I am obliged by your Excellencys favor of the 4th. The Fleet from Virga. arrived at New York the 29th Ulto. and Rivington says with the loss of but one man, & Without disembarking their Men proceeded up North River to join Genl Clinton then in full March for Fort Arnold about 60 miles above Kingsbridge. (1) We have lost a small Fort & 70 Men, and I fear that the other is not impregnable; but our people seem to have great confidence in its holding out, and Baffling all attempts that the Enemy may make, Should we be so unfortunate as to lose this Fortress, the Communication between the Northern & Southern States will in a great measure be cut off. And as we are filling this place with Troops such a disaster would greatly weaken us in the Field, at a time when we have not, either, men to spare, or Ammunition to part with. General Washington is in full March for North river, but I fear the Detachmt. to the Westward under Genl. Sullivane has so much weakened our main Army that we cannot risk a General Engagement, altho the Salvation of the Fort may demand

   We have not received any Dispatches, or private intelligence from S. Carolina since the 5th of June (2) that can be depended upon, the Enemy at that time were 68 Miles from C. Town. I think that some Capital stroke has been struck to our advantage; were it otherwise, we should have heard of it through New York by the Channel of the Tories before this time.

   The Virginians and some of the Northern States, (particularly N. York) are inflexible at present as to the Back Lands. The narrow principle of present Emolument supersedes the consideration of future distresses that it may occasion. A little time will convince these men of their error. The Vermont people have erected a Governmt. & chose a Governor, and every other Officer of Government, and are now under the full exercise of it. The State of New York has applied to Congress for Aid. A Committee is appointed to repair to these people, hear what they have to say, & report to Congress. The N.E. States seem to countenance that of Vermont notwithstanding the Claims of Massachusets & New Hampshire to considerable parts of the Territory on which those people of Vermont are setled. Their Aim no doubt is to gain another Voice in Congress, if they succeed, I suppose another State must be erected out of Virga. as a Counterbalance-what will this tend to prove? Why, what you justly observe, that Congress ought to take upon them this business, & retain in that body the power over the unlimitted Countries to the Westward. Whilst we retain our Negative to the present plan of confederation the Door will be open for Justice to be done us, the moment it is turned into an Affirmative, it will not only be shut, but locked against us.(3) You have dropt several useful & wise hints, which deserve the most serous consideration, & I hope will influence; I can trully say, that so far as it may be in my power, they shall be extended to take in those objects for which they were designed.

   We cannot I think obtain a Sufficient Loan for the carrying on the War till Spain becomes a party in it. Our difficulties no doubt will be great under our present and accumulating load of Debt; but we must struggling [struggle] through them in the best manner we can. We must not appreciate our Money too fast-if we do, those men who have Nobly struggled to Defend their property, must become the Tenants & Vassals of those who have done every thing in their power to ruin the States. Turn your thoughts upon this serious Subject, & commit them to paper by the time the Genl. Assembly meets, when I intend down. You will be pleased to let me know before hand when this will be.