Dear Sir

I thank you for your favor of the 11th Inst: & hope 'ere this you are informed of the reduction of Quebec. Colo. Arnold's Success there will have decisive Consequences. The loss of a province which Cost the people of Engld 70 Millions in the acquisition will make them feel a truth, which it has long been the business of administration to conceal from them. In the very uncertain State of our business, Military as well as Civil it was impossible you coud receive any Material information from us by the last post. We have Since that experienced a Very agreeable change in our Scituation ー Lord Dunmore with a rashness which has marked his whole conduct, has exposed the 14th Regt to disgrace and ruin ー the Accot wch you will see in the Papers of the action at the Great Bridge, is very exact ー the consequences of that Action have been Such as our most Sanguine wishes wou'd have pointed out a dispersion of those people in the Counties adjacent to Norfolk, who were unfriendly to our Cause, and a certain Security to our well wishers ー We have in Town Several of those inhabitants of Norfolk & Princess Ann who had joined the Governor ー particularly Messrs Phripp, Mosely, (Father & Son) & Dr Campbell the conduct of the former appears to have been the consequence of their fears. the last mentioned seems to have acted from very different motives ー he is as artful as Vicious. The great cordiality which Subsists between Colonels Howe & Woodford promises us good effects from their junction ー The Vigilance of the two Captains [James and Samuel] Barron (Brothers) at Hampton has produced most essential advantages ー they have secured about 4500 bushels (Salt.) in different Vessels ー 2400 of which was the property of two of Ld D[unmore]'s Norfolk friends, McCallester & Brown, who were promoted by him to the rank of Captains in his Regiment of Sables; this regiment is now Dispersed and the poor deluded wretches are daily brought in to our Camp in great numbers ー it is not yet determined how they shall be disposed of ー Barron took a few days since, a tender with one White & 16 blacks, bound to the Eastern Shore, on a foraging business ー the good Services of Barron, have been acknowledged by the house. When he is properly equipped we have much to expect from his deligence & abilities. Our present force at Norfolk may amount to 1500 Men including the Carolinians ー You will hear before this that Six Regiments are Voted in addition to the other two. As it seems probable that these Troops will be employed on Services not local, it is hoped they will be put upon the general Continental establishment ー The field officers will be named next Week, & a list sent to the Congress for their approbation, ー you will find in it Some names which you may not have expected, particularly the Gentleman who commanded one of our Regiments ー he has made an offer of his Services, and we are well assured his appointment will engage great numbers, officers as well as Soldiers, who served under him in the last war. The Proclamation from Ld D has had a most extensive good consequence ー Men of all ranks resent the pointing a dagger to their throats, thro the hands of their Slaves ー nothing cou'd be more unwise than a declaration of that nature which involved his friends as well as others in the general danger ー We have, however, no apprehensions on that Score ー yet proper precautions will not be neglected. The Naval force at Norfolk consists of the Liverpool a very fine frigate of 36 Guns ー the Otter & the King-Fisher Sloops of War, the William, a pressd Ship belonging to Eilbeck Ross & Co pierced for 22 Guns, & a Variety of Tenders & Small Craft. The whole addition to the force there by the arrival of the Liverpool & a Store Ship with her, may amount to 400 Men, including the Ships Companys & Marines ー As there are not more than 100 Men of the 14th Regt remaining, I cannot Suppose that there is of every denomination above Seven or 8 hundred under Lord D's direction.

Most of the Council, resenting the late proclamation, are determined upon an immediate answer to it, and from the language of the President & some others who have been in Town ー we may expect they will give the deluded publisher a Rowland for his Oliver. This business, will shew, if there be any amongst that Body, Weak or Wicked enough to remain unmoved by such Conduct if such there are you shall hear by the next Post. As the Weather has been very Severe for Some days past it is not supposed any of the larger Vessels will move from Norfolk ー doubtless the Tenders &; Small Craft will be pushed out in search of provision and fuel which we have reason to believe is exceedingly Scarce with the fleet &c our Troops prevent their receiving any Supplies from Norfolk. The business of the Convention goes on as usual, slowly, the great Variety of it will of course take a good deal of time, and tho we are well agreed, as to what shou'd be done, we cannot adjust immediately the manner of doing it. The ordinance for encreasing the Army has been once read in the House & is now in its Passage for the Second time (before the Committee); if nothing unforeseen happens I expect we may rise by the last of the month. I wish you health & happiness & am very respectfully Dear Sir [&c.]

My Complements to your associates ー the familys of those I know are well.