vice, were severally commanded by Col. Samuel Wyllys, of Hartford, Col. Samuel B. Webb, of Wethersfield, Col. Philip B. Bradley, of Ridgefield, Col. Jedediah Huntington, of Norwich, Col. John Durkee, of Norwich, Col. John Douglass, of Plainfield, Col. Heman Swift, of Cornwall, Col. John Chandler, of Newtown, and Col. Return J. Meigs, of Middletown.

for the supply of their army at New York; General Parsons determined to seize the same, and for that purpose despatched Lieut. Col. Meigs, with about two hundred and thirty men, who completely effected the object of the expedition, and also burnt one of the enemy's armed vessels; took ninety prisoners and recrossed the sound without the loss of a single man. The successful result of this enterprise proved the wisdom and good judgment with which it was designed, as well as the skill and valor displayed in its execution.

In June, he marched from Peekskill to Middlebrook, N. J., to join the main army, where General Washington was encamped, apprehending an attack from General Howe, who, it was supposed, had designs on Philadelphia; but the enemy, being frustrated by the vigilance of Washington, and retiring from New Jersey, the continentals, under General Parsons, returned to the North river, where an attack was soon after made by Sir Henry Clinton. In the early part of October, advancing up the North river with a large force, the British general captured forts Montgomery and Clinton, and proceeded above the Highlands, compelling General Putnam, (who commanded at Peekskill,) to evacuate that post and forts Independence and Constitution, and retire to Fishkill. Here the American army was reinforced by the militia of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, and General Parsons, by order of General Putnam, marched with two thousand men to Peekskill, and recovered and took possession of that post, with the passages in the Highlands.

In the month of July, 1779, General Washington understanding that Governor Tryon had invaded Connecticut with twenty-six hundred British troops, for the purpose of penetrating the adjacent country, immediately directed Gen. Parsons (then in command near the Highlands) to hasten to the scene of action, with a view of giving confidence to his countrymen and guiding their efforts. Having placed himself at the head of one hundred and fifty continental troops, assisted by considerable bodies of Connecticut militia, under General Erastus Wolcott, Gen. Parsons attacked the British in the morning of the 12th, immediately after their landing at Norwalk; and although too weak to prevent the destruction of that town, he harassed and annoyed the enemy throughout the day in such a manner that they re-embarked and returned to Huntington bay for fresh supplies of artillery and re-enforcements of men. Governor Tryon being convinced that any further attempts to extend his depredations into the country, defended as it was, by a brave and patriotic population, would be ineffectual, abandoned the undertaking and returned to New York.

The following is a copy of a letter addressed by Governor Tryon to Generals Putnam and Parsons, a short time before invading Connecticut, with General Parsons' very caustic and pungent reply.

NEW YORK, June 18, 1779.

Sir-By one of his Majesty's ships of war, which arrived here last night from Georgia, we have intelligence that the British forces were in possession of fort

The Connecticut continental troops, raised this season, were early in the field. They were chiefly assigned to the defence of the important military posts about the Highlands on the Hudson river. This great thoroughfare of communication between the northern, southern and middle States, was maintained throughout the war, mostly by Connecticut forces.

Johnston, near Charlestown, the first of June. Surely it is time for rational Americans to wish for a reunion with the parent State, and to adopt such measures as will most speedily effect it.

I am, sir, your very humble, obedient servant,

WM. TRYON, M. G.

To Gen. PUTNAM, or in his absence, to Gen. PARSONS.

[Answer.]

CAMP, HIGHLANDS, Sept. 7, 1779. Sir, I should have paid an earlier attention to your polite letter of the 18th of June, had I not entertained some hope of a personal interview with you, in your descents upon the defenceless towns of Connecticut, to execute your master's vengeance, upon the rebellious women and formidable host of boys and girls, who were induced, by your insidious proclamations, to remain in those hapless places; and who, if they had been suffered to continue in the enjoyment of that peace their age and sex entitled them to expect from civilized nations, you undoubtedly supposed would prove the scourge of Britain's veteran troops, and pluck from you those laurels, with which that fiery expedition so plentifully crowned you. But your sudden departure from Norwalk, and the particular attention you paid to your personal safety, when at that place, and the prudent resolution you took, to suffer the town of Stamford to escape the conflagration, to which you had devoted Fairfield and Norwalk, prevented my wishes on this head; this I hope will sufficiently apologize for my delay in answering your last letter.

