Return of the Field and Staff Officers in the First Regiment of NEW-JERSEY Troops in the Continental service.

STIRLING, Colonel.

January 11, 1776.

FAIRFIELD COUNTY (CONNECTICUT) CONVENTION.

At a County Convention held at Fairfield, in and for Fairfield County, on the 18th day of January, 1776, Jonathan Sturges, Esq., Chairman.

This Convention, taking into consideration the Resolves of the Continental Congress, lately published, dated the 2d day of January, 1776, and attending to the true meaning and spirit thereof, and the principles of humanity and kindness therein recommended; and, also, taking into consideration an Act of the General Assembly of this Colony, passed in their last sessions, entitled "An Act for restraining and punishing persons who are inimical to the liberties of this and the rest of the United Colonies, &c,"

Resolved, That all those persons who have, heretofore, been advertised as enemies to their country, or otherwise proceeded against as such, shall be restored to the esteem and friendship of the country: Provided, They honestly and sincerely declare to the Committee of Inspection in their respective towns where such persons dwell, or to the Committee of Correspondence, where there is no Committee of Inspection, that they will abide by the Continental Regulations, in every case where they are not hindered by a religious tie of conscience; and that they will, in no case, directly or indirectly, oppose the country in the measures taking for its defence. The honesty and sincerity of such declaration to be left to the Committees aforesaid; and their fire-arms shall be restored them whenever they shall engage in the defence of the County, if any have been disarmed. For the more effectually carrying into execution the Continental Association, it is resolved and recommended, that no forcible measures ought to be used to prevent any mischief, or remove any difficulty, where no express provision is made by the Act of the General Assembly, or of the Continental Congress, before the Committee of Inspection of the town where such difficulty happens, or of the next adjoining town, wherever it shall happen that any town is destitute of such Committee, be consulted, and their advice be attended to and pursued, where such advice may be had before it be too late to prevent any mischief; that every thing may be done with good order and decency.

A true copy from the Minutes:

ANDREW ROWLAND, Clerk.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Lebanon, January 18, 1776.

SIR: Enclosed is copy of intelligence brought me in the evening of the 16th instant, on which I immediately convened my Council of Safety. On consideration of the necessity of a reinforcement in that quarter, have agreed to raise a regiment of seven hundred and fifty men, officers included, with all possible expedition, by voluntary inlistments, on the same encouragements given by the Continent, to serve until the 1st November next, unless sooner discharged, with expectation that the General Congress will take the same into their service. It seemed necessary that no time be lost. Have set the same forward, until we can be made acquainted whether other provisions are made that may render this step unnecessary, or what may be suggested to us on the subject. Please to favour me with your answer by this express.

I am, with great esteem and regard, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To His Excellency General Washington.

Montreal, January 6, 1776.

DEAR SIR: With the greatest distress of mind, I now sit down to inform you of the event of an unfortunate attack made upon Quebcck, between the hours of four and six, of the morning of the 3lst of December; unfortunate, indeed, for us; in it fell our brave General, Montgomery, his Aid-de-camp, Macpherson, Captain Cheeseman, Captain Hendricks, of the riflemen, and two or three subaltern officers, and between sixty and a hundred privates, (the number not certainly known,) and about three hundred officers and soldiers taken prisoners, among which are Lieutenant-Colonel Greene, Major Bigelow, Major Meigs, and a number of Captains and inferior officers. Colonel Arnold was wounded in the leg, in the beginning of the action, as was Major Ogden, in the shoulder, and brought off to the General Hospital.

I have not time to give you all the particulars, but thus much will serve to show you that, in consequence of this defeat, our prospects are rendered very dubious; and, unless we can be quickly reinforced, perhaps they may be fatal, not only to us, who are stationed here, but, also, to the Colonies in general; the frontiers, especially, greatly, very greatly, depend upon keeping possession of this country.

You know, as well as any man, the temper, disposition, and character of the Canadians; they are not persevering in adversity; that they are not to be depended upon, but, like the Savages, are extremely fond of choosing the strongest party: add to this, our enemies in this country, of whom there are very many, use every method to excite the Canadians against us; among other things, they tell them that the United Colonies intend to abandon the country. The clergy refuse absolution to all who have shown themselves our friends, and preach up damnation to all those who will not take up arms against us, and tell them that, even now, it is not too late; that we are but a handful of men, &c., &c.

I have sent an express to General Schuyler, General Washington, and the Congress; but you know how far they have to go, and that it is very uncertain how long it will be before we can have relief from them; therefore, let me beg of you, to collect, immediately, as many men as you can find, (six or seven hundred, if it can be done,) and, some how or other, get into this country, and stay with us till we can have relief from the Colonies.

You are sensible we have provisions, of all kinds, enough, and the weather, in this country, is far, very far, from being so frightful as many have imagined.

You will see that proper officers and soldiers are appointed under you, and both officers and soldiers shall be paid as other Continental troops. It would be well for your men to set out as fast as they can be collected; not so much matter whether together, or not; but let them set out by tens, twenties, thirties, forties, or fifties, as they can be first collected, for it must have a good effect upon the minds of the Canadians, to see succours coming on.

You will be good enough to send copies of this letter to the people below you.

DAVID WOOSTER.

To Colonel Warner.

January 15, 1776.

The foregoing is a copy of a letter sent, by express, from General Wooster to Colonel Warner, and from thence forwarded to me.

We are raising men here, to go to Montreal, as soon at possible. Doubt not but you will think it of importance that recruits be immediately sent tip, and hope you will forward as many as possible from your regiment.

I am, sir, your humble servant,

MARK HOPKINS.

To Colonel Barrett.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Cambridge, January 18, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I received your favour of the 13th instant, with its enclosures, and am heartily sorry, and most sincerely condole with you, upon the unhappy fall of the brave and worthy Montgomery, and those gallant officers and men who have experienced a like fate. In the death of this gentleman, America has sustained a heavy loss, as