each enlisted soldier from the day of his enlistment to his march; and what should be deducted, to be paid to the captains of said companies, and by them paid to the soldiers, according to the act of Assembly.

It was ordered, that the committee of pay table should order and pay to the several captains of companies, ordered raised either in May or June, 1776, the amount of the several premiums, advance pay and wages, ordered to them and their companies, to be advanced to them on their enlistment, or march out of the colony.

It was directed, that the troops then at New London, Groton, Stonington, and New Haven, and the additional troops raised to augment said troops into a regiment, should receive the same pay, wages, and allowances, &c., as troops raised by order of the Continental Congress for continental service. And that any able bodied man that had or should enlist to augment said troops into a regiment, should receive a premium of twenty shillings over and above continental allow

ance.

The colonels of the several regiments to be raised to join the army at New York, were permitted to ship to the place of their destination, four hogsheads of rum, two hogsheads of molasses, and two barrels of sugar, for each of their re. giments.

Samuel Abbott, Hezekiah Lane, Thaddeus Burr, Jonathan Fitch, Elisha Child, and Joseph Hopkins, were appointed, in addition to a former committee, to procure fire arms.

The Legislature had reason to apprehend that there would be large demands for the article of pork, to supply the tories that had been and were about to be raised for public service and that measures should be taken to procure a supply thereof; and that danger was apprehended that large quantities might be clandestinely purchased and conveyed to the enemy, or engrossed by individuals, which might distress both the public and the poor in the colony: the Legislature therefore appointed Jeremiah Wadsworth, of Hartford, John Deshon, of New London, J. Fitch, of New Haven, Samuel Squire, of Fairfield, David Trumbull, of Lebanon, Lynd Lord, of Litchfield, and any or either of them to purchase for the colony, all the pork within the same, at the market price, to be kept in proper stores, and disposed of for public use, as the exigences of affairs should require for the colony or the continental army, under the direction of the Assembly or the Governor and Council; and the committee of pay table were directed to draw on the Treasurer for money to pay for the same. It was also provided, that if any person should be possessed of any quantity of stores of pork more than sufficient for his own use, and should refuse to sell and deliver said pork to said committee, on his or their request and tender of the money or bills of credit therefor, at the market price, that such person so refusing should forfeit the value of all such pork so refused for the use of the colony, and to be recovered in any court proper to try the same. And either of said committee was authorized to prosecute.

The article of lead being scarce, and greatly wanted in the colony for the use of the army; it was provided, that the selectmen of all the towns in the colony, should forthwith purchase such lead weights, and all other implements of lead, all bar lead and old lead, (except sheet lead on buildings), all shot at a reasonable price, and certify the quantity by them obtained and the price paid, to the committee of pay table, who were directed to draw orders on the Treasurer for

the same which was directed to be certified to the Governor, quantity, &c. &c. It was further provided, that in case any person refused to deliver said lead to the selectmen as aforesaid, that it was made the duty of the civil authority to issue warrants, and impress such lead for the use of the colony.

The committee appointed to procure tin kettles and iron hollow ware, for the use of the battalions of foot, were also directed to purchase two suitable brass wash kettles, for each company in said battalion, and deliver them to the com. missary general.

Daniel Brainard, Dyer Throop, and Jabez Chapman were a committee, (for the purpose of fully carrying into effect the contract of Thomas Bidwell in manufacturing sulphur); to contract with all persons in whose lands sulphur could be discovered, for liberty to use the ore for a reasonable rent; and in case such persons should refuse so to contract, the Assembly authorized said Bidwell, or his agents, to enter upon their lands and dig, take, and use such ore as they found impregnated with sulphur, by paying such rent as said committee should judge just, and such writing of said committee should operate as effectual as a lease from the owner of the lands, for said Bidwell to enter and use the ore. Maj. Nathaniel Terry was appointed, (instead of Col. Porter) to procure twenty pots and receivers for Thomas Bidwell, to manufacture sulphur.

Joseph Hopkins, Esq., Mr. Isaac Doolittle, Capt. Elisha Childs, Col. Samuel Chapman, and Capt. Henry Allyn were appointed a committee severally, or in conjunction, to search after lead mines in the colony, and directed to inform the Governor should any be discovered, that the Governor might inform the Con-. tinental Congress.

