His Excellency Thos. Burke, Esquire, Governor of North Carolina,
Per Express.
Sir:—
Having an unexpected opportunity, I do myself the Honor of writing a few hasty Lines. Col. Parker informed me that the 8th inst. he had retreated as far as Black Water Bridge, and I make no doubt but he is now at So. Hampton Court House on the So. side of Notterway. The Marquis had pressed Ld. Cornwallis so closely that to avoid an engagement he was compelled to cross James River at Cobham, where he was encamped when my Express came from Col. Parker’s. As Col. Parker is very weak, he will be obliged to retreat Southerly to avoid a surprise by the Enemy’s horse. Gen. Leslie’s baggage continues on board the transport and Col. Parker thinks that should the Marquis cross James River after Ld. Cornwallis, Leslie will take that opportunity of seizing on and fortifying Williamsburg. For my part I do not trouble myself with guessing about the matter, knowing that Time will clear it up. Nothing new from the West Indies.
Gen’l Jones, July 10th, Rec’d July 14th, 1781.