[Philadelphia] Friday morning. 8th March 1776
[Extract]
Dr Papa
... If we take Quebec, of wh we have hopes: I think it will not be very difficult to draw the Canadians into the union on certain terms: I am sure it is their interest to unite with us, and The Congress is disposed to make it their interest and to convince them of this disposition....
By General Washington's last letter to Congress dated 26th Febry he seems to be of opinion that Howe is preparing to evacuate Boston & to shift the scene of war: they have removed two mortars from Bunkers hill & have shipped several pieces of ordnance & baking large quantities of biscuit & getting ready the transports & men of war, as if a voyage was intended Washington writes he shall dispatch the light troops as soon as the enemy quits Boston & will follow himself with the rest of the army to N. York where he conjectures they will attempt to land & take possession of that city. I do not think they will entirely abandon Boston: they will probably keep in it a garrison sufficient for its protection, & with the rest of the troops endeavour to gain N. York & wait there the arrival of more forces from Europe. . . I suspect, as Clinton is arrived in Virga, a vessel of war will be sent to Baltimore or to Annapolis ー ...