It was enacted, that £50,000 in bills of credit should be imprinted, on the credit of the colony, equal to lawful money, of denominations from 1 shilling and 6 pence to 40 shillings inclusive, of the same tenor of the former emissions of bills of credit, payable before the 1st day of January, 1782, and dated 19th day of June, 1776,-and J. Hamlin, William Pitkin, George Wyllys, Elisha Williams, B. Payne, Thomas Seymour, and Jesse Root, Esq'rs., were appointed to take charge of the printing, &c. of said bills as the act directed. A tax of seven pennies on the pound was laid on all the rateable estate and polls in the colony, to pay said bills of credit; which tax was made payable in any bills emitted by the Assembly, continental bills, or lawful money.

A report was made on the memorial of the committee of inspection of the town of Norwich, regarding the brig Nancy and her cargo, brought into Norwich in July, 1775; that the said brig and cargo was the property of Joshua Winslow, of Boston, deceased; that the said Joshua, at the time of his death, was reputed an enemy of this country; that said brig, &c., was the property of said Joshua's widow and heirs; that the widow also was an enemy of this country; that said brig went into Stonington in July, 1775, and was seized by some persons in Norwich, who sent Capt. Robert Niles to take her to Norwich, to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy, then in Boston; that Capt. Niles was not then in the service of the colony; that the brig and cargo was laid up in Norwich on the 18th day of July, 1775, by the committee of correspond. ence and inspection in Norwich, &c. The Legislature ordered said brig and cargo to be sold, and the molasses sold to householders, or to such persons as would dispose of it to householders, and of the avails of said sale, to pay the demand of Dodge and company, of Boston, and the remainder to pay to the

Treasurer of the colony, and to pay any other persons who should satisfy the Assembly they had any lawful title to the same.

Amos Barnes, Dan Hill, and James Stoddard, three of the committee of inspection in Farmington, informed the Assembly, that Thomas Brooks, of said town, was a lieutenant of the 12th company and 15th rogiment; and that he had openly declared before said committee that he was not satisfied that the colonies could be justified in their measures; that he refused to join them against Great Britain, or the King. The Legislature appointed Col. John Pitkin, and Col. Thomas Belden, a committee to examine the case of said Brooks, and report to said Assembly.

The Governor was authorized to employ a suitable person for a post rider, from Hartford to Albany, or farther north, as he should think necessary, to carry and bring letters and intelligence for the year then ensuing, or until the Assembly, or Governor and Committee of Safety should otherwise order.

Gold S. Silliman, Esq., was appointed colonel of the regiment of horse, in the colony, established in May, 1776. Thomas Seymour, Esq., lieutenant colonel, and William Hart, major of said regiment of horse. William Hillhouse, major of the 2d regiment of horse. Daniel Starr, Esq., major of the 3d regiment of horse. Ebenezer Backus, major of the 4th regiment of horse.

Elisha Sheldon, major of the 5th regiment of horse established as aforesaid. Timothy Scranton asked, the Assembly for compensation for nursing his sick son, who was a soldier under Col. Ward, with the wages of said soldier. The Assembly ordered said account adjusted and paid.

Gershom Clark, of Lebanon, claimed that he was a soldier in Gen. Putnam's regiment, and that at the battle at Bunker Hill, on the 17th of June, 1775, he received a shot through his body, by which he was dangerously wounded, and was unable to labor and support himself and family; and therefore, asked aid of the Assembly. The Assembly ordered to be paid to said Clark the sum of £30 out of the treasury of the colony.

Grace Meigs, (the wife of R. J. Meigs, a major in the service,) who was detained a prisoner of war at Quebec, from the 1st of September, 1775, to the 1st of June, 1776; asked said Assembly to pay to her, her husband's wages; which said Assembly ordered to be paid.

The Legislature was adjourned, until the Governor should see cause again to convene it.

At a General Assembly of the Governor and Company of the State of Connecticut, in New England, in America, holden at New Haven, October 10th, and adjourned the 7th day of November, A. D. 1776.

Hon. JONATHAN TRUMBULL, Governor.

Eight Assistants (only) present.

The first act of the Assembly was to pass "The Declaration of Independ. ence," by Connecticut. (See the 95th page of this work.)

The first law enacted at this session, was an act for the punishment of high treason against the State.

