Williamsburg 13th Apl 1776
[Extract]
Our Enemies are prosecuting their Vengeance, particularly against our Traders, with a relentless & unremitted fury. . . . We are in hourly Expectation of the Fleet from Britain. It seems their immediate Destination was for [North] Carolina, with a View, no doubt, to aid the Insurgents of that Province. Clinton's Disappointment in that Quarter will probably be the Means of altering the Plan & it is very likely that Virginia will be honor'd with the first Visit. [William] Howe's Desertion of Boston was shameful indeed; but I wish some of the Southern Colonies may not feel the bad Effects of it. Perhaps it might have been better for the united Colonies in general, if he could, without Danger, have been kept pent up, at least some time longer & until the rest of their forces had been Weakend by their Division ....