[Extract]

. . . The destruction of General Burgoynes army is one of the first objects upon the continent, but how to effect it is the question. You see he moves with caution notwithstanding our army flies before him. It is near a month since he landed at Skenesborough his advance parties have advanced only about twenty or thirty miles and nothing or next to nothing to oppose him. Sure I am he never would have dared to penetrate an inch if he had met with a serious opposition — It is said our troops are pannick struck. this is strange they have met with no misfortune — I am confident if there is a formidable force collects under the command of General Gates that Burgoyne never leaves sight of his Shiping his retreat is secure while he has the command of South bay. in that situation he will rest unless he can bring over a great part of the country to join him. . . .