unfortunate in having a leaky ship, by which his ship was weakened; he also had the small pox on board. As Capt's. Parker and Smedley were intimate friends, Capt. Parker rendered him all assistance, and they had been mutually serviceable to each other. The invoices of the Keppel were inclosed to Capt. Jabez Perkins. He also sent the Governor a packet of late newspapers with a printed bill, with its amendments, to enable His Majesty to send commissions to America. He stated that he should cruise in the latitude where he then was, and then follow his orders, &c.

MAY 20, 1778.

By a letter, dated Boston, May 20, 1778, from S. Elliot, Jr., to Gov. Trum. bull, congratulating him on the arrival of the Cyrus, of 16 carriage guns, which with the Admiral Keppel, of 18 guns, taken by the ships Oliver Cromwell and Defence, after a smart engagement of three glasses. The gallant Capt. Day, with one man, was killed, and some wounded. The particulars of the engage. ment to be given by Mr. Cohoun, an officer of the Cromwell, (the bearer) to the Governor. The prize arrived safe at Cape Ann on the 19th day of May. The Admiral Keppel had not yet arrived.

MAY 24, 1778.

By a letter from Samuel Elliot, Jr., at Boston, to Gov. Trumbull, dated May 24, 1778, it appears that the ship Admiral Keppel, which had been captured by the Cromwell and Defence, and arrived in Boston on Thursday previous to the aforesaid date, had on board a very valuable cargo, and the Hon. Henry Shirly and family, as passengers. Capt. Parker and Mr. Elliot gave Mr. Shirly a letter to Gov. Trumbull, to obtain liberty to return to his own country, or what' would be more gratifying to him, to proceed to Jamaica. This prize was stated by Mr. Elliott, to bo by far the most valuable prize that had been taken by the State's vessels, and that he would take charge of that moiety of the cargo which belonged to Connecticut. Capt. Parker stated in a letter to Gov. Trumbull, that Capt. Brown commanded the Admiral Keppel, bound from Bristol to Jamaica, transporting said Shirly and his lady and family to that island, to settle the affairs of his estate there. Mr. Shirly was a gentleman of estimable char. acter, and had been ambassador from the court of Great Britain to that of Russia.

JUNE 2, 1778.

Gov. Trumbull, in a letter to Samuel Elliot, Jr., dated Hartford, June 2, 1778, permitted Mr. Shirly to visit Connecticut by the middle road from Boston, with permission for Mr. Phipps and his surgeon and servants to accompany him, if he wished them, when the Governor would conclude on his claims, with direc tions to Mr. Elliot to assist him on his journey, and to make Mrs. Shirly and her daughter, as easy as their unfortunate situation would admit in his absence; with directions that the prisoners who were seamen, should bo kept on board the prize ship.

MAY 24, 1778.

A letter, dated Boston, May 24, 1778, from Col. J. Trumbull to Gov. Trum. bull, regarding Mr. Shirly; in which he remarked, that Mr. Shirly was a gentleman of great fortune, of powerful connexions, and of course enabled to

become a mighty engine for or against this country; that at that time he was favorably inclined towards us, and had taken no active part against the States; and was of the opinion that good policy, not to say justice, would induce him to grant Mr. Shirly a flag, to transport him and his family to his estate in Jamaica, as he was the gentleman who formerly presented the Jamaica petition to the King of Great Britain in our favor. Also that he used his influence in the prize ship, over the prisoners on board to keep them quiet, without which it would have been impossible to have brought said prize into port, as the Oliver Cromwell had few seamen, and most of them sick with the small pox. Col. Trumbull also wished that the men, who so honestly brought in said ship, might be rewarded by a permission to return as hands on board the flag that should be granted to Mr. Shirly. Mr. Trumbull stated that it had been suggested to take from Mr. Shirly his personal furniture, such as bedding, clothing, &c.; which act he conceived would be most infamous, and contrary to all practice. A diffi. culty had again arisen as to the prisoners, as the Council had demanded them of Mr. Elliott, to be confined on board the guard ships until exchanged; but Mr. Elliot had refused to comply with the demand, until he should receive orders from the Governor of Connecticut. Col. Trumbull wished the dispute settled, by defining how far the authority of one State, might with propriety, interfere with that of another. The seamen of the Keppel disliked to be exchanged as prisoners of war, as they feared the consequence would be, their being impressed for the navy, a service which they detested.

MAY, 1778.

Samuel Elliott, Jr., Esq., agent for Connecticut in Massachusetts, petitioned the Council of Massachusetts; in which memorial he stated, that a number of passengers were on board the prize Keppel, viz.: Henry Shirly, Esq., his lady and daughter, a hand maid of Mrs. Shirly, and three servants of his; also Mr. Phipps, of Jamaica, and Mr. Jepson, for whom he asked liberty to accommodate in Boston in a manner suited to their rank and character. Also that there were on board said prize ships, taken by the ships of war then in the Boston harbor, a number of sailors who enlisted to bring the vessels into port, which was neces sary, as 60 of the men on board the Defence were inoculated for the small pox; and that the Oliver Cromwell had been obliged to sail with a number of men far short of her complement; and that the enlisted men had conducted well, of which he had informed Gov. Trumbull, and had engaged they should be kept on board said prize ships, and abide the directions of the Governor of Connecticut.

