Gentlemen

By the Direction of the honle the Convention of this State I am to apply for your Assistance in procuring Men for two Callies in Hudson's River which altho fitted for Use cannot be employed for the Want of Hands. Genl McDougall hath applied to the Convention for this Purpose urging by many Arguments not only the Expediency but Necessity of putting some floating Defence above the Forts in the Highlands. For altho Ships may not be able to force small Boats may certainly steal a Passage thro. If the Enemy should penetrate beyond the Mountains by Land they must be absolutely ruined without the Command of the Waters But if they can get some heavy Cannon along which cannot be by Land while any Force what ever remains to oppose either within or below the Mountains then they will soon enjoy not only a free Communication but the absolute Command of Hudson's River. Captn Cook the Bearer hereof will I suppose communicate the Generals Ideas upon this Subject I am Gentlemen with great Respect [&c.]