SIR
We are this moment informd by a Gentleman who is Brother of Coll Griffin, and has lately been at New York, that a Body of ten thousand of the Enemies Troops had actually arrivd at Rhode Island. As Congress is now adjournd to Baltimore in Maryland, and the President and the Board of War are not in Town, we think it our Duty to send you this Intelligence; and as there is no General Officer in that Department, we refer it to your Consideration whether the Service does not absolutely require that one be immediately sent to take the Command of Troops that may be raisd there to repel the Progress of the Enemy.
If Major General Gates or Green,1 who are greatly belovd in that
Part of America with a suitable Number of Brigadiers could be
spared for this Service, it would be attended with another
Advantage, that of facilitating the new Inlistments.
We intreat your Attention to this important Matter, and are with great Respect,
Sir your very humble Servants,2
_________________________________________________________________ 1The words "or Green" and "with a suitable number of Brigadiers," were added by interlineations in the first draft. 2Signed by Adams, Elbridge Gerry, William Ellery, and William Whipple.
TO MRS. ADAMS.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
BALTIMORE IN MARYLAND
Decr 19th 1776