[Extract]

I have the honor of transmitting you an extract of a letter received last Night from General Ward. If the Scheme the Privateers had in view, and the measures he had planned, had been carried into Execution, the Highland Corps will be tolerably well disposed of, but I fear the fortunate event has not taken place. In General Ward's Letter was inclosed one from Lieut. Col. Campbell² who was made Prisoner, with the Highland Troops: I have transmitted you a Copy. This will give you a full and exact Account of the Number of Prisoners that were on board the four Transports, and will prove beyond a possibility of doubt, that the evacuation of Boston by the British Troops, was a matter neither known or expected when he received his Orders. Indeed so many facts had concurred before to settle the matter, that no additional proofs were necessary.

When I had the Honor of addressing you Yesterday, I had only been Informed of the arrival of Forty five of the Fleet in the Morning; since that Ihave received Authentic Intelligence from sundry persons, among them from General [Nathanael] Greene, that one hundred and ten sail came in before Night, that were counted, and that more were seen about dusk in the offing. I have no doubt, but the whole that sailed from Hallifax, are now at the Hook.