At a Meeting of the Governor and Council of Safety,
[Hartford] December 6th, 1776.
There being a large fleet of men of war and transports at anchor a little to the westward of N. London harbour and their design not being known, it was determined to be a prudent step to remove the continental and colonial property at N. London up to Norwich, and also to take a quantity of wheat on board a ship at New London, commanded by Capt. [Thomas] Kennedy,2 for publick use; and Capt. Ephraim Bill, Jabez Perkins and David Mumford of Norwich are appointed and desired to assist Mr. Shaw in taking and removing the said wheat to the mills to be floured, and the continental and colonial ships stores &c. to the places of the greatest safety that can be up Norwich River, and to secure the same as well as they can.
Orders were given to several regiments of the militia to march to New London in the defence of this country against the invasions of the enemy; also letters sent to Genl Washington and others for the needful assistance and steps to be taken in this alarming time of danger &c.