[(125)] Robinson quotes Rivington.
Esteemed Friend.
I enclose for the amusement of yourself, our friend Wistar &c three New York Papers—Yesterday about Forty transports full of Troops, sailed up the North River, and at three in the morning the troops at Elizabeth Town moved out, when there was an abundance of firing, which continued till ten. It is supposed that those in transports are designed to take possession of the strong country above, and that the movement from Elizabeth was intended to draw off the attention of the Rebels—I was just now informed by Rivington that the troops returned to Elizabeth Town last evening—but there is yet no account from them.
The Rebels affect to console themselves for the loss of Charlestown, by attributing it to the want of Provisions—this indeed gives the affair a better appearance than if it had been timidly surrendered amidst a plentiful supply of every thing necessary for its defence, and I find their well wishers here are somewhat comforted by this circumstance, and say that had the garrison been properly supplied they would have laughed at all the efforts that Clinton could have made against them—so strong by nature and well fortified by art, was that Capital—and people who were there say that no deficiency of skill or courage appeared in the besieged. Its fall they say must be attributed to some fatality which prevented their being properly furnished with Provisions. Ten days before the Capitulation the Garrison and Inhabitants had nothing but Rice, and on the 12th of May there was only two days allowance of that left. The Rebel officers are outrageous against their Commisary, and say he will be hanged. When they reckoned upon three months provisions there was only twenty days in store.
The malcontents build great hopes upon a French Fleet and Troops that is expected—and indeed we are not clear of apprehension on that account. They are expected at the eastward—and as several Flags which have been due for some time, do not come, we fear they are detained on that account. My Respects to both families. I am with Esteem,
Your assured Friend,
Wm. T. Robinson.
June 24th, 1780.
[(126)] Code words here freely used.
“729 29 fn 1780.
“Sir. I have now to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the ff Instant—and one of an earlier date, as also eu 230. The 121 I 691 my last before had time to 156 it. Was taken very cmm with the 73 151, but am now 60, though very 349. My 151 hath put it out of my power to make any 322 about the 178 in these 476. Genl. 712 hath returned to 727 some 121 ago. The en Regt. D. is in 729. ei Companies of 309 are at Smith Town. Queens Rangers and Fannings Regts. are yet East of here, where know not. The whole number is about 1500. It appears probable they will continue in these parts some time. Their wanton waste of the necessities of life (which will occasion people to perish for want of subsistance unless can be procured elsewhere) hath given rise to a prevailing opinion that this is the last visit we shall ever have from them, and that they will leave 727 soon. I was told so when at 727, but could see nothing that looked like it. There’s the same accounts in 727 from 745 as mentioned in your 356. Hope the flame begun may increase, and fill with horror all those cursed destroyers of mankind. The 585 keep up a constant communication with your courts, and carries large sums of counterfeit paper currency of every emission and puts it into the hands of Tory’s for to pay their taxes with. This I do assure from undoubted authority is their practice. I shall at a more convenient time write you further on the subject of treachery, and some discoveries that I hope soon to make. Inclosed you have a blank from C. Jur. just come to hand, and yours enclosed to him shall be delivered into his hands on Wednesday next. On the f 616 let 725 cross again. In the interim am yours sincerl.