Philadelphia Oct 24th 1778.
Sir:
A fleet from New York, consisting of 16 ships of the line and upwards of 100 transports, sailed a few days ago, with Troops and many cannon on board. Their destination is at present a secret. Congress are much alarmed, fearing they may intend for the southward, (Charles Town) which has induced them to call upon No. Carolina for a greater body of men than I suppose can be raised in time to prevent the Enemy's designs. Your Excellency will perceive it to be the desire of Congress that you should put yourself at the head of the Troops from your State, and should you be
inclined to do so, have given you the rank and pay, &c., of a Major Genl in the Continental Army. Genl. Howe is ordered to head quarters, and Gen'l Lincoln, an officer of great military merit, is appointed to the command in the Southern Department.I hope your Excellency has long since received the 400,000 Dollars for Bounty pay, &c., of the last levies; 150,000 more will in a few days be sent to Mr. Wm. Blount for the use of the Troops to be sent to So Carolina, where one million more will be sent for the expense of this Expedition. Genl. Washington apprehensive that the Enemy may intend to attack upon Boston, has ordered on Genl. Gates to the Eastward, with a large detachment from the main Army. Should the Enemy appear on that coast, I suppose all New England will be in motion. Some among us think this fleet has sailed either for Europe or the West India Islands. Whether New York and Rhode Island will be evacuated by the Enemy this fall seems at present very doubtful. The Newspapers enclosed will give you an opportunity of forming a conjecture of the Enemy's designs. You will find the last speech and dying words of the British Commissioners, with the comments upon it by Common Sense.
I beg your Excellency will not take amiss my once more reminding you of the necessity of sending on as soon as possible the State account against the Continent. The charge against No Carolina in the Treasury Books is 1,075,543.29/100 dollars, when other States which have had ten times the money expended in them, do not stand chargeable with more than 500,000 dollars—and this entirely owing to their having a Military Chest established within them, and constantly supplied out of the Treasury of the Continent, exclusive of Commissaries, Quarter Masters, &c., who never called upon the State for money.
27th October.
Since writing the above and meeting with no opportunity of sending it forward, but by Post, I have enclosed a paper of this date. It is now believed the enemy really intend to Evacuate New York.
I have not had the pleasure of a line from your Excellency since my return. I am with the greatest esteem
P. S. We have procured 10,000 dollars to carry into execution the resolve of our Legislature of the 30th April relative to supplying our Troops with necessaries.