Gentn

It must give great concern to any Considerate Mind, that, when this whole Continent, at a vast Expense of Blood and Treasure, is endeavouring to Establish Liberties on the most secure and Solid Foundations, not only by a laudable Opposition of Force to Force, but denying itself the usual advantages of Trade; there are men among us so basely sordid as to Counteract all our Exertions, for the sake of a little Gain. You cannot but have heard that the Distresses of the Ministerial Troops, for fresh Provisions and many other Necessaries, ー at Boston, were very great; It is a Policy, Justifiable by all the Laws of War, to endeavour to increase them; Desertions, Discouragement, and a Dissatisfaction with the Service, besides weakening their strength, are some of the Natural Consequences of such a Situation; and, if continued, might afford the fairest Hope of Success, without further Effusion of human Blood. A vessel cleared lately out of New York for St. Croix, with fresh Provisions and other Articles, has just gone into Boston, instead of pursuing her Voyage to the West Indies; I have endeavoured to discover the Name of the Captain or Owner, but, as yet, without success; The Owner (it is said) went to St. Croix before the Vessel, from which and her late arrival, I make no doubt you will be able to discover and expose the Villain. And, if you could fall upon some effectual Measures, to prevent the like in future, it would be doing a Signal Service to our Common Country.

I have been endeavouring, by every means in my Power, to discover the future Intentions of our Enemy here  I find a General Idea prevailing thro' the Army and in the Town of Boston, that the Troops are soon to leave the Town and go to some other Part of the Continent. New York is the Place generally mentioned as their Destination. I should think a Rumour or Suggestion of this kind worthy of very little Notice, if it was not confirmed by some corresponding Circumstances. But a four Weeks total Inactivity, with all their Reinforcements arrived and recruited; the daily Diminution, by Desertions, Sickness and small Skirmishes, induce an Opinion, that any Effort they propose to make, will be directed elsewhere.

I thought it proper just to hint to you what is probably intended; you will then consider what Regard is to be paid to it, and what steps will be proper for you to take, if any. I am, with great Respect & Regard, etc.