your sincere friend

and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

APPENDIX.

[NOTE A.]—­TO THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.

Kaskaskias, Illinois, April 29,1779.

Dear Sir,

A few days ago, I received certain intelligence of William Morris, my express to you, being killed near the falls of Ohio, news truly disagreeable to me, as I fear many of my letters will fall into the hands of the enemy, at Detroit, although some of them, as I learn, were found in the woods torn in pieces.  I do not doubt but before the receipt of this, you will have heard of my late success against Governor Hamilton, at post St. Vincenne.  That gentleman, with a body of men, possessed himself of that post on the 15th of December last, repaired the fortifications for a repository, and in the spring, meant to attack this place, which he made no doubt of carrying; where he was to be joined by two hundred Indians from Michilimackinac, and five hundred Cherokees, Chickasaws, and other nations.  With this body, he was to penetrate up the Ohio to Fort Pitt, sweeping Kentucky on his way, having light brass cannon for the purpose, joined on his march by all the Indians that could be got to him.  He made no doubt, that he could force all West Augusta.  This expedition was ordered by the commander in chief of Canada.  Destruction seemed to hover over us from every quarter; detached parties of the enemy were in the neighborhood every day, but afraid to attack.  I ordered Major Bowman to evacuate the fort at the Cohas, and join me immediately, which he did.  Having not received a scrape of a pen from you, for near twelve months, I could see but little probability of keeping possession of the country, as my number of men was too small to stand a siege, and my situation too remote to call for assistance.  I made all the preparations I possibly could for the attack, and was necessitated to set fire to some of the houses in town, to clear them out of the way.  But in the height of the hurry, a Spanish merchant, who had been at St. Vincenne, arrived, and gave the following intelligence:  that Mr. Hamilton had weakened himself, by sending his Indians against the frontiers, and to block up the Ohio; that he had not more than eighty men in garrison, three pieces of cannon, and some swivels mounted; and that he intended to attack this place, as soon as the winter opened, and made no doubt of clearing the western waters by the fall.  My situation and circumstances induced me to fall on the resolution of attacking him, before he could collect his Indians again.  I was sensible the resolution was as desperate as my situation, but I saw no other probability of securing the country.  I immediately despatched a small galley, which I had fitted up, mounting two four-pounders and four swivels, with a company of men and necessary stores on board, with orders to force her way, if possible, and station