[New York] Saturday Morning, June 22nd, 1776.
Whereas there is reason to apprehend a speedy invasion of this Colony by a powerful fleet and army under the authority of the King of Great Britain: and Whereas this Congress are informed that the Commissary-General of the Continental army has orders, in the purchasing ot live cattle for the use of the troops, to give the preference to such cattle as are fit for use at or near the sea coasts of the United Colonies:
Resolved, therefore, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of this Colony, at or near the sea coasts, to sell at a reasonable price to the said Commissary-General or his deputy, all such cattle as he shall judge are fit for the purpose aforesaid.
Christopher Duyckinck, one of the owners of the privateer barge Washington, attending, was admitted. He requested that a commission be granted to John Warner, as commander of the said barge.
A commission was accordingly issued to the said John Warner, as commander of the said barge; and the said John Warner and James Riker, Esqr. attorney at law, entered into bonds, as directed by the Honble. the Continental Congress.
The resolutions reported by the committee for taking into consideration the letter from the Honble John Hancock, and the resolve of Congress therein enclosed, which was read yesterday and postponed till this morning, was again read and unanimously agreed to, and is in the words following, to wit:
Resolved unanimously, That the Congress will, upon application from the Commander-in-Chief of the army of the United Colonies, call to his assistance when necessity shall require it, such part of the militia of this Colony as the said Commander-in-Chief shall think necessary, in case of an invasion of this or a neighbouring Colony, and afford him such other assistance as the situation of affairs may require.
Resolved unanimously, That the said Comander-in-Chief be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to impress carriages and water craft within this Colony, when necessary for the public service; and also to remove ships and other vessels in Hudson's and the East rivers, for the purpose of securing them from the enemy.
Ordered, That a certified copy of the aforegoing resolutions be immediately transmitted to His Excellency Genl George Washington.