USA > Connecticut > The public records of the State of Connecticut, from October 1776 to Ferbruary 1778, inclusive > Part 68
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A True Copy, Witness, HENRY WARD, Secr'y. IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, December 27th, 1776.
This Assembly having requested a Conference with the other States of New England at Providence, who have accordingly appointed committees. but with other powers and authorities than are given by this State, and consisting of a less number: It is therefore
Resolved. That the Honorable William Bradford, Esquire, the Hon'ble Stephen Hopkins, Esqr. and Henry Ward, Esq", be and they are hereby appointed a committee to confer with the committees of the States of Massa- chusetts Bay, Connecticut and New Hampshire, now convened in this State, upon the expediency of raising and appointing an army for the more immediate defence of the New England States against the threatened inva- sion 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 currencies,
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PROVIDENCE CONVENTION.
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to prevent the 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 common defence, and to make report to this Assem- bly of whatever they may judge fit to be done, for approbation and that suitable measures may be pursued thereon, until the whole subject matter can be laid before the Hon'ble Congress of the United States of America and measures taken and directions given by them thereon; and that this appointment be considered as having been made, and taking place on the twenty-fifth instant.
A True Copy,
Witness HENRY WARD, Secr'y.
The Committee proceed. and make choice of The Hon'ble Stephen Hop- kins, Esquire. President, Rowse J. Helme, Clerk.
Upon motion, resolved, That application be made by this Committee to the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay to give orders to such part of the militia as are under the command of Major-General Lincoln and were ordered to march, or who may be marching through the State of Rhode Island to be retained in the said State of Rhode Island to oppose that body of the enemy who have landed therein until a representation of the matter be made to Congress, and they shall give directions respecting them, or un- til the further motions of the enemy shall make it necessary to march them elsewhere, or further orders from the said General Court.
Upon motion, resolved, That application be made by this Committee to Major General Ward to give orders to the regiment in the continental ser- vice stationed in New-Hampshire to march immediately to Providence in the State of Rhode Island for the defence of that State.
Henry Ward, Esquire, appointed to draft two letters, one to the Hon'ble Council of the Massachusetts-Bay, and the other to the Hon'ble General Ward .- Mr. Ward having laid before the committee the letters he was nominated to draft, they are approved of. And the clerk is directed immedi- ately to make fair copies of the same, to be signed by the President and forthwith dispatched.
The Committee adjourn until to morrow morning, 10 o'clock.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26th, 1776.
The Committee met according to adjournment.
Present : The same members as yesterday.
The question being put, whether the State of Connecticut be requested to send any part of the four battalions in the service of that State now under marching orders to the North River, to the defence of the State of Rhode Island, it passed in the negative; the Committee being unanimously of opinion that those troops are necessary for the security of the posts upon the North River and the stores there collected, which is of the utmost import- ance to the United States.
Upon motion, resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that while so large a body of the enemy is in possession of Rhode Island, it is necessary to keep six thousand men in the State of Rhode Island to oppose them; who may consist of the troops from the Massachusetts Bay, under the command of General Lincoln, ordered to march or who may be marching through the said State, supposed to be about three thousand ; of the battalion
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APPENDIX.
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of Continental troops now in the State of New-Hampshire, being about four hundred and fifty; of the two battalions now raising in the State of Rhode Island, consisting of seven hundred and fifty men each ; and of such contin- ental troops as are raised in the States of the Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire and may be most conveniently marched as will complete the number of six thousand. That for this purpose two battalions from the Massachusetts Bay and one from New-Hampshire be ordered to march to the State of Rhode Island, in parties, as soon as twenty men or more belonging to a company be raised; of which three battalions, one thousand are to remain in the State of Rhode Island, until further orders from Con- gress, or the State in which they are raised, and the others may march on : And that it be recommended to the States of the Massachusetts-Bay and New Hampshire to give the necessary orders for the march of the said bat- talions as aforesaid.
Resolved, That during the continuance of the enemy in the State of Rhode Island, it be recommended to the several States in New-England to put the forces they may send into the said State under the command of Major-General Lincoln. until further orders from the respective States to which they belong, or the General Congress.
