DS, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; copy, enclosed in GW’s fourth letter to Hancock, this date, DNA:PCC, item 152; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

GW apparently submitted these questions in advance to the council members, because Henry Knox prepared a draft of his answers that he docketed: “An Opinion rend⟨ere⟩d ⟨to⟩ His Excellency ⟨General⟩ Washington Augt 20th 1777.” Knox’s opinion, which concurs with the general opinion of the council, reads: “From The time which has elaps’d Since Genl Howe disapear’d from the Capes, it may be fairly and certainly deduc’d that he has gone, very far either to the southward or eastward, The danger of the seas which is augmented, in proportion to the number of the fleet, forbid his making a feint, far either way—and it may be concluded with probability, that the place where he lands with his cannon and stores will be the scene of his operations for some time—and it may be concluded with the same probability that neither Philadelphia, or the North river is the immediate Object of their destination.

“Taking it for granted then, that Genl Howes immediate operations will be far distant from the two, last mentiond places—The Consideration arises, what shall be the employment of this army—to Guard places where its proba[b]le there will be no attack would be wasting or losing a precious moment—Would it not be much more for the honor and interest of America to turn such a part of our force, against our enemy to the northward as no longer to leave it in doubt who shall have the Ascendency in that quarter? to endevor to bring Genl Burgoyne to action with such Superior numbers as to ris[q]ue but very little on our part and to oblige him to risque ev[er]y thing—which if he refuses to do he must be chas’d out of the Country with disgrace?

“The way is easy Vessells may be provided at Peekskill or New Windsor to take A great number of men up to Albany at once—a Sufficient Force may be left at the highlands & in the defences on the river to secure them against any assaults—if success crown’d our arms against Mr Burgoyne—New York might be then thought an object to reduce which the united force of both armies mig⟨ht⟩ be employ’d, This would effectually call Mr Howe from any easy Conquest he might have made, if not he must consent to lose the object which has given him the most pleasure and we should bring the Campaign to a happy issue.

“It is probable that the temerity of General Burgoyne will induce him to push far into the Country. if so as his force is not great—a large body of good troops will render his destruction very probable. from different accounts it appears that the savages are taking up the hatchet in several places—their cruelty and confidence will increase with the Succeses of the power that supports them, This power ought to be crush’d at all hazards immediately—or the whole frontiers will be delug’d in blood.

“as the British Forces have got posesion on the Contin⟨ent⟩ we can always command the attention of their principal army by carrying on our operations against their posesions—& they will certainly return to defend them if there is the reason to dout their security.

“These are some of the principal reasons among many others which urge the immediate employment of this army either to the northward or against New York as shall be thought most proper upon a nearer examination of the circumstances attending each” (NNGL: Knox Papers).