Governor of Connecticut who was the only colonial governor to side with the Americans during the Revolutionary War (1710-1785). Remarkable Revolutionary war-dated manuscript DS, signed “Jon'th Trumbull,” one page both sides, 8 x 13, July 3, 1776. On the eve of Independence, Trumbull, as Connecticut colonial governor, orders Lt. Col. Thomas Seymour to march his three regiments of light horse to New York to assist Commander-in-Chief George Washington. In full: “The pressing demands from General Washington for a speedy reinforcement of the Army at New York on which the preservation of the Country (under God) seems at present so much to depend, require our utmost Exertions on this Occasion, and as the Reinforcements raising by this Colony on the requisition of Congress and by order of the General Assembly (it is feared) will not be compleated & forwarded so as to arrive at New York by the Time they may be wanted—It is therefore thought Necessary to order the three Regiments of light Horse west of Connecticut River to march forward to New York to be under the Direction of the Commander in Chief of the Army there.
I do thereupon, by and with the Advice of the Committee of Safety present order and direct that the three Regiments of light Horse in this Colony west of Connecticut River immediately and without delay to march forward, well equipped & furnished for and to New York under your Command (The Chief Officer or Colonel being ordered on a different Department) & that of the several Majors in their proper Rank, and when arrived at New York to be under the Command and Direction of his Excellency General Washington as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army there, which Troops are to be considered as part of the Militia requested of this Colony for New York depart & then there to remain & be subjected to Duty and Service untill they be relieved by the Completion of the Forces requested of this Colony for New York, which will be done as speedily as possible, when said Regiments of Horse will be relieved & return Home, unless the necessity of Case and the Situation of the continental Army there shall be such as to require their being longer detained and the General shall desire and request the same—
You will have Orders to receive out of the Colony Treasury the Sum of £ one thousand pounds to be distributed in Order to defray the Expense of their march and the Several officers & privates will receive such pay and Allowance as shall be ordered by the Continental Congress, or shall be set & reasonable by the General Assembly of this Colony. It is expected that you forthwith send your Orders to the Majors of the several Regiments aforesaid immediately to forward the Troops under their Command according to the above Orders.” Trumbull adds a short postscript: “If it is impracticable to have the whole of each Troop properly equipped you will forward such part as are furnished, as the Urgency of the Case will admit of no delay.” In very good to fine condition, with a few unobtrusive professional repairs to small areas of paper loss.
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