From George Washington to the New York Convention, 20 September 1776

To the New York Convention

Head-Quarters, Heights of Harlem, Septr. 20th, 1776.

Gentn.—Having reason to believe the enemy will attempt to gall us with their ships of war from the North river as soon as they are ready to open their batteries against the front of our lines, which we expect them to erect with great industry, I beg leave to mention that I think it may be of immense consequence if your Honourable Body will order down some of your fire ships, which may lay just above the obstructions in the river under cover of the guns of Fort Washington, where they will be ready to act in case the ships should attempt to come up.

Hurried and surrounded with a thousand things, I have only time to add, that I have the honor to be, with great esteem, Gentn. your most obt. st.

GO. WASHINGTON.

N.Y. Prov. Congress Journals description begins Journals of the Provincial Congress, Provincial Convention, Committee of Safety, and Council of Safety of the State of New-York, 1775–1776–1777. 2 vols. Albany, 1842. (Microfilm Collection of Early State Records). description ends , 1:637. The New York convention read this letter on 21 Sept. (ibid.).

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Source Project: Washington Papers
Title: From George Washington to the New York Convention, 20 September 1776
Author: Washington, George
Recipient: New York Convention
Date: 20 September 1776

Reference

Cite as: “From George Washington to the New York Convention, 20 September 1776,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-06-02-0278. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 6, 13 August 1776 – 20 October 1776, ed. Philander D. Chase and Frank E. Grizzard, Jr. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1994, p. 356.]

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