Jonathan Trumbull to John Jay, 22 June 1779
State of Connecticut, Lebanon 22 nd June 1779
Sir
The General Assembly of this State, at its sessions in Jan y last, ordered taxes to be levied to collect their Quota assigned for the 15,000,000 Dollars requested by Congress in their Resolve of 5 th Jan y . 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 Jan y . 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 15 th . July next, to be drafted peremptorily, to serve till Jan y 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 10 th . of July next are to be filled by Drafts, to serve to the 15 th . Jan y . 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 Obed t . hble Servant
Jont th . Trumbull