Sir

The Delegates from this State, agreable to the request of Congress, transmitted to us a resolution of that honourable body dated the 23d of May last: by which we are required to equip such gallies as may be necessary for the defence of Hudsons river, & to direct their operations — We flatter our selves that this report passed the house in the hurry of business without the fullest deliberation, since we are satisfied that the Congress can not mean in our present weak, & mutilated state to load us with the defence of Hudsons river after having hitherto considered it as a continental object, & even refused to trust us with the nomination of an officer to command in the works that were erected for its security — From the commencement of the war with Great Britain, the Justice of Congress induced them to distingµish between the state of New York, & every other upon the Continent — They knew that as the center of America in the vicinity of Canada; the exposed situation of its capital, and the deep & navigable river by which it is intersected for near two hundred miles, would render it the grand object of the enemies wishes. That they would endeavour at all events to possess themselves of it — Congress wisely foresaw that should this design succeed the communication between the Eastern & Southern States would be obstructed by means of the vessels of war; that an extensive country would be ready to afford the enemy supplies; that all the neighbouring states would be subject to their depredations; that from the extent of their lines itwouldbe impossible to prevent their intercourse with the disaffected from the greater part of the Continent — And that the Indian nationswd be subject to their controul. In short in the compleat reduction of this State they saw much reason to apprehend that of the Continent — These considerations induced them at several different times to order works to be erected & to empower Genl Washington, & the late Convention to build fireships & other vessels for the defence of Hudsons river at the expence of the continent, by virtue of which powers forts & vessels were built & obstructions raised. And this State in order the better to forward the designs of the Congress delive'd up all their Cannon, & other Stores at different time to their Officers—                                                                                                              

We can not therefore but be greatly surprized to find that we are now required to fit out as many gallies as may be thought necessary for the defence of Hudsons river, when by the loss of our Sea Coast & Capital we are deprived of Ship Carpenters & Mechanicks who have sought employment in other states, when our Cannon have been taken for the Continental army, when twenty Seamen are not [to]be found within our government. Were it even in our power to comply with this requisition the Congress must see that it would be highly improper for us to direct the operation of Callies that are to support the Chain & keep up the communication between the works on the different sides of the river for in this view they must become a part of the work itself & nothing would be more incongruous than that they should be independant of the Officers commanding at that post — or more liable to produce dashing or contradictory orders — For these reasons Sir we flatter ourselves that Congress win excuse our requesting a reconsideration of the above resolution and not by a requisition with which we are unable to comply take from. us the pleasure we feel in acknowledging the wisdom & justice of their measures by a chearful acquiessence in their resolutions — That the service may suffer as Little as possible by this delay we have passed the resolves which we do ourselves the honor to enclose — If Sir you reflect upon the great expence which this State has incurred by the boupties paid to militia called out when ever the weakness of the army made it necessary, by large bodies of troops kept on foot to awe the tories — by the suppression of insurrections, & apprehention and support of the disaffected no lessthan 500 of them being at this time confined — by the maintenance of the numerous poor from those parts of the state which are in the hands of the enemy — And above all by the enhanced price· at which we obtain every necessary from the neibouring States — you will readily believe that a spirit of parsimony has no influence in any thing that we have offered & that we have not only borne our full share of the burdens of this war but shewn an alacrity in taking them upon us which must convince the Congress that nothing but necessity prevents our complyance with their last request.

I am Sir by order &c.

To the Hon: John Hancock Esqr
President of the Hon: the Congress