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All my anxiety and distress is at present at an
end. I feel disappointed. This day our militia are
all returning without effecting any thing more than
taking possession of Dorchester hill. I hope it is
wise and just, but, from all the muster and stir, I
hoped and expected more important and decisive
scenes. I would not have suffered all I have for
two such hills. Ever since the taking of that, we
have had a perfect calm: nor can I learn yet, what

effect it has had in Boston. I do not hear of one
person's escaping since.

I was very much pleased with your choice of a
committee for Canada. All those to whom I have
ventured to show that part of your letter, approve the
scheme of the priest, as a master-stroke of policy.[3] I feel sorry, that General Lee has left us, but his
presence at New York was no doubt of great importance,
as we have reason to think it prevented Clinton
from landing and gathering together such a nest of
vermin, as would at least have distressed us greatly.
But how can you spare him from here? Can you
make his place good? Can you supply it with a man
equally qualified to save us? How do the Virginians
relish the troops said to be destined for them? Are
they putting themselves into a state of defence? I
cannot bear to think of your continuing in a state of
supineness this winter.