To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 16 July 1776
From Nicholas Cooke
Providence July 16th 1776.
Sir,
I am favoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 9th instant in Consequence of which Mr Greene hath delivered to Col. Tillinghast to be immediately forwarded to New-York 14,500 Flints, 20 Muskets and 30 Back-Swords, being the whole of those Articles that were imported by Capt. Chace.1 All the Duck is heavy coarse and stubborn, being what is called Holland and Russia Duck. Capt. Chace hath also brought in the Brige Four 4. Pounders, Six 3 Pounders, and Eight Swivels, which are very much wanted here for Privateers, several of which could be immediately fitted out if Cannon could be procured. If they can be spared from the Service, I should be glad to have your Excellency’s Permission as soon as possible that they may be made Use of for that Purpose at the full Value.
On Saturday last I was honored with the Commands of the General Congress to procure 50 Ship Carpenters to build Vessels for the Defence of the Lakes. I appointed a suitable Person as Captain who hath already inlisted 20 Men; and I have no Doubt they will set off for Albany the last of this, or the very beginning of the next Week.2
I have also received from Congress the Declaration of Independency, and daily expect the Treaty of Confederation and Union, which hath induced me to call the General Assembly to meet on Thursday next when I can safely assure you they will give to both a hearty Assent and Concurrence.3
I intreat your Excellency’s Attention to the great Probability there is of the Enemy’s paying a Visit to Rhode Island, in Case they do not succeed to their Wishes at New-York, and that we are by no Means in a Condition to give them a suitable Reception. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Esteem and Respect Sir Your Excellency’s Most Obedient and Most humble Servant
Nichs Cooke
LS, DLC:GW.
1. Thomas Greene wrote to GW from Providence on 15 July: “Agreable to the request of his Honor Govr Cooke I have sent forward to the care of Nathl Shaw Jr. the small Arms flints & cutlasses imported by Saml Chace for the Continent” (DLC:GW). For Capt. Samuel Chase’s arrival at Providence on 28 June, see Greene’s letter to Robert Morris of that date quoted in Hancock to GW, 6 July, n.6.
2. “I have appointed Capt. Barnard Eddy, a very suitable Person, the Chief Carpenter,” Cooke wrote to Hancock on this date. “He hath already inlisted 20 Men, who are to be well provided with Tools and Arms at the same Rate at which the Marine Committee have inlisted those in Philadelphia. He informs me that he shall be able to procure the whole Number required of us, and to march with them by Monday or Tuesday next at the farthest” (DNA:PCC, item 64). The following Monday was 22 July, and the previous Saturday was 13 July. For Congress’s resolution of 5 July requesting these carpenters, see , 5:519.
3. The Rhode Island general assembly convened on Thursday, 18 July, and promptly approved the Declaration of Independence, pledging “that we will support the . . . General Congress, with our lives and fortunes” (, 7:581).