This House taking into consideration sundry acts of the British Parliament, in which the power and right to impose duties and taxes upon his Majesty's subjects in the British colonies and plantations in America, for the purpose of raising a revenue only, are declared, attempted to be exercised, and in various ways enforced and carried into execution, and especially a very late act in which pains and penalties are inflicted on the Capital of a neighboring province; a precedent alarming to every British colony in America, and which being admitted and established, their lives, liberties and property are at the merey of a tribunal where innocence may be punished, upon the accusation and evidence of wicked men, without defence, and without knowing its accusers, a precedent calculated to terrify them into silence and submission, whilst they are stripped of their invaluable rights and liberties, do think it expedient, and their duty at this time, to renew their claim to the rights, privileges and immunities of free born Englishmen, to which they are justly entitled, by the laws of nature, by the royal grant and charter of his late majesty king Charles the Second, and by long and uninterrupted possession, and thereupon Do Declare and Resolve, as follows, to wit:-In the first place, We do most expressly declare, recognize and acknowledge His Majesty king George the Third to be the lawful and rightful king of Great Britain, and all other his dominions and countries; and that it is the indispensable duty of the people of this colony as being part of his majesty's dominion, always to bear faithful and true allegiance to his majesty, and him to defend to the utmost of their power against all attempts upon his person, crown and dignity. 2d. That the subjects of his majesty in this colony ever have had, and of right ought to have and enjoy all the liberties, immunities, and privileges of free and natural born subjects within any of the dominions of our said king, his heirs and successors to all intents, constructions and purposes whatsoever, as fully and amply, as if they and every one of them were born within the realm of England; that they have a property in their own estates, and are to be taxed by their own consent only, given in person or by their representatives, and are not to be disseized of their liberties or free customs, sentenced or condemned, but by lawful judgment of their peers, and that the said rights and immunities are recognized and confirmed to the inhabitants of this colony by the royal grant and charter aforesaid, and are their undoubted right to all intents, construction and purposes whatsoever. 3d. That the only lawful representatives of the freemen of this colony, are the persons they elect to serve as members of the General Assembly thereof. 4th. That it is the just right and privilege of his majesty's leige subjects of this colony to be governed by their General Assembly in the article of taxing and internal policy, agreeable to the powers and privileges recognized and confirmed in the royal charter aforesaid, which they have enjoyed for more than a century past, and have neither forfeited, nor surrendered, but the same have been constantly recognized by the king and Parliament of Great Britain. 5th. That the erecting new and annual courts of admiralty, and vesting them with extraordinary powers, above and not subject to the control of the com. mon law courts in this colony, to judge and determine in suits relating to the duties and forfeitures contained in said acts, foreign to the accustomed and established jurisdiction of the former courts of admiralty in America, is in the opinion of this House, highly dangerous to the liberties of his majesty's Ameri can subjects, contrary to the great charter of English liberty, and destructive of one of their most darling rights-that of trial by jury-which is justly esteemed one chief excellence of the British constitution, and a principal land. mark of English liberty. 6th. That the apprehending and carrying persons beyond the sea to be tried for any crime alleged to be committed within this colony, or subjecting them to be tried by commissioners, or any court constituted by act of Parliament or otherwise within this colony, in a summary manner without a jury, is unconstitutional and subversive of the liberties and rights of the free subjects of this colony. 7th. That any harbor or port duly opened and constituted, cannot be shut up and discharged but by an act of the Legislature of the province or colony in which such port or harbor is situated, without subverting the rights and liberties and destroying the property of his majesty's subjects. 8th. That the late act of Parliament inflicting pains and penalties on the town of Boston, by blocking up their harbor, is a precedent justly alarming to the British colonies in America, and wholly inconsistant with, and subversive of, their constitutional rights and liberties. 9th. That whenever his majesty's service shall require the aid of the inhab. itants of this colony, the same fixed principles of loyalty as well as self-preservation which have hitherto induced us fully to comply with his majesty's requisitions, together with the deep sense we have of its being our indispensable duty, in the opinion of this House, will ever hold us under the strongest obligations which can be given or desired, most cheerfully to grant his majesty from time to time our further proportion of men and money for the defence, protection, security and other services of the British American dominions. 