The following is an installment of “On This Day,” a series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by following the actions of Gen. George Washington, the Continental Congress, and the men and women whose bravery and sacrifice led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
April 20, 1776
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One year after Lexington and Concord, and after one week at his new headquarters in New York, Gen. George Washington’s sole focus is on readiness. Writing to the New York Committee of Safety, Washington asks what method exists for assembling 2,000 to 2,500 militia — and how quickly — if a British fleet appears.
He knows that a sophisticated series of lookouts and signal relays along the harbor is needed, and he stresses that in his correspondence.
The lack of supplies deepens Washington’s worries. He sends a desperate letter to Connecticut governor Jonathan Trumbull Sr.
Washington reports alarming returns showing a serious deficiency of musket balls and requests immediate shipments of lead.
George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 20 April 1776
Sir
By the returns, just delivered me, of the state of our Ammunition, I find we are greatly deficient in the article of Ball, and as I understand a large quantity of Lead has been manufactured at Middletown in your Government, I must beg the favor of you to forward as much as you can spare to me, as soon as possible. I am very respectfully Sir your most obedient humble Servant
GEORGE WASHINGTON HAS A PROBLEM: NEW YORKERS ARE TRADING WITH THE ENEMY
G. Washington
P.S. As the quantity of powder here is much smaller than I expected, and the demand from Canada greater, I should be obliged to you if you would inform me how that has been disposed of which was said to be imported lately into your Government on Continental Account
