* * * * *

The next letters of public import are addressed to his father, and relate mainly to the expected attack upon New York.

“New York, July 22nd, 1776.

“HONORED SIR,

“I received your kind favor of the 15th inst.  I am glad to hear our friends are all well.  I congratulate you on the spirited behavior and glorious success of our army under General Lee.  It is generally thought to have been a decisive action, at least for this summer, as the two fifty-gun ships are never like to get to sea again.  I hope by the next post you will hear some of our exploits, if the enemy have courage enough to attack us.  It is my week at the hospital; and if anything happens, I hope to give you the particulars.  Polly has got much better; she joins me in duty to mother and love to the children.  There has been another flag from the fleet; the Adjutant-General of the British troops has been on shore to wait on his Excellency.  He endeavored, but in vain, to persuade him to accept the letter which had been twice refused.  In conversation he related its contents, much the same as those to the late Governor.  He was answered, (as I am told from good authority,) that it could not be expected people who were sensible of having committed no offence should ask pardon,—­that, as the American States owed no allegiance, so they were not accountable, to any earthly prince.  He tarried about half an hour, and seemed pleased with the politeness of his reception.”

“July 23d, P.M.

“I write to congratulate you on advice received this day from Virginia, an agreeable supplement to the paper I sent yesterday.  On the 9th instant, Lord Dunmore with his slavish mercenaries and stolen negroes were driven from their post on Gwin Island in Virginia, and the piratical fleet from their station near it, with the loss of one ship, two tenders or armed vessels burnt by themselves, three armed vessels taken by our people, and Lord Dunmore wounded; on our side not a man lost.  I would be more particular, but, as I had only time to read the Philadelphia paper of yesterday which contains the account, and Mr. Mayo is just setting out, it is not in my power.”

“New York, Aug. 12, 1776

“Polly is still here with me, and we are both very well, but disappointed in not hearing oftener from our friends at Boston.  For news in general I must refer to the inclosed paper.  I was in company the evening they came to this city with the two gentlemen who came from England in the packet.  They say the British force on Staten Island is from twelve to fifteen thousand, of which about one thousand are Hessians; that Lord and General Howe speak very respectfully of our worthy commander-in-chief, at their tables and in conversation giving him the title of General; that many of the officers affect to hold our army in contempt, calling it no more than a mob; that they envy us our markets, and depend much on having their