By letters from France, we have intelligence that His Catholic Majesty declared war against Great Britain in June last; that the combined fleets of France and Spain, amounting to more than sixty sail of the line, have formed a junction, and with twenty-five thousand land forces are meditating an important blow on the British dominions in Europe; and that the grand fleet of Old England find it very inconvenient to venture far from their harbors. In the West Indies, Admiral Byron having greatly suffered in a naval engagement, escaped with his ships in a very shattered condition to St. Christopher's; and covered his fleet under the batteries on the shores, and has suffered himself to be insulted in the road of that Island by the French Admiral; and Count D'Estaing after reducing the Islands of St. Vincent and Grenada to the obedience of France, defeating and disabling the British fleet, had sailed for Hispaniola; where it is expected he will be joined by the Spanish fleet in those seas, and attack Jamaica. The storming your strong works at Stony Point, and capturing the garrison by our brave troops; the brilliant successes of General Sullivan against your faithful friends and allies, the savages; the surprise of Paulus Hook, by Major Lee; the flight of General Provost from Carolina; and your shamefully shutting yourselves up in New York, and the neighboring Islands, are so fully within your knowledge as scarcely to need repetitions.

At the May session, two regiments were ordered to be raised for the defence of the State. One of these regiments was commanded by Col. Roger Enos, of Windsor, and was stationed on the south-western border of the State, near Long Island sound. The other was commanded by Col. John Ely, of Saybrook.

Surely it is time for Britons to rouse from their delusive dreams of conquest, and pursue such systems of future conduct as will save their tollering empire from total destruction.

Major General TRYON.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

SAMUEL H. PARSONS.

On the 29th of September, 1780, he was appointed by General Washington, one of the Board of General Officers, constituted and directed to sit at West Point upon the examination and trial of Major Andre, Adjutant General of the British army.

In October, 1780, he was appointed and commissioned by Congress as Major General, and succeeded General Putnam in the command of the Connecticut line of the continental army.

During the latter part of the year 1780, the defenceless inhabitants upon the frontiers, between Greenwich and New York, had been much annoyed, and subjected to losses of property and great sufferings by the frequent incursions of the enemy stationed at Morrisania, (near the East river) and at Harlæm.

On the 25th of January, 1781, General Parsons, having under his command a body of continental troops, determined to destroy the enemy's barracks, (which could not be re-built during the winter) and in that way afford some protection to the inhabitants near the lines; with this view he proceeded by rapid marches to Westchester and Morrisania, and attacked the British troops, who were unable to resist the ardent spirit of the Americans, and after several actions he effectually succeeded in the enterprise. About fifty of the enemy's huts were burnt; a bridge across Harlem river under the protection of the enemy's redoubts, and a large quantity of forage were destroyed. The loss of General Parsons was inconsiderable, not exceeding eight men killed; while that of the enemy was over fifty killed and fifty-two prisoners captured, with about eighty cattle and forty horses.

The object of this enterprise being accomplished, the American troops retired, bringing off the cattle, horses, and prisoners.

On the 5th of February, Congress passed a resolution requesting the Com. mander-in-Chief to present to General Parsons, and the officers under his command, the thanks of Congress for his judicious arrangements, and for the courage displayed by the officers and men under him on this occasion.

In September, 1781, the Governor and Council of Safety of Connecticut, requested General Parsons to take under his command the State troops and coast guards raised for the protection of this State, together with such militia as should be ordered to the coast; and to dispose of this force in such manner as he should judge necessary to protect the inhabitants as far as practicable against the desultory expeditions of the enemy on the coast of this State.

Having continued in the war until its close, General Parsons resumed the practice of law in Middletown; was repeatedly a member of the Legislature

The title of 'Excellency,' instead of 'Honor,' was ordered to be given to the Governor.

