Whereas, two of the enemy's ships of war with their barges and tenders are arrived up the North River as far as Tarrytown, we suppose with a hostile design to distress us ; with the concurrence of the Congress and assistance of the Committee, and by the forwardness of a number of volunteers, a considerable number of people are collected to our assistance, most of whom are very anxious about their harvests, which are now fit for collection, and in a suffering condition for want of laborers. We therefore humbly petition your Excellency to send us such a number of troops as your Excellency shall judge proper, to rescue the inhabitants up and down the river from the cruel designs of the enemy. As to further particulars must beg leave to refer your Excellency to the bearer Capt. (William Dutcher) Jas. Hammond.

Lieut. Cel. First Battalion oj Militia in Westchester County. To the Hon. Geo. Washington, Esquire.

And again the Colonel writes :

Tarrytown, July 16, 1776.

Sir : -- The shipping have all left this harbor, and are now sailing up the river, with a fair wind, I likewise have marched my men up the river. Tile number of my men, one hundred arid twenty. 1 am your humble servant,

James Hammond, Lieut. -Col.

To the Chairman of the Provincial Congress.

Manor of Cortlandt, Croton Ferrv, July 17, 1776.

This morning mustered the regiment, and upon parade appeared forty-six men. Our men are at present very much fatigued. Capt_ain Ledue's company, in defiance of us all, waded through the terry and are gone off. The Ministerial ships are still riding in Haverstraw Bay. We have been very peaceable last night. We should be very thankful for a speedy relief. From your humble servant,