George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 19 May 1778

From Major General Philemon Dickinson

Trenton [N.J.] 19th May 1778

Dear Sir

An Intelligent Person, who left New York last Wednesday, say’s, that he saw many hundred Houses in that City, cleaning out, for the reception, of the Troops from Philadelphia, which were expected there, in a very short time—and that the general talk of the Town, was their evacuating Philadelphia.

A Militia Officer, who this moment returned from Gloucester County, informs me, that the Experiment of fifty Guns, in going down the River a few days ago, run on the cheveaux-de-Frize, & instantly sunk—I wish this report may be true.1 I have the honor to be, Your Excellency’s most Obdt

Philemon Dickinson

ALS, DLC:GW.

1The report was inaccurate.

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