Setauket, Feby. 26, 1779.
Sir. No. 8.
Your No. 4 and 5 came to hand. The former forgot to acknowledge the receipt of in my No. 7. The latter have carefully observed and will follow your directions. I shall now endeavour to give you as an authentic of affairs and transactions that hath past since my No. 7 (together with the state of the enemy) as I possibly can. The troops within these lines have not been augmented by any arrivals from Europe. The number consequently remaining the same, save two companies of Light Infantry from Rhode Island landed on Long Island and marched immediately for Southampton, about fifty came down to New York, said to be deserters from General Burgoin’s Army. The force of the enemy on this, Staten, Powles Hook and York Island are as follows: and think you may very safely rely upon it as I have been for some time engaged to find out the true state of the Enemy, and to correct my former accounts. The 44, 57, 63, Colls. Robinson’s and Emmerick with three German Regiments all commanded by Governor Tryon, are cantoned from King’s Bridge to and within four miles of the city. From these posts to and within the City are two Battallions of Guards, 28 Regm. Welch Fusileers, The Volunteers of Ireland, called Lord Rhoden’s Regm. and four German Regm. Also in the City are Genls. Clinton, Jones, Mathews, DeLancey, Knyphousen, with one other German Genl. think his name is Smyth—64th Regm. Powles Hook, 26, 37, one German, Colls. Buskearks and Barton’s, with Genls. Leslie and Skinner on Staten Island, Long Island and Brooklyn ferry one German Regt. 33 at Bedford, a small part of the 42 and 71 with three companies of Germans commanded by Genl. Vaughn are at New Town. One German Regm. Yaigers at Flushing, Queen’s Rangers Coll. Simcoe at Oyster Bay, Coll. Ludlow’s Regiment under Genl. DeLancey New Levies at Lloyd’s Neck. The 17th Regm. Dragoons, Coll. Burch and Lord Cathcart Legion are at South Hampton together with all the Grenadeers and Light Infantry belonging to the enemy within these lines, except about two hundred left at Jamaica. Their several movements to South Hampton make that body about two thousand men. They have lived upon the miserable inhabitants of Suffolk County ever since they have been in it and there is a great probability of the inhabitants wanting the necessities of life. They give receipts for cattle, hay and etc. but are not paid. They have been out of money nearly two months. I compute the whole force of the enemy to be thirty four Battallions, equal to two hundred and fifty in a battallion, and believe it to be a very just computation. I saw a private letter from London brought in the Packet that left Falmouth the 20th of November and arrived here the 24th January, which I think you may rely on, that Spain and the two Sicily’s have followed the steps of France in favour of America which compleets the whole family of the House of Bourbone. The Dutch have demanded satisfaction of his Brittannick Majesty of all damages sustained on their shipping by seasure ever since the year 1734, and His Majesty hath complyed with their request. Bergoin a discarded Lord and General Howe are both to undergo parliamentary examinations. 15 Privateers and 300 sail of Merchantmen and 2 ships of War have been lately taken by the French. No prospect of any troops being sent to America but a great probability of the King giving up the contest. This sir agrees in substance with the English papers, which I have seen up to the 3d of November. Other accounts say his Majesty will continue the war and that a large body of troops will be sent to America in the Spring, but I doubt if any troops comes, but begin to be fearful that these troops here will stay longer than some time ago I expected. I can positively inform you that Genl. Clinton had liberty from his Majesty to leave New York the first of November last on which a council of war was held and concluded it was not for the interest of the Crown to do it. I think if it had not been for the sake of the Tory’s they would have quit America then. The cannon that was taken from the Battery near Fort George and put on board the Lord Townsend transport was some time ago relanded. On the first instant a Cork Fleet, consisting of eleven sail arrived with provisions but brought no news. On the 8th six transports arrived from Hallifax under convoy of the Delaware Frigate. Same day some ships from Rhode Island with the troops before mentioned. On the 14th Instant his Majesty’s Speech was handed us from Jersy, it appears very mild and not very pleasing to the enemy; it is all we have had from England since the November Packet. It is said the December Packet is taken. There is a fleet of Victiallers and private adventurers preparing for Georgia. It is said some Troops will go in the Fleet. I think it very likely. Their convoy will certainly be weak. I do not know to be but three or four ships of war in and about the city, their ships of war are all gone to the West Indies. Six