22d Aug. 1777.
[Extract] Dear Sir/
Mr Deards, who got here late yesterday evening, brought me the first authentic intelligence of the enemy's grand fleet being in our Bay. An express passed thro' this place tuesday morning with an acct that part of the Enemy's fleet was off the Mouth of Potowmack: I could not persuade myself that this fleet was any thing more than some ships sent to pillage & collect Stock: but it seems that Howe's army is on board this fleet, & it is now plain he means to land at the head of the Bay: perhaps he will form an encampment in the isthmus or narrow neck of land between the two Bays, & thus inclose the Peninsula lying between Chesapeak & Delaware Bays: from thence he may flatter himself with recruiting his army with the disaffected & supplying it with provisions. — Pray let me know your determinations. Do you think it proper to call the assembly? can it meet, if you call it? I suppose the Enemy's shipping will endeavour to cut off, if it can be done, the communication between & the two shores. Imagine the Militia, or a part of it, will be called out & sent to the head of the Bay? but what magazines are formed there for their support? & what can be collected to feed our militia, & Gen. Washington's army in the space even of 6 weeks? Imagine Howe's intention is to do what I have mentioned above, & when his army is refreshed to move towards Philada . . . .
1. Etting Autograph Collection, Signers of the Declaration of Independence, HSP.
