with despatch, as our necessities require it, or shall greatly suffer by delay.

The Proclamations issued on the several above-mentioned occasions are enclosed, to show our proceedings, without enlarging, only that I am, with great truth and regard, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To the Honourable President Hancock.

Proclamation for raising one thousand five hundred Men for General LEE, &c.

COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.—BY THE GOVERNOUR.

Whereas, his Excellency General Washington, by his letter of the 7th January, 1776, has signified to me that he has great reason to believe that the Ministerial troops are about to attempt possessing themselves of the City of New-York, or Long-Island, or both, strengthen themselves there and gel the command of the country, and the communication with Canada, &c., a matter of the utmost importance to be prevented; and has, therefore, despatched the Honourable Major-General Lee through this Colony, to that city, &c., to counteract their designs; and has, also, signified his desire, that ten or fifteen hundred volunteers may be forthwith raised in the western parts of this Colony for that important purpose; and that every necessary expense, attending their march and stay, will be borne by the publick, and requesting my aid to encourage the raising of said volunteers for this important business; and, therefore, I have thought fit, by and with the advice of my Council of Safety, to issue this my Proclamation, and do hereby earnestly recommend it to all the good people of this Colony, in the western and most contiguous parts of New-York especially, whose circumstances will admit, freely and cheerfully to engage in this most important service, to the number of fifteen hundred men, to be formed into two distinct Regiments, under the command and discretion of the Honourable Charles Lee, Esq., Major-General of the Army of the United Colonies; and of Colonel Waterbury, Lieutenant-Colonel Bradley, and Major Hobby, Field-Officers of one regiment, and Colonel Ward, Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis, and Major Douglas, Field-Officers of the other regiment; and such Captains, and other subordinate Officers, worthy of trust and confidence, who have been employed in the present war, or are now in commission in the Militia of this Colony, as may be agreed on by the said Field-Officers, respectively; and do further encourage them, both officers and soldiers, to expect the same pay and billeting allowance, as the troops now in the service of the United Colonies near Boston are entitled to, and that they may also expect to be soon released and discharged from said service.

Given under my hand, &c., at Lebanon, in said Colony, the 12th day of January, Anno Domini 1776.

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

Proclamation for raising, &c., a Northern Regiment, &c., January 19, 1776, respecting CANADA.

COLONY OF CONNECTICUT, ss:—BY THE GOVERNOUR.

Whereas, I have authentick intelligence, that the Army under the command of the late General Montgomery, has been repulsed in attempting to dispossess the enemies of American liberty of the City of Quebeck, the General slain, with several officers and soldiers, and a number taken prisoners, whereby reinforcements are become indispensably necessary, in order to maintain the advantages already gained in that country, an object of vast importance for the safety of the Northern Frontiers, and for the protection of our friends belonging to that Province, and the security of their and our rights and liberties. And the complement of troops designed by the honourable Continental Congress for that station, not being complete, and it appearing at this critical juncture of the greatest necessity, that measures should be taken, without delay, to reinforce the Army there, for the great and salutary purposes aforesaid. And also, having the highest reason to expect the approbation of said honourable Congress, and that they will take any necessary recruits into their pay; but their distance being so great, that a delay for their orders might be attended with dangerous, if not fatal consequences:

On consideration of the matters aforesaid, by and with the advice and assistance of my Council of Safety, I have thought it necessary, that at least one Regiment of Foot should be raised by voluntary inlistment in this Colony, as soon as possible, to consist of a number not exceeding seven hundred and fifty effective men, officers included, and to be formed into ten companies, of seventy-five each, including officers; each company to have one Captain, two Lieutenants, one Ensign, and non-Commissioned Officers as usual, to be marched with all possible expedition to the relief and succour of the Continental Army in that quarter, and to continue in service until the first day of November next, unless they can be sooner released, consistent with the common safety; and do hereby appoint, order and direct the same accordingly, and thereupon issue this Proclamation for that purpose, hereby declaring and engaging, that all such officers and soldiers, who shall undertake and inlist, pursuant to the orders aforesaid, shall have, and receive the same pay, wages, billeting and allowance, as other officers and soldiers of that Army are entitled to; and shall have one month's pay advance, before they march out of this Colony; and each non-commissioned officer and soldier finding himself a good blanket, shall be entitled to two dollars therefor, and the property of it be his own. And I do hereby earnestly recommend it to, and invite all persons able for said service, to a sufficient number, freely and cheerfully to engage in, and undertake the same for the sake of the love of their country, and all the dear-bought rights and privileges thereof, the happiness of themselves and all posterity. And on the most mature and deliberate consideration, doubt not, but I am warranted further to encourage them to hope for and expect the protection and blessing of Almighty God. The righteous Lord loveth righteousness, and will, I doubt not, own and succeed this just and righteous cause.

Given under my hand at Lebanon, in said Colony, the 18th day of January, Annoque Domini 1776.

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.—BY THE GOVERNOUR.

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas, I have received advice from his Excellency General Washington, at the camp near Boston, of the 16th January, instant: That by reason of the slow progress in raising men for the Army, &c., their lines are in so defenceless a state, that he, with the advice of the General Officers of his camp, is of opinion that it is expedient, and absolutely necessary, that a number of new Regiments by him mentioned, should be forthwith raised in several Colonies, equal to those of the new establishment, and to be officered by said Colonies according to their mode, and to repair to that camp by the last day of January, instant, if possible, to be in readiness to act as circumstances may require, until the first day of April next, and requesting that four of said regiments might be furnished by this Colony, as their proportion; and that every exertion and influence may be used for complying with said requisition.

And having immediately laid said requisition before my Council of Safety for their consideration and advice, and being unanimously of opinion that the reasons enforcing said request are indisputably well-founded, and that our compliance is of great importance for our and the common safety, for the present and all future time, and have, therefore, voted and resolved, that four Regiments be forthwith raised in this Colony by voluntary inlistments, each regiment to consist of seven hundred and twenty-eight men, officers included, divided into eight companies of ninety men each, including officers; each regiment to be commanded by one Colonel, one Lieutenant-Colonel, and one Major, and each company by one Captain, two Lieutenants, and one Ensign, with non-Commissioned Officers as usual; to be on Continental pay, and the same as other officers and soldiers on that station are entitled to, and to be marched forthwith to the camp near Boston, for the purposes and for the term aforesaid; and do, therefore, by and with the advice of my said Council, issue this Proclamation, hereby declaring and promising, that all able-bodied, effective men, to a sufficient number, who shall engage and inlist into this necessary service, and shall furnish and equip him and themselves with sufficient clothing, arms, and accoutrements,