Philadelphia, Oct. 10, 1780.
Dear Sir:
I rec'd your favours of the 10 & 14 ulto. by Mr. Sharp, for which I am much obliged to you. Gen. Washington is directed to order a Court of Inquiry on the conduct of Gen. Gates, and to appoint an Officer to take the Command of the Southern Army until the Inquiry shall be made. I wrote to you fully on the 1st Inst., & another short Letter subsequent per favour of Mr. Stanley. In the first of these I informed you that the Board of War had procured 800 Tents for the Southern Army; when they told me so, they counted upon 300 Tents, which they made no doubt of obtaining from the Executive of this State, in which, however, they were disappointed, and this reduces the number to 500, and I fear it will be a considerable time before they can be forwarded.
It was yesterday reported that eleven Regiments had embarked at New York, bound into Chesapeak Bay. Had I not the utmost Confidence in the consummate Virtue & Wisdom of Genl. Washington, I should murmur that greater Reinforcements have not been detached from the Grand Army to march to the Southward. Colo. De Binsson told me that he met the new Maryland Regiment on its March to Carolina, (which was compleat in number of Mem when they left this,) and that it was reduced by Desertion to about 150 Men. I flatter myself the Col. was mistaken. I expect the British will make vigorous Efforts against No. Carolina in the course of the ensuing winter; but as Virginia seems to be some what aroused from the Lethargy in which she slept, and the spirit of our Countrymen is yet unbroken, I make no doubt in the end they will prove ineffectual. Colo. Andre was executed
the 2nd Inst.; He refused to disclose any thing, and died like a gallant Soldier.My Compliments to Mrs. Nash and my Friends at Newbern.
Odedt. Humble Servt.,
Inclosed the Paper of the Day.