Although a provincial convention had just been held, and a continental congress was about to meet, it was decided to summon a provincial congress; and a call was promptly issued for such a body to meet in New York City on the 22d of May and "deliberate upon and from time to time to direct such measures as may be expedient for our common safety." In the circular sent to the counties the gravity of tie- situation was pointed out in strong language, and for the first time the hint of war was given to the people of the colony. 'Westchester County responded to this new appeal by holding a meeting at White Plains on the 8th of May. James Van Cortlandt, of the Borough of Westchester, occupying the chair. It appointed a permanent county committee of ninety persons, twenty of whom were empowered to act for the county, and to that committee was referred the authority to choose the delegates to the proposed congress. The delegates selected under this provision were Gouverneur Morris, Dr. Robert Graham, Colonel Lewis Graham, and Colonel James Van Cortlandt, all of the Town of Westchester; Stephen Ward and Joseph Drake, of Eastchester; Major Philip Van Cortlandt, of Cortlandt Manor; Colonel James Holmes, of Bedford; John Thomas, Jr., of Rye; David Dayton, of North Castle; and William Paulding, of Philipseburgh Manor. It is noteworthy that among the results of this White Plains meeting two men whose names were destined to rank among the most important in the annals of Westchester County obtained their first entrance into public life -- Gouverneur Morris and Jonathan G. Tompkins. The former headed the delegation to the provincial congress.