that they carry them within their lines.  I believe the Convention of Saratoga entitles them to keep the horses they then had.  But I presume none of the line below the rank of field-officers, had a horse.  Considering the British will be now at Fort Frederick, and the Germans in Albemarle, Alexandria seems to be the most central point to which there is navigation.  Would it not, therefore, be better that the flag-vessel, solicited by General Phillips, should go to that place?  It is about equally distant from the two posts.  The roads to Albemarle are good.  I know not how those are which lead to Fort Frederick.  Your letter referring me to General Green, for the mode of constructing light, portable boats, unfortunately did not come to hand till he had left us.  We had before determined to have something done in that way, and as they are still unexecuted, we should be greatly obliged by any draughts or hints, which could be given by any person within the reach of your Excellency.

I received advice, that on the 22nd instant, the enemy’s fleet got all under way, and were standing toward the Capes:  as it still remained undecided, whether they would leave the bay, or turn up it, I waited the next stage of information, that you might so far be enabled to judge of their destination.  This I hourly expected, but it did not come till this evening, when I am informed they all got out to sea in the night of the 22nd.  What course they steered afterwards, is not known.  I must do their General and Commander the justice to say, that in every case to which their attention and influence could reach, as far as I have been well-informed, their conduct was such as does them the greatest honor.  In the few instances of wanton and unnecessary devastation, they punished the aggressors.

I have the honor to be,

your Excellency’s

most obedient, humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER XXXV.—­TO GENERAL WASHINGTON, December 15,1780

TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Richmond, December 15,1780.

Sir,

I had the honor of writing to your Excellency on the subject of an expedition contemplated by this State, against the British post at Detroit, and of receiving your answer of October the 10th.  Since the date of my letter, the face of things has so far changed, as to leave it no longer optional in us to attempt or decline the expedition, but compels us to decide in the affirmative, and to begin our preparations immediately.  The army the enemy at present have in the South, the reinforcements still expected there, and their determination to direct their future exertions to that quarter, are not unknown to you.  The regular force proposed on our part to counteract those exertions, is such, either from the real or supposed inability of this State, as by no means to allow a hope that it may be effectual.  It is, therefore,