GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

New-Haven, December 20, 1775.

SIR: It is absolutely necessary that the treasury of this Colony receive an immediate supply of money for the purpose of paying off our troops, and the other expenses incurred by this Colony in the general service of the United Colonies. The forty-eight thousand pounds received by this Colony in Continental bills, have been long since expended; not in discharge of any former debt, but by much the greatest part thereof in payment of the troops raised by this Colony under the direction of the General, to facilitate their future inlistment, and of expenses incurred in the common cause, since it was received.

I am therefore directed by the General Assembly of this Colony to entreat the honourable Continental Congress to be so good, as soon as possible, to order a further sum to be issued out of the Continental treasury on account of this Colony, and paid into the hands of our Delegates, to the amount, if possible, of sixty thousand pounds, or at least such part thereof as can, by any means, at present, be spared. It is of the greatest consequence to us that the utmost despatch be made in this affair; I, therefore, in behalf of the Colony, beg the favour of you to lay this request immediately before the Congress, and to give it all the facilities in your power.

And am, with the greatest respect and esteem, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To the Honourable President Hancock.

At a General Assembly of the Governour and Company of the English Colony of Connecticut, in America, holden at New-Haven, by special order of the Governour, on the 14th day of December, A. D. 1775:

Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honour the Governour be, and he is hereby desired forthwith to make application to the honourable Continental Congress for the sum of sixty thousand Pounds, or such part thereof as can, at present, be obtained for the supply of the treasury of this Colony; and that his Honour take the necessary steps to receive and lodge the same with the Treasurer of the Colony, with all convenient despatch.

A true copy of record, examined by

GEORGE WYLLYS, Sec'y.

THOMAS GREENOUGH TO MESSRS. DEANE, ADAMS, AND WYTHE.

New-Haven, December 22, 1775.

GENTLEMAN: I was an inhabitant of Boston, and by the oppressive measures exercised there, was obliged to leave my pleasant habitation with all my furniture, (excepting my plate and one bed,) and came here for refuge, and since being here, have been informed that the Provincials burnt all the houses, stores, and barns on Noddle-Island, and seeing an advertisement in the newspapers that persons who sustained any losses were desired to send to you, gentlemen, the particulars, with the valuation, I having had the more immediate care of said island, many years before it came into our possession, therefore am more knowing as to the buildings and their value than my brethren; accordingly I have enclosed an estimate of what I think and believe to be as just a one as any person can give of the premises. All the stock, household furniture, &c, belonging unto the tenant, Mr. Henry Howell Williams, . . . . * said island on a lease,) who I suppose has, or will send you . . . . . * thereof. You may inquire of my character, if you please, of the Honourable John Hancock, Thomas Cushing, and Samuel Adams, Esquires.

I am, gentlemen, your obedient, humble servant,

THOMAS GREENOUGH.

To Messrs. Deane, Wythe, and Adams, a Committee of the Congress, in Philadelphia.

New-Haven, December 20, 1775.

An account of the loss we sustained in June last, viz:

Besides fences, corn-houses, &c., one year's rent, one hundred and thirty pounds sterling. The island contains about seven hundred acres. Every article to build with must be boated over, being an island.

Gentlemen, I believe the above valuation is about the truth. I have talked with the tenant, Mr. Henry Howell Williams, and he says it will cost two thousand pounds sterling to replace the buildings, &c., on the island. The above was owned by Doctor Charles Chauncy, William Hystop, and your very humble servant,

THOMAS GREENOUGH.

Connecticut, ss. New-Haven, in the County of New-Haven, on the twenty-first day of December, A. D. 1775:

Personally appeared Mr. Thomas Greenough, late of Boston, now resident in said New-Haven, and made oath to the truth of the within estimate. Before me,

JOHN WHITING, Justice of Peace,

For the County of New-Haven.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR COOKE.

Cambridge, December 20, 1775.

SIR: The letter accompanying this was written before your favour of the 19th, per express, came to hand. Under my present instructions, and in my present situation, I could not justify the sending a regiment from these lines to you, unless there was an apparent design of landing a body of Ministerial troops on Rhode-Island. At present, I do not think this is to be apprehended, as a deserter out of Boston, since my last, is particular in declaring that only four companies, amounting to little more than four hundred men, embarked, as was said, for Halifax; agreeing with others that invalids, and the officers of the Eighteenth and Fifty-Ninth Regiments, who are going home to recruit, had sailed for England.

The intention of my last, containing the information as it was received, was only designed to put you upon your guard, not that I expected a visit was intended you. If any small body of troops move from hence southerly I have no expectation of their stopping short of Virginia, unless it should be on a pillaging party. To conclude, sir, when I inform you that I have been obliged to call in five thousand militia to supply the deficiency of the Connecticut regiments and those absent upon furlough, you will do me the justice to believe that not a want of inclination but of ability, prevents me from complying with your request; unless, as is before observed, I had some obvious reasons to believe the visit of more men than we are well assured are embarked, was intended for your Government.

I am, with very great esteem and regard, sir, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Coohe, Rhode-Island,

GENERAL WASHINGTON'S SECRETARY TO COLONEL BALDWIN.

Cambridge, December 20, 1775.

SIR: I am commanded by his Excellency to inform you that from the letter and proceedings of the Committee at Point-Shirley, respecting Mr. Wiber, he stands in a suspicious and unfriendly light. However, as he does not wish to put any one under rigorous confinement who does not deserve it, you and the Committee may consult together, and if it shall appear that he is a friend and can be trusted, you may permit his return to bring his family and others.

To Colonel Loammi Baldwin, Chelsea.

[* Original manuscript torn.]