[Philadelphia, May, 1778]
If Lord H1 goes first and is not sure of returning in less than a month supposing we cannot leave this without his assistance the expedition may be delayed; the R.2 assemble in great force possess certain points we shall be obliged to send the Expedition3 from hence not compleately fitted (which can only be done from N.Y) we must embark ourselves at New castle shall be obliged to leave most of our horses our provision train &c &c.
whereas if Lor. H stays or we can be passed to— [nY nJ.?] without him I shall be able to move in about 24 days the move will be more like ourselves, we should take all with us & the Ex. will sail from S I4 better equiped & full as soon as it Can from here as L H does not think he can assemb[l]e his fleet for it sooner than a month5
D, MiU-C, Sir Henry Clinton Papers. The memorandum is undated. The date was surmised from the contents; the place from Clinton's location at the time.
1. That is, Vice Adm. Viscount Howe.
2. That is, Rebels.
3. The expedition to the West Indies is discussed in Lord George Germain to Lt. Gen. Sir Henry Clinton, 8 Mar. 1778. NDAR 11: 1069–73. The 5,000-man force did not sail from New York until 3 Nov. 1778.
4. Staten Island, N.Y.
5. Clinton and his army evacuated Philadelphia on 18 June at 3 A.M. Clinton to Lord George Germain, 5 July 1778. Davies, Documents of the American Revolution 15: 159–63.
