Woodhull, Nathaniel (1722-1776) [Warning that the British Army may attack New York, with resolution]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07281 Author/Creator: Woodhull, Nathaniel (1722-1776) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Manuscript document Date: 4 March 1776 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 29.5 x 18.3 cm. Order a Copy
True copy of the resolution, written and co-signed by Robert Benson as Secretary of the New York Provisional Congress. Contains secretarial signature of Woodhull as President of the Provincial Congress. This resolution was probably passed in fear of a British landing in New York after the presumed withdrawal of the British Army from Boston. (Henry Knox had brought the cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston in mid-February 1776 and General Howe decided to evacuate Boston three days after this resolution was passed. The British left Boston on 17 March). Being cautious, the Provincial Congress asked that the colonels of the militia and minutemen in the area south of Albany have their units provisioned, armed, and ready to march at the first notice of an invasion. The resolution further demands that the colonels send a report on the present state of their regiments. It goes to say that if the minutemen only make up one quarter of their regiment, the unit is to filled out "agreeable to the Rules and orders of this Congress of the 20th of December last."
Woodhull led the militia in the Battle of Long Island where he was captured and later died of his wounds inflicted during his capture. Benson was a Secretary of the New York Provincial Congress which, in July 1776, became the first Constitutional Convention. It created an independent state government and eventually the New York State Constitution.
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