To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 6 June 1780
From Jonathan Trumbull, Sr.
Hartford 6th June 1780
Dear Sir
Yesterday brot to my Hand your Favr of the 1st instant—The Circumstances of our Infomation fm N. York are indeed suspicious—yet I fear will prove but too well founded.
Our Genl Assembly, now sitting, had previous to your Letter, on Application from Genl Howe, furnshed Mr Hubbard D.Q.M. with Cash to forward the salted Provisions deposited in this State1—by this means 600 bbs. are now on the Road to West Point, with 150 bbs. more of Salted Shad—Orders are also given to purchase out of a Prize Brigg lately brot into N. London, 500 bbs. of Irish Beef (& more if to be obtained)—which is ordered to Middletown & Hartford, to be forwarded as soon as may be2—thus much is already doing—Mr Hubbard is furnished with Cash to forward on such other Quantities as may be in this District. a more full Acco. of our Efforts I hope to be able to inform your Excellency in few Days—in the Mean Time be assured all our Exertions will be drawn forth for the general Safety on this critical Conjuncture—I have reiterated my Injunctions to Colo. Champion on the Score of Fresh Cattle.
I am happy to inform that the Assembly have this Day approved & accepted a Report of their Committee for makg a Settlement with the Connecticut Line of the Army for the Depreciation on their past Wages—this Report is founded on Principles which are, I trust, very acceptable to the Officers & Soldiery3—This Event forms to me a Ground of much Hope that we shall be able to hold up to the dischargd Soldiers such Inducements as may encourage them to r[e]ingage in the Service—other Measures are adoptg for a speedy recruitg our Quota of the Army—which will probably be soon done by Detatchments if not otherways effected.4
The melancholly Event of the Death of my Dear Consort has taken me from the Genl Court for a Week past5—I am now returned, & by Divine Assistance, hope to give that Attention to Public Concerns wch their Importance, & their critical Aspect appear to Demand—Wishg Your Excellency the Protection, Guidance & Direction of Heaven—I am with perfect Regard & Esteem my Dear Sir Your most Ob[e]dient & humble Servant
Jonth; Trumbull
LS, DLC:GW. Trumbull sent this letter by express (see Trumbull to GW, 8 June).
1. Trumbull probably is referring to Maj. Gen. Robert Howe’s letter to him of 18 May, in which the general appealed to the governor for provisions for West Point (see Howe to GW, 22 May [first letter], n.1). For the action of the Connecticut Assembly, see Jeremiah Wadsworth to GW, 5–6 June, n.3.
2. On 5 June, the Connecticut Council of Safety directed Henry Champion “to repair personally to N. London as soon as may be, and there to purchase on the best terms all such mess beef and pork that he can, and when purchased to cause the one half to be transported to Middletown and the other to Hartford with the utmost dispatch by improving the tides, attended by safe convoy into Connecticut River; and that he immediately advise his Excellency the Governor of the quantity purchased and the time it may probably arrive at Middletown” (, 3:105–6).
3. In its 11 May to 23 June session, the Connecticut general assembly passed “An Act to secure to the Officers and Soldiers of the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army or serving with said Line the Ballances found due to make up the Value of their Wages to the first Day of January last and to provide for the Payment of the Same,” which directed that the balances due to the state’s Continental officers and soldiers be paid in four equal installments on the first day of June annually from 1782 through 1785 (see , 3:21–23).
4. “An Act for filling up the Connecticut Battalions in the Continental Army,” passed by the state’s legislature in its 11 May to 23 June session, ordered “That fifteen hundred able-bodied effective recruits be immediately raised within this State and ordered to join the Connecticut battalions in the continental army to serve untill the last day of December next unless sooner discharged” (, 3:29–31).
5. Faith Trumbull (1718–1780), Jonathan Trumbull, Sr.’s wife of forty-five years, died on 29 May.