George Washington had left Boston as quickly as possible after the British Evacuated Boston on March 17th, 1776. (Remember the fortification of Dorchester Heights). By April 14 he had arrived in NY guessing correctly that the British would head to NY from Boston. He orchestrated the movement of the troops from Boston to New York as well as artillery and weapons.
By May 1:
Since arriving two weeks ago, Washington has had his hands full in New York City. Here, the king’s friends are numerous, the enemy can arrive by sea at any moment, and coastal defenses are incomplete.
In May 1776, the 13 colonies were transitioning from armed resistance to full independence. The Second Continental Congress moved toward separation by authorizing colonies to form new governments (May 15 Preamble), while Virginia instructed its delegates to formally propose independence. Revolutionary governments replaced loyalist authorities, and support for total independence grew rapidly.
Rhode Island Act Repealing Allegiance to Great Britain, May 4, 1776. Via this act, Rhode Island's General Assembly formally rejected King George III and broke their legal ties to him months before independence was officially declared by the Second Continental Congress.
On May 15, the Virginia Convention instructed its delegates in Philadelphia to move that the Continental Congress declare the United Colonies free and independent states
Transitioning Governments: Throughout the colonies, royal officials were dismissed and replaced by local conventions and committees of safety.
On May 15 John Adams drafted a revolutionary preamble, passed by Continental Congress, declaring that all British authority must be "totally suppressed" and recommending that colonies create new independent governments.
