University of Virginia Library

TO EDMUND PENDLETON.

Dear Sir,—Yours of the 24th ulto. came safe by
yesterday's post. In addition to the paper of this day
I enclose you two of the preceding week in one of
which you will find a very entertaining & interesting
speech of Mr. Fox, and in the other a handsome forensic
discussion of a case important in itself and
which has some relation to the State of Virginia.

Our intelligence from N Y. through several channels
confirms the sufferings of the B. fleet from their
rash visit to the Capes of Chesapeak. The troops

which were kept in Transports to await that event
have since the return of the fleet been put on shore
on Staten Island. This circumstance has been construed
into a preliminary to any expedition to this
City, which had revived, till within a few days the
preparation for a militia opposition, but is better explained
by the raging of a malignant fever in the City
of N Y. Digby we hear is now certainly arrived but
with three ships of the line only. It is given out that
three more with a large number of Transports came
with him and that they only lay back till it was known
whether they could proceed to N. Y. with safety.
This is not improbably suspected to be a trick to palliate
the disappointment and to buoy up the sinking
hopes of their adherents, the most staunch of whom
give up Lord Cornwallis as irretrievably lost.

We have received some communications from Europe
relative to the general state of its affairs. They
all center in three important points; the first is the
obstinacy of G. B, the second the fidelity of our ally,
and the third the absolute necessity of vigorous &
systematic preparations for war on our part in order
to ensure a speedy as well as favorable peace. The
wisdom of the Legislature of Virginia will I flatter
myself, not only prevent an illusion from the present
brilliant prospects, but take advantage of the military
ardor and sanguine hopes of the people to recruit
their line for the war. The introduction of specie will
also I hope be made subservient to some salutary operations
in their finances. Another great object which
in my opinion claims an immediate attention from

them, is some liberal provision for extending the benefits
of Government to the distant parts of the State.
I am not able to see why this cannot be done, so as
fully to satisfy the exigencies of the people and at the
same time preserve the idea of Unity in the State.
Any plan which divides in any manner the Sovereignty
may be dangerous & precipitate an evil which
ought & may at least be long procrastinated. The
administration of justice which is the capital branch
may certainly be diffused sufficiently and kept in due
subordination in every part to one supreme tribunal.
Separate boards for auditing accounts may also be
admitted with safety & propriety. The same as to a
separate depository for the taxes &c., and as to a land
office. The military powers of the Executive, may
well be intrusted to militia officers of Rank, as far as
the defence of the country & the custody of military
stores make it necessary. A complete organization
of the militia, in which Genl. officers would be erected
would greatly facilitate this part of the plan. Such
an one with a council of Field officers, might exercise
without encroaching on the Constitutional powers of
the Supreme Executive, all the powers over the militia
which any emergency could demand.