HAMILTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Sept. 18, 1777.

Sir:

If Congress have not left Philadelphia, they ought to do it immediately without fail; for the enemy have the means of throwing a party this night into the city. I just now passed the Valley Ford—in doing which a party of the enemy came down and fired upon us in the boat, by which means I lost my horse—one man was killed, and another wounded. The boats were abandoned, and will fall into their hands. I did all I could to prevent this, but to no purpose.

I have the honor to be,
With much respect,
Sir, your most obedient servant,
A. Hamilton.

To Hon. John Hancock.