The Convention of the State, during that period of suspense, removed back from the White Plains to Harlem, occupying the old Church-building of the Reformed Dutch Church ; a and, nearer to the scene of the expected troubles, it provided for the protection of the Hudson-river and Long Island Sound, where the enemy was expected to make a landing, in force, by ordering the entire Militia of Westchestercounty to appear, with five days' provisions, to take possession of such points, on the river and Sound, as General Morris should regard as most exposed to the enemy ; to remain in service during ten days ; to receive Continental pay and subsistence ; and that each man who should not have arms should bring with him a shovel, spade, or pickaxe, or a scythe straightened and fixed on a pole 10 -- the latter, not easily to
* General Howe to Lord George Germaine, " Staten Island, 15 Au- "gust, 1776 ;" Annual Register for 1776: History of Europe* 169 j Memoirs of General Heath, 53 ; Gordon's History of the American Revolution, ii., 304, 305.
5 General Howe to Lord George Germaine, " Staten Island, 15 August, ''1776;" Governor Tryon to tlie same, "Ship Duchess of Gordon, off "Staten Island, August 14, 1776," postscript, dated "August 16, '' 1776 ;" Gordon's History of the American Revolution, ii., 306 '; etc.
6 Jones's History of New York during tlie Revolutionary War, i., 103. \
7 General Howe to Lord George Germaine, " Staten Island, 15th "August, 1776."