Letter to the Committee of Elizabethtown, New-Jersey

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Colonel Lott came to the Committee, and informed that the Mercury sloop-of-war, and the two transports, which sailed with her, are anchored near Staten-Island. That he met several suspicious persons passing from Paulus-Hook towards Killvaukull Ferry; that he was informed by a person near Killvaukull, that he apprehended that the ship-of-war and transports will commit depredations on the stock there. The Committee are of opinion that the most effectual measure to prevent such depredations is to request the Committee of Elizabethtown to send a parcel of men to protect the stock on Staten-Island from depredations.

In Committee of Safety, New-York, February 11, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The Mercury ship-of-war, with two transports under her convoy, are departed from this city, this afternoon, and we are well informed that they are anchored near Staten-Island.

We are apprehensive that they intend to commit depredations on the stock on Staten-Island. We applied to the Provincial Congress of your Colony yesterday, requesting that Colonel Heard, with some of his troops, should be sent to the Island for a few days, and sent that letter by Colonel Heard. We are apprehensive that Colonel Heard will come too late to prevent any attempt that may be made to take off the stock; we, therefore, earnestly request you, on receipt hereof, to despatch a part of your Militia to such parts of the Island where it is most likely any attempts of that kind may be made, to guard the Island until the said vessels are gone off, or Colonel Heard can arrive to their relief. If their design should be such as we suspect, they may, perhaps, be able to land about two hundred men. Please to inform Colonel Heard of this intelligence, and your proceedings in the premises.

We are, respectfully, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servants. By order of the Committee.

To the Chairman and Members of the Committee Elizabethtown.

Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed by the Chairman, and transmitted by express.