for the Colony of Connecticut, for the special defence of the same.

In the first place, it is provided by the said Colony, that each officer and soldier (among other things) shall have fresh meat two days in a week, butter, peas or beans, rice, rum when on fatigue, beer, &c., expecting said troops would be required at, or near by Boston, where it would have been easy and convenient for us to have supplied them according to said act.

In the next place, the ever to be revered patrons of America (the Continental Congress) have directed one thousand of our troops immediately to repair to Ticonderoga, there to be stationed until such time as they should be relieved by forces from this Province—just at a time after many of them were on their march according to their first destination, Greenwich, and had to counter march through our Colony, and directly to Ticonderoga, and by means of so tedious a march have already become some-what sickly. And as the Continental Congress have advised this Province particularly to provide for said forces at Ticonderoga during their stay, our Colony have, perhaps, been the more remiss in their provisions; and it does not appear to me that there is sauce sufficient, nor any fresh meat, butter, rum, beer, &c., nor have I had intelligence that any is likely to be provided by this Province. Therefore, I come before this Board for advice in the premises; at the same time giving assurance that the publick faith of our Colony must not be violated, but it must be fulfilled according to the encouragement given by our Colony. Though pledged to soldiers, yet it is to those in defence of what we tenaciously hold as sacred, and to be prized above life. We therefore determine to have it fulfilled according to the Act of our Assembly— if not by this Province, by our Colony.

I am, gentlemen, with great esteem, your very humble servant,

ADONIJAH STRONG,
Dep. Commissary for said Troops.

To the Committee in and for the City and County of Albany.

Albany, June 17, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: You have enclosed, by order of the Committee, a request of Adonijah Strong, Deputy Commissary to the Committee of this City and County.

I am, gentlemen, your humble servant,

JOHN BAY, Secretary protem.

To the Provincial Congress, New-York.

GENERAL WOOSTER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Camp at Greenwich, June 15, 1775.

SIR: I have just received your favour of the 14th instant, with enclosed affidavit.; also Angus McDonald, who shall be kept in such a state of security as may effectually prevent any mischief that might otherwise be expected from him. Be good enough to give my compliments to the gentlemen of the Congress, and tell them that I am sorry you are obliged to send your prisoners so far: I should be much better pleased to receive them within a few miles of your City, especially as you so soon expect the arrival of the four Regiments from Ireland.

I am, Sir, with great esteem both for you and the gentlemen of the Congress, your most obedient humble servant,

DAVID WOOSTER, Major-General.

To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esquire, President of the Congress at New-York.

GENERAL WOOSTER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Greenwich, June 15, 1775.

SIR: I take this opportunity to acquaint your Honour of the situation of the troops under my immediate command. One company of my Regiment, you are sensible, is ordered to Ticonderoga; five more are stationed betwixt New-Haven and this Town, and four are in this place. Colonel Waterbury’s Regiment are all in this Town and Stamford. The safety of the Country may possibly require my marching to New-York before I can have your orders. I would, therefore, beg of your Honour to direct me to march my troops to New-York upon application made to me for that purpose by their Provincial Congress. Your Honour will perhaps think it expedient, when you read a letter which I have just received from Mr. Sears, which is as follows:

“New-York, June 14, 1775,

“ DEAR SIR: The troops from Cork, destined for this City, may be hourly expected. I have the pleasure to inform you that this day in Congress it was moved that yourself and troops be requested to encamp within five miles of this City. The motion was put off until tomorrow, at the intercession of the members for three Counties, and you may be assured it will be carried by a great majority. I am, dear Sir, yours affectionately,

“ ISAAC SEARS.”

I have also this day received a letter from the Provincial Congress at New-York, acquainting me that they hourly expect the arrival of four Regiments from Ireland; they have also sent me a prisoner to be kept in safety, who was employed by Major Small to raise troops for the purpose of opposing the Colonies, and actually had enlisted forty-three, which was made to appear to the Provincial Congress.

I would also acquaint your Honour that all the military stores which were at Turtle Bay have fallen into our hands, consisting of too many articles to be enumerated in a letter, among which there are about five hundred good horse harnesses, a very considerable number of thirteen and ten-inch carcasses, cohorns, and stinkpots, all well charged; a very great plenty of grape-shot; cannon ball, from twenty-four-pounders down to three, &c., &c.; a part of which articles I shall keep with me, but the greater part I shall send to New-Haven.

Your Honour cannot be unacquainted that provisions, stores, &c., can be forwarded along the Sound by water with much greater despatch and vastly less cost to the Colony than by land; however, at present it is difficult, on account of the tenders and cutters which are perpetually about. We have at New-Haven a number of cannon; I have with me all other kinds of military stores; except powder, requisite for a guardacosta; Mr. Colt, of New-Haven, has a fine vessel very proper for the business. We have in the Army a very sufficient number of men well acquainted with the seas, and good resolute fellows, and it is my opinion, that the additional cost to the Colony will be nothing more than the hire of the vessel and the powder; that about a hundred of the men under my command cannot be employed in any way so much to the advantage of the Country. I am, Sir, your Honour’s most obedient humble servant,

DAVID WOOSTER.

To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Governour of the Colony of Connecticut.

Answer to a Speech to the CAUGHNAWAGAS, or CANADIANTribes of INDIANS, near MONTREAL, sent by the STOCK-BRIDGE INDIANS—returned 15th JUNE, 1775.

BROTHERS: You tell me you open your eyes. I open your ears—I open your hearts; so that you might see, hear, and consider what I am going to say. Now I am going to say the same to you—I open your eyes, your ears, and make your heart strong, so that you might more fully consider things. I also add, with this I wipe the tears from your eyes that comes from the trouble that has happened to your young men.—Three strings of Wampum.

Brothers: You tell me that I must sit still, and have nothing to do with this quarrel. I am glad to hear you; I shall do as you tell me.—A Belt.

Brothers: This is our road; you tell me I clear the road, and whenever I open my door I shall see your door stand open; and when you shall go out of your door, you shall see my door stand open too. And you tell me, when you hear any bad report of me, don’t you lay it up; put it aside, and follow this road, and come and tell me of it, and you will know whether it is so or not. Now, brothers, I make this road more smooth, so that no one might stumble on this way; I now open my door wider for you, and whenever you go out of your door, you shall see my door stand open wider for you. Whenever I hear any bad report of you, I shall not lay it up; but put it aside, and go and tell you of it, and see whether it is so or not.—A Belt.