From George Washington to Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 5 September 1776
To Brigadier General Hugh Mercer
New York Septr 5. 1776
Dr Sir
I have been favoured with your Two Letters of the 3 Instt and observe what you have done in consequence of my Instructions. When I wrote for Troops to be sent to the post opposite Mount Washington, I did not Immagine you would have so many to spare1—About a Thousand under Genl Ewen [Ewing] in addition to those already at the post, I think will be fully competent to Its defence & such works as may be necessary to erect, & will also be sufficient to carry them on. More I conceive will be unnecessary & may be better employed elsewhere. I am Dr Sir &c.
G.W.
P.S. You will be pleased to keep in view the matter I mentioned to you about Staten Island, Esteemg a Diversion there if It can be effected will be of great service.2
LB, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. See GW to Mercer, 3 September: Mercer’s two letters to GW of that date have not been found.
2. For this proposed raid on Staten Island, see GW to Hancock, 2 Sept., and note 2.