C. Brewster.
As soon as Brewster had delivered the above message he crossed to the Island again. His next letter follows:
Fairfield, August 27th, 1780.
Dear Sir: I returned this morning from the Island. I crossed on 22d. inst. and was detained by Culper until last night. I did not see Culper, he is sick. He did not appoint any time for me that I know of. It was with great difficulty that I got the dispatches. The troops are very thick. They are at Miller’s Place, and Coram, Setauket and the Branch, and are like to stay some time, and the Refugee boats are with them. Glover and Hoyt has been to Drowned Meadow and disarmed them all, on Friday last, and I was obliged to lie still for the want of another boats crew. There is a fine boat at Stanford that rows with eight oars that belongs to the public, under Capt. John Suttin, with a crew of Continental Soldiers that was ordered by General Howe, and I believe that Jubis Fish has one or two boats at Horse Neck, but I am not certain what public property and Continental Soldiers. This is a fine time to take some of the Officers. They are out with their hounds every day. I lay up back of Esqr. Strongs yesterday and there came a Lieutenant of 17th Regiment within gun shot of us, looking for Esqr. Strong’s hounds afoot, but he begged so hard I thought it not best to take him as it was so near his house. They are riding continually from one staghorn to the other. The troops are all come from the Eastward, as far as Miller’s Place. Sir Henry Clinton gone to New York and the British fleet has sailed from Gardiner’s Bay....
C. Brewster.
A letter from George Washington to Colonel Sheldon, dated as above, informs him that one of his Dragoon Express had been captured by the British at Pines Bridge and carried into New York. Fortunately he had none of the above messages at the time. But Colonel Sheldon had work for Major Tallmadge aside from the messages, which may account for the following dated Sept. 1st and 5th not reaching Major Tallmadge until the 9th.
Setauket, September 1st, 1780.
Sir. When Culper Junior’s last dispatch came to hand he directed me to wait on him at Jericho yesterday, but my present state would not admit—therefore sent the express which handed him your enclosed—But he hath returned without any answer. The reason is he had not the counterpart. And in regard of the state of affairs in general he assured the express they remained as heretofore or as when wrote you last, nothing new, everything appeared to be at a stand, and the enemy much embarissed expecting an attack. I am sorry you have to wait so long for an answer but it must still unavoidably be lengthened until the 10th, as Culper Junior said he could not be in New York before the 8th.
Since my last the infantry have marched to Huntington and encamped there; Fanning’s Regt., to Lloyd’s Neck, Simcoe’s Rangers to Oyster Bay, and there’s in Setauket the 17th Regiment Dragoons, Some Huzzars, Some Rangers, about 20 wagons, 300 horses, 250 men, 220 mounted. They are encamped round about Capt. Nathan Woodhull’s House and Persons Lyons’. The former is the Coll. Quarters. The officers mostly lodge in Camp at night. There’s every appearance of their continuing here some time as they appear quite easy and off their guard. Am fully of an opinion that 500 good men would make prisoners of them all, if secretly conducted on your shore as well as here. If you intend to attack direct Brewster to cross the night before, and will meet him and further advise at all haphazard. Aiqlai Bqyim of Southampton is now on your shore, and positively an agent for the enemy. He hath been a long time servicable in that way, and this is his second embassy. I know it to be true and have lately had a perfect knowledge of his conduct for this three years past, and have been solicited by his friend as an assistant.
A little time past a boat from New Haven, loaded with provisions met a number of Refugees here; one of the mens names was Trowbridge, an intimate acquaintance of John Clarke; and you may depend the refugees land on your shore and hide their boats. The other day I saw a man that had the appearance of a gentleman, told me he had been three weeks concealed in Middletown and Hartford—the former being his native place; but could not find out his name. He told me he had left 20 odd Thousand Pounds of Counterfeit money of your late emissions in the hands of the Toreys—to pay their taxes with. You’ll doubtless take some notice of this information—and anxiously wait for the arrival of our deliverance, and am Sincerely your