have earnestly recommended it to the several States we respectively represent; and we apprehend it will be absolutely necessary for similar measures to be adopted by the other United States, in order to support the credit of the paper currency, and to prevent any further emissions for the purposes of defraying the charges of the war, and the support of internal government. We submit the whole to the Honorable Congress, that such measures may be taken for that end as they in their great wisdom shall think proper.

I am in behalf of the committee, Sir,

your most obedient, and very humble servant,

STEPHEN HOPKINS.

MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY WHO TOOK THE OATH OF

FIDELITY, IN AUGUST, 1777.

This may certify that the following gentlemen, members of the Lower House of Assembly of the State of Connecticut, were present attending in August 22, 1777, and had the oath of fidelity to this State, as provided by law, administered to them, viz. Col. John Pitkin, Mr. Benjamin Payne, Col. Elisha Williams, Col. Isaac Lee, Mr. John Treadwell, Capt. Joseph Brooks, Mr. Ezra Brainard, Capt. Timothy Pearl, Col. Jabez Chapman, Mr. Samuel Huntington, Maj. Abiel Pease, Capt. Benjamin Talcott, Mr. Seth King, Maj. Elias Worthington, Mr. Peter Reynold, Capt. Jonathan Wells, Mr. Ebenezer Plummer, Mr. Titus Hosmer, Col. Comfort Sage, Mr. Ebenezer White, Capt. Henry Allen, Capt. James Hooker, Mr. Neziah Bliss, Mr. John Phelps, Col. Samuel Chapman, Col. Solomon Wills, Mr. Samuel Bishop, Jr., Mr. Pierpont Edwards, Mr. Joseph Hop. kins, Capt. Ezra Bronson, Mr. Eliphalet Hotchkiss, James Beard, Samuel Beach, Col. Street Hall, Gideon Buckingham, Lewis Mallet, Jr., Nathaniel Stone, Nathaniel Ruggles, Gen. James Wadsworth, Elnathan Camp, Maj. William Hillhouse, Benjamin Huntington, Rufus Lathrop, Maj. Charles Phelps, Nathaniel Miner, Capt. John Shipman, Col. William Worthington, Hezekiah Lane, Thomas Mumford, Col. Benadam Gallup, Col. Samuel Mott, Maj. Samuel Tyler, Maj. Elijah Abel, Capt. Abraham Brinsmade, Capt. Daniel Judson, John McKay, John Hoit, Jr., Daniel Betts, Jr., Moses Comstock, Maj. Eli Mygatt, Capt. Jabez Huntington, Nathaniel Wales, Jr., Joshua West, Capt. Nehemiah Lyon, David Payne, Constant Southworth, Edmund Freeman, Capt. Samuel Craft, Maj. Thomas Brown, Capt. Simon Learnard, John Canfield, Daniel Sherman, Capt. Simeon Smith, Samuel Comstock, Oliver Warner, Capt. Aaron Austin, Col. Seth Smith, Ephraim Hubbell, Jr., Capt. Justus Sackett, Col. Epaphras Sheldon, Nehemiah Andrews, John Pierce, Capt. Josiah Phelps, Col. Joshua Porter, and Capt. Abiel Camp.

Certified.

BENJAMIN HUNTINGTON, Clerk.

The gentlemen members of this Assembly, whose names follow, took the oath of fidelity prescribed by the law of this State, viz.: the Governor, Deputy Gov. ernor, Jabez Hamlin, Elisha Sheldon, Jabez Huntington, William Pitkin, Roger Sherman, Abraham Davenport, Oliver Wolcott, Samuel Huntington, Secretary, and Sheriff Williams.

SEPTEMBER, 1777.

The cargo of the brig Honor, was made sale of in September, 1777, together with the brig, and amounted as per account of sales, to £10,204 : 18:34.

POLITICAL CREED, &c. OF THE SANDEMANIANS.

SEPTEMBER 14, 1777.

To Messrs. Samuel Bishop, David Austin, and Timothy Jones, Jr.:

Gentlemen,-Your desire having been signified to us by Mr. Chamberlain, that we would make a declaration of what we profess touching that subjection which we are bound by the word of God to yield to the higher powers, do say; we are bound to hearken to that word: "Be not afraid of them who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do, but I will forewarn you whom you shall fear; fear Him, whom after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, fear Him :" His word and authority obliges us to be subject to the higher powers: the powers that be, which are ordained of God; to be subject to the King as supreme, and to governors as those who are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and the praise of them who do well; to fear the Lord and the King, and not meddle with them who are given to change; these and such like words, by which we must be judged at the last day, bind our consciences to be faithful and loyal subjects to our sovereign King George the Third, whom God preserve, to whose government we are heartily attached, to give no countenance, aid, or assistance to any design formed against this gov. ernment, but to conduct as loyal subjects; to obey his laws, his commands, and those of subordinate rulers in all things, wherein they do not interfere with the commands of our Maker, in which case we ought to obey God rather than man. That, as according to the Scriptures, the kingdoms of this world are to be defended by the sword; a command from the sovereign to his faithful subjects, to assist in the defence of his government at the peril of their lives, when they are in a situation that admits of it, is a lawful command; and even in the situation in which we now are, we are bound to a dutiful, loyal, obedient conduct, such as our situation will admit of; and although we earnestly wish to live in peace, and have no inclination to bear arms or become soldiers in a lawful war; yet the 'exhortation of John the Baptist, and the case of Cornelius, oblige us to conclude that the soldier's calling is a lawful one for Christians, as well as other men.