It was enacted, that if any person or persons belonging to or residing in the State, and under the protection of its laws, should levy war against the State, or knowingly aid or assist enemies at open war against the State, or United States of America, by joining their armies, by enlisting, or procuring others to enlist for that purpose; or furnishing such enemies with arms, ammunition, provisions, or any articles for their aid or comfort; or carrying on a treacherous correspondence with them; or be any way concerned in forming any combination, plots, or conspiracy, for betraying the State, or United States into the hands or power of any foreign enemy; or give or send any intelligence to the enemies of the State for that purpose; every person so offending, and being thereof convicted, should suffer death.

It was also enacted, that if any person should attempt to join the enemies of the State, or United States, or use an influence to persuade any person to aid, comfort, or assist them in any manner whatsoever, or have knowledge of any person endeavoring or using influence, and conceal the same, that he should be punished by fine, according to the nature of the offence, and imprisoned, at the discretion of the superior court, in any gaol in the State, not exceeding ten years.

An act was passed for prescribing and enjoining an oath of fidelity to the State; in which it was provided, that, as the King of Great Britain had abdicated the government of the United States, by placing them out of his protection, and unjustly levying war against them; and as the States had declared their independance and sovereignty, which had been approved by this State :-The Legislature, for the security of the State, resolved, that an oath of fidelity should be taken by the freemen and officers thereof, to truly and faithfully adhere to and maintain the government established in the State, by the people, according to the laws of the State; and that each believed in his conscience, that the King of Great Britain neither had, nor of right ought to have any authority in or over

the State, and that they did not hold themselves bound to yield any allegiance to the King, and that they would, to the utmost of their power, maintain and defend the freedom, independence, and privileges of the State, against all open enemies or traitorous conspiracies; and that no person should be authorized to execute any office, after the 1st day of January, 1777, until he had taken the oath of fidelity; that no freeman should vote for any officer of government, until he had taken said oath, and his name enrolled in the records of the town where sworn.

A law was enacted, that the bills of credit, emitted and made current by the General Assembly of Connecticut, and such as had been issued by the United States, should be a legal tender as money, in all payments within the State. At the same time it was provided, that if any person within the State, should attempt to depreciate, or undervalue the bills of credit aforesaid, by offering, demanding, or receiving more in said bills, in exchange for Spanish milled dollars, or other coins of gold or silver or bullion, than the nominal value thereof; or receiving directly or indirectly, a greater sum in bills for houses, lands, goods, or other commodities, than the same could be purchased for in gold or silver; or whoever should sell or offer for sale house, land, &c. for hard money, and should refuse to sell the same for any kind of bills; every person so offending, forfeited the full value of the money so exchanged, or the houses, &c. so sold, one half to the public treasury of the State, and the other half to the person who should prosecute.

As it was of the utmost importance, not only to the State, but equally so to all the States, and the commerce of the country, that entire confidence should be kept up in the bills of credit emitted, or that should be issued by order of the Continental Congress, as well as the bills or notes of the continental loan offices. And as counterfeiting was fast becoming more and more frequent, a law was enacted, that whoever forged or altered any bills of credit emitted by Congress, or notes or bills issued from any of the continental loan offices established in any of the United States, engrave plates or instruments to be used for such purposes, &c. should be punished by the same pains and penalties provided for the crime of counterfeiting the bills of credit of this and the other States.

A law was enacted, empowering the civil authority, selectmen, and committee of inspection of the several towns in the State, to confine within certain limits' or to remove all inimical persons within their respective towns, if on examination they should judge them inimical or dangerous to the United States, at the cost of the offenders. The Governor and Council of Safety were to determine the places of confinement of such inimical persons as should be removed as aforesaid, and give orders for their government and support, and order a guard, if necessary, to secure them, and cost that might arise for officer's fees, &c., on such confinement and removal was taxed by any of said civil authority, and execution granted for the same. And it was provided, that the said committee appointed to take charge of prisoners were authorized to call out guards, by liberty obtained of the civil authority and selectmen in any town in the State.

The Assembly appointed an inspector of gun powder, to examine and brand all that was made for the State; the fees of which office was one-eighth part of a dollar for each 100 pounds he should examine. All powder offered for sale, made in any of the United States, not inspected, was forfeited.