off Norfolk, 21 Feb. 1776.
[Extract]
What was left of Norfolk is now totally destroyed by the Rebels and the inhabitants of that and Princess Anne County ordered away from their plantations. We are informed Sir Peter Parker is on his way out, is to have the command here and convoys out a number of troops their appearance here will soon alter the face of affairs.
Genl. Clinton called at N.York. It seems Gen. Lee was dispatched to the South when they knew Gen. Clinton departure. Lee had got to New York and is expected here. Washington has sent expresses to inform that a number of ships had left Boston and it was expected they were coming South. I believe it is so because last night old Coll. Colvin was brought on board this ship, there were some Rebel officers with him in a flag or truce boat from Hampton. Capt. Hammond stop'd them on board the Roebuck and sent to his Lo[s]p. It seems they have a letter from the Committee of Safety offering to lay down their arms if all the acts of Parliament are repealed that have been made since 1763. If this is all it is doing nothing.
1. "Letters from Virginia, 1774-1781," The Magazine of History (New York, 1905), III, 211. Stewart, former Surveyor General of Customs in North America, had retired to Edinburgh; Parker, a merchant, was his Virginia correspondent.