To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Stockton, 19 July 1776
From Richard Stockton
Trenton July 19th. 1776.
Dear Sir
Upon my arrival at this place I waited upon the New Jersey Convention, and proposed to them their agreeing to furnish 2000 Men for the increase of the flying Camp: they alledged the reasons against the measure which I expected, to wit, their having furnished their full proportion. However, upon my urging the importance of the measure, I was so happy as to be assured that they would, without any regard to their quotas, endeavour to furnish the 2000 Men, and that they should immediatly take the field. They are under the necessity nevertheless of furnishing them from the Militia, which must have a rotation; but their Militia are well disciplined, and the Convention will be careful that this number of 2000 shall be continually in the feild as part of the flying Camp, untill the first of December.
The Convention will forward this immediatly by express. With great respect, I am Dr. Sir, Your most obedt. hb[le. servt.,]
Richd. Stockton
RC (DLC).
Congress on 3 June had organized a “flying camp” to protect the northern Jersey coast (, iv, 412–13). Concerning New Jersey’s quota of troops for this unit, see the Proceedings of the New Jersey Provincial Congress, 17 July (Force, Archives, 4th ser., vi, 1647, 1653).