the standing stock on each of our farms, might be appointed by your Honour to appraise the same, as we all expect that whatever loss may accrue (moveables excepted) to any one of us from the enemy shall be borne by the whole in proportion to the valuation of every individual’s stock at the beginning. We are likewise desirous that some sort of fort or forts may be built at such place or places as may be found most proper, to which we could retire every night. We are ready to put ourselves under the command of any officer you may please to appoint for our protection, till our crops are got in, the damage, if any, which may happen to any individual ascertained, provided we are not sent further to the northward than Onion River, nor further to the southward than Ticonderoga, except the whole Army should think proper to move. We will be glad to supply the Army with whatever may be saved of our crops, after reserving what is absolutely necessary for our families, at the price customary to be given for such articles in this country. We hope we shall have the liberty of choosing our own officers. If agreeable to your Honour, it would be very pleasing to us if Captain Stanton was to take command of the whole of this place. We are sorry to trouble you at this time of hurry and business, but hope necessity will plead our excuse.

Determined to defend the freedom of America at the risk of everything that is dear to us, permit us to wish that your Honour may long be continued in the chief command over us, as the easy access the distressed find to your ear is a convincing proof you will do everything in your power to render us as happy as the present situation of affairs will admit of.

We have the honour to be, with the utmost respect, your Honour’s most obedient humble servants,

To the Hon. Major-General Gates, at Ticonderoga.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Lebanon, July 4, 1776.

SIR: The retreat of the Northern Army, and its present situation, have spread a general alarm. By intelligence from Major-General Schuyler, received last evening, I have reason to conclude that they are now at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, in a weak state, and under necessity of an immediate reinforcement to enable them to make a stand, and prevent the enemy from passing the Lake and penetrating into the country. The prevalence of the small-pox among them, is every way unhappy. Our people in general have not had that distemper. Fear of the infection operates strongly to prevent soldiers from engaging in the service; and the battalions ordered to be raised in this Colony fill up slowly. Are there no measures may be taken to remove the impediment? May not the Army be soon freed from that infection? Can the reinforcements be kept separate from the infected? Or, may not a detachment be made from the troops under your command, and the Militia raising in the several Colonies, and ordered to New-York, of such men as have had the small-pox, to be replaced by the troops raising for the Northern Department? Could any expedient be fallen upon that would afford probable hopes that this infection may be avoided, I believe our battalions would soon join the Northern Army. I shall omit nothing in my power to expedite them.

The retreat of the Army from Canada exposes the northern frontiers of New-York and New-Hampshire to the ravages of the Indians, who will doubtless be spirited up to fall upon them. Some of the settlements on Onion River, I am informed, are breaking up and removing, and the whole filled with the most disquieting apprehensions. Some powder and lead, upon application, have been supplied them from this Colony; but the settlers there, from their infant state and consequent poverty, are unable to devote themselves to the defence of the frontiers, unless they should be enabled to hire labourers to carry on the business of their farms in their absence. I could therefore wish that your Excellency might think proper to recommend it to the Continental Congress to order a battalion to be raised and stationed there for the defence of those settlements. It would, I trust, be immediately filled up with a hardy race of men in that quarter, well adapted to repel the attacks of the savages, and ready to join and support the Northern Army upon occasion, and at all times may scour the woods and furnish intelligence of the enemy’s motions. If those settlers are driven back, besides the loss of their properly, a much heavier expense will fall upon some of the Colonies for the support of their families than the charges arising from the raising and maintaining a battalion of Continental troops; and we shall still have a frontier to defend. The anxiety of the friends and relations of many, if not most of those settlers, who emigrated from this Colony, and the importance of the matter, will, I trust, be my sufficient apology for wishing to engage your influence with Congress to support the motion I judge advisable and shall make, to have a battalion raised out of and stationed on those frontiers.

By a letter from General Schuyler of the 1st instant, received last evening, I am advised that Generals Schuyler, Gates, and Arnold, were to set out on Tuesday morning. I trust they are by this time at the end of their journey, and hope their presence may have a happy effect towards retrieving affairs in that quarter.

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

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To His Excellency General Washington.

COLONEL SEYMOUR TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Hartford, July 4, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: I last evening received your Honour’s direction and order to march with the three regiments of Light-Horse to New-York, to succour our Army until the troops raising could arrive. In consequence thereof, I last night despatched orders to the Majors of the several regiments to proceed forthwith, and should have taken entire pleasure to have gone with them and served my country at this critical moment, but the particular circumstances of my family (Mrs. Seymour being near her time) must plead my excuse. I will, however, venture as far as New-Haven, and give them every encouragement in my power.

We shall set out from here to-morrow morning, and join Major Hart at New-Haven to-morrow evening. Shall wait the return of the bearer, and hope your Honour will think proper to supply my place with some other appointment; and am your Honour’s most obedient and humble servant,

THOMAS SEYMOUR.

To the Hon. Governour Trumbull, at Lebanon.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO COLONEL SEYMOUR.

Lebanon, July 4, 1776.

SIR: I have your letter of the 4th instant, and observe the contents. If your circumstances are such that you cannot proceed with the troops, the command will naturally devolve on Major Hart as first Major. You will deliver your instructions to him, and the money you have received for the support of the troops, and use your influence to animate the men and hasten their march.

To Colonel Seymour.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO DAVID GALUSHA.

Lebanan, July 4, 1776.

SIR: Your letter of the 30th ultimo came to hand by Captain Herrick. I have considered the contents, and have written to General Washington to desire him to use his influence with the Continental Congress, that a battalion of Foot may be raised and stationed on or near the Grants, and by the next post shall propose the same to the Congress.

This, it is hoped, will be sufficient for your present defence, and you may depend upon every assistance in future which it will be in my power to afford you.

DR. WHEELOCK TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Hebron, July 4, 1776.

MUCH HONOURED SIR: The bearer must be my epistle for the intelligence from Coos, which he this minute has brought me.

If the College breaks up and the scholars leave that country,