There were four sessions of the General Assembly in 1777. The two regular sessions, in May and October; one adjourned session in January, and one in August.

There were eleven more regiments raised this season; nine for the continental service, and two for the special defence of the State. The nine regiments raised for the continental ser

A SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF MAJOR GENERAL PARSONS. Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, was born at Lyme, in New London county, and State of Connecticut, May 14th, 1737; and was the third son of the Rev. Jonathan Parsons, a distinguished clergyman, who removed from Lyme to Newburyport, Mass., 1746.

General Parsons was educated and graduated at Harvard University, in 1756. He read law at Lyme, with the Hon. Matthew Griswold, (afterwards Governor of the State,) was admitted to the bar of New London county, February, 1759, and settled at Lyme in the practice of the law.

At the age of twenty-five, he was elected a member of the General Assembly of the colony of Connecticut, and was successively re-elected until his removal to New London, in 1774.

In November, 1773, he was appointed "King's Attorney" for New London county, which office he resigned at the commencement of the revolutionary war, and as one of the "Committee of Correspondence" entered with zeal into the cause of the colonies against Great Britain.

Soon after the battle of Lexington, some gentlemen of Connecticut, at the head of whom were Mr. Parsons, the Hon. Silas Deane, Gen. David Wooster, and others, formed the bold design of seizing the fortresses of Ticonderoga and Crown Point by surprise, and obtaining command of lakes George and Champlain. In order to execute the plan with secrecy and despatch, they borrowed on their individual credit, the requisite funds from the colonial Treasurer, raised a body of volunteers, and placed them under the command of Colonel Ethan Allen, who successfully conducted the enterprise-captured the forts and made prisoners of the garrison without the loss of a single man. The seizure of these posts was important in itself, and tended to inspire the Americans with new and additional confidence in themselves.

On the 26th of April, 1775, Mr. Parsons was appointed Colonel of the 6th regiment,raised for the special defence and safety of the colony," and soon after marched to Roxbury, where he continued until the British evacuated Boston, when he was ordered to New York.

He was in the battle of Long Island, in August, 1776, and about that time was appointed by Congress, Brigadier General, and was with the army under General Washington, at the evacuation of New York.

During the years 1777-8 and 9 a portion of the army was required to protect the important posts upon the North river; General Parsons was with Gen. Putnam at Peekskill, and from thence was frequently detached on various important expeditions.

About the middle of May, 1777, returning to Peekskill, from Connecticut, with a body of recruits, and learning, while passing through New Haven, that the enemy had collected a large quantity of forage and provisions at Sag Harbor,

vice, were severally commanded by Col. Samuel Wyllys, of Hartford, Col. Samuel B. Webb, of Wethersfield, Col. Philip B. Bradley, of Ridgefield, Col. Jedediah Huntington, of Norwich, Col. John Durkee, of Norwich, Col. John Douglass, of Plainfield, Col. Heman Swift, of Cornwall, Col. John Chandler, of Newtown, and Col. Return J. Meigs, of Middletown.

for the supply of their army at New York; General Parsons determined to seize the same, and for that purpose despatched Lieut. Col. Meigs, with about two hundred and thirty men, who completely effected the object of the expedition, and also burnt one of the enemy's armed vessels; took ninety prisoners and recrossed the sound without the loss of a single man. The successful result of this enterprise proved the wisdom and good judgment with which it was designed, as well as the skill and valor displayed in its execution.

In June, he marched from Peekskill to Middlebrook, N. J., to join the main army, where General Washington was encamped, apprehending an attack from General Howe, who, it was supposed, had designs on Philadelphia; but the enemy, being frustrated by the vigilance of Washington, and retiring from New Jersey, the continentals, under General Parsons, returned to the North river, where an attack was soon after made by Sir Henry Clinton. In the early part of October, advancing up the North river with a large force, the British general captured forts Montgomery and Clinton, and proceeded above the Highlands, compelling General Putnam, (who commanded at Peekskill,) to evacuate that post and forts Independence and Constitution, and retire to Fishkill. Here the American army was reinforced by the militia of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, and General Parsons, by order of General Putnam, marched with two thousand men to Peekskill, and recovered and took possession of that post, with the passages in the Highlands.

