University of Virginia Library

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.[1]

Dear Sir,—It appears from sundry accounts from
the frontiers of New York and other Northern States,
that the savages are making the most distressing
incursions, under the direction of British agents, and
that a considerable force is assembling at Montreal for
the purpose of wresting from us Fort Schuyler, which
covers the northwestern frontier of New York. It is
probable the enemy will be but too successful this
campaign in exciting their vindictive spirit against
us, throughout the whole frontier of the United
States. The expedition of General Sullivan against
the Six Nations, seems by its effects rather to have
exasperated than to have terrified or disabled them.
And the example of those nations will add great
weight to the exhortations addressed to the more
southern tribes.

Rivington has published a positive and particular
account of the surrender of Charleston on the twelfth
ultimo, said to be brought to New York by the Iris
which left Charleston five days after. There are,
notwithstanding, some circumstances attending it
which, added to the notorious character for lying of
the author, leave some hope that it is fictitious. The

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We have yet heard nothing further of the auxiliary
armament from France. However anxiously its
arrival may be wished for, it is much to be feared we
shall continue to be so unprepared to co-operate with
them, as to disappoint their views, and to add to our
distress and disgrace. Scarce a week, and sometimes
scarce a day, but brings us a most lamentable picture
from Head-Quarters. The army are a great part of
their time on short allowance, and sometimes without
any at all, and constantly depending on the precarious
fruits of momentary expedients. General
Washington has found it of the utmost difficulty to
repress the mutinous spirit engendered by hunger
and want of pay: and all his endeavours could not
prevent an actual eruption of it in two Connecticut
regiments, who assembled on the parade with their
arms, and resolved to return home or satisfy their
hunger by the power of the bayonet. We have no
permanent resource, and scarce even a momentary
one left, but in the prompt and vigorous supplies of
the States. The State of Pennsylvania has it in her
power to give great relief in the present crisis, and a
recent act of her legislature shows, they are determined
to make the most of it. I understand they
have invested the Executive with a dictatorial
authority from which nothing but the lives of their
citizens are exempted. I hope the good resulting
from it will be such as to compensate for the risk of
the precedent.