Sir: Since I had the Honor of writing to Mr. Sever, yesterday, I received your favor of the 2d Inst. contradicting the intelligence transmitted thro' him, and which had been done before by a letter from Genl. Heath of the same date and purport of yours.

    Having written to Mr. Sever upon the Subject of Genl. Howe's departure from the Capes of Delaware and of the uncertainty we are in respecting his designs and operations, I should have had nothing to add on that head, had I not received an express last night from Mr. Hancock, with some information of the Fleet. According to this Account which originated with a Mr. Purnell, a large Fleet of Ships, consisting of upwards of two hundred Sail was Seen off Sinapuxon Bar, in the Afternoon of the 7th. Inst., standing to the Southward with the Wind about Southeast. Sinapuxon lies to the Southward of the State of Delaware and forms an Inlet into Maryland. This is the first information we have had of them since they left Cape May, and I am now as much puzzled about their designs, as I was before; being unable to account, upon any plausible Plan, for General Howe's conduct in this instance or why he should go to the Southward, rather than cooperate with Mr. Burgoyne. The latter appeared to me so probable and of such importance and still does, that I shall with difficulty give into a contrary belief, till I am obliged by some unequivocal event. If he should operate elsewhere South of Hudsons River, I should Suppose it will be against Philadelphia, for there is no other object of the same importance to engage his attention. I am etc.⁸⁶

[Note:The draft is in the writing of Robert Hanson Harrison. ]