We have been pretty quiet here since the burning of Norfolk. On General [Henry] Clinton's Arrival with a small Party of Men, the Rebels retired about twelve Miles up the Country, burning the Houses, and driving off the Cattle as they went. We now get Plenty of Provisions brought us both for the Officers Tables and the Ships Companies, but dearer than usual. I am well informed by the Gentlemen of the Country, who have taken Refuge on board the King's Ships here, that we shall have all Sorts of Provisions in great Plenty, as soon as the Forces arrive; that the People in the lower Counties are very weary of their new Masters, and will join heartily in driving them back to the Mountains, whenever a few Troops are landed to enable them to make head against the Rebels; and that they will be able to supply not only the Ships and Troops that may come this way, but likewise the Army and Navy at Boston with Flour, Pork, Pease, Butter, Corn, &c.&c. and have Cattle and Stock of all Kinds, and Horses and Carriages, if they should be wanted to the Northward, in any Number there can be a Demand for, all at a very reasonable Price.

By the last Accounts we had from Boston both Parties remained inactive; the Winter was severe, and most of the Rebels had gone home to their own Habitations to keep themselves warm. There was Plenty of salted Provisions in Boston, and likewise of fresh Meat, chiefly from Nova Scotia; but the last Article was dear. Both the Seamen and Soldiers are remarkably healthy, which they attribute in great measure to the Scarcity of Rum and other Spirits; for where they can be come at cheap, Soldiers and Sailors will always make beasts of themselves.

Very few of the Store Ships from England had got in, and scarce any of the live Stock had got safe; one half a Dozen out of three hundred of any Kind. The Liverpool, Roebuck and Otter, are here at present. A Sloop of War and a Tender are gone to Delawar River to go in since other Ships appeared to block up the Harbour of Philadelphia. The Mercury, with two Transports, is gone to the Southward to Charles-Town and Georgia. Captain Lindsay ² has been some Time cruizing off Cape Fear for Sir Peter Parker's Fleet.