The unhappy Mutiny of the Non-Comd & Privates of the Pensylvania line—the perplexed state of affairs in this quarter—the distressed condition of the Troops at West Point and in the vicinity of it, on acct of Provision & some essential articles of Cloathing—combined with other embarrassments of less importance, have engrossed my whole time and attention; and must be offered as an apology for not complying sooner, with the order of Congress of the 1st inst. inclosed in your Excellencys Letter of the Second; relative to the expediency of removing the French Troops to Virginia.

Congress being no strangers to the blockade of the French Squadron at Rhode Island, must have had in contemplation a land March of the French Army to the above State. To which the Season, length of the way, badness of the roads, difficulty of Transportation, and possibly want of covering in a good Military position, when there—The expectation of the Second division, and the arrangements which are made in consequence by the French General, might be offered as weighty objections by Auxiliary Troops against the measure—But as Congress have been pleased to ask my opinion of the expediency of it,1 I think it a duty incumbent on me to add, that it is not agreeable to the Sentiments (perhaps to the orders) of the officers commanding the Land and Naval force at Rhode Island to Seperate, while the latter is awed by a superior Marine—The experiment has already been tried.2

I Shall act to the best of my judgment, in a further exchange of Prisoners; and will carry the views of Congress into effect, as far as I am able.3

Proper attention has been paid to such Officers of the Continental lines (who are under my immediate command) as now are, or have been prisoners with the enemy, in making the new arrangement of the Army; And I have no doubt but equal regard will be had to those in the Southern Army. I shall write to General Greene on this head—and will transmit him a copy of the resolve of the first, explaining the Sense of Congress on this matter.4

In my last of the 6th, I communicated the reasons which prevented my departure for Morris Town upon the first information I received of the revolt of the Pensylvania line; and the Contingencies on which my going thither, then depended5—I found notwithstanding my utmost exertion, and all the aid I could derive from the Governor of this State,6 that I could only supply the Garrison from day to day with Provisions. That it was a doubtful point, tho’ the Troops appeared toleraby quiet in this quarter, how far they were to be depended upon in a serious and sperited attempt to quell others, whose declared intention was to seek redress of those grievances, of which they themsel⟨ves⟩7 participated and were constantly complaining—while the propriety of weakening the Garrison—supposing the utmost reliance was to be had on them—without Provisions in the Magazine—or Works—was not less questionable.

On the other hand, all authority in the Officers of the Pensylvania line over their Men being at an end, and the influence of those who remained with them employed to no purpose, I was convinced, that the unhappy precedent they had set, and the shock which discipline had received by the revolt, would only be increased by my appearance among them without the means of enforcing obedience; the necessity of doing which, for the support of Military authority, was so essential, as to be attempted at almost every hazard—but to choose for the best in such perplexing circumstances I was driven to was not very easy. Ultimately however, I determined to prepare a detachment of a thousand Men, and directed General St Clair (who was at Morristown) to proceed immediately to the Committee of Congress at Trenton, and if matters were not settled—or in their opinion, in a favourable train for it—to make the ulterior arrangements for Militia with Mr President Reed and Governor Livingston, that, with their assistance the detachment from hence might be enabled to act effectually8—Thus the matter stood when a letter from the Comee advised me that the business was likely to be accomodated to mutual satisfaction.9

It would be happy for us, and favourable to the probable operations of next Campaign, if instead of living chiefly upon the Supplies of this State, they, & those of Jersey, could be held as a kind of reserve Magazine.

I have this Instt been honor’d with the receipt of Your Excellencys favor of the 6th and its inclosures10—& shall give the earliest attention to the business referred to me. With the highest respect I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Obedt & Most Hble Ser.