[New York] Die Lunae, 10 HO. A.M. Jany. 15th, 1776.
The Committee of Safety are informed by a member, that a fleet of eighteen sail of transports, two men of war and two bomb ships, are sailed from Boston; that they sailed from Boston on last Saturday week, and that a letter from General Washington, advising this Committee thereof, is on the way, and may be hourly expected.
Thereupon the Committee thought it necessary to have a proper person sent to the Narrows, with a glass, to look out for any fleet that may be approaching this port; and Capt. Austin Lawrence being sent for, attended the Committee; he agreed to proceed to the Narrows immediately for that purpose, and proper directions were given to him and signals agreed on, which shall be made at the ferry to give notice to the city.
Capt. William Dobbs was also sent for and attended; he was directed to take the whale boat lately purchased by this Committee, with a proper number of men to row her, and proceed to the light-house, and there observe carefully the approach of any fleet, and to give immediate notice thereof to this Committee. Mr. Dobbs was directed to tarry one week if no fleet appears sooner, and to be very frugal in his disbursements, which were particularly enumerated.
Ordered, That none of the pilots at this port shall go to Sandy Hook, or to any other place towards the Hook, without the permission of this Committee, until the further order of this Committee. And
Ordered, That no pilot do presume to pilot into the Hook, or towards this port, any transport with troops on board, or any ship of war, or ministerial armed vessel whatever. And
Ordered, That the pilots be directed to attend this Committee to-morrow forenoon, in order that they may be charged with the matter of this order, and to keep the same secret.