[Extract]

. . . On Monday Night Lord Cornwallis & Sir W^m. Erskine, with a large detachm^t. some say four, some 5 thous^d. men Marchd thro' Derby downwards, Cross'd the Deleware & took Red bank which was evacuated before they Came to it, in Consequence of which, our brave little fleet were put to the rout I bleive all the Gundelows & two Topsails made a safe retreat up the River, the others are all burn'd—this morning 21^st. Nov^r. 1777—

One O'clock P.M. Just now a boat Came from W^m. Coopers ferry with a flag of truce Bringing a Hessian doctor & four Ladies over, soon after she left the wharff, the Delaware Frigate fired a Shot at her, she proceded, till the frigate's Boat met her took them all out & made the officer & his Crew prisoners the passengers were sett at liberty & the others took to Jail, The reason of this Violation I cannot guess, perhaps the flag was not properly Authenticated by a General officer, Or, they, werere Exasperated at the Burning our fleet—

They Continue getting up provisions by way of schuylkill, they sell Rum at a Guiney p^r Gall: pork they plenty, Beef & Butter they have none, their flower all very Musty,—they begin at the Chevaux de fries to Morrow, they say, Cornwallis is to scower the Jerseys, whilst How [Howe] is to Maintain this City with about 3000 Men, They appear to be in the greatest security, notwithstanding I have the greatest reason to bleive from every Acc^t. that they do not exceed that Number.

Their different preparations plainly denote their determination of wintering here. . . .