1. James Mitchell Varnum (1748–1789), a continental officer on active service, 1775–1780, but a delegate in Congress from Rhode Island at the time of this letter. The source of Varnum’s information about the gale on 22 January, which scattered and damaged the British blockading fleet in Long Island Sound, is unknown. As early as 31 January the Pennsylvania Journal (Philadelphia) carried a rumor about the havoc wrought by the storm. The Journal of 14 February reported that “a gentleman arrived yesterday from Rhode Island” with news of the wrecked ships (Burnett, Letters description begins Edmund C. Burnett, ed., Letters of Members of the Continental Congress (8 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1921–36). description ends , V, 567 and n. 3). The present letter exaggerates the extent of the loss in ships. The “Culloden” was wrecked, but its crew and stores were saved; the “Bedford” and “America,” although severely damaged, managed to limp back to port (William B. Willcox, ed., The American Rebellion, pp. 249–50 and n. 2). Jefferson probably heard the news from Washington before the delegates’ letter arrived (Fitzpatrick, Writings of Washington description begins John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington, from the Original Sources, 1745–1799 (39 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1931–44). description ends , XXI, 191–92).

2. Inclosure not found.

3. The delegates were reporting a false rumor which appeared in the Pennsylvania Packet (Philadelphia) of 13 February.