To John Jay from Frederick Jay, 27 August 1776
From Frederick Jay
[Rye 27th Augst. 1776]
Dear John
It is with great Difficulty that we can get the Militia together & many of them without either Arms or Amunition—I think it necessary to apply to Congress for Capt. Sam. Townsends Company now at Kings bridge & as many more men as the Congress thinks necessary to guard the Coast—1 last Night (before we had any Information of the Men of War) Severall Canoes went off from this place—Pray attend to this business. Send us a supply of men & we will then bid defiance to the Sheep Stealers. I am &c. &c. in haste.
Fred. Jay
P.S. if the Militia should be obliged to attend for any time it will be of great Damage to the Country & therefore request that a sufficient Number of Continental troops should be sent to guard the Coast—
ALS, NNC (EJ: 6311). Addressed: “On the Service of the State/to Jno. Jay Esqr/at/Harlem.” Endorsed. On 27 July the New York Convention adjourned from White Plains to meet at Harlem. Sessions of the convention and its Committees of Safety continued at the Harlem Church until 29 Aug. , 1: 548, 601.
1. King’s Bridge, at the northern end of Manhattan, linked the island to the mainland. Samuel Townsend of Westchester was promoted to captain of a county militia company on 16 Aug. 1776.