John Jay Papers
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William Duer to John Jay and Robert R. Livingston, 21 July 1776

William Duer to John Jay and Robert R. Livingston

White plains Sunday 21st July 1776

Dear Gent,

I am just arived at this place from N. York where I have conversed with Gen.l Washington on the purport of the Letter from the secret Committee—

Gens Putnam and Mifflin have made an exact survey of the River opposite Mount Washington and find that the depths in no part exceeds 7 fathoms—the width however of the Channel (which is from 3 to 7 F.s) is not much less than 1000 Yds. the shallow part of the River running in an oblique direction—G. W. expresses himself extremely anxious about the Obstruction of that Channel, and means are daily used for executing that purpose—It is impossible to procure Vessels enough at New York, so that the Measure must be delayed till such time as more Vessels can be brought thro’ the Sound from Connecticutt however I am not without apprehension that this resource will be cut off, as I understand that some of the Enemys Vessels have saild out of New York, with a intention (probably) of cutting off our Communications with the sound—

It is however an Object of so much Importance that no difficulties however great ought to deter us from our Attempts to carry it into execution; if we succeed the designs of the Enemy in their Campaign are effectually baffled, if we fail we cannot be in a more base lamentable situation than we are—

Exclusive of the great advantage we should reap in obstructing the Channel so far to the southward it is I fear the only place we can depend upon shallowing to the southward of the high Lands whilst the Men of Warr are on the River, for if proper Batteries are erected near the Water at Mount Washington, and on the opposite side Mounted with Guns of 18. 24 & 32 Pounders, it will not be practicable for any Vessels to be so near as to prevent our Working under the cover of these Works—I have strongly urg’d Genl. Washington to send Genl. Mifflin some heavier Metal and tho he seem half Inclined this Necessary opperation has not yet taken place—

The Genl. is anxious to have either of You (as members of the secret Committee) to be with him in Town, and has Authorized to make the Offer to you of his House during Your Residence, let me entreat one of You immediately to come down, and not to quit Gen. Washington till such Time as this Measure on which our safety depends is effected—There is such a languor, and procrastination in our Military Opperations in that City, and the true Object of them appears to me so much Mistaken, that I am confident either of your Presences in order to press on the Obstruction of that Channel will be highly Usefull—There is another consideration which I hope will induce one of you to repair immediately to New York. The Committee of Safety of Philadelphia have sent three persons to New York in order to Assist us in making Fire ships—One of them a Mr Hazlewood with whom I have conversed is peculiarly Clever—1

The Fireships charged in this Manner must I am confident prove destructive to any Vessel they fix upon. I have spoken concerning our Wish to destroy the Phoenix & Rose now in this River and he is ready to undertake it not doubting but he will meet with a generous Encouragement. I applyed to Gen Washington to get leave for him to come up the River; but his presence will still be wanted in Town for the Ships there loading ’till thursday Week when he will wait on your Committee if you send him Notice by Express—he Lodges at Mrs. Grahams in Broad Street. I flatter myself however that either one or the other of You will set off for Town immediately on the Receipt of this Letter in which case you can engage him in our Service, and send him up immediately with the Necessary Apparatus—

For News I must refer you to Mr Paulding who left N. York the same Time with myself.

I shall set off for Connecticut to morrow where I think my presence is necessary; no more than 1900 of the Connecticut quota had join’d Our Forces when I left Town.

I had almost forgot to tell you that this design of Obstructing the Channel near Mifflins is [illegible] under the pretext of preparing Vessels for Obstructing the Channel in the East River,—it will therefore be advisable that your conversation should give a endorsing of this Matter. I am very Sincerely Yours &c.

P.S. For Gods Sake exert yourselves to secure the Sea Vessels Which are in the River—

C, NNgWHM (EJ: 4031). Endorsed: “Copy of a letter from/Mr. Duer to/Messrs. J. Jay & R.R. Livingston/Recd. July 25th 1776 GL—”.

1John Hazelwood (1726–1800), English-born sea captain in Philadelphia; appointed superintendent of fire vessels in Pennsylvania in December 1775; promoted to the post of commodore of the Pennsylvania navy in October 1776. For his assistance with obstructing the Hudson the New York convention voted their thanks and the sum of £300.

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