USA > Connecticut > The public records of the State of Connecticut, from October 1776 to Ferbruary 1778, inclusive > Part 69
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76
The Committee adjourn until to-morrow morning 9 o'clock.
.
597
PROVIDENCE CONVENTION.
1776-7.]
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1st, 1777.
Met according to adjournment.
Present : The same members as yesterday.
This Committee, considering the discontents and difficulties which will probably arise among troops engaged in the same cause, and serving together upon different wages, and the fatal consequences that may ensue therefrom, do recommend it to the Legislature of the State of Rhode Island and Provi- dence Plantations to put the two battalions and regiment of artillery now raising in the said State for fifteen months upon the same footing with regard to wages as are allowed to the Continental battalions: the Committee being of opinion that if the affixing prices to the necessary articles for the soldiers at a lower rate than they could have been supplied at the time when the wages were fixed, should not be deemed by the aforesaid legisla- ture an adequate allowance for the difference in the wages, it would be bet- ter for the State to make up the deficiency in some other way than by allowing them higher wages than the troops who serve with them.
Whereas the militia of the several States of New-England may be fre- quently called into the same service, and many inconveniences may be pre- vented by their being placed upon the same footing in point of encourage- ment, wages, and rations,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several States aforesaid, that whenever the militia of said States, or either of them, shall be called into service for any term less than two months, that the officers and soldiers be allowed and paid the same wages and rations that those of equal rank in the Continental army are allowed and paid.
And that it be further recommended that when the militia shall be called out for a term more than two and not exceeding four months, that the non commissioned officers and soldiers be paid a bounty of twenty shillings, and where the term of their service shall amount to five and shall not exceed six months, that the non commissioned officers and soldiers be paid a bounty of forty shillings over and above the continental pay and rations. Provided they shall voluntarily inlist into such services; otherwise, that they have and receive the continental wages and rations only, without any bounty as afore- said.
And whereas the speedy filling up the quotas of the continental army required of the New-England States is of the greatest importance for the furtherance thereof, it is recommended as highly necessary and expedient for the respective States to lay an embargo on all privateers, and on all shipping whatever, except what shall be specially permitted by each State for the purpose of bringing such necessaries as are absolutely needed, and also continental vessels and armed vessels belonging to the respective States, permission being first had and obtained from the said State from whence they may depart.
And that said embargo be continued until the end aforesaid of filling up the continental army be fully compleated and accomplished. And it is further recommended to the several States aforesaid that they import the articles of cloathing, medicines, and whatever else may be necessary for the use of the army, on their own account and risque.
This Committee, taking into consideration the great importance of pro- curing the earliest and best intelligence to facilitate the execution of meas- ures undertaken for common defence, and the great inconveniences that
598
APPENDIX.
[1776-7.
have arisen from the interruption of the regular course of communication with the Southern States and with the army by the ordinary continental posts from the movements and present situation of the enemy, do resolve, that it be recommended to the States of New-England that couriers be employed to ride the following stages weekly until a regular and complete channel of communication be opened and established by the Continental Congress, to wit: That a courier set out from Lebanon in Connecticut on Monday of every week and proceed to Providence so as to arrive there on Tuesday evening, there to exchange mails with the courier to the eastward; that the same courier set out from Providence at noon on Wednesday of each week, and return to Lebanon as soon as may be; that a courier be employed to set out from Providence on Wednesday at noon and proceed east- ward through the State of Massachusetts Bay, so as to arrive at Boston in the afternoon of Thursday, and thence to Exeter in the State of New Hamp- shire, so that he arrive there by noon on Saturday; and to set out from thence on Sabbath day on his return by the same rout, so as to reach Boston on Monday evening, and thence to Providence aforesaid, so as to arrive there on Tuesday evening; that suitable persons be appointed by the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations to hire and employ such couriers: that is, that Connecticut employ a rider from Lebanon to Providence, and that Rhode Island employ a courier from Providence to Exeter, and that the said several States settle and affix the intermediate stages in their respective limits.
