New-York Delegates to Provincial Congress

v2:898

Philadelphia, June 3, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We have received your several letters, and communicated such of your papers to the Congress as were intended for their inspection. Your plan for raising money we are much pleased with, though we have some doubt of its being adopted; however, as the reasons on which it is founded appear to us to be conclusive, we shall use our endeavour to carry it through. Till the success is known, you will, we dare say, see a propriety in keeping the whole secret. We observe with pleasure the attention of our Colony to Indian affairs, as they are really of the highest importance. Should you conceive the interposition of the Congress necessary, you will let us know the mode in which you think it will be most effectual.

You inquire whether the direction relative to the Militia of New-York was intended to extend farther than that City and County. In answer to this we must inform you, that it was the design of the Congress that the whole Province should be well armed and disciplined.

We wish to hear that you have received some supply of powder, as we fear that none is to be purchased here, the people conceiving they have not a sufficient stock for their own defence. We believe, however, that Connecticut will take care to supply their Troops at Ticonderoga with that article, as the command of that post is for the present vested in their officers, owing to your repeated declaration of your inability to furnish the arms and ammunition necessary for its defence.

We think it an object of great consequence to know in whom you would wish to vest the command of the Continental Army in our Province, which is to be maintained at the general charge, and hope you will not be at a loss to fix on men among yourselves who may be entrusted with that important charge. As General Officers will, in all probability, be shortly appointed by this Congress, your express should return immediately, with a warm recommendation of those persons in our Province who you think may safely be trusted with the first and second commands, as Major and Brigadier Generals. If possible let us have an answer to this by Tuesday morning, drawn up in such a manner that, if necessary, it may be offered to the Congress, with the reasons on which such choice is founded. We know of nothing farther that may require your attention, unless it be to recommend a profound secresy with respect to any advice we may offer, particularly on the subject of this letter, though we conceive that your own prudence will render any such recommendation unnecessary. If you wish for any other directions, pray be speedy and explicit in your application.

We remain, with great respect, your most obedient humble servants,

JAMES DUANE,
FRANCIS LEWIS,
R˙R˙ LIVINGSTON, Jr˙,
WILLIAM FLOYD,
PHILIP SCHUYLER,
SIMON BOERUM,
JOHN ALSOP,
HENRY WISNER.

To the Provincial Congress of the Colony of New- York.