N. Hampton County, July 30th, 1781.
Dear Sir:
Having no prospect of being relieved or supplyed with money for my expenses and my disorder, which abated a little on the first approach of warm weather, returning so as to render me of little use in Congress I left Philadelphia the 14th, for which I hope I shall be held excusable by this State. I have not had the favour of a line from you since that you wrote from Mr. Jones's a little before the approach of Ld. Cornwallis to Halifax. Mr. Sharpe waits to see about 1500 Stand of Arms with some fixed Ammunition in motion for this State. The Board of War had given us Assurance that this measure should have preference to any other that might arise and I hope before this some considerable part of them are on the Way.
General Washington's head Quarters were near King's Bridge. A Night Skirmish happen'd soon after he moved into that Quarter in which our Troops did not succeed but it was of small importance and our loss inconsiderable. It was said by the Secretary to the F. Embassy that the British Ministry had refused to admit of the Mediation of the Empress of Russia between Great Britain and the Dutch. The last authentick intelligence from the West Indies was dated the 13th of June, this mentions the taking Tobago by the French, a Rumour of an engagement between the two fleets said to
have happened on the 14th prevailed at Philadelphia & New York, the Event of which is variously reported. I wish I had something of more importance for your information my only motive for troubling you at this time is to acquaint you of my return and congratulate you on your appointment to the Government. The Critical Situation of Affairs at this time will call forth all your abilities & industry. I have not the smallest doubt but your Efforts will be such as will be usefull to the publick and honorable to yourself. I am hastening home to a distressed Family. I write to you in great haste and my Spirits greatly agitated by having just heard of the loss of my youngest son, as sweet a little fellow as ever was born.I shall hope for the pleasure of hearing from you some times when you are at leisure and am with the most sincere regard and Esteem,