The Committee adjourn until to morrow morning, 10 o'clock.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27th, 1776.
The Committee met according to adjournment.
Present : The same members as yesterday.
This Committee, taking into consideration the currency of paper bills emitted by the States of New-England, in lieu of money, for the prosecution of the present war, and being fully convinced, that it is absolutely necessary to prevent their depreciation, as it will be impossible for the States to estab- lish and support an army, upon which the safety of the country under God depends, without preserving the credit of such emissions, do resolve as follows:
As the paper bills now circulating far exceed the quantity necessary for a medium of exchange, and of course the surplus must greatly tend to depreciate the whole: It is recommended to the abovementioned States, that no further emissions be made, but that the several treasuries be supplied by taxes and by borrowing the necessary sums to be repaid in three years or sooner from their date with an interest not exceeding five per centum per annum, unless upon a critical contingency there may be an absolute necessity of an immediate supply, and the money cannot be procured upon loan; in which case it is recommended that bills be emitted redeemable in three years or sooner with an interest of four per cent. per annum, and that the State emitting the same notify the other States of such emission.
The Committee are governed in fixing the rate of interest for money borrowed at five per cent. by this consideration, that the notes given by the continental treasurers are a better security than those issued by any particu- lar State, and will have a more general credit, which will make a difference of one per cent. in the premium for money borrowed.
That it be recommended to the several States forthwith to levy such taxes upon the inhabitants as their abilities will bear.
That it be recommended to the several States to call in the bills of credit at the expiration of the periods for which they were severally emitted
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PROVIDENCE CONVENTION.
591
in the best manner they can devise to give reasonable and just satisfaction to the possessors of the bills.
The Committee have great hopes that a strict adherence to these meas- ures will effectually establish the credit of the bills.
The Committee adjourn until to morrow morning, 10 o'clock.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28th, 1776.
The Committee met according to adjournment.
Present: The same members as yesterday.
They took into consideration the affixing and regulating the prices of the necessary and convenient articles of life, and having made some progress therein, postponed the further consideration thereof.
The Committee adjourn until to-morrow morning, 10 o'clock.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29th, 1776.
Met according to adjournment.
Present : The same members as yesterday.
Pursuant to the resolution of this committee entered into on the twenty- sixth instant, application having been made to the General Court of the Massachusetts-Bay to give orders to the forces of that State under the com- mand of Major-General Lincoln ordered to march, and who were marching through the State of Rhode Island, to be halted in that State to oppose the enemy who have made a descent therein; and also to Major-General Ward, to direct the continental regiment in New Hampshire to march to the said State of Rhode Island; and the said General Court having ordered General Lincoln with the greatest part of the troops under his command to march to Danbury in Connecticut, and Major-General Ward having ac- quainted this Committee that the said continental regiment is under march- ing orders for Ticonderoga, which cannot be revoked; and it is necessary to supply the deficiency occasioned thereby;
It is therefore resolved, That the body of six thousand men in the above- mentioned resolution, declared by this Committee to be necessary for the defence of the said State of Rhode Island, be supplied by the several States in New England, as follows, to wit:
The Massachusetts. Bay -
Part of the troops under General Lincoln, 1300
Militia, . 550 .
A company of Artillery, 50
1900
Connecticut -
Including one of the four Battalions raising in that State
1092
to supply the deficiency in the Continental Army, .
New Hampshire, 300
Rhode Island -
Two Battalions inlisted for 15 months, 1500
Regiment of Artillery for 15 months, . 300
1800
Continental troops, 1000
6092
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APPENDIX.
[1776-7.
Which will make the number about six thousand, as recommended in the resolution referred to.
It is recommended to the States of the Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut and New Hampshire, to continue the forces by them sent as aforesaid into the said State of Rhode Island, keeping up their full numbers until further orders from the respective States by which they are sent, or from the Gen- eral Congress. And that said troops and all others sent into the State of Rhode Island be under the command of the General of the Continental army commanding in said State.
