New Haven Novr. [18] 1782

Sir

I have not been unmindful of your request
concerning some details respecting the state of
Connecticut, but have not been able to obtain
an account of all the articles about which you
desire to be informed. but having now an
opportunity by Mr. Webster I transmit such
such an account of such as I have obtained

1 As to the Boundaries of the State, it is as contained
in a charter from King Charles II. dated April
23. 1762. No. I.

2 There has been no History of this state published,
Mr. Benjamin Trumbull a Clergyman of this
Town has Collected materials and began to
write one -- there are Several Histories of New-
England that mention many some circumstances
relating to Connecticut. Mr. Prince of Boston
began a Chronological history of New England but
did not live to finish it...I send you all
that he published.

3 & 4 Enclosed . I have enclosed the names of the
counties with the number of Towns and
Inhabitants in each County, in the Years
1756. 1774. & 1782, No.I & 2.

The principle River are Connecticut, Navigable
to Hartford about 45 miles from the sea
2 Thames Navigable from New London to Norwich

about 14 miles. 3 Housatonnick. which falls into
the Sound between Milford & Stratford. Navigable
10 miles to Darby.

There is a sea coast of about 100 miles and many
harbours for Trading Vessels, but none convenient
for Ships of War, except New London which I
suppose will admit of ships of Burthen & would
contain a large Fleet.

5 The Religion professed by the people in General is
is in matters of Faith the same as the Presby-
terians, in Scotland as to Church Govt
& Discipline they are congregational. that
is each congregational church exercises governmt
and discipline respecting its own members
independent of any other power of these
Some are consociated & some are Independent
There are also a number of Episcopal Chhs [Churches?]
the same as in England. & some ananbaptists
and a very few Quakers.

6 There is but one College. a History of which I a particular account
sent you some time ago. you have in President Clap's History. Public schools
are kept in every Town & Parish.

7 The Customs and Manners are nearly the same
as in other parts of the United States

8 The principal Manufactures are Coarse linens
& Woolens. Potash. Salt Petre, of which more
than 100 Tons has been made in Connecticut Since
the present war. & a Sufficient quantity of G. powder

Most kinds of Iron ware is also manufactured
here, such as Cannon, & Cast Iron of all kinds
& Edge Tools Such as Axes Sythes &c.

10 The Productions are Beef. Pork, Wheat. Rye,
Indian Corn, Oats Flax, Hemp, and every other
kind which are produced in the middle
and Northern States.

Imported from Europe. Woolen Clothes, fine
Linens, Silks, Fire Arms, Nails, Cutlery,
and many articles of the same kind as
are made here -- as they can be imported
cheaper than they can be made, in time
of peace

The weights & measures are the Same as in
England. and the Currency is chiefly French, & English (and other Spanish, Porteguez
& English coins. the currency is hard.
money only at present. Spanish Dollars
pass at 6. French Crowns at 6/8 and
French Guinea at 27/--

12 The public expences in time of Peace for
the Support are about £7000 currency
The money is raised by Taxes on the Polls
& Estates of the Inhabitants.

besides these expences each Town & Parish
raise Taxes for Support of the Poor & of the

Clergy.

13 The Estates of the Rebels who have joined the
Enemy or voluntarily taken probation under
them are forfeited to the State, & disposed of
for the expence of the war

14 The Marine & Navigation at present is very
inconsiderable but increasing, I have not
obtained an amount of what it was before
the war--

15 There are plenty of good Iron mines but no
other of any value have yet been discovered.

-- There were Some Thousands of Indians in
the Several parts of this State at the Time
of its first Settlement by the white people
but they Gradually decreased. & there were
reduced to 617 1363 in the year 1774
I have not heard of any remarkable
monuments found among them

[By Roger Sherman]

[ the following tabulation appears sideways in the bottom right-hand corner of the page]

391
355
373
___
1363
6464
____
5101

[the following is written upside down at the bottom of the page]
Substance of a letter to
Mr. Marbois
Nov.- 1782