HISTORY OF BROOKLYN. 399

of regular forces, ammunition, and provisions of war; and the authorization of the immediate enrollment of a portion of the militia, or their payment by the United States, after being ordered out by the State.

3. That the Governor of the State should be requested to call out, for the defence of the city, a competent number of militia to occupy the proposed camps, for which purpose the Corporation offered to loan the necessary funds, to an amount not exceeding the sum of $300,000, to be reimbursed by the State. And furthermore, that the Governor be requested to increase the munitions of war in this part of the State, and to cause the field artillery and arms to be put in complete order.

4. That immediate measures be taken for the removal of the shipping from the harbor to some place of safety; for the organization and enrollment of exempts; and for securing the voluntary labor of citizens on the proposed encampments.

These measures having been fully agreed upon, and assurances of ample assistance having been received from the State and General Governments, the Committee of Defence requested Brigadier General Joseph G. Swift, of the Corps of Engineers, to furnish them as soon as possible with the plans of such additional works of defence as might be deemed necessary by him, to place the city in a state of complete defence. To this request that energetic and talented officer gave prompt attention; and shortly after, being furnished by him with the required plans, the Committee, on the 1st of August, issued a patriotic and eloquent address, calling upon their fellow-citizens to enroll themselves into effective corps, in order that by suitable preparation and discipline they might be able effectually to assist in repelling any hostile attacks; and also calling upon all, without distinction of rank or color, to aid by voluntary labor in the construction of the proposed lines of defence, both on Long Island and at Harlem.

This appeal was answered as with one heart and one mind. Every one seemed most anxious to offer his services on the interesting occasion. Volunteer associations pressed forward, all solicitous to be engaged on the earliest day that could be appointed, in the honorable employment of defence. In these overtures, there