[Extract]

I was not entirely wrong in my conjecture Gen. Howe intended going to the South. We sailed from Sandy Hook on the 23rd July and arrived at the Delaware the 30th, stood up that river for some hours, when, as if it were a feint to perplex Washington, we put back to sea the middle of the same night, and on Friday got between Capes Henry and Charles (two Capes that form the entrance of Chesapeake Bay), and are this day off Anapolis steering for Baltimore.

During our voyage various reports have been spread concerning Bur­goyne, but one in particular seems to have weight, as it is mention'd in all the rebel newspapers; it says that he has had an action with their Northern army at Fort Amherst (formerly Fort Ann), wherein their army was totally defeated, and their General Schuyler surrendered.

Our movements to the Chesapeake seem to indicate that Gen. Howe has hopes, or assurances, that Maryland will return to obedience; it is probable that that part of Maryland, Virginia, and the lower Delaware Counties situated on the peninsular form'd by the Delaware and Chesa­peake, may answer these expectations, as in general they have been well ;affected, and as they are so situated that no rebel army wou'd venture there when very few ships are left for their protection, but the Western Coast of this Bay, from all I can learn, are very averse to a reconciliation. They have hoisted the rebel Colours, and the arm'd vessels we have observed are too strong proofs of this unreasonable enmity. . . .