[Extract]

It is a certain truth that two french Noblesse were in cog last summer with the Congress. I am afraid something is brewing, that will be like an Explosion. Clem saw in town a few Weeks ago a french Officer, stiff in lace, a white Cockade in his hat, that could not speak a word of English. He had a Negro behind him, bearing his sword, that spoke for him; they came from N.England & were bound to Philadelphia. A few weeks after, he saw another of the same sort moving the same way. We get what Arms & Ammunition we want from france, holland & spain, notwithstanding all the precaution of your Court; We have also a prussian Officer here. A Baron came to offer his service to the Congress, its said from the King of prussia . . . Every Avenue leading from the River into the City of New-York is fortified; in consequence of expected Troops. Genl [Charles] Lee is gone to the southward to meet Genl Clinton (it is remarkable that both these Generals arrived here on one day, &, though it was sabbath, it threw the whole City in such a convulsion as it never knew before, moving away their effects; all that day & all night were the Carts going & Boats loading, & Women & Children crying, & distressed voices heard in the roads in the dead of the night). Clinton came here to pay a short visit to Govr Tyron, & to see how matters stood here; but, to his great suprize, found he could not put his foot on shore, expressed much concern at seeing so much distress on his acct declared his juvenal love for this place brought him here, & was pleased to send for the Mayor, to desire he would acquaint the people, he only came on a Visit, & would go away as soon as he could.

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