metals, and by some gentlemen is much preferred even to Mr. Stout, the refiner employed by Colonel James.

I made all the inquiry I could with regard to setting up the works, and fitting for operations, and believe the cost to begin will not much exceed two hundred and fifty Pounds; and I am encouraged to believe, that lead may then soon be produced to answer all such cost as will be necessarily expended in carrying on the same; and the cost, after the works are thus erected, though it cannot be certainly ascertained, cannot be very great. I conversed with Doctor John Sebastian Stephaney, one of the proprietors of the lead mines in Middletown, who is willing the Colony should take his part upon the terms proposed by them. I could not see Mr. Simpson, as he was out of Town; but Mr. Myers conversed with him while I was gone to Philadelphia, and informs me Mr. Simpson will have no objection to the Assembly’s proposal. All which is humbly submitted by, gentlemen, your humble servant,

“BENJAMIN HENSHAW.

“Middletown, June 30, 1775.”

To the Honourable General Assembly of the Colony of CONNECTICUT, now sitting in HARTFORD, by special order of his Honour the Governour:

Your Honours’ Committee appointed in your sessions, in May last, to procure lead for the use of this Colony, and to take or purchase the ore of lead from the lead mine in Middletown, and separate the lead therefrom, and erect buildings and works for that purpose, having taken some measures and gained some information, beg leave to report the same to your Honours, as follows, to wit:

Your Committee, immediately after the rising of said Assembly, in May last, employed Mr. Benjamin Henshaw to go to New-York with one Hudson, an ingenious mason, and examine Colonel James’s Refinery there, and procure draughts of the necessary works, and procure a skilful refiner, and gain information of every thing necessary to set up a refinery and carry it on to the best advantage; and if no refiner could be had there, to inquire where one might be found, and procure and treat with and engage him in the service of the Colony, if practicable; who accordingly proceeded, and said Hudson soon after returned and informed us, that he had viewed said refinery, taken draughts of all parts of the works, and that he supposed he could erect the works without difficulty, and with exactness. Mr. Henshaw not being able to procure a refiner at New-York, proceeded into New-Jersey, and to Philadelphia, and is since returned, and hath given us an account, in writing, of his transaction, which we herewith submit to your Honours, and beg leave to refer to. As Mr. Henshaw is but just returned, your Committee have not proceeded to any further steps, but are informed, that besides the expenses mentioned in Mr. Henshaw’s report, when works are erected, a supply of charcoal will be constantly necessary to keep the furnace in blast, and nine or ten workmen will be necessary to be kept in constant employment in digging and raising ore, besides necessary workmen to assist the refiners at the furnace; all which workmen will expect to be frequently paid, as they must depend on their labour for present subsistence. Your Honours will readily perceive that considerable expense will be incurred before any large quantity of lead can be obtained, the amount of which cannot be precisely ascertained; and whether the lead that may be obtained will not in event come to the Colony at a dearer rate than lead has usually been afforded is very uncertain. Under these circumstances, your Committee think it their duty to lay the same before your Honours, and pray your advice and direction whether they shall proceed to erect works and employ workmen, and make experiment how lead can be procured in this way. In case your Honours shall think it best that we proceed, we would inform your Honours there is now a refiner at Middletown ready to undertake the oversight of a furnace, and that Doctor Stephaney, who is owner of part or the whole of said mines and ore, already is waiting to treat with us for the sale of the same. All which is humbly submitted by your Honours’ most obedient humble servants,

JABEZ HAMLIN,	} Committee.
MATTHEW TALCOTT,
TITUS HOSMER,

In the Lower House, upon the aforesaid Report,

Resolved, That the Committee be directed to proceed in said business, agreeable to said Act of Assembly, and that they receive of the Colony Treasury money sufficient for that purpose, and account to render therefor.

In the Upper House, the consideration of this Report is referred to the next General Assembly, and one or more of said Committee, together with Daniel Sherman and Saml. Canfield, Esqs., are hereby directed to examine into the circumstances and state of the Lead Mines in Woodbury, and the buildings and preparations there erected and mane for smelting and refining the ore, and consider at which of said mines, whether of Middletown or Woodbury, it may be most advisable and least expensive for the Colony to attempt the raising and refining lead ore, and make report, &c.

In the Lower House, the question was put, whether this House would concur with the honourable Upper House in said vote; and resolved in the negative.

In the Upper House, on reconsideration, &c., concurred with the vote of the Lower House on this Report.

Resolved by this Assembly, That Jabez Hamlin, Matthew Talcott, and Titus Hosmer, Esquires, the Committee appointed by this Assembly in May last to work the Lead Mine in Middletown, and refine the ore for the use of this Colony, be and they are hereby ordered and directed to proceed in the business and matters as directed by said Act. And to enable them to carry the same into execution, that they receive out of the Colony Treasury such sum or sums of money as may be sufficient to enable them to carry the same into effect, and thereof to render their account to this Assembly; and the Committee of the Pay-Table are hereby directed to draw on the Treasurer for such sums as said Committee for managing said mine shall find necessary for the purpose aforesaid.

Passed in Lower House.

Concurred in in the Upper House.

Your Honours’ Committee appointed to take into consideration the affairs of the Indians in this and the neighbouring Governments, beg leave to report:

That an accusation being made against Joseph Johnson, one of the Mohegan Indians, respecting some of his conduct, which gave suspicion that he is unfriendly to American liberty, upon which we carefully examined into the grounds of that accusation, and apprehend, that his conduct upon the representation made, gave reason to suspect an undue correspondence with some of the supposed enemies to American liberty. But upon hearing his defence, the Committee apprehend, that the instances in which his conduct was objected to, may be so far imputed to fear, as leaves no just reason to conclude that he then had any ill intentions, or that he is now unfriendly to the cause of American liberty. In regard to the speech of the Oneida Indians, the Committee are of the opinion, it is expedient that his Honour the Governour be desired to make a kind and friendly answer thereto, and that a belt of wampum be procured and sent to them with the Governour’s answer; and that the expense of such belt, with the cost of transmitting the same, be paid out of the publick Treasury of this Colony; and that the Indians be advised that the way is open to them to enlist into the service of this Colony, for the defence of the same, upon such encouragement and wages as are allowed to the other inhabitants of this Colony, till the levies are full; and that his Honour the Governour be desired to direct Colonel Hinman to assure the Indians of the peaceable disposition of this Colony towards them; and that a proper speech be prepared and sent to the Caughnauaga Indians.

General Assembly, Hartford, July, 1775.