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Majesty's service, we acquiesced; for be assured, sir, had we entertained the least doubt of the contrary, we should have blushed to have hesitated a moment in our choice.
To enumerate the particulars of the many gross insults we have endured would far exceed the bounds of this letter. Let it suffice to declare, that outrage hath succeeded insult, and a violation of every law of humanity been dignified by the name of authority. Not content with depriving us of the liberty of leaving our rooms after nightfall, (contrary to the faith of the parole we signed,) they have now, as a further instance of their wishes to distress us and to render our situation as disagreeable as possible, taken from us our servants, which they tell us is by order of Congress.
We have, sir, too much generosity to conceive that that body would purposely issue an order to distress a few already too much injured individuals. Prejudice, wilfully mistaken, ever uses a language opposite to truth; and that the Committee of this place are prejudiced against us must strike the candour of every dispassionate heart; for we dare confidently ask the loudest advocate of their party to say that in any one instance we have infringed the least on the parole we signed, or that our conduct has been in any way reprehensible.
Through you, therefore, sir, as President of the Congress, we apply for redress, and desire that we may be treated as gentlemen and prisoners of war, who yielded only to an honourable capitulation; at the same time beg leave to remark, that if we must continue liable to such treatment, a jail would have a preference over our present situation; and remain, sir, your humble servants,
A. GORDON, Captain Twenty-Sixth Regiment.
DANIEL ROBERTSON,
JOHN STRONGE,
JOHN LIVINGSTON,
EDWARD THOMPSON,
E. P. WILLINGTON,
D. MCDONELL,
ROBERT THOMAS,
JAMES GORDON,
ROBERT CHASE,
LAU. DULHUNTY.
To John Hancock, Esq.
EPHRAIM BLAINE TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
[Read July 18, 1776.]
Carlisle, Cumberland County, July 12, 1776.
HONOURED SIR: I take the opportunity by Mr. Boyd of drawing upon you for two thousand dollars, on account of blankets and hose purchased by order of Congress for our Army at Virginia. I sent seven hundred and fifty blankets and eleven hundred pair of hose three weeks ago; the residue shall send in three weeks from this date. Will not be able to procure above fourteen or fifteen hundred blankets: they have risen to a very great price. The people ask for old ones from 15s. to 22s. 6d., and for new from 45s. to 52s. 6d. per pair. You need not expect more than the above number. The Militia and our quota of troops to form the Flying-Camp, I fear, will not be supplied without applying to me, though as yet have refused giving any. As soon as I send off the residue, shall render you my account; and am, honoured sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,
EPHRAIM BLAINE.
To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq., President of Congress.
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONRESS.
[Read in Congress, Sunday, July 14, 1776.]
New-York, July 12, 1776.
SIR: The design of this is to inform Congress, that at about half after three o'clock this evening, two of the enemy's ships-of-war—one of forty and the other of twenty guns—with their tenders, weighed anchor in the Bay opposite Staten-Island, and, availing themselves of a brisk and favourable breeze, with a flowing tide, ran a part of our batteries up the North River, without receiving any damage that I could perceive, notwithstanding a heavy and incessant cannonade was kept up from our several batteries here, as well as from that at Paulus Hook. They, on their part, returned and continued the fire as they ran by. I despatched an express to Brigadier-General Mifflin, at our encampment towards the upper end of the Island, but have not heard whether they got by or received any damage. The account transmitted by this morning's post, respecting the arrival of one of the fleet, seems to be confirmed. Several ships have come in to-day: among them, one this evening, with a St. George's flag at her foretopmast-head, which we conclude to be Admiral Howe, from the circumstance of the flag, and the several and general salutes that were paid. It is probable they will all arrive in a day or two, and immediately begin their operations.
As it will be extremely necessary that the Flying-Camp should be well provided with powder and ball, and it may be impracticable to send supplies from hence, on account of our hurry and engagements, besides, the communication may be uncertain, I must beg the attention of Congress to this matter, and request that they will forward, with all possible expedition, such a quantity of musket powder and lead, if balls of different sizes cannot be had, as will be sufficient for the Militia to compose that camp.
By an express this minute arrived (quarter past eight, P. M.) from General Mifflin, the ships have passed his works.
I am, in heart, with sentiments of great regard, sir, your most obedient servant,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Minutes of a Conference of General Officers, JULY 8, 1776
At a Conference of General Officers and others at Head-Quarters, July 8, 1776:
Present, His Excellency the General; General Putnam, General Heath, General Spencer, General Greene, General Scott, General Wadsworih, Colonel McDougall, and Messrs. Randolph, Green, Dennis, and Duer.
A proposition having been made to the General to sink Hulks in the North-River, at Tappan-Bay, in order to stop the enemy's progress, it was fully discussed, and agreed that the same be carried into execution: Captain Grenell to sound the Channel, and fix the Buoy; Captain Dennis to take up the Vessels and Raft; Captain Lawrence and Captain Tudor to have them sunk in a proper manner; Captain Grenell to take notice of the commanding ground, so that, if works should be hereafter erected, they may be made in the most proper manner.
The General proposed to the General Officers, what should be done with the Troop of Horse from Connecticut?
Agreed, That the Men be detained until the new Levies arrive, but the Horses be sent home as soon as possible.
The Congress having referred to the Generals' determination the propriety of marching three Regiments of the Continental Troops from Boston to the Northern Army, and, in case of need, substituting the Militia in their place,
Unanimously Agreed, That the said three Regiments be immediately despatched to join the Northern Army.
Proceedings of a Council of General Officers.
At a Council of War, held at Head-Quarters, July 12, 1776:
Present, His Excellency General Washington; Major-General Putnam; Brig. Generals Heath, Spencer, Greene, Lord Stirling, Scott, Wadsworth, and Heard.
The General proposed to the consideration of the Board a plan of a descent upon Staten-Island in different places, so as to form a general attack upon the enemy's quarters, and a question was made:
Whether, in our present situation, such a measure was advisable?
Agreed, unanimously, That it was not.
The General then proposed a Partisan Party, with a view to alarm the enemy and encourage our own Troops, who seem generally desirous that something should be done.
Agreed, That Major Knowlton, who is stationed at Bergen, and has reconnoitred the Island, do confer with General Mercer thereon; and if they, upon consideration, shall deem such a surprise practicable, and that the retreat of the men can be secured, the General be advised to prosecute it. That this enterprise be accompanied with a cannonade upon the fleet from Bergen-Point, if the distance will admit.
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