Minutes of the Secret Committee, 22 July 1776
Minutes of the Secret Committee
[Poughkeepsie, 22 July 1776]
Whereas the Convention of the State of New York did on the 16th: Day of July 1776 “Resolve unanimously that a secret Committee be appointed to devise & carry into Execution such measures as to them should appear most effectual for obstructing the Channel of Hudsons River or annoying the Enemies Ships in their Navigation up the said River. And that the said Convention pledge themselves for defraying the Charges incident thereon. And Whereas the said Convention did then resolve & order that Mr. Jay, Mr. Robert Yates, Major Tappan, Mr. Robert R. Livingston, Mr. Gilbert Livingston, & Mr. Paulding be the said Committee.” of which said Committee the abovementioned Mr. Robert Yates hath by then been appointed their Chairman
Poghkeepsy 22 July 1776 The said Committee met according to Agreement at the House of Van Kleeck—
Present
Mr. Robert Yates Chairman
Mr. Jay
Majr Tappen
Mr. Robert R. Livingston
Mr. Gilbert Livingston
It appearing to the said Committee that a Number of Cannon were absolutely necessary & wanting for the Defence of Hudsons River; as well at the Forts erected on its Shores, as for the armed Vessels ordered to be prepared for its Defence—
Resolved unanimously that Mr. Jay forthwith repair to Salisbury Iron
Works and endeavour to procure there Twenty of the heaviest Cannon which can be had there Eight Cannon six pounders and Eight four pounders & Eight six pounders Also a proper Quantity of Shot and Trux for the said Cannon. The whole to be sent to Collonel Hoffman’s Landing, And that he take with him Davis Hunt a Carpenter to take the Dimensions of the said Trux in order that Carriages may immediately be made for the said Cannon—
Resolved unanimously also, that Mr. Jay be authorized to apply to Governor Trumbull, and in Behalf of the Convention of the State of New York, to request his Aid and Influence in the Premisses. And further that Mr. Jay be and he hereby is authorized and empowered to impress Carriages Teems Sloops & Horses & to call out Detachments of the Militia, and genarally to do or cause to be done at his Discretion all such Matters & Things as he may deem necessary or expedient to forward & complete the ^aforesaid^ Business committed to his Care
| Robert Yates Chairman | Gilbert Livingston |
| John Jay | Christr Tappan |
| Robt R Livingston |
ADS, NNC (EJ: 12762). Attached to this text is JJ’s draft of his cover letter to Jonathan Trumbull of 27 July, as follows: “The above is a true Copy of my Instructions from the Com[mitte]e therein mentioned and in pursuance thereof I request the favor of his Excellency Govr Trumbull to furnish the Convention of the State of N York with as many Cannon for the Defence of Hudsons River as the State of Connecticut can conveniently supply.” Endorsement in JJ’s hand: “Powers given to JJ/by Secret Committee/22 July 1776.” Copy in the hand of JJ attached to JJ to Jonathan Trumbull, Lebanon, 27 July 1776, Ct (EJ: 13161). Tr of text and of cover letter to Trumbull, NN, Bancroft (EJ: 2822, 2823).