I wrote Mrs Burwell to send my horses to meet me at Monticello, under an expectation I should reach your house on thursday—the unexpected delay of the Tax bills compels me to remain longer, may I beg the favor of you to detain my Servant until I can leave this place, which I propose doing in a Hack—we have been much commotion for a week past—the whole City is under arms & on militia duty at the forts & elsewhere—they are preparing forts at Navy y’d & Greenleafs point;

I can not believe the British will attempt this City. but if they do, they will be Severely handled—there are 4 or 5000 troops well armed—accept my best