As General Washington prepared to defend New York City, he scrambled to find enough firearms to arm his soldiers. The American colonies had few workshops capable of manufacturing muskets and other small arms weapons, and none on the scale required to equip a large army. In desperation, Washington restored to purchasing whatever firearms his agents could find among the populace.
"Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Assemblies or Conventions of the Colonies respectively, to appoint proper persons in each town or district, to proceed from house to house, through their respective towns or districts, and purchase at the cheapest rate they can be obtained for ready money, all such good muskets and firelocks, fit for the use of soldiers, as can be spared by the inhabitants; and that the said muskets and firelocks, so purchased, be for the use of the Continental Army"
Second Continental Congress, 4 November 1775
Sources
May 21, 1776, Journals of the Provincial Congress, Provincial Convention, Committee of Safety and Council of Safety of the State of New York, 1775-1776-1777, Albany, 1842.
