To the secret Committee of the Convention of the State of New York, appointed to devise and carry into Execution such measures as to them should appear most effectual for obstructing the Channel of Hudsons River or annoying the Enemies Ships in their Navigation up the said River.

Gentleman

In pursuance of your Instructions given me at this Place on the 22d July last,1 I immediately repaired to Salisbury Furnace, and applied to Messrs. Fitch & Norton, two of the Superintendents of the Furnace (Collonel Porter the other Superintendant being absent) for the Cannon & other Articles mentioned in the said Instructions

They informed me that there were several Cannon, & a considerable Quantity of Shot ready, that they h but that they was not authorized to dispose of, or part with, any of them, without Licence from Governor Trumbull: That they had no Trux made, and could not order any to be made without his Direction. They furnished me with a State of the ordinance Stores they had prepared, and I forthwith proceeded to Govr. Trumbull’s at Lebanon—

I gave the Governor a Copy of my Instructions, and requested the Favor of him to furnish the Convention of the State of New York with as many Cannon for the Defence of Hudsons River as the State of Connecticut could conveniently spare, not exceeding the Number mentioned in my Instructions, together with a proportionable Quantity of Shot. I also desired him to give Directions for the casting Trux for the said Cannon, & intimitated to him, that Messrs. Fitch & Norton had informed me it might be done without delaying the making of Cannon.

Governor Trumbull expressed his Readiness to contribute all in his Power towards the Good of the American Cause and the Safety of this State, but thought it most prudent to summon his Council, [and sub]mit my Request to their Consideration

When the Council convened, they concurred with the Governor in an order for “lending ten twelve pounders and ten six pounders then at Salisbury the Furnace at Salisbury, to the State of New York, also a suitable Proportion of Shot for said Cannon. Said Cannon to be replaced and said Shot to be returned or accounted for by said State when requested, and the overseers of said Furnace were required to cast a Sufficient Number, of or as many as could be of Iron Trux or Carriage Wheels for said Cannon to be loaned to said State and returned or accounted for with the Cannon aforesaid—All to be be delivered to me or my order by said overseers, taking proper Receipts for the same.” Of this order they gave me the certified Copy which is annexed to this Report.

On my Return to Salisbury I found Collonel Porter there, and the overseers of the Furnace agreed to prepare the Cannon mentioned in the above order, with the greatest Expedition; several of them not being yet bored or drilled. As to the Trux—Coll Porter was averse to entering on that Branch of Business, objecting that it would impede the casting of Cannon, and gave me very Satisfactory Reasons for his being of that opinion, and on the same Account, expressed a Desire that Salisbury Furnace might be confined to the making of Cannon, and Coll. Livingston’s employed in casting Shot & other ordinance Stores, adding that he would furnish the Coll. with some sand-moulders & give him every other Assistance in his Power. For these Reasons I did not think it either reasonable or prudent to insist on a Compliance with the Governor’s order respecting the Trux.—

I then hired Teams to carry four twelve Pounders which were soon made ready, together with fifty rounds of Shot for each of them to Coll. Hoffmans Landing at 35/ lawful Money of Connecticut per Ton, and requested Hezekiah Fitch Esqr. to forward the Remainder as they became ready, with fifty rounds of Shot for each Cannon to the same Place, and engaged to make him a reasonable Compensation for his Trouble. He consented to undertake the Business, and I left with him twenty Eight pounds twel four Shillings lawful Money of Connecticut to defray the Expences attending it, and to pay the Teemsmen then employed in transporting the four twelve pounders and the Shot aforesaid, for which Money I took his Receipt and have annexed it to this Report.

Being of opinion that Application should immediately be made to Coll. Livingston for Trux & Shot, & it being uncertain whether he was at Ancram or the manor, I went to Ancram,2 and not finding him there proceeded to the manor. At my Request he has undertaken to furnish the Convention of the State of New York with proper Trux for ten twelve, and ten six pounders together with Cannon Shot of various sizes.

On my Way to this Place, I overtook the four Cannon and Shot aforesaid going to Coll. Hoffmans Landing, & being informed that a Sloop was there ready to sail to Fort Montgomery, I ordered the said Cannon & Shot to be put on Board and carried to the said Fort—