Die Sabbati, 9 HO. A.M. [Fishkill] Septr. 21st, 1776.
A letter from Genl. Washington was read and follows, vizt:
Head-Quarters,
Heights of Harlem, Septr. 20th, 1776.
Gentn, ー Having reason to believe the enemy will attempt to gall us with their ships of war from the North river as soon as they are ready to open their batteries against the front of our lines, which we expect them to erect with great industry, I beg leave to mention that I think it may be of immense consequence if your Honourable Body will order down some of your fire ships, which may lay just above the obstructions in the river under cover of the guns of Fort Washington, where they will be ready to act in case the ships should attempt to come up.
Hurried and surrounded with a thousand things, I have only time to add, that
I have the honor to be, with great esteem, Gentn. [f&c.]
Go. Washington.
On reading the letter of His Excellency General Washington of the 20th instant, requesting this Convention to order down some of their fire ships to lay just above the obstructions in the Hudson's river.
Resolved, That the two fire ships charged by Captain [John] Hazel-wood, be immediately despatched to Fort Washington, or near it, And,
Ordered, That Gilbert Livingston, Esqr. or any other member of the committee for obstructing the navigation of Hudson's river who may now be at Poughkeepsie, do immediately despatch the two fire ships prepared and charged by Captain Hazelwood, with proper persons to navigate them under cover of the guns of said fort, and there deliver them to the care of such person as His Excellency Genl. Washington has or shall appoint to take charge of them.
Ordered, That a copy of the above resolution and order be despatched to his Excellency General Washington, and another copy to Gilbert Livingston, Esqr.
A draft of a letter to His Excellency, was read and approved, and is in the words following, to wit:
Sir ー The Convention have received your Excellency's letter of Septr. 20th, and have, in consequence, entered into the enclosed resolution, which I am directed to transmit. We are sorry that it is not in our power to send down more than two fire ships, as they have no more charged in such a manner as to be dependend on.
A committee of correspondence has been established by the Convention, for the purpose of communicating to and receiving intelligence from the army. The express will receive orders to call upon your Excellency daily, and any commands or intelligence which your Excellency may think proper to transmit, will be thankfully received and punctually attended to, by
Your Excellency's [&c.] By order.
To His Excellency Genl. Washington.
Die Sabbati, 4 ho. P.M. Septr. 21st, 1776.
A letter from Thos. Randall, Esqr. one of the marine committee, dated at Elizabeth Town, the 7th Septr. was read and filed.
A letter from Thos. Quigley, mate of the privateer Putnam, dated at Cranberry inlet, the fourth instant, was also read and filed.
The petition of the officers and mariners of the said vessel of war, was also read and filed.
It thereby appears that there is a mutiny on board of the said vessel, and the mariners and crew demand their wages and refuse to continue in the said vessels under the command of Capt. Thos. Creiger.
Ordered, That those papers be deferred for consideration.
Resolved, That the secret committee for obstructing the navigation of Hudson's river, be empowered and directed to purchase and impress for the service of this State, any number of vessels not exceeding six, which they shall think best calculated for the purpose of completing the obstructions in Hudson's river opposite Mount Washington; that they cause an appraisement of said vessels to be made by persons under oath, in the most equitable and expeditious manner possible, in order that satisfaction may hereafter be made by this Convention to the owners of such vessels; and it is recommended to the said committee to request the services of Capt. Thomas Greenell in ballasting and navigating, and delivering those vessels to Capt. Cook at Fort Washington.
Resolved, That the said committee be directed to send all the oak plank (which they have in their possession) to Mount Washington, with the utmost despatch.
Resolved, That the superintendents for building the Continental frigates be earnestly requested to send as much of their short oak plank as they possibly can spare, to Fort Washington, with the utmost despatch, and this Convention do engage to justify their conduct in this particular to the Honourable the Continental Congress.
