The Connecticut courant, and the weekly intelligencer — Hartford [Conn.], 1783-07-15 00:00:00, page 2

From the FREEMA N's JOURNAL,
Mr. Bailey,
The late mutiny of the Continental Troops in this city, has
been attended with cenfeqaences so intcrefting to the
United States, and attesting to the honor of this, that I
presume the following account wi 1 not be disagreeable to
year readers, who may be allured of its authenticity in
all the material parts, and without known and intended
inaccuracy in any.
ABOUT two weeks ago, advice was received from Col.
Butler, commanding officer at Lancaster, that the
troops there dif< overed a very d Contented temper, whkh
he apprehended would soon break out into some open atts
of mutiny. A few days after farther advices came, ghat a
party had adually thrown on all obed erne to their officers,
and marched to Philadelphia, notwithstanding the utmost
exertions of their officers to prevent it. Accordingly on
Thursday the 17th ult. about 80 soldiers without their offi
cers, but completely armed w th bayonets fixed, drums
bearing, and green boughs in their hats, marched down
Market Street, and proceeded to the barracks, where there
were quartered 150 old soldiers, lately arrived from Caroli
na, the corps of artillery, and others of different corps to
the amount of 400 in the whole. No mealfres were taken,
except conferences between the President and Council and
Congress, till the Saturday so lowing ; when, to the asto
nishment of the city, and the public dishonor, thefc troops
with fixed bayonets and drums beating, marched to the
State House, the feat of Congress and the Supreme Executive
Council. Having placed guards at the different doors, and
sent off detachments to those places where they supposed
arms and ammunition were deposited, they sent up a writ
ten payer to the Prefidenc and Council, desiring that they
might be authorfedto choose their own officers, and de
manding an answer in 20 minutes, or an enraged foldicry
would be let in upon them. No address was made to Cen
grefs, which was affemblcd u[on special tuhnefs ; but not
^hoofing to deliberate under the bayonets of an armed mob,
they retired without any oher insult offered to them collec
tively or individually. In the mean tme the soldiery grew
very clamorous, .om;laming of the detention of their pay,
while all the civil othcers^nder Congress were amply and
pundually paid— of the non-fettlcment of their accounts,
and attempts to disband them without such fertlement, intcr
mixt general reproaches on public authority of every kind,
efi etially upon those officers whose duty they conceived it
was to etfed such feclement—and threats of violent if
their complaints were not instantly attended to. In the
mean time, the weather being warm, and a tavern very con
venient, many of them got intoxicated, and others being
converted with by different ptrfons, grew more reasonable
and moderate, efpeciady the old foyers from Carolina, for
it should be observed, the most noisy and troublefomc were
the recruits, many of whom had not even a uniform, and
had net been in aChul fervke during the war.
Towards evening they were purfuaded to return to the
barracks, which they did; and Sunday and Monday palled
quietly over, during which the President and Council had
frequent meetings and conferences with a committee of
Congress appointed for that purpose, the import of whi h I
am not able to inform your readers, farther than that Con
gress finding their dignity and even fafety so endangered,
urged in very pressing terms for some measures co be taken
for the Security of both, or at'leaft for althfan.es what they
were to expect; to which they were not able to obtain any
fausfartory answer until Tuesday. This interval was fpenc
in deliberations ofcoun.il, without any result or plan, and
observations u> on the proceedings at the barracks, where
the un> he: k'd soldiery by this time had grown very in olent
during whk h, the city was in a Rate of most anxious and
disagreeable f{pence. On Tuesday the President called the
field officers of the raiitia together, which was the firft of
fi ial notice of them in the whole tranfadien ; there it is
fiad his Excellency communicated it, accompanied with
some observations, and a request of information what might
be expelled from rhe militia, in case of any call for aflilt
ance. Afterfome deliberations it was concluded, that a
formal legal call would be inadequateto the present emer
gency, as the law required three days notice ; but, in case
ofneteffity they should be called on as volunteers. They
farther expressed as a general sentiment, that the people
were much at a loss to know what the complaints of the
soldiery pre it'e y were, that the militia would readily turn
put to tuppr fs any violence to private or public property, or
pcifonal fafety, or any insult to public authority or private
individuals ; or if the complaints and demands of the sol
diery were unreasonable, and they Hill continue to urge
km^t &' it appeared equitable to permit sh€m t@ date
?11ILA DELP II I A; Jane 8.
