History of Westchester County, New York, Vol. I

On the fourteenth of July, General Washington wrote to the Convention a letter which is so significant of the great anxiety which he felt and so highly illustrative of his character, as a great commander, that we make room for it, in this i)lace.

" New-York Head-quarter.s.

"July 14th, 1776.

" GextlExMEN : --

" The passage of the enemy up the North-river is " an event big with many consequences to the public "interest. One particularly occurs to me well deserv- "ing your attention, and to prevent which I shall "gladly give every assistance in my power, consistent "with the safety of the Army.

" I am informed there are several passes, on each "side of the river, upon which the communication "with Albany depends, of so commanding a nature " that an inconsiderable body of men may defend " them against the largest numbers. It may be that, " on board these ships, there may be troops for that " purpose, who, expecting to be joined by the disaft'ect- "ed, in that quarter, or confiding in their own " strength, may endeavour to seize those defiles, in " which case the intercourse between the two Armies, "both by land and water, will be wholly cut off, than "which a greater misfortune could hardly befall the " Province and Army. I must entreat you to take " the measure into consideration, and, if possible, " provide against an evil so much to be apprehended. " I should hope the Militia ofthose Counties might be " used on such an emergency, until further provision " was made.