1From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
In a letter from Genl Gates of yesterdays date, I received the following intelligence—“Two Sailors belonging to Cape Cod—who made their escape from the prison ship last monday night, arrived here—they declare that the british fleet of Men of War, sailed ten days ago, in quest of the french fleet” —An event of this importance I think would not have escaped your notice—and I hope the report is...