rest of the garrison at Albany, and came into this Province, where Captain Williams joined them about five weeks since on his return from Montreal. That he applied to the Committee at Hartford to forward him and the Artillery to Lancaster, and also wrote to Major Preston to apply to the honourable Continental Congress for that purpose; but, having received no answer from Major Preston, he apprehends his letter miscarried.

He also begs leave to represent that he is informed it is not the desire of Congress to allow any of the prisoners (at least those under capitulation) to inlist in the Continental service; notwithstanding which, two matrosses of St. John’s garrison, after taking an unfair advantage by receiving their clothing, subsistence, &c, have inlisted, and several others have sold their clothing. He presumes that these abuses arise from the Artillery (though few in number) being dispersed about the country, so far beyond the narrow limits of the six miles assigned to him, that an officer can take no charge of them. By this means, the spirit of the St. John’s capitulation is entirely defeated in respect of that article which provides for the garrison being together, and which would have been the case had not the above mistake happened.

He further represents (as well as the undersigned officers, also prisoners at Hartford) that, notwithstanding it is their earnest wish and design to avoid giving any just and reasonable cause of offence to the inhabitants in their neighbourhood, yet the most trivial incidents are industriously misrepresented and maliciously propagated through the country, insomuch that their personal safety is actually endangered by mobs, there being none of the Continental Troops here to grant them a safeguard. They have only to add, that, in case the honourable Continental Congress shall think proper to comply with their request (the cheapest way moving them being by water,) they would apply to his Majesty’s Admiral-in-Chief to grant a passport for that purpose.

They take the liberty of enclosing a paragraph from the last Hartford paper, by which the honourable Continental Congress will see another method made use of to inflame the minds of the people against them.

[Extract from the Connecticut Courant, enclosed in the preceding Letter.]

“Colonel Ethan Allen, with thirty other prisoners, by the latest accounts are arrived in England, and honoured with apartments in a close prison. As the Colonel left America in irons, it is probable he will wear those badges of Royal clemency during his abode in those dreary mansions. This mode of using prisoners must essentially affect the situation of an equal number of those whom the fortune of war has put into our power; the same mete that they measure, by the laws of reason and retaliation must be measured to them again. Severity with the Americans, whose hearts are softened by the benevolent spirit of Christianity, is a strange work; but the safety of the country, in the present case, requires it.

“Those we have taken prisoners, have received gentle usage, and had great indulgences hitherto. This, none but an ingrate, and such as have forfeited every blessing of life, will deny. The Americans, in exercising rigour, are out of their element. Their humane dispositions recoil at the thought. Though they are sensible of injuries, and of the wrong use which some worthless prisoners make of their humanity, yet they are exceeding loth to show themselves severe toward those entirely at their mercy, and whose temporal existence must cease at their pleasure. But the savage disposition of the King and his minions obstructs the exercise of mercy in the above instance, and forces the Americans, from their natural bias, to vindictive measures. As we have none of equal rank, the shackling of two Majors will scarcely be deemed an equivalent for a Colonel. However, I trust a line of distinction will be drawn between the precious and the vile, and that those prisoners of a humane and noble disposition will be excused from suffering any disadvantage on this score; whilst the disorderly, the haughty, and peevish, and those who delight in mischief and blood, are singled out as proper objects of the justice and severity of America.

HUMANUS.”

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO LORD STIRLING.

Lebanon, March 21, 1776.

MY LORD: I received your favour of the 17th, the last evening, by Lieutenant Betts. I have now, on the commencement of a correspondence, to congratulate you on your late appointment; and from your known zeal in the great American cause, and your abilities to serve it, I cannot but form pleasing expectations. I have also to congratulate you on the shameful retreat of General Howe and his Army from Boston, which city they have actually abandoned, and a detachment of General Washington’s took full possession the last Sabbath day. They have left it in a less ruinous situation than was expected—their own works entire, about thirty large cannon spiked up, and a considerable quantity of wheat; and are now lying in the road, (supposed for a wind,) very probably designing a descent on New-York, or parts adjacent. I am extremely pleased to hear that you are taking every step in your power to be prepared for their reception. It is of vast importance to prevent their establishing themselves there.

His Excellency General Washington, well aware of their designs, had, by his letter of the 14th, earnestly requested me to throw in two thousand men from this Colony for the same purposes mentioned and requested by your Lordship, until he could arrive there with the Army under his command, large detachments of which are now on the march. In consequence of which, I had, with the advice of my Council of Safety, despatched orders, on the 19th, for nearly that number of our Militia to march forthwith from the nearest frontiers of this Colony to New-York, under the command of Colonels Silliman and Talcott. It is not time yet to hear what progress they have made; but I hope and believe as good as the nature of the thing will admit, and that they will very soon be with you. Thus I have, and doubt not but you will have, much pleasure to find your request anticipated.

I am happy to hear that our regiments now with you have done themselves the honour to meet with your approbation, and have no doubt but they, and our men in general, will continue to do so, and to serve their country well, while they meet with generous usage from their commanders; and have no doubt but they will ever experience it from a nobleman of your distinguished generosity and politeness.

I expect and depend that Colonels Waterbury and Ward’s Regiments will remain in the service, or the greater part of them, till they can be properly relieved and spared, and have written them accordingly; you will please to repeat to them my request for that purpose, and that, in the highest probability, a great part of the main Army will soon be there.

The troops now sending from us, you will perceive, were requested by the General for such term till they might be relieved by his Army. If it should be necessary to have a regiment raised and stationed there for this season, you may rely on it that nothing in my power shall be wanting to serve this great and just cause in this or any other way. Colonel Dyer and Colonel Williams, (two gentlemen of my Council,) will wait on you next week, on their way to Philadelphia, and will be instructed to confer with your Lordship on this or any other subject you may think proper, whereby the important common interest of this much injured country may be promoted.

I have the honour to be, with sentiments of great esteem, your Lordship’s most obedient and very humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To the Right Honourable the Earl of Stirling.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Lebanon, March 21, 1776.

SIR: Your esteemed favour of the 9th instant was delivered me the 15th, per Bennett. Our Treasurer’s chest remains

*