1To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 13 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Suffer me to join in Congratulating you, on your appointment to be General and Commander in Chief of the Troops raised or to be raised for the Defence of American Liberty. Men who have tasted of Freedom, and who have felt their personal Rights, are not easily taught to bear with encroachments on either, or brought to submit to oppression. Virtue ought always to be made the Object of...
2To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 13 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have to observe to your Excellency, That the Honorable Congress have altered the Arrangement of the Generals appointed by our Assembly, Wish the Order we adopted had been pursued, Fear Generals Wooster and Spencer will think they have reason to complain. They are Gentlemen held in high Estimation, by Our Assembly, and by the Officers and Troops under their Command. There are reasons to fear...
3To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 17 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
On the first Instant I met the Honble Assembly of this Colony, to deliberate on the Request & pressing Reasons sent us from the Massachusetts for an imediate Augmentation of Troops from this Colony—our Assembly agreed to augment with two Regiments of 700 Men each, who are now raising to join the Continental Army—It was wished that we could have had the Advice & Direction of the Congress or...
4To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 31 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
By the Resolve in Congress of the 19th instant, it is recommended to the New England Colonies to compleat the Deficiences in the Regiments belonging to them respectively. I have not been informed of any Deficiency in the Number of Troops sent from Connecticut. It is recommended also to this Colony to compleat and send forward to the Camp before Boston as soon as possible the fourteen hundred...
5To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Fessenden is not returned hither—Your Letter to Majr General Schuyler was forwarded ⅌ Express the 1st instant —enclosed is Copy of a Letter from Colo. Saltonstal received yesterday —I Ordered him as Colo. of the third, Colo. Saml Coit of the 8th —and Lt Colo. Saml Abbot of the 20th Regiment in this Colony forthwith to raise so many Men of their Regiments as could speedily be got in readiness...
6To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 8 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of the 4th instant,—Observe the contents—The new Levies will come into camp in a short Space—save that on the present Emergency, so large a fleet appearing on our Coasts—I have Ordered Colo. Webb to leave one Captain with his Company at New-Haven for the present—In Addition to one quarter part of the Trained Soldiers of five of our Regiments lying on the Sea Coasts and...
7To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 11 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday 12 O’clo. received your Letter ⅌ Majr Johnson. Immediately gave the necessary Directions, Some Companies I ordered to New London; others to New-Haven—Colo. Webb with the Companies that way if not marched to take his Station at Greenwich —Same day at 11 O’clo. received a Letter from Brigr General Wooster, dated the 9th at the Oyster Ponds on Long Island, he had with him 450 men...
8To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 12 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Since my Letter of Yesterday, desiring an Allowance to retain at Hartford such quantity of Powder as you shall judge expedient out of the next that comes; I have received a Letter from the Honble Henry Middleton, and Edward Rutledge dated Hartford August 11th 1775 informing that a Company of Rifflemen with eight Waggon Loads of Powder have come into that Town and the Article of which they have...
9To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 21 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Esteemed Favour of the 14th instant is received, No Powder is stopped according to my request, hope that t[i]s for the best —None is lately arrived to this Colony, altho’ daily expected—We are greatly exhausted, your Order to leave a quantity out of the next parcell that passes this Colony will be agreable, if none arrive here before. Shall Take Care of the Lead ordered from...
10To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 5 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favour of the 2nd instant was delivered to me last night; This afternoon received Genl Schuyler’s of the 31st August—He has ordered the Lead to Albany with directions to forward it by the most direct route to your Camp. We are infested by Ministerial Ships and Transports—I gave your Commissary General a Narrative yesterday—beg leave to refer you to him, from the haste of this...
11To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 6 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have received no further intelligence concerning the Ships which infest our Coasts—it is most probable they are not those your Excellency Notified to me. This afternoon received Intelligence from Mr Shaw of New London, That he had by Capt. Champlin who arrived and landed safe at New London last Evening about Three Tons of Powder for this Colony—I have Ordered it to Norwich, excepting a...
12To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 15 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Letter of the 8th instant ⅌ Express who was detained by sickness, and did not deliver it ’till the 12th in the Evening, and my own bodily indisposition is some hindrance. Your peremptory requisition is fully complied with, all our new levies will be at your Camp, with all convenient Expedition. At the time they were by your direction to remain in the Colony on...
