Hancock leads the delegates in signing the Declaration, but is interrupted by the courier with another dispatch from Washington, "Commander of the Army of the United Colonies ... of the United "States" of America." He reports that preparations for the Battle of New York are under way, but expresses concern about America's badly outnumbered and under-trained troops. Washington notifies Lewis Morris, who still has no instructions from the New York legislature, that his estates have been destroyed, but his family is safe. Emboldened, Morris says, "To hell with New York. I'll sign it anyway." New York's vote is moved into the "yea" column.