Dear Sir:

I expect by this time that Dr. Williamson and Mr. Blount are on their way to this State, being relieved by you, whose Letters of October and November I have been duly favoured with by Capt. Porterfield & others.

I am sorry the Assembly did not make a Session in November last that I might have laid before them the several important objects Congress and the Financier have urged to them. I am endeavouring to convene them the first of January next, though I have some doubts a Session cannot be formed before the annual meeting; which will involve me in many embarrassments.

The expedition against the Chickamaugas hath not answered our expectations. The Indians fled on the approach of our Militia and were not to be found. Their huts were destroyed and some trifling plunder taken. The Cherokees and Chickasaws have sent talks, earnestly petitioning for peace on some lasting footing—to fix boundaries, &c., but the Chickamaugas ask no favours, being still determined to do all the injury they can.

The Commissioners for Laying off the Continental Officers’ Land on Cumberland are at present on that business, which may be effected by next Spring. Charleston is not evacuated, tho’ we are daily taught to expect it. My private opinion is that it will not be evacuated at all, but will be held to the last as a subject to negotiate upon; however, the British measures appear so confused that we are in the dark as to their intentions, and shall be until the fate of Gibraltar is determined.