The Committee adjourn until to-morrow morning, 10 o'clock.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 30th, 1776.
Met according to adjournment.
Present : The same members as yesterday.
It is recommended by this Committee to the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island, that they cause all the cannon which are not abso- lutely necessary for the immediate defence of said State to be removed to some place of security.
This Committee did re-assume the consideration of affixing and regulat- ing the prices of the necessary and convenient articles of life, and referred the same until to-morrow.
The Committee adjourn until to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31st, 1776.
Met according to adjournment.
Present : The same members as yesterday saving the Presi- dent and Mr. Wales.
The Committee appointed the Hon'ble William Bradford, Esq', President.
This Committee having re-assumed the consideration of affixing and regulating the prices of the necessary and convenient articles of life, came into the following resolutions:
This Committee taking into consideration the unbounded avarice of many persons, by daily adding to the now inost intolerable exorbitant price of every necessary and convenient article of life, and also the most extrava- gant price of labour in general, which at this time of distress, unless a speedy and effectual stop be put thereto, will be attended with the most fatal and pernicious consequences, as it not only disheartens and disaffects the soldiers who have nobly entered into service for the best of causes, by obliging thiem to give such unreasonable prices for those things that are absolutely needful for their very existence, that their pay is not sufficient to subsist them; but is also very detrimental to the country in general.
Wherefore it is recommended by this Committee, That the rates and prices hereafter enumerated be affixed and settled within the respective States in New England, to wit:
Farming Labour in the summer season shall not exceed three shillings and four pence per diem, and so in the usual proportion at other seasons of the year, and the labour of mechanicks and tradesmen and other labour to be computed according to the usages and customs that have heretofore been adopted and practiced in different parts of the several States compared with farming labour.
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PROVIDENCE CONVENTION.
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Wheat. Good merchantable wheat shall not exceed the price of seven shillings and six pence per bushell, in any part of the States of the Massa- chusetts-Bay, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and six shillings per bushel in any part of the State of Connecticut.
Rye. Good merchantable Rye shall not in the State of Connecticut exceed three shillings and six pence per bushell, and not in any part of the States of the Massachusetts-Bay, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, four shillings and six pence per bushell.
Indian Corn. Good merchantable Indian corn shall not in any part of the State of the Massachusetts Bay exceed three shillings and four pence per bushel, and not in any part of the State of Connecticut three shillings per bushel, and not in any part of the States of New Hampshire, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, three shillings and six pence per bushel.
Wool. Good merchantable sheep's wool shall not in any part of the States of Massachusetts-Bay, Connecticut, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, exceed two shillings per pound, nor in any part of the State of New Hampshire, two shillings and two pence per pound.
Pork, in any part of the State of the Massachusetts Bay, shall not exceed those weighing from
5 to. . 7 score, 4 ₫ 7 to. . . 10 score, 44 per pound,
all above. .. 10 score, .
412
in any part of the State of Connecticut, shall not exceed those weighing from 5 to. 7 score, 34ª
7 to. . ... . 10 score,
per pound,
all above. . 10 score, . 33
in any part of the State of New Hampshire, shall not exceed those weigh- ing from
5 to .. 7 score, .
7 to. . .10 score, . 4% per pound, all above .. 10 score, . 5 in any part of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, shall not exceed those weighing from
5 to. 7 score, - 7 to ... . . 10 score, 4 per pound.
all above .. 10 score, . 4₺
Beef. Grass-fed beef of the best quality in any part of the States of the Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, shall not exceed three pence per pound, and in any part of the State of Connecticut shall not exceed twenty-four shillings per hundred weight. And so in that proportion in the said several States for stall-fed beef, and likewise beef of an inferior quality.
Hides. Raw hides shall not exceed three pence per pound, in any part of either of said States.
Salt. Good merchantable salt shall not exceed ten shillings per bushel in any part of either of said States.
Rum. Good merchantable West India rum shall not in either of said States exceed six shillings and eight pence per gallon by the hogshead, seven shillings and eight pence per single gallon, and two shillings per quart, and so in like proportion for smaller quantities, according to the old and accus- tomed usages for retailing smaller quantities, in any part of said States, save
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APPENDIX.