A cotfclpondent, speaking of the adjourn
i~'n; of Congress from Philadelphia to Prince
ton, fays, that as the union is the great dignity
of America, and without which we have no so
vereign character abroad, but diminish into pet
ty individual itates, exposed to every foreign in
fnk and fubje& to internal didentions ; we can
not pay too much attention to its support ; it is
our Magna charta , our great and lacred char
ter,; it has been our salvation, and is the only
foundation on which our salvation can Hand.
Butit is poUible that its sacredness may, in
some cases, feel rather too quickly, and the ad
journment of Congress from Philadelphia, may
be interpreted into one of those nice and delicate
sensations which is belt understood by contem
plating what the sacredness of the union is, or
ought to be.
Congress conceived the dignity of the union
somewhat touched upon by the appearance of
an armed body not under command, and as
measures were not so immediately entered on by
the date for preventing it, as Congress conceiv
ed the dignity(not the danger) of the case re
quired, they adjourned their next meeting to
Princeton.
Before this time, in consequence of some permiffon or
connivance from the President and Council, the mucinous
soldiery had chosen sundry officers to Rate their grievances,
and frame a publication of the causes of the niuriny. But
while this was luppofed 10 be in agitation, a messenger
came haltily from cue barracks with a letter, to an efticer,
who though in town, wasnotin the way to receive it; but
it was delivered to fame others of the committee of officers,
who Supposing it related to the bull refs of their appointment,
opened it, and found it Signed with the initials of the names,
of two officers, also of the committee, who have since ab
sconded, the letter was very short, importing their advice to
take measures for his own fafety, as they could not protcift
him. This was at fi it fight construed into a hostile decla
ration against the officer#, and that the soldiers meant to
throw every thing into confufion, furze them and the officers
of government, &c, &c. The town was soon filled with
chile alarming ideas. Orders were now initanrly given for
the light horse and militia co turn out for immediate fcivice,
and every thing wore the face of immediate hostility. At
the barracks there was little itfs alarm ; foras it has since
appeared, the defigs of the letter had been wholly mistaken.
The fa& was, thole two officers either desired to criminate
an innocent colleague, or to guard him againit the dangcr
ous consequences or any longer fomenting and conducing
the mutiny , and their accomplices alarmed with the miheia
turning out a guard the evening before, and the difpofirion
to check them which began to manifest itfelf at the de pat cure
of Congress, and particularly the proclamation, which con
firmed a report that Congress had ordered the General and
a body of troops from camp, all conspired to damp their
proceedings. Several of the officers exerted themselves with
gieal zeal and adiyicy to improve thefc circumstances, so
as to increase the terror which had visibly taken place, It
has been before remarked, that the troops from Carolina bad
never heartily engaged in the mutiny; we ought also in
justice to add, that Col. Porter's artillery, as well at the State
House as afterwards, discovered a much better disposition
than the others, and even shewed a de fire of returning to their
obedience, under their officers---Col. Porter was among the
forcmoft in his exertions to restore peace and good order.