ships of the Line could now very easily block up the Port and reduce New York. It is reported fifteen hundred troops have sailed from Rhode Island for Georgia but it wants confirmation. On the 15th Inst. a fleet sailed for Ireland consisting of about ten or fifteen sail. The enemy will shortly be in great want of forage, which they will endeavour to get a supply from the Jersey’s before long, their flat boats in the King’s yard have lately been put in good repair. I frequently see General Clinton amongst the Carpenters, in particular viewing the boats. Ther’s upwards of Seventy Privateers and Letters of Marque from this port and have been very successful. A large French ship arrived here on the 15th with upwards of 500 hhd. of Sugar and 5 tons of Indigo, with some specie and other articles. Sir William Erskin is a fortifieing at and about Southampton and building flat boats, probably they intend to cross and do you some damage. On the 17th it was said a fleet was at the Hook from England but being obliged to leave the city that afternoon I can give no further account about it. Their movements puzzles the greatest politicians and I am at a loss to judge whether we shall have peace or war this Spring. I think upon the whole there is a greater prospect of war than peace. I believe now that the King will endeavour to see if his fleet can get the better of the French Fleet. If they should not he will then make peace with France and quit America. I don’t doubt but by the next appointment we shall know the determination of Parliament and give a better guess. Their success in Georgia under Campbell and as they say Adml. Byron blocking up Count D’Estaing in Martineco and Genl. Grant defeating the French with great loss at St. Lucea, hath given the Enemy fresh spirits. I cannot bear the thoughts of the war continuing another year, as could wish to see an end of this great distress. Were I to undertake to give an account of the sad destruction that the enemy makes within these lines I should fail. They have no regard to age, sex, whig or tory. I lament to hear the depreciation of your money and in particular the civil dissentions among you at Philadelphia. I think them very alarming. It sinks the spirits of our suffering friends here and pleases the enemy. Cannot the disturbers see that they are working their own ruin. Is there no remedy to apply. Better had they be cut off from the land of the living than to be suffered to go on. There’s nothing will give the enemy greater courage than Civil dissentions, and as long as there’s any hope they will endeavour. Thus sir, I have wrote you as fully and clearly as is in my power at this time, and please excuse any imperfections that you may discover. Coll. Floyd returned on his Parole the 16th. I earnestly wrote you for his discharge. I repeat it again, I anxiously desire you would not forget it. I am very likely to stand in need of his services. I desire you will send me one hundred Pounds by the next appointment without fail, as I have spent already forty pounds more than I have received from you. Board is £3 pr. week in New York besides other necessary expenses, postage, &c. I now conclude with my sincere regard and desire for your health and safety.
Samuel Culper.
[(106)] Tallmadge finds Woodhull ill from fright.
Sir. Fairfield, April 21, 1779.
Agreeable to your Excellency’s instructions I have forwarded the Vial delivered me and the directions for C——s future conduct. In answer to which he wrote, but as I wished to see him to communicate many things, I appointed an interview at Brook Haven, Long Island, where I met C. on the 16th instant, and was detained on the Island till this morning by a violent storm and contrary winds.
In addition to what C. informs by the enclosed, he has given me some memorandums. You may perceive in the close of his second letter No. 10 he mentions something respecting the transport lately arrived at New York from Rhode Island. He assures me that the business of their mission is a proposed feint, and that by diligent attention and enquiry he finds they are taking on board the remaining baggage of the troops now at Rhode Island. The conjecture among them is that they intend to evacuate that post, and by their taking their baggage from New York they cannot be returning there.
He thinks there never has been such a prospect of peace as at present. Bets are now laying 2 to 1 that there will be a peace in less than 2 months from this. Many of those who have been particularly active against us are selling off their estates. General DeLancey and Mr. McAdams in particular have proposed their estates for sale, neither of them in want of money. In England Government takes up money at most enormous interests, from 10 to 14 per cent.
The Troops at the East End of Long Island are ordered to supply themselves with forage for 14 days, and by the beginning of next month it is thought they will move westward. Most of the flat boats have moved thro’ South bay for New York.