This faith respecting the commands of the Lord touching subjecting, we have heretofore possessed, when it appeared to us that we were, in the course of Providence, called to speak of it, and for this we have suffered; neither can we conceal or dissemble or soften the commands before mentioned, without being ashamed of Christ and his words before men, and incurring that much to be dreaded consequence the Son of Man's being ashamed of us before his Father and before his angels. We hold ourselves equally obliged, if it be possible, as much as in us lieth, to live peaceably with all men; to do good to all men as we have opportunity; to be inoffensive among our neighbors; to love and pray for our enemies; never to avenge ourselves, nor to bear ill will to any man; to be no busy bodies in other men's matters, but with quietness to work and eat our own bread. How far our conduct has corresponded to this we must appeal to our neighbors. Suffering for these sentiments, it must appear to our consciences that we suffer for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ; this we ought to esteem a great honor, of which we were never worthy. Our consciences do not condemn us as suffering for evil doing, or as having done any thing against men that will acquit them in the righteous judgment of God, for bringing such sufferings

upon us.

If we are to be deprived of that liberty which we have in no, wise forfeited,

happy shall we be if it be given to us from above to suffer with patience. We are able to get a subsistence in this place in our lawful callings without being a burden to our neighbors; if we are removed or confined, this is taken from us; we would be glad therefore to be permitted to continue here if we may live in quiet and unmolested. We wish not to be sent into the country, or to be separated to prevent our assembling on the first day of the week, to continue steadfastly in the Apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and the breaking of bread, and the prayers. But if we are not to be permitted the free exercise of the Christian profession in this place, as Christians may lawfully wish to enjoy the protection and blessings of government, that merciful ordinance of God; and as the Lord has, in his tender mercy, permitted his disciples to flee from persecutions, saying, "If they persecute you in one city, flee ye to another;" our wish is, that we may be suffered peaceably to retire, with our families, to some convenient place more immediately under the King's protection, that we may seek some place where we may sojourn in peace, and worship God according to his word; and that this may be allowed in such a way that we may not be molested by the people in departing. And we wish that our dear brother, Oliver Burr, suffering in prison for hearkening to that command of the Lord, which requires us to do good to all men as we have opportunity, may be suffered to go with us, with his family. We are, Gentlemen, your well wishers.

New Haven, September 14, 1777. (Signed)

Joseph Pynchon, Theophilus Chamberlain, Benjamin Smith, William Richmond, Daniel Humphreys, Titus Smith, Richard Woodhull, Thomas Gold.

COMMITTEE'S REPORT FOR REGULATING THE NAVY OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT.

Wo, your Honors' committee, appointed to take into consideration what. measures ought to be come into, for the better regulation and government of the navy or vessels of force fitted out by this State, and the officers, marines, and mariners employed on board of said vessels; take leave to report, that in the opinion of this committee, the following Bill be passed into an act of this Assembly, viz. :

An act for the better regulation of the navy, being vessels of war belonging to this State.

Be it enacted by the Governor, Council, and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the commanders of all ships and vessels of war belonging to this State, are strictly required to shew in themselves, a good example of honor and virtue to their under officers and men, and to be very vigilant in inspecting the behavior of all such as are under them, and to discountenance and suppress all dissolute, immoral, and disorderly practices, and all such as are contrary to the rules of discipline and obedience, and to correct those who are guilty of the same, according to the rules and usages in such cases.

The commanders of ships, when there is a chaplain, are to take care that divine service be daily performed, morning and evening, and a sermon preached on Sundays, unless bad weather or other extraordinary accident prevent.

If any person shall be heard to swear, curse, or blaspheme the name of God,

the commander is strictly enjoined to punish them for every offence, by causing them to wear a woolen collar, or some other shameful badge of distinction for so long time as he should judge proper.

He who is guilty of drunkenness, if a seaman, shall be put in irons until he is sober; but if an officer, he shall forfeit two days pay.

•No commander of any ship or vessel, shall inflict any punishment upon a seaman, beyond twelve lashes upon his naked back, with a suitable whip, with. out the sentence of a court martial; but if the offence require it, he may apply for a court martial, and in the mean time contine the offender.

