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Letter from General Wooster

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A Letter from General Wooster, of the 17th inst˙, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

"Camp at Harlem, September 17, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I received your favour of yesterday, enclosing the order of the Continental Congress, and say, in answer, the order was given the 16th June, which was before the Continental Forces were properly organized. Since that time, the Congress have ordered about two-thirds of my Troops to the northward; and should I divide the remaining few into detached parties, scattered about the country, and any disagreeable consequences should follow from it, (as my orders from General Washington are to be here,) it might, possibly, be difficult for me to vindicate my conduct.

I have authority to say that no Provincial Congress can, with any propriety, interfere in the disposition of Continental Troops, much less control the orders of any General Officer. If the Continental Congress, or the Commander-in-Chief,

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think proper to employ the whole or a part of the Troops under my command in erecting and defending batteries at the Highlands, or elsewhere, I shall expect their orders direct, and no man will with greater alacrity obey the lawful summons.

I am, Sir, with great respect, your most obedient humble servant,

DAVID WOOSTER.

To the Committee of Safety, New-York."

Ordered, That certified copies of all the Letters between General Wooster and this Committee, relative to his sending up an hundred of his men to assist in erecting the Fortifications in the Highlands, and a certified copy of the Resolve of the Continental Congress, and that a Letter be wrote to the Continental Congress on that subject.

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