St. Georges Head Quarters 20th July 1776
Gentn
From the Acc[oun]ts given me by several Deserters that, the Fleet intend up Potomack River to Water, and from the Motions of the Roebuck, five other Ships & a Sloop, I have the greatest Reason to believe they are now on their Way for that Purpose. Nanjemoy we suppose to be the Place of their Destination. I have by Letter informed the Committee of Correspondence of the Motions of the above ships, and shall endeavor to watch their Motions & prevent their Depredations with all my Might. There was a brisk and severe Cannonade from two or three Tenders & a Row-galley off Smith's Creek about six oClock this Morning the Consequence of wh[ich] Ihave not as yet heard I [am] Gentn with much Esteem [&c.]
Jno Dent2
p Express Upon public Service
1. Red Book, XV, Md. Arch.
2. The Council of Safety replied on July 21 to this letter and to Dent's of July 19. Council of Safety Letter Book, No. 1, Md. Arch.
