- "Till- Kegiuieiit liere, from Connecticut, can turn out many Carpen- " teru, who consent to work upon much more reasonable terms than the "artificer of this City. It would, I imagine, be worth while to pro- "vide, if possible, a suflicient number of tools: when the present work "is done, these tools cannot be considered an idle purchase : they will • 'always be useful," {General Charles Lee to the I^ovincial Congress, '•New-Yoek, February 22, 1776.")
Already provided with quarters, rations, and pay, as soldiei'S, and without tools, these men could well afford to underbid the local Mechanics, whoso houserents, food, and other expences, including their expensive tools, must be provided for, by themselves. But how dreary the tunes must have been, even in Connecticut, when her Artisans, were compelled to go into the Army, in order to gain their needed shelter and their daily bread.
^The Commiltee of Safety to General Schuyler, "In Committee, New- " York, 17th Jan'y., 1776."
* Journal of the Committee of Safety, "Die Mercurii, 10 ho., A.M., " Jany. 24, 1770 ;" the same, " Die Sabbati, 3 ho., P.M., Feby. 3, 1776 ;" the same, " Die Veneris, 10 ho., A.M., Feb. 9, 1776 ;" Journal of the Provincial Congress, "Die Veneris, 4 ho., P.M., March 8, 1776."
^Journal of the Ommittee of Safety, " Die Sabbati, 3 ho., P.M., Feby. 3, "1776;" the same, "Die Veneris, 10 ho., A.M., Feb. 9, 1770;" Juimial of the l\ovinci<U Congress, " Die Veneris, 4 ho., P.M., March 8, 1776."