PETITION OF THE INHABITANTS OF SHELBUKNE, ON LAKE-CHAMPLAIN.

To His Excellency General GATES, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Forces at TICONDEROGA and CROWN-POINT:

The Petition of the Inhabitants of SHELBURNE, on LAKE-CHAMPLAIN, humbly showeth:

That we live twenty-six miles from Croum-Point, and twelve from Onion River. Being well attached to the American cause, were much alarmed when we heard of the retreat of our Army out of Canada to Crown-Point, and thought we must be forced to leave here. But when the Army came down, Colonel Winds not having had the smallpox, halted here with fourteen men, and obtained leave of General Sullivan to stay here some time; upon which the inhabitants got together, and, in conjunction with Colonel Winds, built a stockade fort, and have continued here since. We beg leave to inform your Excellency that the place where the fort stands is a very good harbour; and as the Lake is often ruffled with sudden gusts in the summer, the boats that pass are often wind-bound here, and sometimes out of provision, as hath been the case with two boats coming from Onion River since Colonel Winds hath been here, and were supplied with provision at this place. We, the inhabitants, being but few in number, and having considerable large crops of wheat and other grain on the ground, besides stocks of cattle, we humbly beseech that his Excellency would be graciously pleased, if he thinks it consistent with the good of the service, to let some of the men who were there go back again, or some others as a small guard. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

To General Gates.

Shelburne, July 19, 1776.

SAMUEL SQUIER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Fairfield, July 19, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: By yours of the 10th instant I observe you want to know how much pork I have procured for the Colony's use, where it is stored, and the price. I have purchased three hundred barrels of pork, chiefly from the farmers. There is yet about two hundred barrels of pork more at Newtown. The owners don't care to part with it, and for excuse have told me it is engaged to the Commissary-General, which I am since informed is not so. I expect to know the truth of the matter very soon, and shall act accordingly. The reason why I have not procured more pork is, that Mr. Wadsworth, of Hartford, and Mr. Coult, of New-Haven, had been into this County and engaged it before I got home from the Assembly. As to the hunting-shirts, I have no other voucher than Daniel Gray's receipt for them, who went with Colonel Webb last summer to Cambridge to carry his baggage. By him I sent those shirts. Said Gray has taken a receipt in his own name of the Quartermaster-General's clerk for them, a copy of which I sent before, and now you have herein enclosed the original. I made those shirts out of cloth which I had before purchased and charged the Colony with for tents. I therefore took an account of how much cloth it took for the shirts, which was three yards apiece. I also charged the making to the Colony, not then knowing there should be a separate account kept of the price of the tow-cloth, which, upon an average, was nearest 16½d I therefore formed my former account that I sent you, from my common account with the Colony, and kept no other copy, as also I have done this account, and expected to give the Colony credit if ever the shirt-account should be paid separate from the other. I have made out this account at 6s. per shirt, which will be very near the cost, as the cloth and making will be As. 10½d. per shirt. The one-and-a-half per cent, commissions, carting, &c., will make up the rest.

I am, sir, your Honour's obedient servant,

SAMUEL SQUIER.

N. B. The thirty-five barrels of pork I left in the farmer's cellar, judging that to be as safe a store as I could get. I find there is more pork among the farmers, which I trust I shall be able to procure.

S. S.

CONNECTICUT COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

At a meeting of the Governour and Council of Safety, by adjournment, July 17, 1776:

Present: His Honour the Governour, his Honour the Deptity-Governour, Eliphalet Dyar, Jz. Huntington, Wm. Williams, Titus Hosmer, Jedh. Elderkin, Nathl. Wales, Benj. Huntington, William Hillhouse, Esquires.

Voted, That the Paymaster of Colonel Ward's Regiment be, and he is hereby, directed to pay as a premium to the Soldiers who shall provide themselves with Fire-Arms, &c., the sum of 6s. for each Gun so provided, and the sum of 4s. for each Bayonet, Belt, and Cartouch-Box, and Knapsack.

Colonel Mott came in with sundry motions, &c., respecting his Regiment, &c., and many matters to consider.

This Board do appoint Messrs. Andrew Huntington, Joshua Elderkin, Chancey Whitllesey, of Middletown, Jonathan Fitch, Samuel Squier, and Lynde Lord, a Committee to purchase all the suitable Tow-Cloth, and other suitable Cloth for Tents, to be obtained in their respective Counties, and cause the same to be made up into proper Tents, for the use of the Troops of this Colony, in the most expeditious manner they can, and report to his Honour of what they shall respectively do in the premises.

The Continental Congress having recommended to the Assemblies of the United Colonies to procure a quantity of Clothing for the Continental Army,

Voted and Resolved, That a quantity of home-made Cloth, or other if that can't be obtained, as far as may be, of a brown or cloth colour, sufficient for three thousand Coats, and the same number of Waistcoats, and as many Blankets as can be obtained in the Colony; three thousand Felt Hats; cloth of check Flannel, or some Linen if that can't be obtained, sufficient for six thousand Shirts, and also six thousand pair of Shoes, to be collected as soon as may be, and deposited in the proper stores in the several Counties; and the same above-named Committee are appointed to procure the same; and the said articles are proportioned to the several Counties as follows, viz:

And Letters to be prepared to each of said Commissaries, directing them accordingly; and is done.

On motion, &c., considered, and this Board do appoint? Timothy Larabee, Paymaster of Colonel Mott's Regiment.

On application by Colonel Mott that it is expedient his men should be furnished with a small quantity of Ammunition on their march, &c.,

Resolved, That his Soldiers, supplying themselves with four Bullets each, Colonel William Pitkin be desired and directed to deliver Colonel Mott, or his order, at the rate of one pound of Powder to every eight men of his Regiment, and the same quantity to Colonel Swift, or his order, for the use of his Regiment.

Being informed by Colonel Porter that eighteen nine-pound and other Cannon are cast at the Furnace in Salisbury, which are greatly wanted, &c., on consideration, this Board do appoint Colonel Jonathan Pettibone a Committee to procure proper Teams and Carriages for transporting twenty nine-pound Cannon from Salisbury Furnace to Hartford; and he, said Colonel Pettibone, is authorized and appointed to take care of and procure the same, to be brought and transported in the cheapest and most proper manner he shall be able, and the same deliver to Captain William Tuley, at Hartford, with all convenient speed, and make report to his Honour the Governour.

N. B. Ordered eight hundred pounds of Powder from Colonel Pitkin's Mill, to be sent to Colonel Porter, for use at Salisbury Furnace.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning.