In the middle department, the war has been less favorable to us, as you will see by what follows. About the middle of August, the British fleet appeared in the Chesapeake Bay, and landed General Howe's army at the head of Elk, about fifty miles from Philadelphia. General Washington's army, which had crossed the Delaware on the embarkation of the British troops, and the appearance of the fleet off the Capes of that river, now proceeded to meet the enemy, and came up with them near Wilmington. After various skirmishes and manœuvres, a general engagement took place at Chad's Ford, over the Brandywine, on the 11th of September last. This battle terminated in our leaving the enemy in possession of the field, with nine pieces of our artillery. Our loss in killed, wounded, and missing, did not exceed six hundred; that of the enemy, as far as we have been able to get information, was near two thousand. An orderly, taken from them since the battle, makes it nineteen hundred.[44]
General Washington retreated across the Schuylkill, and, having refreshed his army, recrossed that river in two days after the former battle, with design to attack the enemy, who remained close by the field of action until he came up with them again. To be the better prepared for battle, and to be guarded against the consequences of defeat, our army marched without baggage, and left their tents behind. In this situation, and just in the moment of beginning an attack upon the enemy, a heavy, long continued, and cold rain, with high wind, came on and prevented it. The ammunition in the cartridge boxes was all rendered unfit for use, the arms injured, and the troops a good deal hurt and dispirited.
In this state of things, it became necessary to retire from before the enemy to a place of safety, in order to clean the arms, replace the cartridges, and refresh the men. The enemy were also without tents; but they have good blankets, are better clothed, and have tin receptacles for keeping dry their cartridges. General Howe, judging of our situation, put his army in motion, and endeavored to harrass and distress us, by marches, countermarches, and frequent shows of designing to give battle. After a variety of manœuvres, the enemy crossed the Schuylkill below our army, and marching to Philadelphia, have possessed themselves of that city. General Washington, having refreshed his men, and being reinforced, is moving now towards the enemy. This unfortunate rain has injured our affairs considerably, by having thrown a number of our men into hospitals, and by the distress and harrassment of the army, consequent thereupon. However, they are recovering again, and we hope before long will give General Howe reason to repent his possession of Philadelphia. The real injury to America, from the enemy's possession of that city, is not so great as some are apt at first view to imagine, unless the report and misconceptions of this matter in Europe, should too much dispirit our friends and inspirit our enemies. But we rely on your careful and just representation of this matter, to prevent the ill impressions which it may otherwise make. When this contest first began, we foresaw the probability of losing our great towns on the water, and so expressly told our enemies, in the address of the first Congress; but we are blessed with an extensive sea coast, by which we can convey and receive benefits independent of any particular spot. But it is very far from being a clear point to us, that the enemy will be able to hold Philadelphia, as we are yet masters of the Delaware below, and have hopes of keeping it, so as to prevent the British fleet from getting up to the city. Should this be the case, General Howe's visit cannot be of long duration.
You say that the vessels of the United States will be received at the Havanna, as those of France, the most favored nation. We wish to be exactly informed whether North American products may be carried thither, or prizes be taken to, and disposed of, in that port, or any other ports of his Catholic Majesty in America. You likewise mention a late draught of the Mississippi, taken for the government of Great Britain; we are desirous of being furnished with a copy. It is with pleasure we read your assurance of sending the soldiers' clothing, and other materials for the army, in time to meet the approaching cold season; they will be greatly wanted.
As the small successes the enemy have met with this year will probably support the hopes of a vindictive Court, and occasion the straining of every nerve for the accomplishment of its tyrannic views, we doubt not your most strenuous exertions to prevent Great Britain from obtaining Russian or German auxiliaries for the next campaign; and we think, with you, that it is an object of the greatest importance to cultivate and secure the friendship of his Prussian Majesty, as well for the preventing this evil, as for obtaining his public recognition of our independence, and leave of his ports for the purposes of commerce, and disposal of prizes.
The original papers, which you mention, in a triplicate, to have sent, never came to hand; so that we can only make conjectures as to the disposition of that monarch. The marine force of the enemy is so considerable in these seas, and so over proportionate to our infant navy, that it seems quite necessary and wise to send our ships to distress the commerce of our enemies in other parts of the world. For this purpose, the Marine Committee have already ordered some vessels to France, under your direction as to their future operations, and more, we expect, will be sent. But our frigates are not capable of carrying much bulky commodity for commercial purposes, without unfitting them for war; besides, there is the consideration of our being obliged to get them away, how, and when we can, or endanger their being taken, which prevents our sending them to those staple Colonies, where the commodities wanted are to be obtained. The reciprocal benefits of commerce cannot flow from, or to North America, until some maritime power in Europe will aid our cause with marine strength. And this circumstance gives us pain, lest it should be construed as unwillingness on our part to pay our debts, when the truth is, that we have the greatest desire of doing so, have materials in abundance, but not the means of conveying them.
This leads us to reflect on the great advantages, which must unavoidably accrue to all parties, if France, or Spain, were to afford effectual aid on the sea, by the loan or sale of ships of war, according to the former propositions of Congress; or if the Farmers-General could be prevailed upon to receive in America the tobacco, or other products of this northern Continent, which France may want.
We are, &c. &c.
B. HARRISON,
R. H. LEE,
R. NORRIS,
J. LOVELL.
P. S. On the 4th, an engagement between the two armies took place near Germantown, the circumstances of which may be known by the enclosed papers.