That all private letters received by said couriers be put into the contin- ental post-office if any intervene before they arrive at the place of delivery, and all public letters be delivered by them to the persons to whom they are directed, or to such persons as the several States in their respective limits shall appoint; and that the respective States do request the Honorable Gov- ernor Trumbull to procure all necessary information and intelligence from the Congress, the armies and Southern States by couriers, expresses, or otherwise, and forward or communicate the same to the said several States as the public service may require.
That the expence of the measures above recommended be defrayed and borne by the respective States, in the following proportions, viz:
Massachusetts Bay, 12
Connecticut,
New-Hampshire, 3
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, 24
2 2
Parts.
24 J
That these proportions be settled for this purpose only, and not to be drawn into precedent on any future occasion.
That it be recommended to the several States to communicate to each other early intelligence of the measures taken by them respectively, and events that may take place within the same which may affect the interest of the United States, or need the concurrent exertions of the United States or any of them.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the legislatures of the several States in New-England to order the last Wednesday in January to be observed as a Day of Fasting, Public Humiliation and Prayer in their respective States: making provision that if the Congress shall recommend to all the United States of America to observe a day of general fasting,
599
SPRINGFIELD CONVENTION.
1777.]
humiliation and prayer throughout the said States, and seasonable informa- tion be had thereof, that then the day appointed by Congress be observed instead of the day abovementioned.
The Committee adjourned until to-morrow morning 9 o'clock.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 2ª, 1777.
Met according to adjournment.
Present : The same members as yesterday, save Mr. Cushing.
It is recommended to each of the legislatures of the said States to lay before the Honorable Continental Congress the reasons, occasion and neces- sity of this meeting, and a copy of and the proceedings thereof; and there- upon adjourned sine die.
The preceding pages are the whole of the resolutions and recommenda- tions of the Committee.
Attest. WILLIAM BRADFORD, President.
II.
THE SPRINGFIELD CONVENTION. JULY, 1777.
[This Convention was called upon the invitation of Massachusetts. A copy of the Journal of this Convention was laid before Congress August 18th, 1777, and the proceedings and resolves of that body thereon may be seen in their journals of Sept. 10, Nov. 22, 27, Dec. 2, 3, 1777, and Jan. 13, 1778.]
[Rev. War, vii, 390.]
AT A MEETING OF COMMITTEES FROM THE STATES OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS BAY, CONNECTICUT, RHODE ISLAND, AND NEW YORK, HOLDEN AT SPRINGFIELD IN THE COUNTY OF HAMPSHIRE THE 30TH OF JULY, ANNO DOMINI 1777, FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOLDING A CONFERENCE RESPECTING THE STATE OF THE PAPER CURRENCY OF THE SAID GOVERN- MENTS; OF THE EXPEDIENCY OF CALLING IN THE SAME BY TAXES OR OTHERWISE; OF THE MOST EFFECTUAL, EXPEDITIOUS AND EQUAL METHOD OF DOING IT; AND TO CONSULT UPON THE BEST MEANS FOR PREVENTING THE DEPRECIATION AND COUNTERFEITING THE SAME; AND ALSO, TO CON- SIDER WHAT IS PROPER TO BE DONE WITH THE ACTS LATELY MADE TO PREVENT MONOPOLY AND OPPRESSION; AND TO CONFER UPON THE LATE ACTS FOR PREVENTING THE TRANSPORTATION BY LAND FROM ONE STATE TO ANOTHER OF CERTAIN ARTICLES; AND TO CONSIDER SUCH MATTERS AS PARTICULARLY CONCERN THE IMMEDIATE WELFARE OF SAID STATES AND ARE NOT REPUGNANT TO OR INTERFERING WITH THE POWERS AND AUTHOR- ITIES OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; AND TO REPORT THE RESULT OF THEIR CONFERENCE TO THE GENERAL COURTS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE STATES. Sundry gentlemen not being arriv'd, adjourned till Thursday, then met according to adjournment.
600
APPENDIX.
[1777.
Present :
From the State of New Hampshire, Colo. Josiah Bartlett and Colo. Nath! Peabody.
From the State of Massachusetts Bay, Honble Thos. Cushing, Esq', Honble Robert T. Paine, Esq".
From Connecticut, Honble Roger Sherman, Sam1 Huntington, and Titus Hosmer, Esqrs.
