Halifax, Novembr. 6th, 1781.
Dear Sir:
I have the honour to congratulate you on the late important Success of our Arms in Virginia & to acquaint you that at last, I am relieved from a cruel & painful Captivity in the hands of our inveterate foes; I believe history and now I am convinced by experience, that I am warranted to declare the English Tyrants in prosperity, mean and abject in adversity. I left head quarters ten days ago, & am now on the road to join Gen. Greene, had it been safe traveling through yr. Country I should have had the pleasure of calling on you at Newberne. The Pennsylvania, Maryland & Virginia Lines with 400 horse are ordered to the S. ward. When I left Camp it was undetermined whether the Infantry should not go by water to Wilmington, this depended on the Count de Grasse, whose orders will not permit him to remain longer on the American Coast. He proceeds immediately with the whole of the line of battle Ships to the West Indies. Count de Rochambeau with all his Troops is to be quartered in Virginia ready to give his assistance wherever the existence of war demands it. The day I left Camp Genl. Washington was informed by Express from Philadelphia, that Ld. Henry Clinton had sailed the 18th last Month from New York with 5,000 Troops on board & all his Ships of War, the English gave out for the relief of Ld. Cornwallis, but people are generally of Opinion he was bound for Charles Town, this being the case it is pretty certain of the forces will be immediately ordered Sotherly.
When I saw you last at Newberne, I left in your possession several original papers relating to the transaction between the Messrs. Hamiltons & myself. I hope you have preserved them, & that you will be so kind to take care of them 'till you hear further from me. I make no doubt you have heard how ungenerously & cruelly I have been treated by John Hamilton. On a future day I may have an opportunity to explain this more fully to you. With my most respectful Compliments to Mrs. Nash, Wishing you health &
every domestic blessing, I have the honour to be Dr. sir yr. much obliged & most obedt. Servt.,
P. S. Please present my Compliments to Colo. Cogdale. I shall esteem it a favour to have a line from you. Colo. Long will forward it to me at Genl. Greene's Camp.