Dear Sir

I received your favour of the 26th August, that of the 15th is not yet come to hand, the arrival of Capt. Meridith with his prize gives me pleasure, I am in hopes this will be a saving Voyage perhaps a profitable one. This is the 5th letter I have wrote you since my arrival and you have not acknowledged the receipt of one of them I every time Inclose you the Last papers- you have them again now, by which you will find we have had a Battle at Chad'sford upon the Brandywine, and Our brave troops obliged to leave the field entirely owing to a mistake in the intelligence received. Our Army however are in high spirits and are very desirous of having another Brush with the Enemy who by the last accounts still remain on the field. By the best accounts as yet received of the Loss sustained by us is about 400 killed & wounded and a gentleman who was lately near the field of Battle was informed by the inhabitants of that part of the Country who had viewed the Dead that there were at least three to one of the Enemy killed. It is supposed Genl. Howe will as soon as he recovers from the late fatigue; proceed to the Sweeds ford upon Schoolkiln about 16 Miles from this City, where they will meet with (as I hope) their Deserts. I have often requested that you would send me every intelligence you can meet with relative to the Southern Colonies, surely you may now and then meet with a So. Carolina paper. I must beg you will let Mrs. Harnett know when the Post sets off that I may have the pleasure of one Letter from her which I beg you will Inclose to me, let me know if you have received any intelligence of our other Brig—It is amazing to what a price every necessary & Convenience of life is arisen to- Such a still as we last purchased would now sell for £2000 this Currency—Common rum 32 shillings 6 pence per Gall. Jam. Spirits 80 shillings per gall. every other article in proportion, a Common riding horse to £150

Altho' the Enemy's Army are so very near this city, Congress have not determined to remove neither will they unless they are forced. In haste I am