From Rhode Island, Honble Wm. Bradford, Esq', Honble Stephen Hop- kins, Esq', and Paul Mumford, Esq".
From New York, John Sloss Hobart, Esqr.
The Honble Stephen Hopkins, Esq', was appointed President, and William Pynchon, Esqr, Clerk.
Voted, That the Commissions of the Committees from the several States be entered on the journals. They are as follows:
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. THURSDAY, July 17, 1777, P.M.
Both Houses met in committee according to the votes in the forenoon: the Honble Mesheck Weare in the chair. Proceeded to confer upon the business most necessary to be done at this present session; and after some time spent thereon, the committee agreed to report that it is expedient that a Committee be appointed by this State to meet Committees from the States of Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York, at the town of Springfield in the county of Hampshire and in the State of the Massachusetts Bay, on the 30th day of July instant, then and there to hold a conference respecting the state of the paper currency of the said govern- ments; of the expediency of calling in the same by taxes or otherwise; of the most effectual, expeditious and equal methods of doing it, and to consult upon the best means for preventing the depreciation and counterfeiting of the same; and also to consider of what is proper to be done with respect to the acts lately made to prevent monopoly and oppression; and to confer upon the late acts for preventing the transportation by land of certain arti- cles from one State to another, and to consider such other matters as particu- larly concern the immediate welfare of the said States and are not repugnant to or interfering with the powers and authorities of the Continental Congress. A true copy,
Attest. NOAH EMERY, Clerk of the Committee.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, July 18th, 1777.
The Committee of both Houses appointed to nominate proper persons for a Committee to go to Springfield in the county of Hampshire, to meet Committees from the States of Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York, on the 30th instant, for the purposes mentioned in the report of the whole House and Council yesterday, made report that they nominate Colo. Josiah Bartlett and Colo. Nath1 Peabody as suitable persons for that service: which report being read and considered, Voted, that the same be received and accepted.
Sent up for concurrence,
JOHN DUDLEY, Speaker p. t.
In Council the same day, read and concurred,
E. THOMPSON, Secrt'y.
A copy examined by
E. THOMPSON, Secr'y.
601
SPRINGFIELD CONVENTION.
1777:]
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 27th, 1777.
Resolved, That the Honble Robert T. Paine, with such as the Honble Board shall join, be and they hereby are appointed a Committee in behalf of this State to meet Committees from the General Assemblies of the States of New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York, at the town of Springfield within this State, on the thirtieth day of July next, in case said Assemblies think fit to appoint such Committees; then and there to hold a conference respecting the state of the paper currency of the said governments; of the expediency of calling in the same by taxes or otherwise; of the most effectual, expeditious and equal method of doing it; and to consult upon the best means for preventing the depreciation and counterfeiting of the same; and also to consider what is proper to be done with respect to the acts lately made to prevent monopoly and oppression, and to confer upon the late acts for preventing the transporting by land of certain articles from one State to another, and to consider such other matters as particularly concern the imme- diate welfare of said States, and are not repugnant to or interfering with the powers and authorities of the Continental Congress; and to report the result of their conference to the General Court. And the Secretary is hereby directed immediately to transmit authenticated copies of this resolve to the General Assemblies of the States aforementioned. And every clause in an act intituled An Act in addition to and for amending and more effectually carrying into execution an act intitled An Act to prevent monopoly and oppression, made in the present year, be and hereby are suspended until the further order of this Court, excepting the two first enacting clauses in the act beforementioned, determining the prices certain articles therein enumer- ated shall be sold at.
Sent up for concurrence.
In Council, June 27th, 1777.
R. T. PAINE, Speaker P. T.
Read and concurred, and Thomas Cushing, Esqr, is joined on the part of the Board.
JOHN AVERY Depy See".
Consented to by the major part of the Council.
A true copy,
Attest. JNº. AVERY, Depy Secy.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT. By His Excellency the Governour.
To the Honble Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington and Titus Hosmer, Esqrs.
