Excerpt from The Minute Boys of New York City: "When the Provincial Congress assembled at New York City, May 22, its complexion disappointed the people. Toryism and timidity prevailed in that Assembly, and the elaboration of schemes for conciliation, instead of measures for defense, occupied the majority. Hard pressed by public Opinion, and the influence of important events daily transpiring, they were obliged to yield. Four regiments were authorized to be raised; fortifications at King's Bridge were ordered, and measures taken to fortify the Hudson passes in the Highlands. In the meanwhile the patriots gathered in force around Boston; the battle of Bunker Hill was fought; a Continental army was organized, and George Washington appointed the commander-in chief. Rumors of the approach of troops from Ire land came, and the Provincial Congress, somewhat purged of its Toryism by intelligence from the East, invited General Wooster, then in command of eight een hundred Connecticut militia at Greenwich, to come to the defense of New York. He encamped at Harlem for several weeks, sent detachments to beat off marauders who were carrying away the cattle off Long Island to the British army in Boston, and by his presence made the New York patriots bold and active..."