From George Washington to the Continental Congress Committee on Fortifying Ports, 8 June 1776
To the Continental Congress Committee on Fortifying Ports
New-York June 8th 1776
Gentlemen,
In Answer to your Favour of the 14th Inst. in which you request me to employ proper Persons to survey the Harbour Fortifications &c. of Cape Ann and of New London, I informed you of my writing to Colonel Richard Gridley and Coll Henry Knox to undertake the Business and promised to transmit you their Report, as soon as it should come to Hand1—I accordingly have the Pleasure to inclose you Colonel Gridley’s Report of the Harbour and Works of New London with the several Plans he has taken, which appear to be accurate and well done.2 I have the Honour to be Gentlemen with great Regard your most obedt Servant
G.W.
LB, in Alexander Contee Hanson’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The letter-book copy is addressed to “The Honourable Benjamin Harrison[,] John Adams and William Whipple Esqrs.”
2. Gridley’s report on New London Harbor has not been identified, but an undated map of the town and harbor inscribed in Gridley’s writing, “To His Excellency General Washington from His Most Obedient Servt Richd Gridley,” is in DNA:PCC, item 60. The committee reported to Congress on 24 June, but its recommendations to furnish 20 cannon for Cape Ann Harbor, 22 cannon for New London Harbor, and 2 row galleys for Little Egg Harbor, N.J., were tabled (, 5:476).