The commander of any ship or vessel, is never by his own authority, to dis. charge a commissioned or warrant officer, nor to punish or strike him, but he may suspend or confine them for offences until a court martial can be holden for the trial of their offence.

The officer who commands, by accident of the captain or commander's ab. sence, (unless he be absent for a time, by leave,) shall not order any correction, but confinement; and upon the captain's return on board, he shall then give an account of his reasons for so doing.

The captain is to cause the articles of war to be hung up in some public place of the ship, and read to the ship's company once a month.

The seamen shall, at their request, be furnished with slops that are necessary, by the captain or purser, who shall keep an account of the same.

The captain, before he sails on a cruise, shall make return, and leave with the Governor or commander-in-chief of this State, or such other persons as shall be appointed for that purpose, a complete list of all the officers and men, with the time and terms of their enlistment and entering; and during his cruise, shall keep a true account of the desertion or death of any of them, and of the entering of others; and after his cruise, and before any of them are paid off, he shall make return of a complete list of the same, including those who shall remain on board his ship, together with an account of the slops and necessary articles delivered out to each man, which ought to be deducted out of their pay.

The captain is to take care when any inferior officers or volunteer seamen are turned over into the ship under his command, from any other ship, not to rate them on the ship's books, in a worse quality, or a lower degree or station, than they served in the ships they were removed from; and for his guidance, he is to demand from the commander of the ship from which they were turned over, a list, under his hand, of their names and qualities.

Any officer, seaman, or others, entitled to wages or prize money, may have the same paid to his assigns or agent, provided the assignment or power of agency be attested by the captain or commander, the master or purser of the ship, or any assistant or justice of the peace.

The captain is to discourage the seamen of his ship from selling any part of their wages and shares, and never to attest a letter of attorney of any seaman, until he is fully satisfied that the same is not granted in consideration of money given for the purchase of his share or wages.

When any inferior officer or seaman dies, the captain is forthwith to make out a ticket for the time of his service, and return the same to the Governor or commander-in-chief of this State, or other persons, for that purpose appointed, in order that the wages may be paid to the executor or administrators of the deccased.

A convenient place shall be set apart for sick or hurt men, to which they are to be removed with their hammocks and bedding, when the surgeon shall advise the same to be necessary, and some of the crew shall be appointed to attend and serve them, and keep the place clean.

It is left to the discretion of the commanders to shorten the allowance of pro. visions, when absolute necessity shall require it, taking care that the men be punctually paid for the same.

The captain shall frequently order the proper officer to inspect the condition of the provisions, of all kinds on board, and take all due and necessary care to preserve the same good, wholesome, and fit for use.

The captain or purser, shall secure the clothing, bedding, and all other articles and things, of such persons as shall die or be killed, with a true inven. tory thereof, to be delivered to their executors or administrators.

All papers, charter parties, bills of lading, passports, and other writings what. soever, found on board any ship or ships, which shall be taken, shall be carefully preserved, and the originals sent to the courts of justice for maritime affairs; and if any person or persons, shall wittingly or negligently destroy, or suffer to be destroyed, or wittingly conceal from the proper officer, any such paper or papers, he or they so offending shall forfeit their share of such prize or prizes, and suffer such other punishments as the offence shall deserve, by the judgment of a court martial.

When in sight of the ship or ships of the enemy, and at such other times as may make it appear necessary to prepare for an action or engagement, the cap. tain shall order all things in his ship in proper posture for fight; and shall in his own person, and according to his duty, heart on and encourage the inferior officers and men to fight courageously, and not to behave themselves faintly, or cry for quarters, on pain of such punishment as the offence shall appear to deserve for his neglect.

Any captain or other officer, mariner, or others, who shall basely desert their duty or station in the ships, or run away while the enemy is in sight, or in time of action, or shall entice others so to do, shall suffer death, or such other punishment as a court martial shall inflict.

Any officer, seaman, or mariner, who shall begin, excite, cause, or join in any meeting or sedition in the ship to which he belongs, on any pretence whatever, shall suffer death, or such other punishment as a court martial shall direct.

Any person in or belonging to the ship, who shall utter any words of sedition or mutiny, or endeavor to make any mutinous assembly on any pretence what. over, shall suffer such punishment as a court martial shall inflict.

None shall presume to quarrel with, or strike his superior, on pain of such punishment as a court martial shall order to be inflicted.

If any person shall apprehend he has just cause of complaint, he shall quietly and directly make the same known to his superior officer, or to the captain, as the case may require, who shall take care that justice be done him.

There shall be no quarrelling or fighting between shipmates on board any ship, nor shall there be used any reproachful or provoking speeches, tending to make quarrels and disturbance, on pain of imprisonment, and such other pun. ishment as a court martial shall think proper to inflict.

If any person shall sleep upon his watch, or negligently perform his duty which shall be enjoined him to do, or forsake his station, he shall suffer such