MAY 30, 1778.

A letter from Gov. Trumbull to Mr. Elliott, dated at Hartford, on the 30th of May, 1778, was received, congratulating him on the news of the arrival of the prize Admiral Keppel and cargo, with the prisoners, Mr. Shirly, &c., with directions to pay proper attention to Mr. Shirly, and allow him all the indulgence consistent with his duty and the safety of the State.

MAY 30, 1778.

By a letter from Gov. Trumbull to S. Elliott, Jr., dated Hartford, May 30, 1778, directing him to dispose of the provisions of the Cyrus and the other cargo, such as butter, cheese, hams, tripe, and sour crout, &c., owned by this

State, and to suspend the sale of other articles, until further orders, when a particular invoice of the cargoes should be received. Also gave directions that the seamen and marines taken on board said prize ships, should be humanely treated, and not confined in gaols or prison ships, with permission given them to enlist into the sea service, and such of them as should not so enlist, to be kept and exchanged for American seamen in the hands of the enemy.

The prize ship Admiral Keppel, captured by Capt. Parkar, of the Cromwell, and Capt. Smedley, of the Defence- the ship and cargo sold at auction, Boston, July 8, 1778, for the sum of £22,320:18:9; net proceeds £22,013:18:9, by William Greenleaf.

Dated at Boston, September 23, 1778.

NAMES OF SHIPS OF WAR.

The vessels of war in service, in this State, in the American revolution, were the brig Minerva, schooner Spy, Defence, ship Oliver Cromwell, row galley Shark, row galley Whiting, brig America, sloop Dolphin, sloop Mifflin, Resist. ance, sloop Schuyler, brig Silliman, frigate Trumbull, Bourbon frigate, row galley Crane, The Guilford, New Defence, Putnam, Revenge, sloop Stark, Young Cromwell, Confederacy, Count De Grasse, sloop Tiger, Alliance, and sloop Phoenix. [Connecticut Courant.]

ATTACK OF THE BRITISH UPON NEW HAVEN.

JULY, 1779.

The following account was published in the Connecticut Gazette, a paper then printed by Timothy Green, Esq., at New London.

On the evening of the 5th of July, two expresses arrived at New London with despatches for the commanding officer at that post, with the information that 70 sail of British shipping from New York were in the sound, and supposed to be bound for New London. The second express stated, that they had landed at West Haven, at 6 o'clock, on Monday morning, and were advancing towards New Haven. Expresses were immediately sent into the towns back of New London, to notify the militia; and the militia of New London and Groton were forthwith ordered under arms. By news from East Haven, Monday night, at 12 o'clock, it appeared the enemy on Monday morning, landed 700 men at East Haven Point, and took possession of a small fort, which mounted four guns; that a brisk fire was heard at New Haven, at 11 o'clock, on Monday; that the British came round the west part of the town, burnt the powder mill and paper mill, and marched through the north part of the town to Gallow's Hill, (an eminence which commanded the Hartford road, where they were intrenching, and had the entire possession of the town; that the army consisted of about 2,600 men, a part of whom came from the North river to New Rochelle and embarked on board the ships. Heavy firing was heard at New Haven on Tuesday. The militia came in, in great numbers.

July 14, 1779. A farther account was given, that the troops were under Gen. Tryon, and landed in three divisions at 5 o'clock, on Monday morning, one at West Haven, another at East Haven, and a third at long wharf. The first division marched direct for the west bridge, where a few of the inhabitants were collected, and took up the bridge, by which they obliged the British to

march up the west side of the river, about two miles to Thompson's bridge, where the people had collected, and a smart skirmish ensued, and continued until the enemy entered the town, at 11 o'clock. The third division landed in town, (New Haven) about half after 11 o'clock; each party had killed about 23 persons, among whom were some officers. The British left New Haven about 7 o'clock, A. M., on Tuesday, after having set fire to the stores, houses, and shipping at long wharf, and landed in East Havan, where they burned several houses, and at 6 P. M. embarked, and sailed at 7 o'clock. The British fleet then sailed direct to Fairfield, where the troops landed and burnt all the compact part of the town, except a few houses (10); they then embarked and went to Huntington, (Long Island,) where they lay until Saturday, and on that evening, they landed at Norwalk, in two parties, one on the east and the other on the west side of the harbor, about 2.500 men; the next morning they marched to the town, and about 6 o'clock, set fire to the buildings, and consumed the whole town, except a few scattering houses. A few continental and militia troops, commanded by Gen's. Wolcott and Parsons, made considerable resist. ance, and a few were killed on both sides, and about 2 o'clock, the same day, the troops embarked on board their vessels.

