[Extract]

Sirー This Committee in consequence of your Representation are deeply Impress'd with gratitude to General Washington for his early attention and kindness to this Colony in sending you with some forces to protect their metropolis from the threatened invasion, and hope the same generous disposition will induce him to continue his assistance while our Danger remains.

The number of men you propose to have raised for our present defence we have considered of and judge it necessary the number of matrosses be augmented to Two hundred, and that Eight Hundred men more be enlisted for fifteen days to guard the several necessary Ports & Passes, and shall give orders for compleating the same.

Coll. Joshua Wingate, Lieut. Coll. Jonathan Burnum, Majr James Hacket are appointed by the Congress, Field officers of a Regiment of minute-men and commissioned. We have, therefore directed them to take command according to their several stations; have requested Willm Knight and Joshua Wentworth Esqr, Capt. Willm Peame, Capt. Thomas Thompson & Capt. Supply Clap to procure & fix a number of vessels above the Boom in order to hinder the passage of our Enemy's ships up the river. . . .

The fixing a Cable to strengthen the Boom as you proposed, considering the time it will require to prepare it & the great expence thereof & the importance of the Boom & ships, we think may be omitted.