1To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 14 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Committee to inform your Excellency that a great Number of the persons now confined in our Goal are from Queens County on Long Island, and from all Appearances we are confident that they are in Sentiment inimical to that glorious Cause in which with your Excellency we have the Honor to be engaged. We have it in our Power to confine them close prisoners, or take Security...
2To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 17 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Convention have thought it proper to appoint us a secret Committee among other things to form & execute any plan which we may conceive necessary for the defence of Hudson’s River which has unfortunately been too long neglected—We wish to have your Excellency’s advice on this important subject and shall think ourselves happy to cooperate in any design that you may have formed. The...
3To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 27 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Committee which the Convention of this State appointed for devising ways and means to obstruct the Navigation on Hudsons river, have lately received directions from the Convention to purchase vessels to be sunk near fort Washington. To effect this, we immediately proceeded up to this place, with Capt. Grennal, whose assistance, by reason of his naval experience, the Convention conceived...
4To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Letter of the 21 Ulto arrived here at a Time when this Committee was dispersed and the Members gone different Ways on different Business—It was however sent by Express to Mr Jay who was then in Connecticut endeavouring to procure Cannon for the Defence of Hudson’s River and we have the Pleasure of informing your Excellency that we have obtained ten twelve & ten six pounders...
5To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
As we are informed that the little powder belonging to this State is dispersed thro’ the Counties for the use of the Militia, we find ourselves under the necessity of requesting an order from your Excellency to Capt. Benson on Mr John R. Livingston for as much powder as may be necessary for our two armed vessels. We have directed him to procure a proper number of hand Granades—there is reason...
6To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 18 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
We informed your Excellency of our appointment, in consequence of which we took a Survey of the Fortresses in the Highlands—we are extreamly sorry to say that notwithstanding their importance & advantagious situation they are by no means in a proper posture of Defence, part of the few Cannon at Fort Constitution were sent away—and the whole Number now there, and at Fort Montgomery are not...