Bedford, Novr. 19th, 1778.
Your Excellency’s favr. of yesterday has this moment arrived—The queries therein contained shall be immediately transmitted for solution.
I have been hourly waiting, for more than two days, for a letter from Culper, and I am confident the failure must be attributed to those employed in crossing the Sound for such despatches, as his punctuality heretofore in fulfilling all appointments with his Post, leaves no room to doubt in the present case. I am further induced to impute it to this cause inasmuch as I was lately informed that the men who had been employed with Lt. Brewster on this business, had not yet returned to their former duty. I could wish that no difficulties of this nature might prevent his letters coming in season, as it may be of the utmost importance that his letters should be immediately forwarded to Headquarters. To the end that your instructions may be duly transmitted and to make some little inquiries into the causes of the aforementioned delay, I determine to ride immediately to Fairfield, where Brewster has made his Post for some time.
When Genl. Scott was about leaving this Post he proposed a plan for the regular conveyance of Cr’s letters to your Excellency, which he intended to lay before your Excellency on his arrival at Head Quarters. I hope before the General removes from Fredericksburgh his pleasure may be known, that Cr. may not be at a loss how to convey his letters with certainty and expedition. His extreme cautiousness and even timidity, in his present undertaking, would not admit of having his business made known to any Persons who are not at present his confidants—so that, as Genl. Scott observed before he left us, if it was communicated to any other persons he would most probably leave his present employment immediately—I mention this, not fearing that his letters or business will be made public at camp, but lest some persons in this quarter should be made acquainted with his present situation, which, as I before observed, would make him extremely unhappy, and as he assured when he embarked in the business, he should leave the Island immediately. I am with all due Respect, &c.
Benj. Tallmadge.
To this General Washington replied:
Headquarters, 20th. Nov. 1778.
Sir. I was favored with your letter of Yesterday. You will be pleased to observe the strictest silence with respect to C—— As you are to be the only person entrusted with the knowledge or conveyance of his letters.
The 23d of November found another long letter of Abraham Woodhull’s on its way to Headquarters, the first page of which may be read among the Notes.[(104)] Continuing he says:
“I am firmly of opinion that a sudden attack of ten-thousand men would take the City and put an end to the war, and save the stores and Long Island from devastation. All the best of their troops are on Long Island. There is about 300, most of them Hessians, at Brooklyn Ferry. 350 New Town, British; 1500 British Jamaica; 800 Yeagers, Flushing; 200 Jerico, most of them Dragoons; 400 foot, 70 Dragoons Oyster Bay; 150 Lloyd’s Neck, N. Leveys; 400 Hempstead, Dragoons; Stripping Barns and out houses for boards to build huts for Winter. 40 wagons 100 troops this day at Smith Town collecting cattle, sheep, Boards, &c. They make no distinction between Whig and Tory, abuse all to a great degree, and no redress can be obtained. Count d’Estaing’s dispatches for France are taken and brought to town but are Cypher prepared so they cannot be found out. I will note to you that much provision is brought to town from the Jerseys privately; flour, beef, &c. I saw a gentleman of my acquaintance, lately from England, where he hath been three years; he saith Independence will certainly be granted this session of Parliament. My business is expensive; so dangerous traveling that I am obliged to give my assistants high wages, but am as sparing as possible. I have drawn on you for fifty Pounds in Specie, York Money, which please accept. I should be glad to have given you a better account but it cannot be obtained their movements are so strange that causes every one to admire. Hoping this may be of some service I remain Your most Obedt. Hbl. Servt,