We were honored with Your Excellency's Letter of the 21 August. (1) The enclosed papers contain the best intelligence we have from the Southward, our affairs there appeared prosperous, our Army gaining Strength, & in Several Instances considerable advantages against the Enemy, until the Battle near Camden on the 20th day of last month, they were overpowered by a Superior force, and met with a total defeat.(2) This loss will not be easily retrieved. The Southern States Seem disposed to make as vigorous exertions as their circumstances will admit.

   The fluctuating State of our money, and the want of Sufficient Supplies of it, have been the principal Causes of the wants of the Army. When the States were called on for their monthly quotas of 15 millions of dollars the Estimates were made at the rate of twenty for one, but before the taxes were collected, the prices of Supplies were at 60 for 1 which made a deficiency of two thirds of the Estimates. When the States were applied to, to furnish their quotas of provisions, it was expected that the legislatures would only appoint Commissaries to purchase them, and that the Quarter Master's department would have been So regulated, as to have received the provisions from the State Commissaries, into proper Magazines, and have transported them to the army. This regulation was delayed about four months by referring it to the Committee Sent to headquarters, who instead of compleating it immediately, Applied to the Executive powers of the States to do the business proper for Quarter Masters &c. Congress have appointed a Committee to make Estimates for the current year, (3) up to the 1 March next, and also for the next year, who have made considerable progress in the business. Congress have also made provision for making good the depreciation to creditors who have furnished Supplies. Founded on your Excellency's Letter of the 8th June last, (4) a tax is also recommended to raise money for the payment of the public debts, to the amount of three Millions of dollars, this tax is likewise intended as a means of introducing the New Bills into circulation in full Credit.

   The proceedings of the Commissioners from the Several States convened at Boston were read and referred to the Committee of ways and means.(5) We are pleased to find their Sentiments correspond with the measures that have been lately adopted by Congress.

   The affair of the Protection Granted to George Howel (6) we apprehend is not rightly understood by those who complain of it. Dr. Howel was represented to Congress as a person who was a Minor when the Enemy came to Long Island, that he is now under twenty two years of Age, lived with his father, and had taken no part in the pres-

   There was Nothing Mandatory in the Protection Granted by Congress, or that interfered with the Laws or Government of any States, but it was a notification that Congress approved of his coming off from Long Island with his effects, and a protection against capture by cruisers under commissions from the United States. There is a general resolution of Congress, that persons coming from Great Britain or Ireland with their effects to Settle in these States Shall be exempted from capture, and a Protection was lately granted to Doctr. Shields & Some other Gentlemen from Ireland, to bring their effects to this City. And does not Justice as well as policy require that Citizens of any of the united States, Should be protected in coming with their property from under the power of the Enemy, who have not forfeited that right by any Crime against their country?

   If this person has been Guilty of any fraud by covering Illicit Trade under his Protection, we wish he may be detected & Suffer; but we have No Suspicions of that kind, but believe he has an honest bona fide intention to get, and keep clear of the enemy.

   The Several resolutions which concern the States, will be forwarded to Your Excellency by the President.

   We are with Sentiments of the Greatest respect, Your Excellency's Obedient humble Servants, Roger Sherman Benj Huntington

   (Ct: Trumbull Papers). Written by Sherman and signed by Sherman and Benjamin Huntington.