From George Washington to the New York Provincial Congress, 7 June 1776
To the New York Provincial Congress
New-York June 7th 1776
Gentlemen,
I suppose you have received from the Congress two Resolutions, for the Reinforcement of our Army in Canada, but, lest you should not be apprized of them, I take the Liberty to enclose you a Copy1—I most earnestly request, you will exert every Endeavour, to furnish the Quota expected from your Province, as speedily as possible—General Schuyler is extremely importunate for a Supply of Men, and it is altogether out of my Power, to afford them from the Troops here, as they by no Means exceed the Number requisite for the Defence of this Place. I have the Honour to be with much Respect Gentlemen your most obedient Servant
G. Washington
LB, in Alexander Contee Hanson’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. GW apparently enclosed copies of the Continental Congress’s resolution of 1 June requesting New York to furnish a battalion of 750 militiamen to serve in Canada and its resolution of 3 June calling on the colony for 3,000 militiamen to reinforce the Continental army at New York City. The other quotas for Canada were 3,000 militia from Massachusetts, 1,500 militia from Connecticut, and 750 militia from New Hampshire. For New York City the other quotas were 2,000 militia from Massachusetts, 5,500 from Connecticut, and 3,300 militiamen from New Jersey ( , 4:410–13). The provincial congress also received those resolutions on this date from Hancock enclosed in his letter to the provincial congress of 4 June ( , 1:481–82). For the provincial congress’s response to the resolutions, see ibid., 486–91.