TO EDMUND PENDLETON.
MAD. MSS.
Philada July 31st. 1781.
Dr. Sir—I have the pleasure of your's of the
23d. I congratulate you on your return to Caroline
and on the safety of your estate from the ravages of
the Enemy.
The mail of last week having been intercepted near
Wilmington has kept back the post a day later than
his usual arrival, and I have now but a few moments
for the discharge of my epistolary duty. The only
certain information we have lately had from Europe
is that the mediation tendered by Russia in the dispute
between England & Holland has been referred
by the former to the General pacification in which
the mediation of the Emperor will be joined with it.
As this step is not very respectful to Russia, it can
only proceed from a distrust of her friendship, &
their hopes of a favorable issue to the campaign
which an intercepted letter from Ld. G. Germain shews
to be extravagantly sanguine. There has been nothing
from the W Indies for several weeks. General
Washington is continuing his preparations & progress
agt. N. York. I shall hazard no prediction with regard
to the event of them. Col. Willet we understand
has lately given a decisive defeat to a party from
Canada or the Frontiers of N. York. With very
sincere regard I am Dr. Sir
Your obt. friend & servant,