[1776-7.
allowing one penny per gallon for every ten miles the same shall be con- vey'd by land carriage from the first port of delivery for the cost charge and risque in carrying the same. New England rum of the best quality shall not in any part of the said States exceed three shillings and ten pence per gallon by the hogshead, four shillings per gallon by the barrel, and four shillings and six pence by the single gallon, at the ports and places where the same shall be first distilled (exclusive of the cask) and so in like proportion for smaller quantities, according to the old and accustomed usages for retailing smaller quantities, save allowing one penny per gallon for every ten miles the same shall be conveyed by land carriage from the place of distil- lery, for the cost charge and risque in carrying the same.
Sugar. Best Muscovado sugar shall not in any of said States exceed fifty-four shillings per hundred weight by the hogshead, sixty shillings by the single hundred weight, and eight pence per pound, at the first port of delivery, allowing nine pence per hundred weight for every ten miles land carriage the same may be conveyed from the first port of delivery to defray the expence in carrying the same.
Molasses. Molasses of the best quality shall not in any of said States ex- ceed three shillings and four pence per gallon by the hogshead, three shil- lings and eight pence by the barrel, and four shillings by the single gallon, at the first port of delivery, allowing one penny per gallon for every ten miles land carriage the same may be conveyed from the said first port of delivery, to defray the expence of carrying the same. Making the accus- tomed and usual allowances for molasses of an inferior quality.
Cheese. American manufactured cheese shall not exceed six pence per pound in any part of either of said States.
Butter. Butter of the best quality shall not exceed ten pence per pound, in any part of either of said States.
Pease. Pease shall not exceed eight shillings per bushel, in any part of either of said States.
Beans. Beans of the best quality shall not exceed six shillings per bushel, in any part of either of said States.
Potatoes, commonly called Spanish potatoes, of the best sort, shall not in the fall of the year exceed one shilling and four pence per bushel, and not at any season of the year exceed two shillings per bushel, in any part of either of said States.
Stockings. Men's good yarn stockings shall not exceed six shillings per pair in any part of either of said States, and in such proportion to those of an inferior quality.
Shoes. Men's neat's leather shoes of the best sort shall not exceed eight shillings per pair in any part of either of said States, and other shoes in proportion according to their quality.
Salted Pork. Salted pork by the barrel, two hundred and twenty pounds weight in each barrel, shall not in any part of the State of the Massachusetts Bay and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations exceed four pounds twelve shillings per barrel, in the State of Connecticut four pounds four shill- ings per barrel, and in any part of the State of New Hampshire five pounds per barrel.
Cotton. Cotton shall not exceed three shillings per pound by the bag, and three shillings and eight pence per the single pound, in any part of either of said States.
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PROVIDENCE CONVENTION.
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Oats. Good oats shall not exceed two shillings per bushel, in any part of either of the said States.
Flux. Good well dressed merchantable flax shall not exceed one shilling per pound, in any part of either of the States of Massachusetts-Bay, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and shall not in any part of the State of Connecticut exceed ten pence per pound.
Coffee. Good coffee shall not exceed one shilling and four pence by the single pound, in any part of either of the said States.
Tallow. Good tried tallow shall not exceed seven pence half-penny per pound, in any part of either of said States.
Tow-Cloth. Good yard-wide tow-cloth shall not exceed two shillings and three pence per yard, in any part of either of said States, and so in propor- tion according to its quality. Coarse linnens to be computed after the rate of tow-cloth, allowing therefor the reasonable worth.
Flannels. Good yard-wide striped flannel shall not exceed three shillings and six pence per yard, in any part of either of the said States, and other flannels in proportion according to their widths and qualities, and other woolen cloths in like proportion.
