Head Quarters, October 7, 1778.

    Sir: Your letter of yesterday reached me in the night. Your observations on the probable intentions of the enemy are forcible. ⁸⁶ The capture, or destruction of the French fleet appears to be the most important object, they can have on the continent; and it is very possible, they may have it in contemplation, though the time they have lost, since they have had the superiority at sea and the advanced season of the year are strong arguments against it. Our present disposition was formed on the possibility of such an event, at the same time, that it does not lose sight of the security of the North River, or the concentration of our force to repel any attempt upon the army. Though it may not be probable that the enemy have at present any design against either of these, it would be imprudent to offer them a temptation by diminishing our strength in a considerable detachment, so far Eastward as to be out of supporting distance.

[Note:Great Britain's principal interest now was her war with France and military affairs in America had been relegated to a secondary place. Acting under orders from England, Sir Henry Clinton had sent detachments from the New York garrison to Halifax and Bermuda, 5,000 troops to the West Indies, and 3,000 to Florida. These orders were unknown to Washington, to whom the large scale embarkation preparations in New York appeared to presage an intention of evacuating the city. ]