10th. That we look upon the well being and greatest security of this colony to depend (under God) on our connexion with Great Britain, which is ardently wished may continue to the latest posterity. And that it is the humble opinion of this House that the constitution of this colony being understood and prac tised upon, as it has ever since it existed till very lately, is the secret bond of union, confidence and mutual prosperity of our mother country and us, and the best foundation on which to build the good of the whole, whether considered in a civil, military or mercantile light, and of the truth of this opinion we are the more confident, as it is not founded on speculation only, but has been verified in fact, and by long experience, found to produce, according to our extent and other circumstances, as many loyal, virtuous and well governed subjects as any part of his majesty's dominions, and as truly zealous, and as warmly engaged to promote the best good and real glory of the grand whole which constitutes the British empire. 11th. That it is an indispensable duty which we owe to our king, our country, ourselves, and our posterity, by all lawful ways and means in our power to maintain, defend, and preserve these our rights and liberties, and to transmit them entire and inviolate to the latest generation-and that it is our fixed determination and unalterable resolution faithfully to discharge this our duty. In the Lower House. The foregoing Resolutions being read distinctly three several times and considered, were voted and passed with great unanimity.-And it is further voted and requested by the House, that the same be entered on the Records, and remain in the File of the General Assembly of this colony. Test, In the Upper House. WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Clerk, D. R. The consideration of the request of the Lower House, that the aforesaid Resolutions should be entered on the Records of the Assembly, &c., is referred to the General Assembly, to be holden at New Haven, on the second Thursday of October next. Test, GEORGE WYLLYS, Secretary. General Assembly, on the second Thursday of October, A. D., 1774. In the Upper House. On further consideration, &c., it is agreed and consented to, that the foregoing Resolutions, according to the request of the Lower House, be entered on the Record, and remain on the Filc of the General Assembly of this colony. GEORGE WYLLYS, Secretary. Test, At the March Term of the General Assembly, 1775, the following officers were commissioned for the several military offices attached to each, most of whom afterwards proved themselves the flower of the American army, viz.:— Jedediah Elderkin, to be colonel of the 15th regiment of militia. Experience Storrs, to be lieutenant colonel of the 15th regiment. Thomas Brown, to be major of the 15th regiment. Increase Mosely, Jr., to be lieutenant colonel of the 13th regiment. Matthew Talcott, to be lieutenant colonel of the 6th regiment. Thomas Belding, of Wethersfield, major of 6th regiment. Andrew Ward, Jr., to be colonel of the 7th regiment. Isaac Lee, Jr., to be colonel of the 15th regiment. Fisher Gay, to be lieutenant colonel of the 15th regiment. Simeon Strong, to be major of the 15th regiment. William Worthington, to be lieutenant colonel of the 7th regiment. Silvanus Graves, to be major of the 7th regiment. Charles Webb, to be colonel of the 9th regiment. David Waterbury, Jr., to be lieutenant colonel of the 9th regiment—all of the militia of the colony of Connecticut. At the April Term of the General Assembly, 1775, a Resolution was passed, that an embargo should be forthwith laid upon the exportation out of the colony by any water carriage, of the following articles, viz. :-"Wheat, rye, Indian corn, pork, beef, live cattle, peas and beans, bread, flour, and every kind of meat, except necessary stores for vessels, bound to sea." And the Governor was desired to issue his proclamation laying such embargo, and prohibiting the exportation of such provisions, which embargo was ordered to continue until the 20th day of May then next. As clouds of danger were constantly now gathering over this country from the throne, it became necessary to prepare to meet the crisis, particularly to be able to communicate with each other in the different parts of the colony, over a mountainous and rough country, and rougher roads. To do which, the Legislature passed a resolution at said April term, that Thaddeus Burr, of Fairfield, and Charles Church Chandler, of Woodstock, at the expense of the colony, should employ two news carriers to perform regular stages from Fair. field to Woodstock, and from Woodstock to Fairfield, so as to arrive in Hartford each Saturday, and forward all proper intelligence, through the country, to and from the towns mentioned, with all convenient speed. Also that Gurdon Sal. tonstall, of New London, should engage two news carriers at the expense of the colony, to perform regular stages from Woodstock to New Haven, on the Fairfield stage, in such manner that they should severally arrive in New Lon. don on each Saturday, and forward all their intelligence on every Monday morning to Woodstock and New Haven. Also that Thaddeus Burr and C. C. Chandler, and said Saltonstall, should be a committee to forward at the public expense, all such extraordinary and important intelligence which should be received at either place, as should to the committee appear proper and neces. sary, which act was to be continued in force until the session of the General Assembly in May, and no longer. It had been represented to the Assembly that sundry acts of hostility and violence had lately been committed in Massachusetts Bay, by which inany lives had been lost, and that some inhabitants of this colony had gone to the relief of those who were in distress at the Bay. It was Resolved by the Assem. bly, that Capt. Joseph Trumbull and Amasa Keyes, should be a committee to procure provisions for the families of those who had gone to the relief of the people at the Bay, and to superintend the delivery and apportioning the same among them.