Nor ought the conduct of a Cape. Boudc to pass without
particular notice, as he instantly punished in a most exem
plary manner, a soldier and some ill incentioned inhabi
tant, who were endeavouring to counteract rhe measures to
bring the mutineers to their duty, Finally this company of
Capo Boudc's under his influence, led the way to open
submission ; the officers having prevailed on the men to lay
down their arms, to feck the President and council, or in
their absence the P,cfidcnt, and rctra& their proceedings,
which they accordingly did; and his Excellency being
mounted on a table in the street, made them a fpccch after
which they returned to the barracks in good order : The
next da, a part marched off to Lancaster, and peace and
tranquility have been again restored to this city and its en
virons.
tlwir grievances, and if they appeared to be really such, it
could not be doubted they would be redrefled. This lam
well allured was the Lblrance of the report; though some
of the officers went so far as to allure the President, that if
he would give official orders, they would undertake to exe
cute them in any event, rather than such proceedings should
pals unnoticed and unpunished. Whatrepoit was made to
Congress I cannot fay, further than it is 0 be presumed the
sense of the officers was not well understood, as the procla
mation which was published soon after declared, "they
'' had not been able to obtain any aflurances from the Pre
'' fident and Council, of prompt and adequate exertions
'' for their Safety and protection' ; in conlequence of which
they thought it their duty to withdraw from the state, and
relume their public deliberations where they could do it with
eale, honor, and fafety, and with full confidence in the wis
dom and firmness of government for their protection.
The next day alter Congress had left the city some expres
sions reflecting the bank having dropt At the tarracks, with
hints of seizing some perlons as holtages for their own fafe
ty ; an alarm was instantly given, and the President re
quested the allifteme of the citizens ; upon whi.h a guard
was immediate.y turned out by the militia for Ihe bank.
However the night palled away in perfect trauqulty. Dur
ing the night some of the officers had the curiohty to view
thy proceedings at the barracks, where they found the arms
of the main guard grounded in the barrack square, most of
the guard allcep, and only one centincl on actual duty and
awake. Th.s carclefs posture suggested an idea of fur,rh
ing them ; but it was not encouraged, though apparent y
very practicable.
Thus! have endeavoured to give your readers a faith
ful detail of this important transaction, which I shall con
clude by leaving them to those refusions which will doubt
less arise the, look on former occurrences in this
city. However the state may fuffcr in its credit or interest,
it is to be hoped a Icll'on of candour and moderation of cen
sure will be taught by it to those who have been so ready on
former occafionsto criminate those who had thedired on of
public affairs on critical occasions. Ie is allo to be hoped
the honorable Congress when they confider that the sense of
rhe city was cither mifundetftood, or not fufficiently tried,
will lay aside an, prejudices they may have Entertained,
ana again favour it wita their r< fidence.
An O B S_E RV E R._
CALEB BULL,-jun.
HAS just received a fmaft quantity of good Sheeps Wool,
woich is for fate,- —Likewise, beautiful black and
white Gauzes, a variety of Ribbons, Irish Linens, Cam
bricks, Lawns, Modes, Luteftrings, Sattins, Crockery Ware,
Mettle Buttons, belt Rock Salt, —all to be fold at the mark
et price for Cash or Produce in hand.
Hartford, July 12, 1783.
For N £ fF-r 0 & K,
The Schooner POLL Y,
JAMES BENJAMIN, Master,
NfO'' lying At Hartford Ferry, to fail next Thursday
Morning. For Freight or Passage, having the belt
Accommodations, apply to the Matter on board.
Hartford, July 14, 1783.
N. B. The above Sloop will fail from this, once every
Fortnight, wind and Weather permiring.
JAMES JOHNSON.
Torringford, July 15, 1783,
FEW Tons of excellent York FLOUR, ro be folufy
the Ton or Barrel, by Mr. GEORGE MERRILL.
Hartford, July if, 1783.
BE „ 0 '
By the Subferiber in Middletown,
A One Kory HOUSE, almost new, with a garden contain
ing about 60 rods, well situated on a public road, near
a mile weft of the town house, and within a few rods ofa
good grist mill, and clothier's woik; said house is not
quite finished, has a good lower room, and would be con
venient for a tradesman or merchant Any person inclin
ing to purchase, may have a reasonable time allowed for
payment on god Security, or for cash in hand may have it
the cheaper.
ZEBULON ROCWELL.
July rr, 1783.
Fifty Dollars Reward !
