[Extract]
Sir

Situated as I am, it would be very unpardonable in me not to give you some sort of history from this quarter.

About 3 o Clock last Friday morning the Members of Congress were warned by an express from one of Genl Washington's Aids, Coll Hamilton, to leave this city immediately as the enemy could throw a body of troops into it, some of our boats having fallen into their hands. . . .

Last evening we had a most sudden allarm that the enemy were on this side of the Schuylkill in full march towards this city, the militia flying before them. The officer who commands advised me to remove; but with the Delaware so near at hand I chose to wait for daylight. — I will not seal till I have collected the Reports of this morning. In the mean time, however, I will carry you back a few days. — I have it from Governour Johnston that the last of the enemy's fleet passed down by the mouth of Patapsco River at 1 o Clock the 18th, twenty or thirty ships having passed down several days before. He judged Baltimore to be rendered so safe hereby that he intended to send a few additional companies of militia to join Genl Washington. He also acquainted Govr Henry with the movement of the ships that the virginia militia then collected might march so as to be useful in case Howe should move but slowly or we should be unfortunate. . . .

Commodore Hazlewood expected to have had a chance of burning some of the Enemy's Ships last saturday morning. He fell down the River over night, but his object slipped away perhaps with intend to draw him into broad water further down than Chester, but, his orders are contrary. There seems to be no want either of fireworks or manly spirit on the Delaware: Unless there should be a fatal deficiency of the latter on the country part Philadelphia will not go to ruin in this tryal of Sr William & My lord conjunctly. . . .