* Soon after, during the session in, April, the Legislature, finding it prudent and necessary to make open preparation, passed an act for asseinbling, equip. ping, &c., a number of the inhabitants of the colony, for the special defence and safety thereof, viz. that one-fourth part of the militia of the colony should be forthwith enlisted, equipped, accoutred and assembled for the safety and defence of the colony and under the order of the Assembly, and to be distri. buted into companies of one hundred men each-formed into six regiments, under the command of a major general, assisted, by two brigadier generals, each of which general officers were to take the command of a regiment as colonel; and each regiment to be commanded by a colonel, lieutenant colonel, and major; also to command a company as captain-and each general officer to be assisted by two majors to his regiment, together with one captain, two lieutenants, and an ensign; also one adjutant, one quarter master, one chaplain, one surgeon, and two surgeon's mates to each regiment, enlisted during the pleasure of this Assembly, not exceeding.seven months; giving a premium of 52s. per man, advanced to each non-commissioned officer and inhabitant upon his enlistment, if they supplied themselves with a blanket, knapsack, clothing, &c., to the acceptance of their captains, and one month advance pay should be made to each of said officers and enlisted inhabitants. The Legislature established the rate of pay per each callendar month, viz.: to the major general, £20; brigadier general, £17; colonel, £15; lieutenant *The above resolution shews with what cautious steps the Legislature moved, they dare not mention even the name of Lexington, as our own act for treason was yet unrepealed. The words used by the Legislature show the true yankee character. colonel, £12; major, £10; captain, £6; lieutenant, £4; ensign, £3; adju. tant, £5 10; quarter master, £3; chaplain, £6; surgeon, £7 10; surgeon's mate, £; sargeant, £2 8; corporal, £24; fifer and drummer, £2 4; and each private, £2. It was farther enacted that those so enlisted should be furnished with good fire arms, belonging to the colony, if they were unable to furnish themselves; and if they found their own arms, to be paid 10s. for the use of such arms.And in case that more arms should be required, arms were to be impressed from householders not enrolled; ten shillings was awarded to all such as freely hired their guns, cartouch box and bayonet for the soldiers.-And it was farther enacted that 3,000 stand of arms should be procured as soon as might be, and held in readiness for use for the defence of the colony; also was ordered 500 spades, as many pick-axes, 300 narrow axes, and 500 tents for the use of the colony. To encourage the inhabitants to enlist in defence of their country as speedily as possible, a premium of 52s. was to be paid at the time of enlistment, and one months advanced pay, and the wages raised of all concerned during their con. tinuance in service; and if their arms should be lost in service, by accident, the colony was to pay the just value of such arms; also that each so enlisted should be entitled to six pence per day for billeting money, until provided for by the colony stores. It was also resolved that the 3,000 arms ordered to be procured for the colony, should measure each barrel, three feet ten inches, diameter of the bore threefourths of an inch; bayonet blade, fourteen inches long, &c., with iron ram. rods, and a spring in the lowest loop to secure the rods, a good lock and stock, well mounted with brass, and the name of the maker on it. The Legislature during said session also constituted forms of enlistment for all general, staff, and other officers; and the Governor was desired and empow. ered to sign and deliver orders to the respective officers appointed to enlist men for the service, and for the purposes set forth in said order on record. Immediately after the laws specified before and during the same session in April, 1775, the officers for six regiments were appointed to take the com. mand of the enlisted troops for the defence of the colony; when the Governor was desired and authorized to commission said officers according to their rank, and warrants for the staff, as follows, viz.: David Wooster, Esq., to be major general. Joseph Spencer, Esq., brigadier general. Israel Putnam, Esq., second brigadier general. FIRST REGIMENT. Major general David Wooster, colonel of the 1st regiment, and captain of 1st company. 1st company, 1st regiment-Jesse Leavenworth, 1st lieutenant; James Blakely, 2d lieutenant; Amos Shepard, ensign. Andrew Ward, Jr., Esq., lieutenant colonel of the 1st regiment, and captain of 2d company. 2d company, 1st regiment-Stephen Hail, 1st lieutenant; Jehul Meigs, Jr. 2d licutenant; Augustus Collins, ensign. Jabez Thompson, 1st major of the 1st regiment, and captain of 3d company. 3d company, 1st regiment-Bradford Steel, 1st lieutenant; Ambrose Hind, 2d lieutenant; Nathan Pierson, ensign. |