[Lebanon, April 18, 1776].
His Excellency Govr Brown of New Providence, came with Coll Stewart on Wednesday the 17th instant ー the Governor desired to know whether he was considered a Prisoner ー if so what was his Crime? ー I shewed him Admiral Hopkins's Letter - & informed him that it is my duty to hold him in the same Character the Commander in Chief of the Continental Fleet delivered him, and could not receed from it ー I desired him to sign the Parole prepared, he would meet kind treatment according to his rank and quality ー Many things were said ー the next Morning I offered Govr Brown the foregoing Parole to Sign 2 ー He declined it as being dishonorable ー He offered to conform to my Orders and Directions ー He would do what I ordered ー I recited the Parole He said ー upon the Honor of a Govr and a Gentleman he gave his Parole to abide at Windham & Conform to the things mentione[d] until I received the order and direction of Congress ー being informed of my being absent at the Assembly he must abide such time as was convenient for me ー to this he complied ー He had wished me to write to the Congress, for their Opinion ー I desired him to give the particulars to be communicated ー I would comply with his request ー He further mentioned his bodily indisposition ー his baggage being at New London, and several things doing for him there ー which made it convenient for him to return to that place, which was consented to on his Parole, to return to Windham Wednesday or Thursday of Next week.
1. Conn. Arch., 1st Series, V, 393a, 393b, ConnSL.
2. Ibid., 393a, preceding the narrative, Governor Trumbull had appended the parole Browne had refused to sign. It read:
I Montfort Brown Esqr Governor of New Providence, A Prisoner in the Power of the Governor and Council of Safety for the Colony of Connecticut, being delivered to them by the Commander in Chief of the Fleet of the United Colonies in America having been kindly treated and Protected by them and enlarged On Parole-
Do hereby Solemnly promise and engage on the Honor of a Gentleman ー that will not bear Arms against the American Colonies in any Manner Whatever for the Space of twelve Months or until I may be exchanged - nor during that Time take any Measures to give intelligence to the British Ministry or Ministerial Army or Navy - Or to any Person or persons whatsoever relative to the American Affairs ー but will proceed with all convenient Speed to the Town of Windham in this Colony and peaceably abide within the limits of said Town ship ー and submit myself to the further Directions of the said Governor and his Council of Safety. ー That I will not directly or indirectly Attempt to procure an[y pe]rson or persons to rescue me ー and that I will not go on [boar]d any British Ship of War during the Continuance of my Engagements not to bear Arms ー Colony of Connecticut Lebanon 18th April 1776
