FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Philadelphia, June 18th, 1777.
Gentlemen,
In this we send you an account of the most material matters, which have happened in the military department.
The enemy, about ten weeks ago, sent a large party, and destroyed some continental stores at Peekskill, the value not great, and retreated immediately after. They afterwards made an attempt to surprise Major General Lincoln, at Bound Brook, which he vigilantly escaped, with the loss of about sixty men. Mr Tryon, who is made a Major General, was sent with about 2200 men to destroy the stores at Danbury, in Connecticut. Notice was received time enough to remove the most valuable part, while Generals Arnold and Wooster raised the militia, and attacked the enemy on their retreat with good success. The New York paper, which may be considered as General Howe's Gazette, makes their loss in killed and wounded 104. We may give them credit for twice the number. The loss we sustained in stores was chiefly in salt provisions and rum, and we had the satisfaction of learning, that the cargoes of the prizes brought in the same week amounted to double the quantity lost. General Wooster, who behaved gallantly, was mortally wounded, and is since dead.
Scarce a week has passed without skirmishing, in which we have been very fortunate. General Washington has removed from Morristown, to some advantageous ground near Bound Brook and Middle Brook, within eight miles of Brunswick, and the following is a regular state of the intelligence received here since the 11th inst.
June 11th.—At a meeting in the State House yard, General Mifflin, despatched for that purpose from General Washington, informed the inhabitants, that from the late preparations of the enemy, he had reason to believe their design was, by a forced march, to endeavor to possess themselves of Philadelphia; it was then proposed and unanimously assented to, to turn out agreeably to the militia law.
12th.—A letter from General Sullivan, at Princeton, received about nine this evening, informed that the enemy at Brunswick had begun to move the preceding night, but was prevented by the heavy rain.
13th.—The alarm gun in this city fired at three this morning, answering the alarm guns up the river. Several letters, by express from Bristol, mention the hearing alarm guns towards Trenton and Princeton, but that no express has arrived there from General Sullivan at Princeton.
14th.—An express from General Arnold, at Trenton, informed that the enemy had moved on the 13th, in the night from Brunswick, that General Sullivan had likewise moved from Princeton to some part of Rocky Hill, with an intention to harrass the march of the enemy, and thereby favor the approach of General Washington on their rear, and that of the troops from Philadelphia.
15th.—An express from General Arnold, dated Trenton 14th, at six o'clock, received here at half past five this morning, says, that he had waited six hours, hoping to hear from General Sullivan, but had not; that he should immediately set off for Coryel's Ferry; that the reports of the country were, that the enemy were marching rapidly towards that place, and, that General Sullivan was about two miles ahead of them, on the same road.
Coryel's Ferry is the place where our boats were stationed sufficient to transport 3000 men at a time.
Another letter from General Arnold, dated Coryel's Ferry, 14th, 9 o'clock, P. M. received here at 9 this morning, says, that General Sullivan, arrived at that place about 4 o'clock, and had with him 1600 continental troops, and about the same number of Jersey militia making up the number already there about 4000; that the Jersey militia were turning out very spiritedly, and that he expected to be 5000 strong by the next day, when he should march towards the enemy, who had encamped at Somerset Court House, eight miles from Brunswick; that General Washington continued at his quarters near Middle Brook, eight miles in the rear of the enemy, who were about 7000.
16th.—The above makes up the chain of intelligence, to General Arnold's fourth letter, which was received here this morning, and is printed in the papers of the 17th and 18th inst., to which we refer you.
From various quarters lately we have reports, but none sufficient to depend on, that the enemy will receive no reinforcement from Europe, and likewise that a war with France is inevitable.
General Burgoyne is said to be arrived at Quebec with troops.
We have seen a memorial, presented to the States-General by Sir Joseph Yorke, and two answers thereto, the one, "that they had no account to render to him of their conduct," the other, that "there are no gates to the Hague."
We are, gentlemen, yours, &c.
B. HARRISON,
R. MORRIS,
T. HAYWARD,
J. LOVELL.