The 23d, yours of the 14th of December came to hand, per Monsieurs Penet and De Pliarne. Every necessary assistance, for expediting their journey, was afforded, without delay; they set out the next morning. You shall be made acquainted with the expense incurred on their account, when the same is known.

The 28th instant, at evening, our General Assembly adjourned. There is great unanimity in our common cause. Among others, they passed an act for raising and equipping one-fourth part of the Militia of this Colony, to be forthwith selected by voluntary inlistment, with as many other able-bodied, effective men, not included in any Militia roll, as are inclined to inlist, to stand in readiness, as Minute-Men, for the defence of this, and the rest of the United Colonies, with proper encouragement. Another act, for restraining and punishing persons who are inimical to the liberties of this, and the rest of the United Colonies, and for directing proceedings therein.

No person to supply the Ministerial army or navy; to give intelligence; to inlist, or procure others to inlist in their service; to undertake to pilot any of their vessels, or in any other ways to aid or assist them, on the penalty of forfeiting all his estate, and imprisonment in any of the jails in this Colony, not exceeding three years. No one to speak, write, &c., against the doings of the honourable General Congress, or acts of our Assembly, on the penalty of being disarmed, and rendered incapable to hold or serve in any office, civil or military; and be further punished, either by fine, imprisonment, disfranchisement, or to find surety of the peace and good behaviour.

Any person or persons who put, or shall continue to hold, or screen themselves under the protection of the Ministerial army or navy, or aid or assist in carrying into execution the present Ministerial measures against America, their estates to be seized for the use of the Colony.

A resolve to provide, so that we shall have two armed vessels, one of sixteen carriage-guns, the other fourteen; with a schooner, called the Spy, of four carriage-guns; and four row-gallies.

An act to exempt the polls of soldiers from taxes, for the last, and ensuing campaigns.

Another act, for encouraging the manufactories of saltpetre and gunpowder. Hope to collect saltpetre, and manufacture a considerable quantity of gunpowder early in the Spring.

The furnace, at Middletown, is smelting lead, and likely to turn out twenty or thirty tons. Ore is plenty.

Please to favour me with an account of the quantity of lead received from Crown-Point. From thence I received one hundred and eighty old gun-barrels, which are fitting up here, and will make one hundred and fifty stands of good arms. We are put to difficulty for gun-locks. Hearing that those stands taken in the ordnance store ship had each a spare lock, thought proper to mention to you, that if it be so, whether it may not be well to furnish a number for the arms fitting here.

On the 29th, at evening, I met, at Hartford, on my returning from the General Assembly, yours of the 23d December, and immediately sent to Captain Wadsworth, a person employed by the Commissary-General, and much acquainted, to see if any blankets could be purchased, and found there are none. Many of our new inlisted men, I am told, will bring blankets with them, which they get from private families. Those lost at the Bunker-Hill fight were furnished in that manner; and our Minute-Men will supply themselves in that way: that I am very doubtful of success, if attempted. Lieutenant-Colonel Durkee this day mentioned to me your direction to him on this head. Shall lay the same before the Committee at our next meeting.

Enclosed is copy of an act empowering the Commander-in-chief, &c., to administer an oath. Also, Minutes of the ordnance taken from the Ministerial troops at the several Northern posts, from the 1st of May to the 13th November, 1775.

I remain, with great truth and regard, and with the proper salutations of this day, your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant,

Jonathan Trumbull.

To His Excellency General Washington.

P. S. Enclosed is a copy of a letter from President Wheelock, at Dartmouth College.

At a General Assembly of the Governour and Company of the Colony of Connecticut, holden at New-Haven, by special order of the Governour, on the 14th day of December, 1775,

An Act empowering the Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, or Officers commanding a detachment, or out-posts, &c., to administer an Oath.

Be it enacted, by the Governour, Council, and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the Commander-in-chief of the Army raised, or to be raised, by this, and the rest of the United Colonies, or any Officer in the service of the said United Colonies, commanding any detachment or out-post, shall have power and authority to administer an oath, and swear any person or persons to the truth of any information or intelligence, or any other matters relative to the publick service.

A true copy of record, examined by

George Wyllys, Secretary.

Minutes of the Ordnance taken from the Ministerial Troops, at the several Northern Posts, from the 1st of May to the 13th of November, 1775:

Artillery employed by Land, and on the Lake, in the siege of St. John's.