obey the same, and perform said cruise, which, through their disobedience has wholly failed, &c.

It is thereupon considered and resolved by this Board, that all said hands, who were guilty of such disobedience, be forthwith dismissed and discharged from the service of this Colony on board said Brig, in manner and at the discretion of the Committee hereafter appointed; and that their wages, and title to receive any for former services on board the same, be suspended for further consideration.

And this Board do appoint the Honourable Deputy Governour Griswold, Samuel Huntington, and Benjamin Huntington, Esqs., a Committee, as soon as may be, to repair to Lyme or Saybrook, or where it shall be necessary, to make such further inquiry as they shall think proper into the matters aforesaid, and to dismiss and discharge said disorderly and disobedient hands, as aforesaid; and to direct, authorize, and empower said Capt. Hall to enlist and retain other men, so many as they shall think proper, instead of the men so discharged, for such term as shall, by the General Assembly, or the Governour and this Committee, be judged necessary, and until discharged or duly dismissed.

Moved by his Honour, That he expects an Engineer from General Washington, to view the circumstances of the Harbour, &c., at New-London and neighbouring places, and consider of the most proper places and manner of fortifying the same against our enemies, &c., according to Act of Assembly, and that some proper persons may be appointed to be with and assist him, &c.; and thereupon this Board do appoint Colonel Elderkin, and also Major Dorr, of Boston, now residing at Norwich, to attend and assist in said service, and make report.

His Honour also moved for advice about recommending Mr. Moses Cleveland to General Washington, for an officer, &c. And the matter is referred to his Honour’s discretion. And the meeting dismissed.

Friday, November 3, 1775.

At a meeting of the Governour, &c., called specially on the receipt of a Letter and request from the Town and Committee of New-Haven, received the 2d inst., evening, per Mr. Babcock, requesting sundry things to be done, made and provided for their safety, occasioned by the alarming news of orders to destroy all the seaport Towns, &c, Present, the same gentlemen as yesterday.

On consideration of the motion and request of the Town and Committee of New-Haven, requesting sundry things for their defence and safety, as per their Letter signed William Grenough, Chairman, received by hand of Mr. Babcock, and he being fully heard on the subject-matter therein contained, and the matters specially referred to him by said Town, this Board do Resolve and Order, That twenty men be enlisted by Captain Thompson, in addition to the thirty raised and continued there by order of the General Assembly at their last session, until the 1st of December next, and under the same regulations; and that the whole of said men be kept and employed, under the command of the said Captain Thompson, in building and erecting a proper Breastwork and Battery for defence and security against any hostile attack from any of the Ministerial Ships, &c., at a place called Black Rock, on the eastern shore of the harbour or channel leading up to said New-Haven, said works to be constructed under the directions of a Committee to be appointed for that purpose by said Town.

Voted and Resolved, also, That his Honour the Governour be desired to write to the honourable Committee of the City of New-York, requesting, for and in favour of the Town or Selectmen of New-Haven, for the use of said Town, the loan of eighteen pieces of Iron Cannon, of the size and dimensions of eighteen and twenty-four Pounders, or some of less size, viz: of twelve, if the others cannot be obtained, to be at the risk of this Colony, if lost or spoiled by inevitable providence, and without the fault of the concerned, otherwise at the risk of said Town; that is to say, if the same can be spared from New-York, consistent with their own safety.

Voted, also, That an order be given by his Honour, for the Selectmen of New-Haven to receive one hundred of the Colony Arms, made agreeable to the Act of Assembly, in the Counties of New-Haven or Litchfield, to be improved at present for the defence and safety of said Town, and returned or disposed, according to the order of said Assembly or this Council.

And as to the other matters requested by said Town, this Council are of opinion they ought to be referred to the honourable General Assembly of this Colony. Copy given.

Letters were now received by the Governour, containing accounts that the Pennites from about the West Branch of the Susquechannah, were about to come armed, (about five hundred, ) to cut and drive off the Connecticut Settlers from Wyoming, &c. The matter discoursed, and considered as having a most dangerous tendency, &c., to break the union of the Colonies, &c., and probably the plan concerted by enemies with that view. And the Governour desired to write Congress, &c., about the matter, and endeavour to have the matter healed, and each side remain quiet in their own limits, &c., &c.

A Letter prepared and approved to the Committee at Hartford, appointed to take care of Prisoners, informing them of those coming from Chambly, &c., and advising them to distribute them in several Towns in Litchfield County, in Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, &c., keeping families together, &c.

On motion by the Governour, at the request of Leonard Dassau, (who is waiting, ) Agreed, That he may have liberty to purchase a vessel in this Colony, to transport a cargo of Lumber into the French West-Indies, for which he had liberty from the last General Assembly.

And sundry Letters prepared, &c., and this meeting was dismissed.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

[Read November 13, 1775.]

Cambridge, November 2, 1775.

SIR: I could not suffer Mr. Randolph to quit this camp without bearing some testimony of my duty to the Congress, although his sudden departure (occasioned by the death of his worthy relative, whose loss, as a good citizen and valuable member of society, is much to be regretted) does not allow me time to be particular. The enclosed return shows at one view what reliance we have upon the officers of this Army, and how deficient we are like to be in subaltern officers. A few days more will enable me to inform the Congress what they have to expect from the soldiery, as I shall issue recruiting orders for this purpose so soon as the officers are appointed, which will be done this day, having sent for the General Officers to consult them in the choice. I must beg leave to recall the attention of the Congress to the appointment of a Brigadier-General, an officer as necessary to a Brigade as a Colonel is to a Regiment, and will be exceedingly wanted in the new arrangement. The Proclamations and Association, herewith enclosed, [folio 1246, ] came to my hand on Monday last. I thought it my duty to send them to you. Nothing of moment has happened since my last.

With respectful compliments to the members of Congress, I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

The Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

COLONEL PARSONS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Roxbury Camp, October 23, 1775.

Pursuant to your Excellency’s direction, I have directed the commanding officers of the Companies under my command to ascertain the number of officers and soldiers in their respective Companies, who are willing to extend the term of their enlistment to the first day of January next. By their returns I find there are two hundred and twenty non-commissioned officers and soldiers who are willing to serve till that time, on condition they can have a reasonable time granted them to go home, and prepare their winter clothing, without which it will be very difficult to detain many beyond their present engagement. I imagine the greater part of the Regiment will stay till that time, if at the expiration of their present enlistments there should be an apparent necessity for detaining them. Twenty-five of the commissioned officers are willing to remain in service till that time. From your most obedient humble servant,

SAMUEL H. PARSONS.

To His Excellency General Washington.