Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-14
WHEN NORWICH WAS
 PREPARING IN 1774
Louis H. Geer Has Interesting Doeu-
 n1ent of Colonial Days.

In these days of military prepared- ness an old document now in the poS- session of Louis H. Geer of Prospect street and once the property of his of Windhanls will be of especial inter- est to local people. The document, which was printed by Judah Spooner in this city dates back to the days be. fore the revolutionary war when the people of this country were consider ing means Of protection against the loss of liberty and constitutional rights. The document reads as fol- lows:
 At a Meeting of Delegates of the Towns in the Counties of New-Lon-
 don and Windham, convened at L. Norwich, the Sth Day of September, Safety, Etc.
 Hon. Gurtlon SaItonstall, Chairman Col. William Williams, Clerk This convention taking into their se- rious consideration the present state of this country, in that we are threatened with the loss of our liberties and con stitutional rights, etc.
 And when we view it's state, as to arms, military knowledge, proper stores, and the attention of this people to their just defence, when ever it shall so happen that any common ene- my shall rise against us, and attempt our subjection by force of arms, we cannot but be animated to address
 
 to attend upon military affairs. And in the first place we do seriously recommend to the selectmen of every town within the Counties of New Lon- don and Windham, that as speedily as possible they supply their town stock with full complement of ammunition and military stores, as by law is re- quired.
 Secondly. We recommend earnestly to every particular troop and military company within said two counties, both officers and soldiers, and all others llv- ing within their several and respective limits, who by law are required to provide and keep arms and ammuni- tion, as speedily as possible to arm and equip them themselves, agreeable to the directions of the laws of this colony; Excepting where in arms it may be thought expedient to vary, that such variation be uniformly adopted.
 Thirdly. We recommend in all such, as matter of very great importance, that they as expeditiously as may be improve in, and learn the use and de- sign of their arms, by artillery exercis- CT or otherwise, that so they may an- swer the important purpose of their institution, when occasion shall re- quire, and become fitted to attend their colonel and other field officers when by them called to regimenta1 reviews.
 And as very great and special ad- vantages must arise from regimental reviews and exercises in the militia of this colony, at least as often as once in four years, as the" law requires, and the same having been omitted and ne glected, we now earnestly recommend to every colonel and other field of ficers of each regiment within the two counties that on some proper day or days the present Autumn, they call to- gether their several and respective regiments, or such parts of them as shall be convenient, at some suitable and appointed places. for the purposes above mentioned.
 And would also further recommand to the colonel pr chief officer of each regiment in said two counties, that they forthwith issue their orders to the eapaif1s of the several Companies in their respective regiments, that they and their companies immediately com ply with the requisitions of the laws of the colony, both as to their eqetpa ment with arms and ammunition, etc. and a due attention to the cultivation of military skill and the art of war; and that said chief officers exert them selves in every proper and legal way, in their important department for a general improvement in, and cu1tiya- tion of noble and important are of mill ftafy skill and discipline.
 Voted and passed unanimously
 Test WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Clerk.