There is no News of the Movements of the Enemy that may be depended upon. You are fully sensible of the Necessity of compleating the Design of this Expedition with all that Speed as well as prudence & Discretion which characterizes you as an officer vested with so important a Command.
1 Brigadier General of the Suffolk County militia.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS.
[MS., Massachusetts Archives; a text, with modifications, is in W. V.
Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., p. 73.]
PROVIDENCE Augt 10th 1779
SIR
I have the Pleasure to acquaint the Honble the Council Board, that I arrivd here last Evening, and, upon communicating their Request to Major General Gates, I found him ready, as usual, to afford every Assistance in his Power, for the Service of the great Cause. He has orderd Colo Jackson with a Detachment from his Regiment consisting of four hundred Men, to joyn General Level at Penobscot. This Core, I have Reason to believe, both Officers and Privates, will do honor to themselves & their Country, when an Opportunity shall present. I had the Satisfaction of seeing them on their March this Morning at Sun rise, and the Council may expect them in the Neighborhood of Boston tomorrow Evening. In the mean time, I hope that Transports and every Accommodation will be prepared for them that their Passage to the Place of their Destination may not be delayd. I shall immediately forward to Brigadier General Godfrey the order of the Honble Board, for the detaching four hundred Militia to serve in Providence in the Room of these Troops, and remain with all Regard,
Sir your most obedient
hble Servant,