Letter from General Washington, September 8, Four large sloops to be impressed to go to New-York for the sick

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Another Letter from General Washington, received by the same messenger, was also read, and is in the words following, to wit:

"Head-Quarters, New-York, September 8, 1776.

"SIR: I wrote you this morning by your express , but omitted mentioning a matter of consequence. It being deetrmined to remove our sick to Orange˙ Town, we shall want four large Albany sloops for that purpose. The fatigue of travelling that distance by land would not only be more than the patients could bear, but we have full employ for our wagons in transporting baggage, tents, &c˙, for the troops, from hence to our outposts. I must, therefore, beg the favour of your honourable body to procure the above number of vessels, and send them down with as much despatch as possible to this city.

"I am, with respect, sir, your most obedient servant,

"GO˙ WASHINGTON.

"To Abraham Yates, Jun˙, Esq˙, President of Convention of New-York.

"P˙ S˙ I shall be glad to know, by return of the express, when I may probably expect the sloops down. There are several now on the lower parts of the river, with boards: perhaps you might engage them to come this way, which would save time."

Resolved, That Brigadier-General James Clinton be requested to send a careful officer, in a whale-boat well manned, down Hudson' s River, to impress four large river Sloops, to go to New-York for the Sick, agreeable to the request of his Excellency General Washington, and that a press warrant issue for that purpose.

And lest such four Sloops should not be large enough for the purpose,

Resolved, That two other Sloops be impressed at Fish-kill landing and despatched for the same purpose.