the nett proceeds of his cargo in Salt and Sugar; all pursuant to and in consequence of the advice of the Committee of Inspection in the Towns of Fairfield and Stratford, and that on Tuesday last he returned from said voyage, and that he had been to several of the West-India Islands, and that all that it was in his power to purchase was only one hundred weight of Gunpowder, and that with the rest of his cargo he purchased thirteen hundred and five bushels of Salt, and eighteen hogsheads of Sugar, and made a contract to be supplied with a cargo of Gunpowder, if he should be permitted to go a second voyage after it, and then return; and that, on his return, he found that his Honour, the Governour's proclamation, for continuing the first embargo, which expired a few days before he sailed to the West-Indies, arrived at Fairfield the day after he sailed, but that he heard nothing of it until his return, although he find3 now that it had been issued several days before it arrived at Fairfield, and that although he had it not in his heart to disobey the laws of his country, he fears he is liable to a prosecution on the matter aforesaid, and therefore prays that he may be exempted from any prosecution or punishment on account of said voyage, and that he may be directed in the disposal of said Powder as per Memorial on file appears:

Resolved by this Assembly, That the Memorialist be, and he is hereby, exempted and freed from any prosecution or punishment for or on account of said voyage, and that the Memorialist shall and do dispose of said Powder equally between the Towns of Fairfield and Stratford.

Upon the Memorial of Adam Babcock, of New-Haven, showing to this Assembly that he has a Brigantine, sold to a person in North-Carolina, praying for liberty to export five thousand pounds weight of Cheese, in part to defray the expense of a voyage to recover his effects, as per Memorial on file:

Resolved by this Assembly, That the Memorialist have liberty, and he is hereby permitted, to export to said North-Carolina five thousand pounds weight of Cheese, in order that he may procure a quantity of Rice for the use of the Army.

Upon the Memorial of Jedediah Elderkin and Nathaniel Wales, Jr., praying this Assembly to grant them liberty to erect a Mill, &c., in the Town of Windham, for the manufacturing of Gunpowder, as per Memorial on file:

Resolved by this Assembly, That the Memorialists have liberty, and liberty and license is hereby granted to them, to erect a Powdermill, in the Town of Windham, for the purpose of manufacturing Gunpowder, pursuant to an act of this Assembly, directing the building of Powdermills.

Upon the Memorial of Abraham Fuller, of Kent, in the County of Litchfield, showing to this Assembly that he is Overseer of Indians, at Schaghtacook, and that there has been considerable expense incurred in curing the sickness and wounds of said Indians, as per Memorial on file, on which Maj. Samuel Canfield and Capt. Sherman Boardman were appointed a Committee, who have now made their Report, that the said Indians have about one hundred and twenty acres of Land, improved and lying in one common field; that the same was formerly allotted out to each Indian, and therefore can be let out but for little profit; that many of said Indians are now removed, and they are reduced to a small number; and that it is advisable that said Lands be leased to defray the expense; and that David Sherman, the Indian who wounded his brother, be assigned in service to defray the expense incurred by wounding his brother. Which Report is accepted, and approved; and it is thereupon

Resolved by this Assembly, That Major Samuel Canfield and Captain Sherman Boardman be, and they are hereby appointed a Committee, who are hereby empowered to make a new allotment of said Lands, to the several Indians, as shall be necessary for their support; and the residue the Overseer of said Indians is hereby directed to lease out, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of said sickness, and the avails thereof, over and above, after repairing and making necessary fences, said Overseer shall render an account to the General Assembly; and that said Samuel Canfield, Esq., be, and he is hereby appointed and authorized to assign in service the said David Sherman, for the satisfaction of such part of the expense as has arisen on account of wounding his brother, during such time as shall be necessary for that purpose; and make report of their doings in the premises to this Assembly.

Upon the Memorial of Daniel Clifford, of Fairfield, in the County of Fairfield, showing to this Assembly that, on or about the 18th day of October last past, he owned a small Boat, of about ten tons burden, used in the coasting business; on which he had loaded, on the 2d day of said October, four bushels of Indian Corn; and that he, being uncertain of the continuance of an embargo, on said 18th day of October, proceeded to New-York, and there sold and disposed of one bushel and an half of said Corn to sundry different people, and brought back the residue to said Fairfield; that he had no design to contravene the Proclamation issued to continue an embargo, and that a private person had made information to the King's Attorney, in Fairfield County; and should he be subject to prosecution it would prove detrimental to his circumstances, as per Memorial on file:

Resolved by this Assembly, That said Daniel Clifford be exempted and discharged from all penalties and forfeitures that may be incurred on account of his transporting said Corn as aforesaid, said embargo notwithstanding, he paying all cost that may have arisen on said prosecution.

Resolved by this Assembly, That the Treasurer of this Colony advance and pay to the Honourable Oliver Wolcott and Samuel Huntington, Esqs., the sum of two hundred Pounds, towards defraying the expense of attendance upon the honourable Continental Congress, as Delegates from this Colony, taking their receipt for to account.

This Assembly is adjourned, by Proclamation, &c., until his Honour the Governour, or in his absence, the Deputy Governor, shall see cause to call it to meet again.

Test:

GEORGE WYLLYS, Secretary.

COLONEL HOWE TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION.

Norfolk, December 15, 1775.

SIR: The course of service necessarily inducing an inquiry between Colonel Woodford and myself respecting our commissions, we found that mine, from the nature of it, had the precedence of his. He conducted himself upon this occasion in that manner which his knowledge of discipline could not but dictate, and with that gentility which never forsakes him. It is with diffidence, sir, that I undertake this charge; and I must add, however honourable, with reluctance, as I supersede a gentleman I so much esteem, whose abilities I know to be equal to the duties of the station, and who hath so amply filled the measure of his duty.

If real attachment to the noble cause in which I am engaged, and the strictest attention to my duty, can in any manner compensate for want of abilities, the Colony of Virginia may rely upon my utmost exertions to serve them; in which, I flatter myself, I shall not be wholly unsuccessful, as I am promised the assistance of my friend Colonel Woodford, whose advice I shall upon every occasion ask, and whose aid I am certain never will be denied me. I shall be happy to be honoured with your instructions on every occasion, and an exact compliance with your commands shall be considered as an indispensable obligation.

I have the honour to be, with great respect, sir, your obendient servant,

ROBERT HOWE.

COLONEL WOODFORD TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE CONVENTION.

Norfolk, December 15, 1775.

SIR: I wrote you last night; since then nothing material has happened; we still remain in the same situation. This morning a midshipman, with a flag of truce, arrived from the Otter. That and our answer you have enclosed. All the principal tories, with their families and effects, have retired on board the ships-of-war and other vessels in the harbour, of which there is a very large fleet. What they intend I know not, and I am much at a loss to inform your