This Committee, considering that goods in general, imported, have of late, owing to the unbounded avarice of some persons, been sold by whole- sale at the exorbitant advance of five and six hundred per cent. from the prime cost, and retailed out at the unreasonable profit of forty or fifty per cent. or more in addition thereto, which has been the occasion of great oppression, especially to the poor consumer, do, to correct and rectify such ex- orbitances, recommend that, notwithstanding the great risque of a voyage to and from Europe, the high rate of insurance, the difficulty of procuring articles suitable for that market, the loss upon those exported, the increased expences and length of the voyage, and the real necessity of importing many commodities from thence, the price of European goods which have been or shall be imported, as also all such goods which have been or shall be brought into any of said States in any prize vessel, shall not exceed the following rates, which this committee is of opinion will allow but a reasonable profit to the adventurer.
Woolen goods, coarse linnens, duck, ticklenbourgs, and ozenbriggs shall not be sold by wholesale at a higher rate than in proportion of two hundred and seventy five pounds sterling for what cost one hundred pounds sterling in Europe; and not any other goods, wares and merchandize, imported from thence, or brought into any port in said States in any prize vessel, shall be sold at wholesale at a higher rate than in the proportion of two hundred and fifty pounds sterling for what cost one hundred pounds sterling in Europe, excepting warlike and military stores, the prices of which the Committee are of opinion need not be limited; and the retailers of such goods shall not sell them at a higher advance than twenty per cent. upon the wholesale price.
This Committee further recommend that the several legislative bodies within the said respective States affix and ascertain the price of wood, hay, pine boards, plank, joist, hoops, shingles, charcoal, tanned leather, cotton and linnen cloths, mutton, veal, and flour, and also the rates of carting, which can be much better done in the several States than by this Committee.
It is further recommended to the respective legislatures aforesaid to regulate or prohibit vendues and other public sales, in such manner as not to interfere with, but so as to inforce the several regulations recommended as aforesaid.
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APPENDIX ....
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It is further recommended to the abovementioned States to empower suitable persons in their respective States to open any ware-houses, stores, or other places where goods are deposited which are necessary for the use of the army or navy and are with-held by monopolizers, engrossers, or others, and to take and apply such goods to the use aforesaid, paying the owners thereof at the rate at which such goods are valued in this resolution; and in case the goods so taken are not herein rated, at a reasonable appraisement to be made by indifferent persons.
It is further recommended, as it is of great importance, that the mode of carrying the resolves aforesaid into execution in the respective States be uniform and effectual.
This Committee recommend it as necessary that the respective States prohibit the sale of any of the articles aforesaid at any higher price than they are above rated, under severe penalties and forfeitures, which in the opinion of this Committee may be as follows, to wit:
For any and every article or articles sold at or under the price of twenty shillings, a penalty of twenty shillings; and for each and every article or articles sold at a higher price than twenty shillings, a penalty of the price at which they shall be sold.
And that the respective States regulate the mode of recovering such penalties as they shall judge most agreeable to their circumstances, and most likely to prevent the breaches of the acts they may pass in pursuance. of the recommendation aforesaid.
And this Committee further recommend it to the abovementioned legis- latures to give and grant a bounty of two shillings upon each and every bushel of good salt made and manufactured within any of said States from sea water, said bounty to continue and be given as aforesaid, until the first- day of January, A.D. 1779.
This Committee, taking into consideration the bounties and allowances. offered by Congress for inlisting the continental battalions appointed as the quotas of the four New England States, are of opinion that in the present. situation of the aforesaid States it is impracticable to fill those battalions without giving a still further encouragement to men to inlist, and that it is- of the utmost necessity to complete them with all possible dispatch.
And the said States having given different encouragements in their sev- eral States for filling the said battalions; and this Committee being also of opinion that if the said States act upon one uniform plan it will be attended with many advantages, do resolve, that it be recommended to the several legislatures of the said States to give an additional bounty of ten pounds, and each and every year while in actual service a blanket, or in lieu thereof eighteen shillings, to the encouragement given by Congress to the non- commissioned officers and private soldiers who shall inlist into the said bat- talions for three years, or during the war, and to engage to supply them while in camp with those articles necessary for soldiers which are not fur- nished by Congress, at the rates affixed to those articles by the several New England States, without any charge for transportation or other expences, which is considered by this Committee as a greater encouragement than hath been offered by any of the said States.
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