13To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 9 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
Pursuant to request from the Continental Congress this day received have given orders to Capt. Giles Hall Commander of the Brigantine Minerva to sail with all possible dispatch on a cruize to the River St Lawrence or there abouts in quest of two vessels from England bound to Quebec with Arms &c. as I presume you will be fully advised of before this reaches you by the same express from the...
14To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 9 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 21st of Septr—have no disposition to increase the weight of your Burdens, which in the multiplicity of your busines must be sufficiently heavy, nor inclination to disturb the harmony so necessary to the happy success of our public operations; am persuaded no such difficulty will any more happen. It is unhappy that Jealousies should be...
15To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 30 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two last favours, and thankfully accept the early intelligence given by that of the 24th instant with the deposition therein transmitted to me. On this Occasion I ask your favour to recommend and send to me a Skilful Engineer, if one can be spared, to view the Situation and Circumstances of our Port of New London, to consider and direct the most eligible manner of...
16To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 6 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 29th Octo. ulto Wherein you mention the case of Dr Cheney commissioned from hence a Physitian and Surgeon which you are persuaded to have been obtained by some misrepresentation. Indeed I was not apprized of any misconduct or bad behaviour of his—If he is guilty of any such Crime, hope he may be convicted & discharged. I will give a detail of his case as it...
17To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 2nd instant ⅌ Capt. Clark came to hand the 4th. The late extraordinary and reprehensible conduct of some of the Troops of this Colony impresseth me, and the minds of many of our People, with grief, surprise and indignation—since the treatment they met, and the Order and request made to them was so reasonable, and apparently necessary for the defence of our...
18To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 9 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
last Evening I received your Excellency’s favour of the 5th in your hurry not signed, the number of men inlisted left blank. While this Express waits for a horse, I have only time to mention, That I shall (Deo volente) set out on my Journey to meet the Assembly at New Haven the 12th please to favour me with a List of the Officers of our several Regiments, and of the Companies in each as they...
19To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 1 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received the 20th of last month your Excellency’s Favour of the 15th enclosing a list of the Officers & Companies under the New Arrangment with the No. of men inlisted—and at the same time another of the 17th with the information from several persons, who then had lately came out of Boston—I return my thanks for both—by Accounts received from the various parts of the Colony, the recruiting...
20To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 15 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have received your agreable Letter of the 7th Instant ⅌ Capt. Sears—The Condition & Circumstances of the Colony of New York gives me pain, least the Fri[e]nds to American Liberty in that Colony should be too much Neglected, and become Disheartned, and the inimical designs and mischievous Operations of others succeed—I have received credible information that the Provincial Congress there had...
21To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 18 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is Copy of intelligence brought me in the Evening of the 16th instant, On which I immediately convened my Council of Safety—On consideration of the necessity of a reinforcement in that quarter—have agreed to raise a Regiment of 750 men, Officers included—with all possible Expedition by voluntary inlistments, On the same encouragements given by the Continent, to serve until the 1st...
22To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 22 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Orders were just given for raising a Regiment of 750 men to go for the help of our Friends in Canada, to serve ’till the 1st of November next, and sent an Express to your Excellency; When I received your Letter of the 16th inst. ⅌ Bennet—We then proceeded to make provisions for the four Regiments requested for your Camp. The 20th at evening your’s of the 19th came to hand —Whereby the Number...
23To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 24 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of the 20th and 21st instant are received—I thought fit this morning to acquaint Colo. Burrell, appointed to command the Regiment destined to Canada from hence, that a Months pay will be advanced to Officers and Men by you; this additional encouragement will enliven them to the Service—Also to inform, that I understood the Rout of the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Regiments,...
24To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 2 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Compliance with the Requisition of the Honle Continental Congress and of your Excellency, we are with the Greatest Chearfulness making our Utmost Exertions, to Raise and Dispatch one Battalion to Canada, and three to your Camp; and have much Satisfaction to Informe you, that there appears, a great Freedom in our Men, to engage in each of those important Services; and the Regiments are...
