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COLONY oF CONNECTICUT˙—By THE GOVERNOUR.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, on receiving intelligence of the repulse and death of the late General Montgomery, in attempting to dispossess the enemies of American liberty of the city of Quebeck, and from a sense of the great importance of supporting the Continental Army in the Northern Department, in order to maintain the advantages gained, the protection and safety of the Northern frontiers, of our friends belonging to that Province, and the security of their and our rights and liberties; and sensible the complement of troops on that station was not complete, and having great reason
And before the time permitted to advise and receive an answer from the honourable Continental Congress relating to the premises, I have received authenticated, information and instruction from said Congress, that in order to prevent the execrable designs of our enemies, and defeat their fond expectation of being able, by means of the Canadians and Indians, to spread desolation through the New-England Colonies, and for many important reasons, that honourable body have thought fit that a number of battalions, out of several Colonies, should be supported in that Province the present year, for its defence, and that the American Army there be reinforced with all possible despatch, as well for the security and relief of our friends there, as for the better securing the rights and liberties of that and the other United Colonies, and requesting that one of said battalions be raised and furnished in this Colony; and for the more speedy raising and forwarding the same, I am warranted by said Congress to issue this, my second Proclamation, and to declare and promise as therein contained, and do, therefore, by and with the advice of my said Council, issue this Proclamation, and do hereby, for and in behalf of said Congress, declare and engage, that all able-bodied, effective men, to a sufficient number, who shall voluntarily engage and inlist into this necessary service, shall have and receive from the Paymaster-General of the Northern Department the following pay, wages, and encouragements, viz:
The Colonel fifteen pounds per month; the Lieutenant-Colonel twelve pounds; the Major ten pounds; a Captain eight pounds; a Lieutenant five pounds eight shillings; an Ensign four pounds; a Sergeant forty-eight shillings; a Corporal forty-four shillings; a Drummer and Fifer forty-four shillings; and a Private forty shillings per calendar month, each; a Chaplain six pounds; an Adjutant five pounds ten shillings; a Quartermaster three pounds; a Surgeon seven pounds ten shillings; Surgeon' s Mate four pounds each, per month, as aforesaid.
And as a further encouragement for non-Commissioned Officers and Privates more cheerfully and speedily to enter into this important service of their country, every such able-bodied and effective man inlisting into the same, being properly clothed therefor, and having a good firelock with a bayonet, and other accoutrements, shall have and receive, as a bounty, the sum of six dollars and two-thirds; and every such soldier not having such arms and accoutrements, shall have four dollars as a bounty, and his arms and accoutrements shall be provided by the Colony, and the cost to be deducted out of the soldier' s pay. And, also, each soldier to provide himself a blanket and knapsack, for which he shall receive a reasonable value.
And all officers and soldiers shall, also, receive one month' s advance pay before their march, to enable them to provide necessary clothing. Arms lost in the service without fault of the soldiers, shall be paid for.
The said Battalion is to consist of eight companies, and to be commanded by one Colonel, one Lieutenant-Colonel, and one Major; and each company to consist of ninety men, officers included; and the undertaking and inlistment is to be for the term of twelve months, or until the first day of February, 1777, unless they may be sooner discharged, which shall be, if consistent with the common safety.
This foregoing Proclamation, and the plan and regulations therein contained, to be instead and in lieu of my first Proclamation, dated as aforesaid, and is to be understood and practised accordingly; and all who have undertaken by virtue of said first Proclamation are hereby released therefrom.
And considering the generous encouragement aforesaid, granted by said honourable Congress, the nature and importance of the service most immediately affecting the Northern Colonies, the justice of the cause, &c˙, I repeat the invitation contained in my former Proclamation, to all able-bodied, effective men, to a sufficient number, for the sake of all that is dear to freemen, and for security of those rights which render life desirable, freely and cheerfully to exert themselves on this great occasion, in which we have much reason to hope for the blessing of Almighty God, and that our vigorous exertion, for one ensuing campaign, will lay a happy foundation for putting an end to the unnatural contest into which we are forced by cruel oppression, and secure the lasting peace and tranquillity of this then happy land, on the sure and permanent basis of religious and civil liberty.
Given under my hand, in Lebanon, in said Colony, the twenty-seventh day of January, Anno Domini 1776.
JONATHAN TRUMBULL.
Colony of Connecticut: A Proclamation by the Governour
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to expect the approbation of the honourable Continental Congress, and that they would take any necessary recruits into their pay, but fearing a delay for their orders might be attended with dangerous or fatal consequences, I did, therefore, by and with the advice of my Council of Safety, order and direct the raising one Regiment of Foot, by voluntary inlistments in this Colony, to be marched with all possible expedition, for the relief and succour of the Continental Army in the Province of Quebeck, and did, accordingly, issue my Proclamation and Orders for that purpose, bearing date the eighteenth day of January, Anno Domini 1776, therein setting forth the number, regulation, encouragement, pay, wages, and term of service for said regiment, as by the same may appear, and immediately gave notice thereof to his Excellency General Washington, to which his Excellency has been pleased to say, in answer, "That the early attention paid by this Colony to this important business, had anticipated his requisition, and claimed, in a particular manner, the thanks of every well-wishing American."
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