Letter from General Wooster to the Committee of Safety

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Camp at Harlem, September 17, 1715.

GENTLEMEN: I received your favour of yesterday, enclosing the order of the Continental Congress, and say, in answer, the order was given the 16th of June, which was before the Continental Forces were properly organized. Since that time the Congress have ordered about two-thirds of my Troops to the northward; and should I divide the remaining few into detached parties, scattered about the country, and any disagreeable consequences should follow from it, as my orders from General Washington are to be here, it might possibly be difficult for me to vindicate my conduct. I have authority to say that no Provincial Congress can, with any propriety, interfere in the disposition of Continental Troops, much less control the orders of any General Officer. If the Continental Congress or the Commander-in-Chief, think proper to employ the whole or a part of the Troops under my command, in erecting and defending batteries, at the Highlands or elsewhere, I shall expect their orders direct, and no man will with greater alacrity obey their lawful summons.

I am, with great respect, your most obedient and humble servant,

DAVID WOOSTER.

To the Committee of Safety, New-York.

A true copy from the original Minutes. Examined by

JOHN MCKESSON, Secretary.