25To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 5 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is Account of the Charges & Expences incurred, by providing for Messrs Penet & De Pliarne in their Journey to Philadelphia, by your Excellencys direction, I have sent forward to you the Bills shewing how the Account arose. Please to Order payment to be made and sent to me by the Post who brings this. The Battalion raising in this Colony to march to the Assistance of our Friends at...
26To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 12 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your two Favors of the 8th Inst., have also received ⅌ Bacon, the remittance for the Expences of the French Gentlemen to Philadelphia. I had no Design to have ever called upon You for the money paid our Troops under your immediate Command, but to have accounted with the Congress, had we not been unexpectedly drained of Cash, & had pressing Calls upon Us two or three ways at once....
27To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 16 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of your pressing request by Lieut. Coll Gay I have Ordered (in Addition to about three Tons of Powder a few days agoe directed to you from Providence) two Tons more from Norwich, which is all can possibly be spared from this Colony at present. I have also sent you thirty Arms & believe in good Order—the Powder to the Amount of four Tons we must beg to have replaced by the...
28To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 18 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
I Recd your Favr of the 14th Instant in which you Informe me the Enemy have embarked their Troops on Bord a Number of Transports and are now making a shameful Retreat from Boston That their Destination is Conjectured to be either for Halifax or New York. the latter Place most Probable I should on my Part rather Conjecture that their Women & Children with the Tory Families if any on Bord are...
29To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 25 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do most heartily congratulate you on your success, that, after a long incessant and persevering fatigue, you happily have caused our Enemies to evacuate the Town of Boston, to leave that strong Fortress they built, when they trampled on the properties of the inhabitants of that distressed Town, profaned the sacred places dedicated to divine worship and service, and designed the ruin of the...
30To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 27 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with your two Letters of 20th & 22d Instant. Of the Lead Ore which is raising at Middletown in this Colony but small Quantity is yet smelted—the Work is going on & hope you may be supplied with Lead from thence e’er long—We are not furnished with experienced Workmen as we could Wish—the only Workman whose Experience may be depended on is at present unfit for Duty. Some Arms are...
31To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 22 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Favour of the 10th instant—The Resolve of Congress for augmenting the Army at New York and Canada, induced me forthwith to send Warrants for convening the General Assembly, Yesterday the Sessions was finished—The requisition for the Quota of Men to be furnished by this Colony is fully complied with —The Men are raising and to march soon—have given my Orders agreable to...
32To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 3 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Immediately after the Recess of the General Assembly I gave the necessary Orders to Brigadier General Wadsworth for expediting the raising and marching the Battallions ordered to be raised and sent to your Assistance. Since which I had the Honour to receive your favour of the 28th Ult., advising of the Arrival of General How at the Hook and the near approach of the British Fleet. In...
33To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 4 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
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, & prevent the Enemy from passing the Lake and penetrating into the...
34To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have this day wrote the Continental Congress, That [“]the Antient Laws of this Colony enable the Colonels of the Militia to call out their respective Regiments upon any Alarm Invasion or Appearance of an Enemy by Sea or Land, giving Notice to the Captain General or Commander in Chief for the Time being of the Occasion thereof; This with a General Order to them to call out their Regiment⟨s⟩...
35To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 16 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to You by the Captain of one of our Galleys, two of which, The Whiting and the Crane are ordered to proceed to New York forthwith, and put themselves under your Command. the Third is stationed at Stonington, which may be exposed to suffer from the Attack of a single Ship (several of which are now cruising near it) if the Galley is removed from thence. The great desire I...
36To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 17–20 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favours of the 7th and 9th; Instant are duly received, It gives Me pleasure to meet your Approbation of the Measure of sending our Regiments of Horse to join You; I make no doubt they will chearfully acquiesce in whatever You shall direct respecting their Horses, as the general Good of the Service ought to be, and I believe is their governing Principle. I find our Battallions are filling...
37To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 5–6 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two favours of the 24th & 25th of July last —have put Colo. Wards Regiment under Marching Orders to proced without loss of Time whatever way Congress shall direct—The Troops from this State destined to the Northward, are marched to Bennington, and from thence to Skeenesborough—at request of General Schuyler, for One thousand felling Axes—have sent 800, ground and with...