Jabez Huntington, of Norwich, was appointed Major General over the whole militia of the State, in place of Gen. David Wooster, deceased. Gen. James Wadsworth, of Durham, was appointed second Major General, in place of Jabez Huntington, promoted. The Major Generals were authorized, on notice of the appearance of the enemy, by sea or land, to call out all or part

from that place; and an active and influential member of the Convention which assembled at Hartford, in January, 1788, and adopted the Constitution of the United States.

In the latter part of the year 1785, he was appointed by Congress, a commissioner, with General Richard Butler, of Pittsburgh, and General George Rogers Clarke, of Kentucky, to hold a treaty with the western Indians, near the falls of Ohio, for the extinguishment of the aboriginal title to certain lands in the north western territory of the United States.

The treaty was held near the mouth of the Great Miami, in January, 1786, and the, Indians then ceded to the United States a large and valuable tract of country embracing the site on which Cincinnati is now built.

He was a member and for some time President of the Society of the Cincin nati in Connecticut.

In 1788, he was appointed and commissioned by Congress the first Judge of the north western territory, which then included the present States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan; which office he held until his death. His associates were General James M. Varnum, of Rhode Island, and the Hon. John Cleves Symmes, of New Jersey.

In 1789, he was appointed by the State of Connecticut, a commissioner, with Governor Oliver Wolcott, of Litchfield, (father of the late Governor Wolcott,) and the Hon. James Davenport, of Stamford, to hold a treaty with the Wyandots and other tribes of Indians, for extinguishing their claims, to the aboriginal title to the "Connecticut Western Reserve ;" and in the fall of 1789, he went into that country to meet some of the chiefs with a view to prelimi. nary arrangements for holding a treaty with them. While returning to his residence at Marietta, he was drowned in descending the rapids of the Big Beaver river, the 17th of November, 1789-aged 52 years.

General Parsons was a distinguished member of the bar-possessed talents of a high order, and was an active and efficient opposer of the arbitrary claims and pretensions of Great Britain over her colonies in North America.

He engaged in the war of the revolution at its commencement, and served with reputation until its close.

He filled various public places of great trust and importance at different periods of his life, the duties of which he discharged with acknowledged ability and fidelity.

He was a man of ardent feelings-and like other gentlemen in public life, had some personal enemies-but his personal friends were numerous and warmly attached to him.

of the militia, without orders from the Governor and Council, for the defence of this or the neighboring States.

The militia, in 1777, enjoyed comparative repose; not being subjected to those severe draughts which they had experienced in the preceding years. There were only three considerable requisitions of the standing militia during this year. The first was to Peekskill, under Brig. Gen. Ward, to reinforce the army on that station, under Gen. Putnam. The second was a draught of two regiments for the northern army. These regiments were commanded by Col. Cook, of ——, and Col. Samuel McLellan, of Woodstock. Also, a regiment of light-horse, commanded by Maj. Elijah Hyde.

In the ever-memorable victory of Saratoga, Connecticut had her full share of troops on the ground, and her officers and soldiers fully sustained that high character for skill and bravery, which had been awarded to them in the previous campaigns.

The last requisition of the militia this season, was for a brigade from the eastern section of the State, under the command of Brig. Gen. John Douglass, to aid Maj. Gen. Spencer in a projected expedition against the enemy on Rhode Island. This expedition was designed to take place in October, of that year, but failed from the badness of the weather, and other causes.

In addition to the many other evils incident to a protracted and calamitous civil and foreign war, a spirit of monopoly and engrossing of provisions, as well as other necessaries and luxuries, now prevailed to a most alarming extent. In order to check this demoralizing spirit of cupidity, the Legislature of Connecticut, at the October session of 1777, enacted a severe law against monopoly, and the engrossing both of agricultural products and imported goods. The title of this act was as follows: "An Act to encourage fair dealing, and to restrain and punish sharpers and oppressors."

The most important event in which Connecticut was concerned, in 1778, was the great and terrible calamity that overwhelmed the settlement beyond the Delaware-the massacre at Wyoming. The following article, describing that catastrophe, was published about that time:

"July 20, 1778.-Since our last, many of the distressed refugees from Wyoming, who escaped the general massacre of the