The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
TO EDMUND PENDLETON. |
 |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO EDMUND PENDLETON.
MAD. MSS.
PhiladA., NOVr. 21, 1789.
Dear Sir—Your favor of the 13th. came safe yesterday.
The past week has brought forth very little
of consequence, except the disagreeable and I fear
certain information of the arrival of the Cape fleet.
Our last account of the embarkation at N. York was
that the Ships had fallen down to the Hook, that
the number of troops was quite unknown, as well as
their destination, except in general that it was Southwardly.
It is still said that Philips is to command
100
Leslie & Cornwallis had not been so opportunely
frustrated by the gallant volunteers at King's Mountain
it is probable that Philips would have reinforced
the former, as the great force in his rear would
otherwise have rendered every advance hazardous.
At present it seems more likely that the declining
state of their Southern affairs will call their attention
to that quarter. They can it is well known regain
at any time their present footing in Virginia if it
should be thought expedient to abandon it, or to
collect in their forces to a defensible point. But
every retrograde step they take towards Charleston
proves fatal to their general plan. M. J. Adams in
a letter of the 23d. of Augst. from Amsterdam received
yesterday, says that Gen. Prevost had sailed from
England with a few frigates for Cape fear in order
to facilitate the operations of their arms in N. Carolina,
and that the Ministry were determined to make
the Southern States the scene of a very active winter
campaign. No intimation is given by Mr. Adams
of the number of troops under Gen.l Prevost. The
2d. division of the French fleet mentioned in my last
to have been off the Bermudas has not yet made its
appearance. It is now rather supposed to have been
a British one. The death of Gen.l Woodford is announced
in a N. York paper of the l7th. I have
not seen the paper, but am told that no particulars
are mentioned. I suppose it will reach his friends
before this will be recd., through some other channel.
Adieu.
| The writings of James Madison, | |