38To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 7th Instant, by Mr Root, & the Intelligence it contains has given me great concern & Anxiety—the soon expected Strength of the Enemy & weekness of your Army were equally unforseen and surprizing—tho I never gave credit to the public Accounts of you[r] Numbers, yet I could not suspect they fell so much short of the Numbers proposed as I find they do. Immediately upon receipt...
39To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Major General Schuyler has requested that two Hundred Seamen may be raised in this state to man the Vessells on the Lake. as most of our Seamen are marched with the Militia to join your Army, I have to ask the favour of you to permit Capt. David Hawly, and Capt. Frederick Chappel to inlist such Number of Seamen out of our Militia as may be necessary for that Service. I am sir with great...
40To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 31 August–1 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Adjutant General Reed’s Letter of the 24th Instant came to hand Tuesday Morning the 27th—Yours of the same Date Yesterday. On receiving the former I advised with my Council; We concluded to send Benja. Huntington Esqr. one of my Council, with Direction to take with him Majr Ely at New London, an Officer there well acquaint[ed] with the People on Long Island, to proceed there and consult and...
41To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 2 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 31st ultmo have resolved to throw over upon Long Island a Thousand or fifteen hundred Troops, and the necessary orders are accordingly gone forth—and expect the same will be immediately Effected —have likewise wrote to Governor Cooke to afford what Assistance in his Power for the same purpose —Thought it expedient to give your Excellency the earliest Intimation of this...
42To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 5 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to You I have received Intelligence that since our Troops retreated from the West End of Long Island the Militia have disbanded themselves, laid down their Arms, and are making their Submission to Genl How, and that all Ideas of Opposition there are at an End, two Companies of Continental Troops that were stationed there are arrived at Saybrook; in this Situation we cannot hope...
43To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 10 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
When Your Excellency was pleased to request the Militia of this State to be sent forward with all possible expedition to reinforce the Army at New York, no time was lost to expedite their march, and am happy to find the spirit and zeal that appeared in the people of this State to yield every assistance in their power in the present critical situation of our affairs. The season indeed was most...
44To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 20 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since the receipt of your Favour of the 9th Instant our nine Regiment of Foot under Command of Brigadier General Saltonstall, and Two Regiments of Horse under the Command of Major Backus have begun their March, with Orders to rendezvous at or near West Chester, and there to attend your Orders, and trust that many of them are arrived there, as the rest will soon. It gives Me great Concern to...
45To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 27 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowlege the receipt of your favour of the 23d Instant. I have given Orders that Governor Skeene be set at Liberty, and that he and Governor Browne sett out on Tuesday next for Head Quarters under an Escort of Ten Men commanded by Capt. John Skinner, who has Orders to detain them ten or twelve Miles on this Side Head Quarters, and send one of the Escorts to receive your...
46To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 27 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have your favour of the 23d Instant, and have given the necessary Orders respecting the Governors Browne and Skeene. The Evacuation of New York, in the Situation You were, appears to me a very Prudent and Necessary Measure, however we could wish the Post had been tenable; the Panic and Flight of our Troops, and Confusion of the retreat I have heard from many Persons with Concern and Anxiety;...
47To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 28 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
The 25th instant the enclosed Petition was delivered me by two of the Subscribers Messrs Kissam and Nicoll, the principal matter they plead, is contained in the Second Paragraph. It was observed to them the Events therein intended is not over, although Long-Island is evacuated by our Troops, yet the reason of their being sent here continues—That their desire to return is an Evidence of their...
48To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 2 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I recievd Your favour of the 26th Ultmo in which you Informed me of the Discharge of the Militia Under the Command of Genll Woolcott, who were much Reduced by Desertions &c.; I flattered myself that those Under Genll Saltonstal, seeing their error & the dishonour they have brot on the state to which they belong’d, would have Manifested a different Temper: but with most sensible pain have heard...
49To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, 6 October 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 6 Oct. 1776 . On 15 Oct. GW wrote to Trumbull : “I was last night favored with your letter of the 6th instant.”
50To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 11 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of your favour proposing a Descent on Long Island; Altho I was so Unhappy as not to be Able to Meet Generals Clinton & Lincoln at this place as requested, I Applied to the State of Rhode-Island, And Obtain’d their Consent & Orders that Colo. Richmond and such part of his Battallion, as shall not inlist on board the Continental Vessells, should Assist in the Enterprise. Coll...