To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 17 July 1776
From a Secret Committee of the New York Convention
17th July 1776. White Plains [N.Y.]
Sir
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 obstructing the navigation at Mount Washington we suppose to be an object which your Excellency has particularly in view, we shall therefore direct our attention to such others as we may conceive necessary—Mr Duer is in some measure apprized of our designs and will give your Excellency every information that you may require—Your Excellency’s commands will reach us if directed to Poughkeepsing. We remain with the greatest respect Your Excellency’s Most humble Servants
Robt R. Livingston
Robert Yates
Gilbert Livingston
Christr Tappen
William Paulding
LS, DLC:GW; Df, N: New York Provincial Congress Revolutionary Papers.
The New York convention appointed this secret committee on 16 July. In addition to the five members who signed this letter, John Jay was a member of the committee (, 1:526–27). Gilbert Livingston (1742–1806) of Dutchess County had served earlier this year as one of the New York commissioners at Fort Montgomery. Christopher Tappen (Tappan; 1742–1826) of Kingston, a brother-in-law of George Clinton, was appointed major of Col. Charles De Witt’s regiment of Ulster County minutemen in December 1775.