Plan for Obstructing the Navigation of the East River

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Die Veneris, 9 ho˙ A˙ M˙, August 16, 1776.

Present: Abm˙ Yates, Jun˙, Esq˙, President pro tem.

NEW-YORK. — Colonel Broome, Mr˙ Beekman, Captain Denning, Mr˙ Bancker, Mr˙ Dunscomb, Colonel Lott.

ALBANY. — Mr˙ Abraham Yates, Mr˙ Adgate, Mr˙ Bleecker.

SUFFOLK. — Mr˙ W˙ Smith, Mr˙ Tredwell, Mr˙ Hobart.

ULSTER. — Colonel De Witt, Mr˙ Confine.

QUEEN' S. — Colonel Blackwell, Mr˙ J˙ Townsend, Mr˙ W˙ Smith.

DUTCHESS. — Mr˙ H˙ Schenck, Mr˙ Sackett, Mr˙ London.

WESTCHESTER. — Mr˙ Morris, General Morris, Mr˙ Hamand, Judge Graham.

ORANGE. — Mr˙ Wisner, Mr˙ Jos˙ Smith.

TRYON. — Mr˙ Harper, Mr˙ Newkirk.

CHARLOTTE. — Mr˙ Duer.

CUMBERLAND. — Colonel Marsh, Mr˙ Stephens.

Captain Denning informed the Convention that William Tundran, the Pilot, had informed him that the navigation of the East River may be very easily obstructed between the Battery and Nutten-Island that Tundran further informed him that the depth of water at a particular place which he could point out, did not exceed five fathoms, and that the navigation could be obstructed in four hours after proper vessels are prepared for that purpose.

Ordered, That Captain Denning wait on his Excellency General Washington and give him the above information, and that William Tundran is one of our best pilots. And that Captain Denning further inform his Excellency that it will be agreeable to the wishes of this Convention that the navigation of the East River should be there obstructed, if he shall think it advantageous for the defence of this State. The Convention were informed that a number of Cannon are yet lying beyond the King' s Bridge, and so exposed that they may be taken by the enemy, should an attempt of that kind be made; at the same time, that they are necessary for the defence of the Works at General Clinton' s Encampment.

Resolved, That General Clinton be requested with all possible despatch to remove all the Cannon fit for use, which lie near the road to New-Rochelle, to his Encampment, and that this Convention will defray the contingent charges.

Resolved, That General Clinton be requested to employ as many Carpenters as possible, to make Carriages for such Guns as he thinks necessary for the defence of the Works to the northward of King' s Bridge.