1From George Washington to a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 13 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
⟨A multiplicity of engagements,⟩ & a continual Pressure ⟨of other concerns, has prevented⟩ proceeding in the Case of the Soldiers confi⟨nd for seditious⟩ & treasonable Practices, but as soon as Time w⟨ill admit⟩ a proper Attention will be paid to it. In the m⟨ean time⟩ I beg Leave to suggest the Propriety of the Authority of ⟨the⟩ Province taking some Steps with Regard to those Pers⟨ons⟩...
2To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 14 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Committee to inform your Excellency that a great Number of the persons now confined in our Goal are from Queens County on Long Island, and from all Appearances we are confident that they are in Sentiment inimical to that glorious Cause in which with your Excellency we have the Honor to be engaged. We have it in our Power to confine them close prisoners, or take Security...
3From George Washington to a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 15 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
⟨In answer to your favour of Yesterday, I beg⟩ Leave to acquaint you that I ⟨have consulted with such of the Gene⟩ral Officers as could be easily ⟨convened,⟩ with ⟨respect to the prisoner⟩s confined in the Gaol of this City—We are all of Opi⟨nion that to⟩ enlarge them or permit their Continuance here is equ⟨ally dangerou⟩s. No other Course therefore remains than to send them ⟨to s⟩ome Place...
4To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 17 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Convention have thought it proper to appoint us a secret Committee among other things to form & execute any plan which we may conceive necessary for the defence of Hudson’s River which has unfortunately been too long neglected—We wish to have your Excellency’s advice on this important subject and shall think ourselves happy to cooperate in any design that you may have formed. The...
5To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 18 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
We informed your Excellency of our appointment, in consequence of which we took a Survey of the Fortresses in the Highlands—we are extreamly sorry to say that notwithstanding their importance & advantagious situation they are by no means in a proper posture of Defence, part of the few Cannon at Fort Constitution were sent away—and the whole Number now there, and at Fort Montgomery are not...
6From George Washington to a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 19 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am favourd with yours of the 17th Inst.—My unacquaintedness with Hudson’s River and with every other circumstance necessary to form a judgment of the Mode of defending it, will incapacitate me from giving you the Assistance and Advice you politely ask—I must intirely refer it to your own Judgment & Skill only assuring you that it will give me great pleasure if any thing effectual can be...
7From George Washington to a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 21 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 18th Inst. I duly Received and note the Contents, and am very sorry to hear the Forts in the High Lands are in so defenceless a Situation, amongst such variety of Business which calls my closest attention it has been , and still is Impossible for me personally to reconnoitre all the different Posts under my Command, but was so sensible of the Importance of the Fortresses in the...
8To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Letter of the 21 Ulto arrived here at a Time when this Committee was dispersed and the Members gone different Ways on different Business—It was however sent by Express to Mr Jay who was then in Connecticut endeavouring to procure Cannon for the Defence of Hudson’s River and we have the Pleasure of informing your Excellency that we have obtained ten twelve & ten six pounders...
9To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
As we are informed that the little powder belonging to this State is dispersed thro’ the Counties for the use of the Militia, we find ourselves under the necessity of requesting an order from your Excellency to Capt. Benson on Mr John R. Livingston for as much powder as may be necessary for our two armed vessels. We have directed him to procure a proper number of hand Granades—there is reason...
10To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 27 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Committee which the Convention of this State appointed for devising ways and means to obstruct the Navigation on Hudsons river, have lately received directions from the Convention to purchase vessels to be sunk near fort Washington. To effect this, we immediately proceeded up to this place, with Capt. Grennal, whose assistance, by reason of his naval experience, the Convention conceived...