1. Peters enclosed a copy of Congress’s resolution of 6 May directing the Board of War immediately to send GW a copy of Horatio Gates’s letter to Hancock of 29 April and to inform GW that “it will be agreeable to Congress that he forward with all convenient dispatch two troops of Horse to Genl Gates” (DLC:GW; see also JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 7:329–30). The enclosed copy of Gates’s letter is accompanied by a list of eight reasons why he “thinks the Enemy will make the entire Conquest of the State of New York, the first and main object of their ensuing Campaign.” In the letter Gates says: “I cannot help thinking I foresee the worst of consequences, from too great a proportion of the main Army being drawn into the Jersies—sir William Howe having a secure retreat open to his Ships, can at any time give your Army the Slip; and then his ships of War and armed Vessels, which he can encrease at pleasure (for every Transport may be converted into a Floating Battery,) will prevent your Army, or any part thereof, from repassing Hudson’s River. The Forts in the Highlands, are, I hope, guarded with all the care, and attention, worthy so great a charge; I look upon them as the Keys of American Liberty, and pray, they may be preserved as such.” Gates closes the letter by requesting Congress “to order Two Troops of Horse to Albany; one for the service upon the East, and one for the West side of Hudson’s River, where I am convinced they can be very usefully employed” (DLC:GW; see also DNA:PCC, item 154).

2. Maj. George Etherington, who was serving as lieutenant colonel of the 2d Battalion of the 60th (Royal American) Regiment of Foot, gave his parole to the Pennsylvania committee of safety on 8 Sept. 1775 (see Pa. Col. Records description begins Colonial Records of Pennsylvania. 16 vols. Harrisburg, 1840–53. description ends , 10:332–33).