Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1002/9.3-137#001

[page 1]
[note in pencil: June 26, 1776]
Sir At the Request of Genl. Washington
I inclose you a Copy of a Letter received this Morning from which and other Advices there is no Doubt Genl. Howe is arrived at the Hook with a very large Force. It would be too dangerous a Secret to intrust to a Letter to mention how inadequate our Army is to encounter it - let it suffice to say that unless the most speedy of effectual Measures are taken to throw a Body of Men well armed into this City the most fatal Consequences are to be apprehended. I am therefore to enjoin the Hon. Body over whom you preside to exert their utmost Efforts at this critical Junction when in all human Probability the Fate of our Country, our Lives, Liberty and Property depend upon the Spirit and Activity that will be shown in a very short Time.
Agreeable to your Resolve impowering the General to call in the Militia he has wrote to General Livingston for that Purpose unless it [page 2] appears [clearly] to him that Troops under the new Establishment and those well armed can be sooner procured. For it is a most melancholy Truth that of our little Army at least 2000 are destitute wholly of Arms and near as many with Arms in such a Condition as to be rather calculated to [discourage] than animate the [masses].
No farther Arguments can be necessa[ry] to Gentlemen of Discernment and Lovers of their Country and such have appeared to [direct] the publick Affairs of New Jersey during this tempestuous Scene. Depending therefor on your utmost Efforts. I am to present you his [Excellency’s] most respectful Compliments. I have the Honour to be
Sir Your most obed. Humble servant,
Jos. Reed
Head Quarters
New York June 28. 1776

[page 3, addressed to:]
On publick Service
[and?] [Express?]
To
The Honorable Samuel Tucker Esq.
Presid. Of the Provincial Congress
New Jersey at Burlington

• Keywords: document; manuscript; correspondence; henry w.l. dana papers (long 17314); long archives; joseph reed; samuel tucker; william howe; james livingston; american revolution; military; george washington; Collected Materials (1002/009); (LONG-SeriesName); Miscellaneous Famous People (1002/009.003); (LONG-SubseriesName); Reed; General Joseph (1741-1785); Headquarters; New York; Letter to Hon. Samuel Tucker; Esq.; 28 June 1776 (1002/009.003-137); (LONG-FileUnitName)