session.
Resolved by this Assembly, That the prisoners of war now quartered in the court-house in this place be immediately removed out of the same ; and Ezekiel Williams, Esq", Commissary of Prisoners, is directed to execute this order, and he is hereby impowered to provide such lodgings or barracks for them as may be necessary for them to prevent their suffering, and to impress and take up any stores, shops, vessels or other buildings necessary and proper for that purpose, at the expence of this State at present, and that the same be charged to the continent.
Whereas Daniel Sherman, Esq', Colo. Nehemiah Beardslee, Capt. Increase Mosely, and Mr. Lemuel Sanford, or any three of them, were by the General Assembly in May last appointed a committee to repair to Danbury and there by every lawfull means to enquire into and ascertain the right of every person that might be rendered precarious by the losses of the public records of said town lately destroyed by the enemy and to report to the General Assembly then next, which time is found too short for them to compleat the business assigned them : Resolved by this Assembly, that said committee together with Colo. Samuel Canfield and Capt. Caleb Baldwin, or any three of them, proceed in the business of their commission and make report of their doings therein to this or some future Assembly.
Whereas small bills are much wanted for change in currency,
Be it therefore enacted by the Governor, Council and Representa- tives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That there be forthwith imprinted the sum of five thousand two hun- dred and fifty pounds in bills of the following denominations, viz : two pence, three pence, four pence, five pence, and seven pence ; sixty thousand bills of cash * of the same tenor with the late emissions of
* Sic, sed each in original bill, Rer. War, viii, 48.
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OF CONNECTICUT.
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bills of credit of this State, without interest, payable at or before the 10th day of October, A. D. 1782, and that John Chester, Ebenezer Plummer, John Treadwell, Samuel Bishop jun', Joseph Hopkins, Thomas Mumford, Charles Phelps, Samuel Squier, John Brooks, Jabez Huntington of Windham, Jeremiah Ripley, Andrew Adams, and Abel Hine, Esqrs, or either of them, be and they are appointed a committee to receive of the Treasurer and sign the same without fee or reward ; and the Treasurer is to cause said emission of bills to be forthwith imprinted and deliver them to said committee or either of them, taking from them bills of credit of this State to the amount of such imprinted bills said committee shall receive, and to keep the bills so received to be disposed of as the General Assembly shall direct.
And be it further resolved, That the afore mentioned bills to be emitted be signed by one of the committee only.
Whereas one John Shepard of the State of New Hamshire was on the fourth day of December, 1776, arrested in this State and brought before a committee appointed by the General Assembly of this State to examine and confine persons whom they judged inimical to this and the United States, and on examination said committee judged that said Shepard was an inimical and dangerous person to the rights and libertys of America, and thereupon said committee on the sixth day of said December by a warrant under their hands ordered said Shepard to be confined in Windham county goal till he should be de- livered by due order of law, which Shepard was accordingly com- mitted to said goal from which he some time after made his escape to said State of New Hamshire, where he was taken and confined in goal and afterwards was by the sheriff of said Windham county taken and brought to and confined in said Windham goal where he still re- mains, and it is now represented to this Assembly that said Shepard has been guilty of counterfeiting the bills of credit of said State of New Hamshire and other crimes and high handed misdemeanors against said State, and that said Shepard greatly complains of being confined in goal without any tryal; and it appearing to this Assembly that the principal crimes that said Shepard is guilty of were com- mitted out of this State, and thati t is dangerous to the public safety to permit said Shepard to go at large : Therefore it is resolved by this Assembly, that the said Shepard be as soon as may be trans- ported into said State of New Hamshire and there delivered unto some proper authority, to be disposed of and dealt with as the laws of that State and the safety of the public may require. And Jabez Huntington, Esq', sheriff of Windham county, is hereby ordered and directed to transport and deliver the said Shepard agreeable to this resolve to some proper authority to receive said Shepard in said State of New Hamshire together with a copy of this resolution and order and a copy of the warrant or mittimus by which said Shepard was committed to said Windham county goal; and the authority of said State of New
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PUBLIC RECORDS
[October,
Hamshire are requested to receive said Shepard at the hands of said sheriff, or of him by whom said sheriff shall send him; and said sher- iff is to make return of his doings in the premises to the General Assembly of this State.
Resolved by this Assembly, That whenever the militia of this State are called into the service of the United States, the commanding officers shall take care that the pay-rolls be made up and application made for payment before or at the time the militia are dismissed. And his Excellency the Governor is authorized to appoint some suit- able person or persons to be paymasters to receive and pay the money to each officer and soldier, agreeable to the resolutions of Congress.
Resolved by this Assembly, That the Committee of Pay-Table be directed to draw an order on the Treasurer for the sum of twenty pounds, viz : fourteen pounds in bills and six pounds in specie, in favour of Majr John Bigelow employed to go to New York under a flag to negotiate an exchange of Capt. Judd of the Antelope for Capt. Manly of the Hancock, and other public service to be accounted for ; and the whole of said Bigelow's wages and expences to be by said committee settled and charged to account of the United States.
This Assembly do appoint Doct" Joel King to be Surgeon to Colo. Roger Newberry's regiment.
This Assembly do appoint Major George Dorrance to be Lieuten- ant Colonel of the 24th regiment of militia in this State, in the room of Lazarus Stewart, Esq', resigned.
This Assembly do appoint John Garret, Esq', to be Major of the 24th regiment of militia within this State, in the room of George Dor- rance, Esq', promoted.
This Assembly do appoint Experience Storrs, Esq", to be Colonel of the fifth regiment of militia in this State, in the room of Jedidiah Elderkin, Esq', resigned.
This Assembly do appoint Thomas Brown, Esq', to be Lieutenant Colonel of the fifth regiment of militia in this State, in the room of Experience Storrs, Esq", promoted.
This Assembly do appoint Capt. Hezekiah Huntington to be Major of the fifth regiment of militia in this State, in the room of Thomas Brown, Esq", promoted.
This Assembly do establish Stephen Roberts to be Captain of the second company or trainband in the 19th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish John Williams to be Lieutenant of the second company or trainband in the 19th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish Joseph Hurlburt to be Ensign of the 2d company or trainband in the 19th regiment in this State.
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This Assembly do establish Roswell Grant to be Captain of the first company of the alarm list in the 19th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish Alexander King to be Ensign of the first company of the alarm list in the 19th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish Abner Loomiss to be Lieutenant of the fifth company or trainband in the 19th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish David Taylor jun" to be Ensign of the 5th company or trainband in the 19th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish John Booth jun to be Lieutenant of the third company of the alarm list in the 19th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish John Reynolds to be Ensign of the third company of the alarm list in the 19th regiment in this State.
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