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hands, set fire to the Town, expecting a reward from the Ministry for such hellish service. Some who have for a long time employed themselves in ridiculing and discouraging those who were endeavouring to save the Town, have now turned upon me, and are flying from one street to another, proclaiming that you gave me no authority or license to take ships to secure the entrance of the harbour, or did any thing more than send me here to see the Town reduced to ashes, if our enemies thought proper. Sir, I shall wait your directions respecting those villains, and see that they are strictly complied with by your Excellency’s most obedient servant, J. S. ADDRESS OF THE GENTLEMEN, ETC., OF THE BOROUGH OF DERBY. Address of the Gentlemen, Clergy, and principal Inhabitants of the Borough of Derby, presented to His Majesty by Daniel Parker Coke, Esquire, Petitioner for the Borough of Derby. To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty. The humble Address of the Gentlemen, Clergy, and principal Inhabitants of the Borough of DERBY. Most Gracious Sovereign: We, your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Gentlemen, Clergy, and principal Inhabitants of the Borough of Derby, truly sensible of the many blessings we enjoy under your Majesty’s wise and equitable administration, beg leave to approach your throne with professions of the most sincere gratitude and unalterable allegiance. Such professions we look upon as peculiarly necessary at this critical season, when a considerable number of your Majesty’s subjects in America, inflamed by the artifices of a disappointed and desperate faction in our own Country, have bid defiance to the authority of the British Legislature, and have risen into actual and avowed rebellion. Relying entirely upon the justice and prudence of your Majesty and your Parliament, we presume not to prescribe the measures which may be thought proper for the suppression of these unwarrantable and treasonable proceedings. We are convinced that every method consistent with the dignity of Government and the preservation of the Constitution, will be used to prevent the effusion of blood, and to restore peace and unanimity to the Colonies. But if (as we have too much reason to apprehend) these deluded men should so far continue to abuse your Majesty’s clemency, as to draw down upon themselves the awful vengeance of the Parent State, we do, in the most solemn manner, assure your Majesty, that we shall always willingly exert our utmost endeavours to maintain inviolate the honour of your crown, and to assert the authority of the British Parliament in every part of your Majesty’s Dominions. That your Majesty may long reign in the hearts of a free, happy, and united people, is the earnest prayer of your Majesty’s ever faithful subjects and servants. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM PHILADELPHIA TO A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON, DATED OCTOBER 30, 1775. Orders are given to fortify our river, that no ship of war can come up without much hot work, and the Militia still continue to exercise with as much assiduity as ever. All the commissioned officers for the new standing army are nearly appointed, and it is thought the Companies will be filled up directly, as the people, for months past, have been crying out for the measure. A very considerable quantity of gunpowder is lately arrived in New-England, which, when it reaches the camp, it is expected to bring on a very warm day, however late we are now in autumn. The people in Maryland and Virginia have begun to dig up their tobacco-houses, and lixiviate the earth for nitre; and what would seem incredible, had a person of less credibility than Doctor Boyd, of Baltimore, related it, two ounces of saltpetre have been obtained from two quarts of loam. This success has excited a perfect enthusiasm throughout the Country, and the manufacture of nitre will be every where domestick. I know of three lead mines myself, whose ore yields seventy-five per cent., and we have assurance of as much copper from the Jerseys as will furnish us with as many field-pieces as we can wish to employ. JOSEPH TRUMBULL TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. Lebanon, October 30, 1775. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: I have been very unhappily detained here by sickness, which has been very severe; but, by the goodness of God, is now going off; and as that goes off, my anxiety about my business increases. I sent, some time ago, a request to your Excellency for a supply of cash, without which nothing can be done; that cash I have not received, which, possibly, was well judged in my friends, considering the then alarming state of my health. I have now procured Captain Wadsworth, the bearer, to wait on your Excellency in my name and stead, to request a warrant to the Paymaster-General for one hundred and twenty thousand dollars; the greatest part of which is now due to my agents in New-York and this Colony, and the rest will be needed by them immediately, to make the necessary supplies for the Army within my department for the coming winter. I hope to be able to attend my duty in camp again, but have been and am reduced so low that it must be two or three weeks first; however, your Excellency may depend on my attendance, as soon as it can be thought prudent for me to venture. I am, with the greatest respect and esteem, your Excellency’s most obedient and very humble servant, JOSEPH TRUMBULL, Com’y Gen. His Excellency General Washington. GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. Lebanon, October 30, 1775. SIR: I have received your two last favours, and thankfully accept the early intelligence given by that of the 24th instant, with the deposition therein transmitted to me. On this occasion I ask your favour to recommend and send to me a skilful Engineer, if one can be spared, to view the situation and circumstances of our port of New-London, to consider and direct the most eligible manner of fortifying the same, whether by fixed or floating batteries, and to make proper estimates of the expense. Our gentlemen, sent to represent this Colony at the conference with the Committee from the honourable general Congress, are returned, and have given me a verbal account of the proceedings and report thereon. The want of time prevented their bringing a copy; please to forward one to me by this opportunity. The Commissary-General hath been very sick with the dysentery since his coming hither; by divine goodness he is in a good way of recovery; hope he will be able to return, as soon as may be, with safety to his health. I am, with great esteem and regard, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, JONATHAN TRUMBULL. His Excellency General Washington. At a County Congress held at Fairfield, within and for the County of Fairfield, Connecticut, on the 30th day of October, Anno Domini 1775. Gold Selleck Silliman, Esq., Chairman. Whereas complaint and information hath this day been made to this Congress, against James Hayt, Jun., of Stratford, in said County, for that the said James Hayt, Jun., hath, within two months last past, imported a quantity of India Tea into said Stratford, from New-York, knowingly; and, also, that the said James Hayt, Jun., hath, within said two months, taken in and carried freight on board his boat, for one Arnold Glover, of Newtown, in said County, a person gazetted “inimical to the liberties of this Country.” And whereas those Members of said Congress, who belong to said Stratford, are of the Committee of Observation in that Town, they, and the said James Hayt, jointly move that said Congress take cognizance of said complaint. After long debate upon jurisdiction, voted in the affirmative. Whereupon, the parties exhibited the evidence and proofs in the case, and were fully heard in their pleas and allegations. On consideration whereof, Voted, nem. con., That the said James Hayt is guilty of the last article of charge in said complaint, viz: that he hath taken in and carried freight on board his Boat, for Arnold Glover, of Newtown, in said County—a person duly published in a *
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