RUN away firn the fubferiber the night following the
7th inst. July, a likely well built Negro Man, DICK,
about 22 years old, near 5 feet and a half high, clear black,
talks pretty good English ; had on when he went away, &
deep blue Coat, a brown fraiftcoat, a pair of brown tow
cloth Trowfers, and a pair of linen Beeches under them, a
check'd Shirt almost worn out, a large brim'd felt Hat al
most new, white yarn Stockings, thick Shoes, large block
tin Buckles, his hair turned back. Went away with a Ne
gro named Pomp, about 23 years old, talks broken, is clear
black, about § feet and a bgf high, wore chiefty linen
cloaths Whoever will take up said Negroes, ar Dick on
ly, and return him to the fubferiber, or secure hira in any
goal, shall have the above reward, paid by
ELIZUR TRYON.
Glaftenbury, July 8, 178^
T O S 6 L D,
A LARGE well built Store and Wharf, at Rocky-Hill
landing, lying under an incumbrance. Also, a con
venient Dwelling-House and Barn, with one acre of Land,
on which is a good Garden and a number of different forts
of Fruit Trees. For particulars enquire of the Subferiber
living oh the premises, by whom a good Tide willbe given.
SAMUEL FOSTER.
Wethersfield. July 14, 1783.
Excellent Weft-India R U M,
T O BE S () f, D,
B, Jere, and Eben. Platt,
HAR - TFO RD.
French Brandy, Weft-lndia
Rum by hogfliead or barrel, to be Sold by
GEORGE MERRELL, opposite the Printing-
Office.
Just imported arid ready for Sale on as easy Terms
as in Neva-York.
A Variety of Valuable Silver
W A T C H E s,
That will be warranted Sound, by
THOMAS H IL_L DRU P.
JOHN MORG AN;
A few Rods North of the Coutt-Houfe, has just received a fmaM
Assortment of DRY GOODS, which are to be fold on the
lowest Terms for Cash— consisting of —
CALICOES, Nankeens, brown Janes, Shallons, Moreens,
Guazes by the Piece or Retail, Linens, Crockery Ware
by rhe Crate, barr Iron, &c. &e. He begs those indebted
to call and fettle their Aecompts.
Hartford, July Is, 1783.
Tea Cups and Saucers, large
Plates,good Weft-lndia Rum,fold by Retail very Cheap,
the Subferiber, " '
1 V/ h the Duolcribers being appointed Commiffioncis, by
the Hon. Court of Probate for the diftrift of Farm
ington, to receive and examine the claims of the creditors
to the estate of James Newel, late of Farmington, deceased,
rfprefented insolvent, do hereby give notice that we shall
attend said business at the dwelling.houfe of Cape. Solo
mon Cowles, in said town, on the firft Mondays of Septem
ber-and Odoter next, from one o'clock 'till fix, P. M. on
each of said days. No aecompts will be allowed unless pro
pcily attested.
TIMOTHY ROOT, ) Commiffi-
WILLIAM WADSWORTH - ) oners.
Farmington, July 4, 178^
WE the Subscribers being appointed Commissioners, by
the Hon. Court of* Pr abate for the dilhift of Farm
ington, to recieve and examine the claims of the creditors
to the estate of Solomon Adams, late of Farmington, de
ceased, represented insolvent, do^ereby give notice that
wc shall Attend said business at the dwelling-hoafe of Cape.
Solomon Cowles, in said town, on the second Mondays in
August and Odober next, from one o'clock 'till fix, P. M.
on each of faiddays. No accempts will be allowed unless
properly attested.
WILLIAM WADSWORTH, ) Commiffi.
ISAAC COWLES. ) oners.
Farmington, July „ 1783.
THE Hon. Court of Probate for the diftri& of Hmfoid,
having allowed seven months to the creditors to the
eltate of James M'Klefter, lace of Enfield, deceased, to
bring in their claims against the fame. The Administrator
to said estate hereby gives notice to the creditors that unleft
their claims are exhibited within the time limited as aforfo
said they cannot be allowed.
JOSEPH K!N«SWRY, AdminMra^fi
Enfield, July xf, 17^