Monday Morning,
[White Plains] July 15th, 1776.
A letter from Genl. Washington, dated yesterday, by express, was received and read, and is in the following words, to wit:
New-York Head-Quarters,
July 14th, 1776.
Gentlemen ー The passage of the enemy up the North river is an event big with many consequences to the public interest. One particularly occurs to me well deserving your attention, and to prevent which I shall gladly give every assistance in my power, consistent with the safety of the army.
I am informed there are several passes on each side of the river upon which the communication with Albany depends, of so commanding a nature that an inconsiderable body of men may defend them aganist the largest numbers; it may be that on board these ships there may be troops for this purpose, who, expecting to be joined by the disaffected in that quarter, or confiding in their own strength, may endeavor to seize those defiles, in which case the intercourse between the two armies, both by land and water, will be wholly cut off, than which a greater misfortune could hardly befall the Province and army. I must entreat you to take the measure into consideration, and if possible, provide against an evil so much to be apprehended. I should hope the militia of those counties might be used on such an emergency, until further provision was made.
I have also thought it very probable these ships may have carried up arms and animunition to be dealt out to those who may favour their cause, and cooperate with them at a fixed time. I would, to guard against this, submit to your consideration the propriety of writing to the leading men on our side in those counties, to be very vigilant in observing any movement of that kind, in order that so dangerous a scheme may be nipped in the bud; for that purpose to keep the utmost attention to the conduct of the principal tories in those parts, any attempts.of intercourse with the ships, and all other circumstances which may lead to a discovery of their schemes and the destruction of their measures.
I am, gentlemen, very respectfully, [&c.]
Geo. Washington.
To the Honble. the Prest. of the
Provincial Congress of New-York.
A draft of an answer to the letter just received from Genl. Washington, was read and approved of, and a copy transmitted by the same express, and is in the words following, that is to say:
White-Plains, July 15th, 1776.
Sir ー Your letter of the 14th inst. was read in Convention. They see the importance of securing the passes your Excellency mentions, and will immediately take the measures you are pleased to recommend, and every other which they conceive will tend most to the security of this State. Your Excellency was informed by our letter of the 13th of the precautions we had used in order to prevent any intercourse between the disaffected people of our State and the ships of the enemy, and to repel any attempts they might make to land. They see the necessity of watching with the utmost vigilance the steps of the tories in this and the neighbouring counties, and shall give your Excellency the earliest notice of any resolutions that they may form for this purpose.
We have the honr. to be; &c.
His Excellency Genl. Washngton.
Die Lunae, P. M. July 15th, 1776.
Ordered, That Mr. [John] Jay, Mr. Robert Yates, Mr. [William] Duer, Mr. Robert R. Livingston, and Colo. [Charles] Dewit, be a committee to take into consideration Genl. Washington's letter, received and read this morning, and that they report thereon with all possible speed.
Resolved unanimously, That, if His Excellency Genl. Washington should think it expedient for the preservation of this State, and the general interest of America, to abandon the city of New-York, and withdraw the troops to the north side of King's Bridge, that this Convention will cheerfully cooperate with him in every measure that may be necessary for that purpose.
A draft of a letter to His Excellency Genl. Washington, to enclose the above resolution, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, that is to say:
In Convention, July 15th, 1776.
Sir ー One or two pettiaugers have been observed going to and from the ships of war at Tarry Town. Had the detachment of militia stationed there been supplied with boats they would certainly have taken them. The Convention take the liberty, therefore, of requesting your Exellency to send them four whale boats, which they will take care to man.
I am directed by the Convention to transmit the enclosed resolution to your Excellency, and have the honour to be, with great respect, [&c.] By order.
His Excellency Genl. Washington.