Whereas the General Assembly of the State of Massachusetts Bay have appointed a Committee to meet at Springfield on the 30th day of instant July, to confer and consult with Committees from the States of New Hamp- shire, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York, on the state of the paper currency of the said governments; of the expediency of calling in the same by taxes or otherwise ; of the most effectual, expeditious and equal method of doing it, the best means for preventing the depreciation or counterfeiting the same ; on the acts to prevent monopoly and oppression, and the act for preventing the transportation by land of certain articles from one State to another; and such other matters as particularly concern the immediate welfare of said States, and to report the result of such Committees to the respective States aforesaid ; and have moved that a Committee be appointed in behalf of this State for the aforementioned purpose : And
602
APPENDIX. [1777.
whereas the Governor and his Council of Safety have named and appointed you to be a Committee from this State, to meet at said time and place, to confer and consult with the Committees of said States, and make report accordingly: Reposing special trust and confidence in your wisdom, pru- dence, and skill and fidelity, I do hereby authorize and impower you, to meet the Committees from the said sister States, or such as may meet, and with them to confer and consult on the several important subjects men- tioned in the resolution of the Assembly of the State of Massachusetts Bay, and make report to me, that the same may be laid before the General Assembly of this State.
Given under my hand and seal at arms, at Lebanon the twenty-first day of July, anno Domini 1777. JONTH TRUMBULL.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS. IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, JULY 9, 1777.
It is voted and resolved, That a Committee of three persons be appointed in behalf of this State, to meet Committees from the General Assemblies of the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, and New York, in the town of Springfield in the county of Hampshire and in the State of Massachusetts, on the thirtieth day of this instant July, in case said Assemblies shall think fit to appoint such Committees, then and there to hold a conference respecting the paper currency of the said States ; of the expediency of calling in the same by taxes or otherwise; of the most effectual, expeditious and equal methods of doing it; and to consult upon the best means for preventing the depreciation and counterfeiting of the same; and also to consider what is proper to be done with the acts lately made to prevent monopoly and oppression, and to confer upon the late acts for preventing the transportation by land of certain articles from one State to another ; and to consider such other matters as concern the immediate welfare of said States and are not repugnant to or interfering with the powers and authorities of the Continental Congress ; and particularly, to consider of and solicit some more sure and effectual method to keep up a sufficient army to oppose that body of the enemy which is now in possession of the island of Rhode Island ; and that they report the result of their conference to this General Assembly.
It is voted and resolved, That the Honble Wm. Bradford, Esq", Deputy Governour. the Honble Stephen Hopkins, Esq", and Paul Mumford, Esq', be and hereby are appointed a Committee for the purposes in the aforegoing resolve mentioned. :
A true copy, examd.
Witness, HENRY WARD Secr'y.
IN COUNCIL OF SAFETY FOR THE STATE OF N. YORK. KINGSTON, JULY 21, 1777.
Resolved, That John Sloss Hobart and Governeur Morris, Esqrs, be and hereby are appointed a Committee from this State, to meet with Committees from the States of New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts Bay, to hold a conference respecting the state of the paper currency of the said States, and other matters mentioned in the resolutions of the House of Representatives of the Massachusetts Bay on the 27th of June last.
Extracted from the minutes,
PIERRE VAN CORTLANDT, Prest
Attest. JOHN MCKESSON, Sec".
603
SPRINGFIELD CONVENTION.
1777.]
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1ST, 1777.
Conferred on sundry subjects and adjourned to Saturday.
SATURDAY.
Met according to adjournment. Present the same members.
The Committees conferred upon the state of the paper currency of the said governments, of the expediency of calling in the same by taxes or otherwise, of the most effectual, expeditious and equal method of doing it, and the best means for preventing the depreciation and counterfeiting the same ; and, upon full consideration, are unanimously of opinion, that the quantity of paper currency emitted and circulating in said States greatly exceeds what is necessary for a medium of trade and for support of the war, whence necessarily follows the depreciation of the currencies, a stagnation of their circulation, fluctuation, irregularity and extravagance of prices, and, if not timely remedied, the total destruction of their credit, to the greatest injury of the States.