The west bridge on Milford road was taken up, and several field pieces carried there, and some slight works thrown up for the defence of that pass. The division under Gen. Garth being landed, immediately began their march towards the town. The first opposition made to them was by about 25 of the citizens to an advanced party of the enemy of two companies of light infantry. These, though advancing on Milford Hill, were attacked with great spirit, by the mere handful of inhabitants, driven back nearly to West Haven, and one of them taken prisoner. The British then advanced in their main body, with strong flanking parties and two cannon; but finding a smart fire kept up from the field pieces at the bridge aforesaid, dare not force an entrance to the town by the bridge, the usual road, but to make a circuitous march of nine miles, in order to enter New Haven by the Derby road. In this march, the small party of citizens on the Milford Hill increased to about 150 men, promiscuously collected from several companies of the militia, and had a smart encounter with the enemy's left flank, near the Milford road, where their Adjutant Campbell was killed, whom they greatly lamented. Our people being greatly overpowered by numbers on the Hill, gave way, but kept up a continual fire on the enemy and galled them much, on their march to Thompson's bridge, on the Derby road (to New Haven.) Those who were posted at the west bridge perceived the movements of the enemy; and that another large body of them had landed at the south end, on the east side of the harbor, quit the west bridge and marched to Thompson's bridge, but by the time they reached the banks of the river, the enemy were in possession of the bridge, and the places at which the river was there fordable; yet having received some strength by the coming in of the militia, they gave the British a smart fire from two field pieces and the small arms, which continued with little abatement, until the enemy were in possession of New HaThe New Haven troops and people were obliged to retreat, either to the fields north and west of the town, or through the town across the neck bridge. The enemy entered the town between 12 and 1 o'clook. In the mean time, the division of the enemy, before mentioned to have landed at the end, which was under the immediate command of Gen. Tryon, was bravely resisted by a small

ven.

party of men, with one field piece, who, besides other execution, killed an officer of the enemy in one of their boats at their landing. This division marched up by land and attacked the fort at Black Rock; at the same time, their shipping drew up and attacked it from the harbor. The fort had only 19 men and three piecee of artillery, yet was defended as long as reason or valor dictated, and then the men made their retreat. The town being now in the full possession of the enemy, it was, notwithstanding their proclamation, delivered up, except a few instances of protection, to promiscuous plunder; in which, besides robbing the inhabitants of their watches, money, plate, buckles, clothing, bedding, and provisions, &c.; they broke and destroyed household furniture and other property to a very great amount; some families lost all, and many were left without food or a change of clothing. A body of militia sufficient to penetrate the town could not be collected that evening; and the inhabitants were obliged to be satisfied with annoying the enemy, which was done with spirit most of the afternoon, about Ditch Corner.

Early on Tuesday morning, the enemy unexpectedly, and with perfect stillness and despatch, called in their guards and retreated to their boats, and carried with them several of the inhabitants as prisoners, most of whom were taken without arms, a part of whom went on board the British fleet, and others crossed over to Gen. Tryon, at East Haven. On Tuesday afternoon, the militia had collected in such numbers, and crowded so close upon Gen. Tryon, that he retreated on board his fleet, and set sail to the westward.

The loss of the enemy was not known, but was supposed to be considerable, including some officers, besides Adjutant Campbell. The Americans had, from the best information, 27 killed and 19 wounded. Several of our men appeared to have been wounded with shot, though not mortally, but were afterwards killed with bayonets. Gen. Garth declared to one of the militia who was wounded, that he was sorry his men had not killed him, instead of taking him, and that he would not have his men give quarters to one militia man taken under arms.

Although, in this expedition, it must be confessed, to the credit of the Britons, that they did not do all the injury in their power, yet the brutal ravishment of women, the wanton and malicious destruction of property, the burning the stores on the wharf, and eight houses in East Haven. The beating Stabing, and insulting the Rev. Dr. Daggett, after he was made a prisoner, the mortally wounding of Mr. Beers, Sen., in his own door, and otherwise abusing him; the murdering the worthy, aged, and helpless Mr. English, in his own house; the beating, cut. ting out the tongue, and killing a deranged man, are sufficient proofs of their being Britons.

The troops were conducted to New Haven by one William Chandler, son of Joshua Chandler, then late of New Haven, who with his family, left the place with the enemy in their retreat.

The British carried away between 30 and 40 of the inhabitants; among them John Whiting, Esq., judge of probate and clerk of the county court. They left New Haven Tuesday evening, and on the next day (7th) landed at Fairfield, and notwithstanding some force there collected, they entered it, and plundered all they could carry off, and burned the compact part of the town, being near 100 dwelling houses, besides the public buildings, and the meeting house, and 13 dwelling houses at Green's Farms, and 8 at Mill River, within Fairfield bounds. On Saturday, of the same week, the enemy's fleet appeared off Norwalk, and