In the month of July, 1779, General Washington understanding that Governor Tryon had invaded Connecticut with twenty-six hundred British troops, for the purpose of penetrating the adjacent country, immediately directed Gen. Parsons (then in command near the Highlands) to hasten to the scene of action, with a view of giving confidence to his countrymen and guiding their efforts. Having placed himself at the head of one hundred and fifty continental troops, assisted by considerable bodies of Connecticut militia, under General Erastus Wolcott, Gen. Parsons attacked the British in the morning of the 12th, immediately after their landing at Norwalk; and although too weak to prevent the destruction of that town, he harassed and annoyed the enemy throughout the day in such a manner that they re-embarked and returned to Huntington bay for fresh supplies of artillery and re-enforcements of men. Governor Try on being convinced that any further attempts to extend his depredations into the country, defended as it was, by a brave and patriotic population, would be ineffectual, abandoned the undertaking and returned to New York.

The following is a copy of a letter addressed by Governor Tryon to Generals Putnam and Parsons, a short time before invading Connecticut, with General Parsons' very caustic and pungent reply.

NEW YORK, June 18, 1779.

Sir—By one of his Majesty's ships of war, which arrived here last night from Georgia, we have intelligence that the British forces were in possession of fort

The Connecticut continental troops, raised this season, were early in the field. They were chiefly assigned to the defence of the important military posts about the Highlands on the Hudson river. This great thoroughfare of communication between the northern, southern and middle States, was maintained throughout the war, mostly by Connecticut forces.

Johnston, near Charlestown, the first of June. Surely it is time for rational Americans to wish for a reunion with the parent State, and to adopt such measures as will most speedily effect it.

I am, sir, your very humble, obedient servant,

WM. TRYON, M. G.

To Gen. PUTNAM, or in his absence, to Gen. PARSONS.

[Answer.]

CAMP, HIGHLANDS, Sept. 7, 1779. Sir, I should have paid an earlier attention to your polite letter of the 18th of June, had I not entertained some hope of a personal interview with you, in your descents upon the defenceless towns of Connecticut, to execute your master's vengeance, upon the rebellious women and formidable host of boys and girls, who were induced, by your insidious proclamations, to remain in those hapless places; and who, if they had been suffered to continue in the enjoyment of that peace their age and sex entitled them to expect from civilized nations, you undoubtedly supposed would prove the scourge of Britain's veteran troops, and pluck from you those laurels, with which that fiery expedition so plentifully crowned you. But your sudden departure from Norwalk, and the particular attention you paid to your personal safety, when at that place, and the prudent resolution you took, to suffer the town of Stamford to escape the conflagration, to which you had devoted Fairfield and Norwalk, prevented my wishes on this head; this I hope will sufficiently apologize for my delay in answering your last letter.

By letters from France, we have intelligence that His Catholic Majesty declared war against Great Britain in June last; that the combined fleets of France and Spain, amounting to more than sixty sail of the line, have formed a junction, and with twenty-five thousand land forces are meditating an important blow on the British dominions in Europe; and that the grand fleet of Old England find it very inconvenient to venture far from their harbors. In the West Indies, Admiral Byron having greatly suffered in a naval engagement, escaped with his ships in a very shattered condition to St. Christopher's; and covered his fleet under the batteries on the shores, and has suffered himself to be insulted in the road of that Island by the French Admiral; and Count D'Estaing after reducing the Islands of St. Vincent and Grenada to the obedience of France, defeating and disabling the British fleet, had sailed for Hispaniola; where it is expected he will be joined by the Spanish fleet in those seas, and attack Jamaica. The storming your strong works at Stony Point, and capturing the garrison by our brave troops; the brilliant successes of General Sullivan against your faithful friends and allies, the savages; the surprise of Paulus Hook, by Major Lee; the flight of General Provost from Carolina; and your shamefully shutting yourselves up in New York, and the neighboring Islands, are so fully within your knowledge as scarcely to need repetitions.

At the May session, two regiments were ordered to be raised for the defence of the State. One of these regiments was commanded by Col. Roger Enos, of Windsor, and was stationed on the south-western border of the State, near Long Island sound. The other was commanded by Col. John Ely, of Saybrook.

Surely it is time for Britons to rouse from their delusive dreams of conquest, and pursue such systems of future conduct as will save their tottering empire from total destruction.

Major General TRYON.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

SAMUEL H. PARSONS.

On the 29th of September, 1780, he was appointed by General Washington, one of the Board of General Officers, constituted and directed to sit at West Point upon the examination and trial of Major Andre, Adjutant General of the British army.

