of the Colonies, to march out of this Colony, and join and co-operate with the Forces of the neighbouring Colonies; against which Act I, as one of the Upper House of Assembly, together with Joseph Wanton, Esquire, the then Governour, Darius Sessions, Esquire, the then Deputy-Governour, and Thomas Wickes, Esq., then also one of the same Upper House, did enter my Protest; which hath given much uneasiness to the good people of this Colony. To remove which, so far as respects myself, and as far as in me lieth, I beg leave to observe, that a rough draught was drawn up, and delivered to a person to be corrected; which Protest, as the same now stands, appears to me to be of a different import from my meaning at that time, and which, through the hurry attending the business before the House, was not so properly attended to as it might have been, and in that haste was signed. It is true, I was against the passing of the said Act at that time, as I conceived the Trade, and particularly the Town of Newport, would be greatly distressed, which a little longer time might prevent; and because it was known that the very respectable Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut would soon sit, of whose wise deliberation we might greatly avail ourselves. These were the true reasons of my conduct, however the contrary may appear from the Protest signed. No man hath ever been more deeply impressed with the calamities to which America is reduced, by a most corrupt Administration, than myself. No man hath more exerted himself in private and publick life to relieve ourselves from our oppressions; and no man hath held himself more ready to sacrifice his life and fortune in the arduous struggles now making throughout America for the preservation of our just rights and liberties; and in these sentiments I am determined to live and die. Sorry I am if any of the good people of this Colony should have conceived otherwise of me; and greatly lament that the unguarded expressions in that Protest should give cause therefor. Should I from thence lose the confidence, just hopes, and expectations of my countrymen of my future conduct in the arduous American struggles, it might create an uneasiness of mind for which nothing can ever compensate. But should this publick declaration ease the minds of my friends and the friends of liberty, and convince them my readiness to embark, to conflict with them in every difficulty, and against every opposition, until our glorious cause shall be established upon the most firm and permanent basis, it will be a consideration that will afford me the highest satisfaction that human nature is capable of enjoying: I am, your Honours’ most humble servant,

WILLIAM POTTER.

And the said Memorial being duly considered,

It is Voted and Resolved, That the same be accepted; that it is satisfactory; and that the said William Potter be, and he is hereby; reinstated in the favour of this General Assembly.

Both Houses being resolved in a Grand Committee, the gentlemen whose names are set down in the subsequent list were chosen to serve the Colony in the offices ascribed to their names respectively, to wit:

William Bradford, Esquire, Major-General of the Forces of this Colony.

John Malbone, Esquire, Colonel of the Regiment of Militia in the County of Newport.

James Angell, Esquire, Colonel of the First Regiment of Militia in the County of Providence.

Joseph Noyes, Esquire, Colonel of the First Regiment of Militia in the County of King’s County.

Nathaniel Martin, Esquire, Colonel of the Regiment of Militia in the County of Bristol.

John Waterman, Esquire, Colonel of the First Regiment of Militia in the County of Kent.

Chad Brown, Esquire, Colonel of the Second Regiment of Militia in the County of Providence.

Robert Brown, Esquire, Colonel of the Second Regiment of Militia in the County of King’s County.

Stephen Potter Esquire, Colonel of the Second Regiment of Militia in the County of Kent.

Christopher Lippitt, Esquire, Colonel of the Third Regiment of Militia in the, County of Providence.

George Champlin, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Regiment of Militia in the County of Newport.

Jabez Bowen, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel of the First Regiment of Militia in the County of Providence.

Jesse Champlin, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel of the First Regiment of Militia in the County of King’s County.

Thomas Gray, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Regiment of Militia in the County of Bristol.

John Low, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel of the First Regiment of Militia in the County of Kent.

Elisha Mowrey, Jun., Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment of Militia in the County of Providence.

George Peirce, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment of Militia in the County of King’s County.

Nathaniel Brown, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment of Militia in the County of Kent.

John Colwell, Jun., Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Third Regiment of Militia in the County of Providence.

John Cooke, Esquire, Major of the Regiment of Militia in the County of Newport.

John Innis Clark, Esquire, Major of the First Regiment of Militia in the County of Providence.

Jesse Maxson, Esquire, Major of the First Regiment of Militia: in the County of King’ s County.

Benjamin Bosworth, Esquire, Major of the Regiment of Militia in the County of Bristol.

Joseph Fry, Esquire, Major of the First Regiment of Militia in the County of Kent.

John Fisk, Esquire, Major of the Second Regiment of Militia in the County of Providence.

Joshua Davis, Esquire, Major of the Second Regiment of Militia in the County of King’s County.

Archibald Kasson, Esquire, Major of the Second Regiment of Militia in the County of Kent.

Joseph Knight, Esquire, Major of the Third Regiment of Militia in the County of Providence.

It is Voted and Resolved, That this general Assembly will join with the other Colonies in establishing Post-Officers and Post-Riders, in order to preserve an intercourse between the different Colonies, which will prove so beneficial to the publick as well as to individuals: And that this Colony will, for the present, defray the expense of Post-Riders throughout this Colony, upon the usual Post Road.

It is further Voted and Resolved, That Post-Offices be, and hereby are, established at the following places, to wit: At Newport, Providence, Bristol, Warren, Tower-Hill in South-Kingstown, and Westerly. And that the following persons be, and hereby are, appointed Postmasters, to wit:

For Newport, Mr. Nathaniel Otis; Providence, Mr. John Carter; Bristol, Mr. Jonathan Russell; Warren, Mr. Shubael Burr; Tower-Hill, Mr. Ray Sands; Westerly, Mr. Joshua Babcock.

It is further Voted and Resolved, That the Rates and Duties for Postage of Letters be as follows, to wit:

The above Rates to be paid in lawful money of this Colony, and are for the postage of a Single Letter. They are to be doubled, for all Double Letters; trebled for all Treble Letters; and for every ounce weight four times so much is to be charged as for a Single Letter.

It is further Voted and Resolved, That Mr. Peter Mumford be, and he is hereby, appointed the Post-Rider from Newport to Providence; and Mr. Benjamin Mumford the Post-Rider from Newport to New-London, And that they neither receive nor deliver any Letters from any Post-Office heretofore established in this Colony.

It is further Voted and Resolved, That Messrs. Joshua Babcock, John Jenckes, William Bradford, and Joseph Anthony, be, and they are hereby appointed a Committee