Alexander Hamilton Papers

To Alexander Hamilton from Committee of Safety of the New York Provincial Congress, [2 April 1776]

From Committee of Safety of the
New York Provincial Congress

[New York, April 2, 1776. An entry in the Journals of the New York Provincial Congress under this date reads: “Ordered That Capt. Hamilton be directed to place and keep a proper guard of his company at the Records1 until, further order.”2 Letter not found.]

Journals , I, 396.

1The records were those of the colony. Anticipating the possible capture of New York City by the British, the Provincial Congress resolved to move the colony’s records to Kingston, New York.

2The resolution which precedes this order reads:

“WHEREAS the present guard of the first regiment of the city of NewYork, where the records of the Colony are deposited, has, by experience, been found a very expensive Colony charge; and although the Committee are of opinion that the guards hitherto employed in that service have great merit and are worthy of the highest confidence, yet they conceive themselves bound in duty to the good people of this Colony, to prevent every expense that can be saved: AND WHEREAS the Committee are fully informed that Capt. Alexander Hamilton’s company of artillery raised for this Colony, now consists of so many men as that they may safely and easily perform that duty: Therefore …” (Journals of the Provincial Congress of the State of New-York 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 (Albany, 1842). description ends , I, 396).

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