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bill on me shall meet due honour For twenty thousand dollars. My respects to Mrs. Lowrey. I hope I shall soon have time to write, and thank you and Mrs. Lowrey for your politeness. I am, sir, your most humble servant, JOHN HANCOCK, President. To Tliomas Lowrey, Esq.
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. New-York, April 20, 1776. SIR: By the returns just delivered me of the state of our ammunition, I find we are greatly deficient in the arti cle of ball; and as I understand a large quantity of lead has been manufactured at Middletown, in your Government, I must beg the favour of you to forward as much as you can spare to me, as soon as possible. I am, very respectfully, sir, your most obedient servant, GEORGE WASHINGTON. To Governour Trumbull. GENERAL WASHINGTON TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. New-York, April 20, 1776. GENTLEMENT: I thank you for the polite and ready attention you paid to my requisition of the 17th instant. When the civil and military powers co-operate, and afford mutual aid to each other, there can be little doubt of things going well. I have now to request the favour of your information, in what manner and in what time a body of two thousand, or two thousand five hundred Militia, might be collected from this Colony, for actual service, upon any sudden emergency. Although we may not, and, I trust in God, shall not have occasion for their aid, common prudence does nevertheless dictate the expediency of a preconcerted plan for calling them in, that, in case of necessity, they may be drawn to gether in proper corps, without tumult or disorder, and at the same time with the utmost expedition. This will not be the case if men are not regularly imbodied, and notified that they are to step forth at a moment’s warning. The idea that strikes me as the most proper to be pursued at present is, to establish out of the Continental forces good look-outs on the Heights and Highlands, at the entrance of the harbour, who, upon the appearance of a fleet, shall make such signals as (being answered from place to place) shall convey the earliest intelligence to Head-Quarters, of the strength and approach of the enemy. These signals, for greater certainty, to be followed by expresses; and then, in case anything formidable should appear, for the Committee of Safety, (if sitting, if not, those to whom the power shall be delegated,) upon application from the commanding officer of the Continental forces, to order in two or more battalions, as the exigency of the case may require; or, for greater despatch, such Militia, or such part of them as shall be allotted to this service by the Committee, might be assembled (if in the town or vicinity) by signals, to be agreed on. A mode of proceeding of a similar kind concerted with Jersey, would bring in a reinforcement speedily, and without those irregularities and unnecessary expenses which but too frequently attend the movement of Militia. Thus, gentlemen, I have expressed my sentiments to you upon the occasion. Your prudence will suggest to you the necessity of adopting these or other methods of a like nature, and your wisdom will point out the most effectual and expedi tious manner of carrying them into execution. I therefore submit them to your consideration; and am, with great respect, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant, GEORGE WASHINGTON. To the Chairman of the Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-York. ROBERT H. HARRISON TO COLONEL GRIDLEY. New-York, April 20, 1776. SIR: I am commanded by his Excellency General Washington, to transmit you the enclosed copy of a letter which he received from a Committee of Congress yesterday, and to request that you repair to Cape-Anne, and comply with the several matters in the said copy, respecting the harbour, fortifications, &c, and return him your report in a clear and full manner.
[To Colonel Henry Knox the same as the preceding letter, to go to New-London. ] CAPTAIN WILLET TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. New-York, April 20, 1776. SIR: Enclosed is the warrant from the honourable Provincial Congress, directed to me, for the purpose of raising a company in the service of the United Colonies. As I am satisfied I have done my duty with faithfulness and integrity since I have had the honour of serving my country in a military capacity, I can by no means submit to the indignity of being superseded. MARINUS WILLET. To the Chairman of the Honourable Provincial Congress, or Committee of Safety. To the Honourable the Committee of Safety for the Colony of NEW-YORK. The Memorial of JOHN DUNLAP, of the City of NEW-YORK, humbly showeth: That your Memorialist is desirous to demonstrate his attachment to the liberties and cause of his country in any manner in which he may be most serviceable to the publick weal; that he has spent upwards of three weeks at the publick works in and about this city, until the inhabitants were dismissed that service; that your Petitioner has been many years engaged in such business as habituated him to accounts, and flatters himself that he might be useful to the publick in any station that required his attention in that way; that the number of his family and circumstances are such as require that the fruits of his service might render a small allowance towards their support. Your Memorialist humbly prays that the honourable Committee will be pleased to appoint him to any such station or employment as they may think fit, and judge him qualified to execute, for the benefit of his country, and consistent with the circumstances above-mentioned. And your Memorialist shall ever pray. JOHN DUNLAP. New-York, April 21, 1776. RYNIER VAN HOSEN TO THE NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. New-York Jail, April 20, 1776. GENTLEMEN: Permit me to inform you that I have been confined almost three months; and in the course of that time have never been admitted to a hearing, in order to clear up the charge that is against me. I have a wife and six young infants, who now suffer through want; likewise my land lies waste, having no friend to cultivate it. So hope you will be kind enough to grant me a hearing, and oblige your humble servant, RYNIER VAN HOSEN. To the New-York Committee of Safety. RICHARD NORWOOD TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. New-York, April 20, 1776. GENTLEMEN: Pursuant to your order of the 23d February, I have received the muskets and other accoutrements from Colonel Waterbury, and have had them appraised by Messrs. Jacamiah and William Allen. The number of muskets is twenty-three, valued at eighteen pounds seventeen shillings; one pistol and two pair of holsters; eight old swords are valued at one pound ten shillings; and two pistols are likewise valued at sixteen shillings. I am, gentlemen, your obedient, humble servant, RICHARD NNORWOOD. To the Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-York. P. S. Some of the above arms, with a little repair, will be fit for service. Mr. Norwood would have an order to repair the above guns, and some repairs to the magazine
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