They are also unanimously of opinion, that the great number of bills circulating upon the credit of the United States and the several particular States tend mutually to depreciate each other, not only by the too great quantity, but also by multiplied frauds in counterfeiting, and the increased difficulty of detecting the same ; which evils, as far as is possible, to remedy at present and prevent in future,
Resolved. That it be earnestly recommended to the legislatures of the several States, to make provision for drawing in and sinking the bills of credit which are not upon interest, by them respectively emitted, (small change less than a dollar only excepted,) by the first day of November next, either by taxes or by exchanging them for treasurer's notes for sums not less than ten pounds on interest at six per cent. per annum, or for con- tinental bills of credit, and to prohibit the currency of their respective bills of credit from and after the said first day of November, and not to emit any more bills of credit hereafter, except for change not exceeding half a dollar.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several legislatures aforesaid for the future to provide for the exigencies of their respective States and the support of the war as far as possible by taxation ; and, in order to lighten the burden and accommodate the taxes to the convenience of the people, and the more effectually to establish the credit of the continental currency, that those taxes be levied and assess'd, at the least, once in every quarter of the year ; and to take effectual measures that the several assessments be duly collected and punctually paid into the respective treasuries.
Adjourned to Monday next, at 9 o'clock in the morning.
MONDAY MORNING.
Met according to adjournment.
Present : The same members as on Saturday.
The Committee took into consideration the acts against monopoly and oppression, and upon mature deliberation are of opinion, that they are attended with inconveniences, and that the good ends proposed thereby may be better attained by the measures herein recommended. Whereupon,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several legislatures to repeal all clauses in the aforesaid acts for preventing monopoly and oppression, so far
604
APPENDIX. .
[17,77.
as they relate to affixing the prices at which the articles therein enumerated shall be sold, and creating penalties for not observing the same.
And whereas it may be apprehended that the repeal of the monopoly bill may operate to the prejudice of the non-commissioned officers and sol- diers who are employed in the continental army upon the expectation of being supplied with the necessaries of life at the prices affixed by said bill: Therefore, more effectually to prevent such evil,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several legislatures aforesaid, that provision be immediately made for supplying the troops belonging to the continental army and raised in their respective States, who are in the field, with such necessary articles as are not supplied by the Commissary General, upon the same terms as the several States have stipulated; always taking care that the prices affixed in said bill be consider'd as the prime cost. And also. that provision be made, at the expence of the respective States, that the families of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the contin- ental army residing with them be supplied with provisions and cloathing at the prices set in said bill to the amount of their wages, and that committees be appointed in all the towns and districts in said States, whose business it shall be to see that the families of such officers and soldiers are duly supplied with such necessaries of life as their circumstances may require, to the amount of such sum as shall be lodged by such officers and soldiers with said committee, not exceeding their pay respectively. And also, to provide suitable laws to procure the necessary articles stipulated to supply said troops and their fam- ilies by impressing those articles when necessity shall require, paying the owner a reasonable price therefor at the appraisement of indifferent judicious men.
And whereas the ingrossing and withholding from sale of the conveniencies and necessaries of life, accumulating profits upon the same by repeated sales in large quantities from one ingrosser to another, and other artificial methods of raising the prices, are highly prejudicial to the interest of any State, and under the present circumstances of these States are of a most dangerous and fatal tendency,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the legislatures aforesaid, to pro- hibit and prevent such practices from time to time under severe penalties as the nature and circumstances of the case shall require, and to make pro- vision for enforcing the sale of commodities so ingrossed or withheld in small quantities and at reasonable prices for the use of the inhabitants.
Then adjourned to Tuesday morning, nine o'clock.
5.
TUESDAY. :01/
Met according to adjournment, and conferred on sundry matters Present : The same members.
Then adjourned to Wednesday morning, nine o'clock.
WEDNESDAY.
Met according to adjournment.
Present: The same members.
Whereas it may be sometimes necessary to prohibit the transportation of certain articles by land from one State to another,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the respective legislatures to form their laws made for that purpose so as not to prevent the free transportation
605
SPRINGFIELD CONVENTION.
1777.]
of any articles that can be' spared from their respective States, to supply the inhabitants of any of the other States, nor to prevent the inhabitants of other States from carrying out property they were possessed of in such State at the time of making such law, or which they may have afterwards import- ed by sea, or brought in from another State by land; and also that no unneces- sary interruption be given to a free commercial intercourse between the inhabitants of the several States .**
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.