Your letter of the 8th Instant has come duly to hand, and am glad to hear that Greatons Bond’s and Porter’s regiments are coming forward to join me; at the same time I must acknowledge I should have been much better satisfied, if they had contained a greater number of men than what you have mentioned: your sending them on with all possible expedition, was exceedingly proper; indeed no time is to be lost, as the necessity of our affairs at present, requires an immediate augmentation of our forces.

I have observed in your letter, you have mentioned, the arrival of Generals Gates and Arnold at Goshen, with Patterson’s, Stark’s, Poor’s & Reads Regiments, but have not mentioned whether they are on their march to join us; though I conjecture that this is the case from the rout they have taken; As every thing ought to be attempted for the preservation of Philadelphia, I hope these troops, will make all imaginable haste, to get here, in time to be of service.

Our situation at present in this quarter is truly critical; our army (as you have been informed) has been greatly diminished; The troops composing the flying camp, have mostly gone home, and we have as yet received very little assistance, except from the Philadelphia Militia: The Enemy under the command of Genls Howe, Cornwallis & Vaughan amounting to about twelve thousand men, are posted at Trenton Penny town & downwards towards Borden town, waiting for an oppertunity to cross over; Their views are to get possession of Philada; however it is very probable they will considerably extend them, unless we can procure a sufficent force to oppose their progress. I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt