From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 26 September 1780
To Edmund Pendleton
RC (LC: Madison Papers).
Philada. Sepr. 26[t]h. 1780
Dear Sir
Yesterday’s post disappointed me of the expected pleasure of a line from you. I hope the next will not fail to make amends for it.
I have nothing to add to the inclosed paper1 except that Ternay is yet unreinforced, Graves at Sea no one knows where or for what purpose, and Rodney with 10 Ships of the line still at the Hook, though according to some private accounts he also is gone to Sea.2 In this state of uncertainty conjectures & speculations abound as usual[.] I shall not trouble you with them, because, as far as they are founded in reason they will be much better formed by yourself. We hear nothing further of an intended visit from N.Y. to Virginia.3 With sincere respect & regard
I am Dr. Sr. Yrs. &c.
J. Madison Junr.
Edmd. Pendleton Esqr.
1. Not found, but perhaps it was the 26 September issue of the Pennsylvania Packet (Philadelphia).
2. The ships of Admiral Thomas Graves or Admiral Marriot Arbuthnot still blockaded Admiral Ternay’s fleet in Narragansett Bay. Admiral Rodney and his war vessels remained in New York harbor or its vicinity until 9 November 1780 (Harry M. Lydenberg, ed., Archibald Robertson: Diaries and Sketches, pp. 235, 241–42).
3. JM doubtless refers to the rumored descent of a British expeditionary force upon Virginia from New York (JM to Jones, 19 September 1780, n. 2).