Philad: March 23d 1776
[Extract]
We have no News from Virginia since I wrote you last-No Account yet of our Fleet & as no Member of Congress expresses any Concern on the Subject, we begin to suspect they are gone upon some distant enterprize. Some conjecture to lay in the Way of the last India Ships a few of whom would soon reimburse us the Expence of the War ー however it is all Supposition It has happened as I expected that many who were impatient to have How driven from Boston are now alarmed with the Apprehension of the Seat of War being removed to the Middle Colonies. General Lee is gone off to Virginia, & we hope will be there in time to meet the Troops expected from England ー The Congress have at length granted Letters of Marque but there is such a difficulty in procuring Ammunition that I imagine little Use will be made of them at least for some Time. By some late Accounts from England we are led to expect that the Scheme of sending Commissioners will be wholly laid aside ー If it should I think we shaH have no Reason to regret it, as it does not seem calculated to produce any real Benefit.
1. Washington Papers, LC.