To George Washington from Philip Van Rensselaer, 6 May 1776
From Philip Van Rensselaer
Albany May 6. 1776
Sir
I think it my Indispensible duty to acquaint You that the small Arms now in the store unfit for service, Cannot be made fit for service this season by the Armorers in this place & the Neighbouring places—I aply’d to General Thompson for his Armorers, but he was of Oppinion that they would be wanted in Canada—I therefore give you this Early notice, & beg that some Armorers may be Sent as soon as possible to repair the public arm⟨s.⟩ Great numbers of the troops that Comes from N. York have arms unfit for service and numbers with out any at all. I am your most Humble servt
P.V. Rensselaer
ALS, DLC:GW; copy, written and signed by Van Rensselaer, PHi: Dreer Collection. On the reverse of the ALS, Robert Hanson Harrison apparently began writing a reply to Van Rensselaer dated at “New York May 17. 1776” and reading “Sir That not havg a.” GW’s letter to Van Rensselaer of 17 May begins differently, however.