[Philadelphia] Friday 15 [March].
the Votes read & Letters from Gen Washington with a Packet of intercepted Letters, 2 and Two Letters from Arthur Lee to Wm Temple and brought by Him from England found in the Lining of his Cloaths 3 ー our Troops have bombarded Boston with little Effect except that [William] Howe and his Men are about to leave the Town, we burst 5 Mortars ー Lee's Letters say that the Ministry cannot get Russians, France having influenced Sweden to interfere, nor can the King make his Force here 20000 Men this Summer by any Means whatever, that France declares if Foreign Troops are sent She cannot be an idle Spectator, and is really disposed to favor our Cause &c ...
1. Richard Smith's Diary, LC.
2. The letters were found on board the ship Susannah sent into Portsmouth, Nrw Hampshire, March 6, 1776 by John Manley.
3. See William Smith's Memoirs, March II, 1776.
