Papers of John Adams, volume 5
1777-05-02
Dr. Brownson,1 a Delegate from Georgia, in Congress, and a worthy, Spirited, sensible Man A Native of Connecticutt will deliver you this. He will be able to tell you much News, because he intends a circuitous Journey by Albany, and the New Hampshire Grants who have lately made themselves a state2 to Boston.
The British Daemons have received a little Chastizement in Connecticutt.3
Nathan Brownson was given a leave of absence by the congress on 1 May (
JCC
, 7:321).
A convention assembled at Westminster formally declared on 16 Jan. that the New Hampshire Grants were “a new and separate state.” On the following day a declaration of independence asserted that the new state, called at first New Connecticut, should have all the privileges and immunities that the other American states enjoyed (Matt Bushnell Jones, Vermont in the Making, 1750–1777, Cambridge, 1939, p. 375–377).
On 25 April, Gen. William Tryon under Gen. Howe's orders led about two thousand troops from New York to a landing in Connecticut near Fairfield. Without opposition, they marched to Danbury and destroyed the provisions, tents, and other supplies stored there and guarded by only one hundred and fifty Continental troops, who put up no resistance. As the British troops marched back toward their ships on 27 April they were met by a force of considerable size commanded by Gens. Wooster and Arnold. Wooster was mortally wounded, but the British suffered probably two hundred casualties, the Americans sixty. The stores destroyed were a serious loss, but the gallantry of the two American generals and their men was some compensation (Ward, War of the Revolution
, 2:492–495, with map). In a letter to JA of 6–9 May, AA enclosed a list of the losses at Danbury (
Adams Family Correspondence
, 2:231–233).
1777-05-02
The interesting intelligence of your Letter1 occasioned my sending it to Council as soon as I received it. In Consequence of it, and of other corroborating information, the General Court by a resolve of the 30th. Ultimo have ordered a draft to be made the 15th. Instant to complete the raising a number of able bodied men, equal to a seventh part of the male Inhabitants within the State from 16 years old and upward: which it is Supposed will more than compleat our quota of the Continental Battalions; and they have ordered four Regiments to be raised for the Special defence of Boston, besides the re-inlisting the Regiment of Artillery, whose time is nearly expired. It is Supposed that about two thirds of the said quota are already raised by inlistment, and 171Genl. Heath informed me some days ago, that 3500 had marched, part of them to Ticonderoga, and part to join Genl. Washington. The want of Arms and Blankets has been a great detriment to the Service: but the Supplies lately received here, as well as at the Southward, I hope will enable the Continental Troops to be at the places of destination Soon enough to prevent any essential impression by the Enemy. We are just Setting out for Middleboro, where, on your return, it will give us great pleasure to See you and Mrs. Adams. With great Esteem I am Dr. sir yr most obt. hble servt.
The Affair of Rd Isld. is in contemplation.2
That of 16 April (above).