The Congress having just received Information from Genl. Washington of the very great & superior Strength of the Enemy, and being convinced that they are determined to bend all their Force agt. New York in order, if possible, to penetrate into that, and the neighbouring States, have judged it absolutely necessary to augment our Troops in that Quarter. I have it in Command therefore to direct that immediately on the Receipt hereof, you order three(1) more Continental Battalions to march from Virginia (2) to reinforce the Army at New York.(3)
The critical State of our Affairs will not admit the least Delay in executing this Order. Suffer me therefore to press you to the greatest Expedition with that Earnestness so naturally suggested by the Importance of the Cause, altho I doubt not your own Ardor would be a sufficient Stimulus when called on by the Voice of Liberty and your Country.
1 Or "two" or "one," according to recipient.
2 Or "North Carolina" or "Rhode Island," according to recipient.
3 For Congress' resolves of this date about reinforcing Washington with three Continental battalions from Virginia, two from North Carolina, and one from Rhode Island, see JCC, 5:733-34. In a letter to Hancock of September 2, Washington described his situation as "truly distressing" and confessed his "want of confidence, in the generality of the Troops." See PCC, item 152, 2:519-22, and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 6:4-7.