343 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



In 1776, the committee addressed the following letter to General 

 Washington : 



Saturday Morning, July 13, 1776. 



Sir: — On being informed yesterday afternoon, that two ships of war bad gone 

 into tbe North River, and passed by all the fortifications on York Island, the con- 

 vention immediately sent an express to the commanding officer of the fort at the 

 Highlands, advising him thereof. Last evening advice arrived that two frigates 

 and two or three tenders were at anchor at Tarrytown, whereupon the conven- 

 vention sent the inhabitants a supply of powder and ball, and took immediate 

 measures for reinforcing the inhabitants along that shore. This morning the con- 

 vention were informed, that the frigates and tenders still lay there at anchor, and 

 that several barges were busy in sounding the river ; another detachment of the 

 militia has been directed to guard the stores in that neighborhood, in which are 

 sundry effects belonging to the public. 



The convention will endeavor to prevent their making incursions into the 

 country, and beg leave to suggest to your Excellency, the propriety of keeping a 

 strong guard at King's Bridge, the destruction of which they apprehend to be an 

 object with the enemy.* 



I have the honor to be with esteem, 



Your Excellency's most obedient servant, 

 by order 

 To his Excellency Gen. Washington. 



July 16th, 1776. A letter from Colonel Hammond, then stationed at 

 Tarrytown, was read. 



The Colonel therein informs the convention, that the ships of war 

 have left that harbor, and are sailing up the river with a fair wind, towards 

 the Highlands. Thereupon it was resolved, that Colonel Van Cortlandt 

 and Mr. Z. Platt b be directed to repair immediately to the Highlands, . 



Upon the 9th of October, a body of 1 100 British troops embarked on 

 board batteaux at Peekskill and the same night proceeded to Tarrytown, 

 where they landed at daybreak, and occupied the heights adjoining/ 1 



July 15th, 1 78 1, (remarks Thatcher, in his Military Journal,) two of 

 the British frigates, and several smaller vessels, passed up the North Riv- 

 er as far as Tarrytown, in defiance of our cannon, which were continu- 

 ally playing upon them. Their object appears to be, to seize some of 

 our small vessels which are passing down the river with supplies for our 

 army. 



One small sloop loaded with bread for the French army, has fallen in- 

 to their hands. 6 



a Jour. N. Y. Pro. Con. Book I. 523. 



b A distinguished officer of the American service, grandfather of Lewis C. Piatt, Esq. v 

 present surrogate of the county. 

 c Journal N. Y. Pro. Con. Book I. 525. 

 d Gaines' Weekly Mercwry. 

 e Thatcher's Journal, 258. 



