Letter from a Secret Committee of the New-York Convention to General Washington

v1:392

White Plains, July 17, 1776.

SIR: The Convention have thought it proper to appoint us a Secret Committee, among other things to form and execute any plan which we may conceive necessary for the defence of Hudson' s River, which unfortunately has 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 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 Poughkeepsie.

We remain, with the greatest respect, your Excellency' s most humble servants,
ROBERT K˙ LIVINGSTON, ROBERT YATES, GILBERT LIVINGSTON, CHRISTOPHER TAPPEN, WILLIAM PAULDING.

To His Excellency General Washington.