To John Jay from Jonathan Trumbull, 22 June 1779
From Jonathan Trumbull
State of Connecticut, Lebanon 22nd June 1779
Sir
The General Assembly of this State, at its sessions in Jany last, ordered taxes to be levied to collect their Quota assigned for the 15,000,000 Dollars requested by Congress in their Resolve of 5th Jany. last— At their May Session further Taxes are granted to collect the Quota assigned this State of 45,000,000 Dollars—1 They are payable at different Periods—none exceed the 1st Jany. next The tax bills are ordered to be made out together, with Intention that such who are able, may have opportunity to pay the whole at the first Payment.
At the time the Enemy moved up North river, the three Brigades west of Connecticut River were ordered to be in readiness to march, equipped, and furnished with six Days provisions— One quarter to march forthwith, these turned out with Alacrity, but were soon dismissed— In Consequence of intelligence from Horse Neck, in Greenwich, of the appearance of the Enemy, and Damages done by plundering Cattle, Corn Houses &c. a Regiment of 500 Men was immediately sent, in addition to the Guards, which were already on the ground, for their defence. It was likewise judged necessary to raise two Regiments of 500 Men each by voluntary Inlistments, or if not filled by 15th. July next, to be drafted peremptorily, to serve till Jany next, for defence of New London, Groton, and the Western Frontiers.2
This State being frequently called upon, and under necessity to furnish, either for its own immediate defence, or the Security of the other United States, large drafts of Militia, which have been, at various times chearfully sent into the Field, and the same being at this time necessary, and Requisitions for that Purpose complied with in the last Assembly— I am directed to request that Congress will be pleased to order, that the Troops raised for Defence, & also whenever the Militia of this State is drawn into Service, that Continental Pay, Rations, and Allowances be given said drafts of Militia, such as are allowed and given to other States under like circumstances—
At a Session of Assembly in April last it was ordered that Eight hundred men, being the quota of this State to recruit the Continental Army should be raised—and in May Session, this order was fully enforced—3 The Recruits will be soon furnished; such as do not inlist by the 10th. of July next are to be filled by Drafts, to serve to the 15th. Jany. next. The Encouragements given the men to inlist during the war,4 it is hoped, will induce them to engage—
On Request of the Delegates of this State, Congress advanced to its use, for payment of the Troops belonging thereto, £45,000—to be on Interest.5 This Sum is received— Before its arrival, other ways were found to effect the payment, and the sum actually forwarded for the purpose intended.— But as orders for recruiting our Quota of the deficiency of the Continental Army, are already issued, and no money is forwarded for said purpose from Congress—the money abovementioned not being needed for the purpose first designed, the Assembly of this State have ordered that, with the approbation of Congress, the £45,000 shall be used to recruit our said quota of deficiences, and request that the said sum be charged to this State, not as a Sum loaned as first intended, but as part of a sum to be furnished them towards raising, recruiting and filling their deficiency of the Continental Army paying bounties, procuring cloathing &c. without any charge of interest.
Agreeable to a Resolution of Congress recommending some measures to be adopted for procuring a supply of cloathing for the Continental Troops of this State, Our General Assembly, at their last session have recommended to the several towns in said State, and injoined upon them, to furnish certain specified articles of cloathing, amounting to considerable part of the necessary cloathing for Troops of this State for one year—which is to be received and forwarded by a suitable person thereunto appointed, to the Sub or State Cloathier, appointed for this State, with the Army—6 For the purpose of procuring and paying for such cloathing, a large Sum of money will be wanted, which I must beg may be immediately furnished, either by supply from the Continental Treasury, or by Draft on the Treasurer of this State, to be paid out of monies in his hands, collected for Continental Service— I am, with Esteem and Regard, Sir, Your Obedt. hble Servant
Jontth. Trumbull
ALS, DNA: PCC, item 66, 23–26 (EJ: 13162). Endorsed by Charles Thomson: “. . . Read July 1. Referred to the board of treasury.” Tr, DLC: Force Transcripts, Trumbull Papers (EJ: 10362).
1. “An Act, in addition to, and alteration of an Act, entitled, An Act for the direction of Listers in their Office and Duty,” January 1779 sess. (, no. 16231), 507–8; “An Act for the direction of Listers in their Office and Duty,” May 1779 sess. (, no. 16233), 521–23.
2. In July 1779 Sir Henry Clinton began a large-scale punitive expedition against Connecticut towns on Long Island Sound for interfering with British shipping. In preparation, Clinton assembled 2,600 troops at Whitestone at the end of June 1779.
3. “An Act for repealing a Part of a Law of this State, made and passed in May, A.D. 1777, entitled, An Act for raising and compleating the Quota of the continental Army to be ratified in this State,” April 1779 sess. (, no. 16232), 516; “An Act, in Addition to a Law of this State, entitled, An Act for forming and regulating the Militia . . .,” May 1779 sess. (, no. 16233), 525–26.
4. That is, for the duration of the war. Bonuses were offered to those who would enlist in the Continental army for three years or “during the war.”
5. On 22 May 1779 Congress granted a warrant issue for $150,000 to Connecticut delegates to be repaid with 6 percent interest to the commissioner of the Continental loan office by August 1780. , 14: 629–30.
6. On 1 June 1779 the Connecticut Assembly ordered the clothier to issue clothing in accordance with the resolve of Congress of 23 Mar. 1779 (, 13: 353–56). A broadside on the appointment of Elijah Hubbard (1745–1808) as clothier, urging cooperation by citizens and local governments, is in , no. 16239.