On motion and petition of Jos. Howland, agreed to lend him for a short cruise,viz: two four-pound cannon, now in the hands or care of Maj. Ledyard7 at Groton, that is to say, if said Majr. Ledyard has not occasion for them and is willing to spare them; and also two 4-pound cannon left by the schooner Spy8 in the care of Mr. Shaw,9 and two two-pounders left as aforesaid, with the carriages and furniture belonging to the same; giving proper receipts and description of what he shall receive, to be returned soon as the cruise shall be ended, or if by any accident they or any shall be lost, to be replaced.10
Hoadly, ed., Public Records of the State of Connecticut 2: 95–96.
1. Maj. Gen. Jabez Huntington, Connecticut Militia.
2. Col. Jedediah Elderkin, Connecticut Militia.
3. Maj. Gen. Joseph Spencer, Continental Army.
4. Col. Jesse Root, Connecticut Militia.
5. Col. William Williams, Connecticut Militia.
6. Maj. William Hillhouse.
7. Maj. William Ledyard, Connecticut Militia, commanding Fort Griswold at Groton.
8. Connecticut Navy schooner Spy, Capt. Robert Niles, commander, which had sailed for France about 1 June with the ratified Treaties of Amity and Commerce.
9. Nathaniel Shaw Jr., Continental Agent for Connecticut.
10. Joseph Coit probably wanted these cannon for Connecticut privateer ship General Trumbull, which he and Thomas Coit were fitting out at Norwich. See Howland and Coit to Nathaniel Shaw Jr., 2 June, above.