In October, 1780, he was appointed and commissioned by Congress as Major General, and succeeded General Putnam in the command of the Connecticut line of the continental army.

During the latter part of the year 1780, the defenceless inhabitants upon the frontiers, between Greenwich and New York, had been much annoyed, and subjected to losses of property and great sufferings by the frequent incursions of the enemy stationed at Morrisania, (near the East river) and at Harlem.

On the 25th of January, 1781, General Parsons, having under his command a body of continental troops, determined to destroy the enemy's barracks, (which could not be re-built during the winter) and in that way afford some protection to the inhabitants near the lines; with this view he proceeded by rapid marches to Westchester and Morrisania, and attacked the British troops, who were unable to resist the ardent spirit of the Americans, and after several actions ho effectually succeeded in the enterprise. About fifty of the enemy's huts were burnt; a bridge across Harlem river under the protection of the enemy's redoubts, and a large quantity of forage were destroyed. The loss of General Parsons was inconsiderable, not exceeding eight men killed; while that of the enemy was over fifty killed and fifty-two prisoners captured, with about eighty cattle and forty horses.

The object of this enterprise being accomplished, the American troops retired, bringing off the cattle, horses, and prisoners.

On the 5th of February, Congress passed a resolution requesting the Com. mander-in-Chief to present to General Parsons, and the officers under his com. mand, the thanks of Congress for his judicious arrangements, and for the courage displayed by the officers and men under him on this occasion.

In September, 1781, the Governor and Council of Safety of Connecticut, requested General Parsons to take under his command the State troops and coast guards raised for the protection of this State, together with such militia as should be ordered to the coast; and to dispose of this force in such manner as he should judge necessary to protect the inhabitants as far as practicable against the desultory expeditions of the enemy on the coast of this State.

Having continued in the war until its close, General Parsons resumed the practice of law in Middletown; was repeatedly a member of the Legislature

The title of Excellency,' instead of Honor,' was ordered to be given to the Governor.

Jabez Huntington, of Norwich, was appointed Major General over the whole militia of the State, in place of Gen. David Wooster, deceased. Gen. James Wadsworth, of Durham, was appointed second Major General, in place of Jabez Huntington, promoted. The Major Generals were authorized, on notice of the appearance of the enemy, by sea or land, to call out all or part

from that place; and an active and influential member of the Convention which assembled at Hartford, in January, 1788, and adopted the Constitution of the United States.

In the latter part of the year 1785, he was appointed by Congress, a commissioner, with General Richard Butler, of Pittsburgh, and General George Rogers Clarke, of Kentucky, to hold a treaty with the western Indians, near the falls of Ohio, for the extinguishment of the aboriginal title to certain lands in the north western territory of the United States.

The treaty was held near the mouth of the Great Miami, in January, 1786, and the, Indians then ceded to the United States a large and valuable tract of country embracing the site on which Cincinnati is now built.

He was a member and for some time President of the Society of the Cincinnati in Connecticut.

In 1788, he was appointed and commissioned by Congress the first Judge of the north western territory, which then included the present States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan; which office he held until his death. His associates were General James M. Varnum, of Rhode Island, and the Hon. John Cleves Symmes, of New Jersey.

In 1789, he was appointed by the State of Connecticut, a commissioner, with Governor Oliver Wolcott, of Litchfield, (father of the late Governor Wol. cott,) and the Hon. James Davenport, of Stamford, to hold a treaty with the Wyandots and other tribes of Indians, for extinguishing their claims, to the aboriginal title to the "Connecticut Western Reserve;" and in the fall of 1789, he went into that country to meet some of the chiefs with a view to prelimi nary arrangements for holding a treaty with them. While returning to his residence at Marietta, he was drowned in descending the rapids of the Big Beaver river, the 17th of November, 1789-aged 52 years.

General Parsons was a distinguished member of the bar-possessed talents of a high order, and was an active and efficient opposer of the arbitrary claims and pretensions of Great Britain over her colonies in North America.

He engaged in the war of the revolution at its commencement, and served with reputation until its close.

He filled various public places of great trust and importance at different periods of his life, the duties of which he discharged with acknowledged ability and fidelity.

He was a man of ardent feelings-and like other gentlemen in public life, had some personal enemies-but his personal friends were numerous and warmly attached to him.