I have been duly honored with your Excellency’s letter of the 10th and 13th instant. The 20th I had the pleasure of writing to you fully, principally on the subject of the Pensylvania line.

It is with equal mortification and regret, I find myself obliged to add to that, the account of a second mutiny, which I had apprehended and which has lately taken place in the Jersey troops—When the advices came away, it was only partial, that corps being divided into several detachments; but it was imagined the revolt of one part had been in consequence of a preconcerted plan between the whole and that the remainder would follow the example. Immediately on receiving the intelligence, I sent a detachment from these posts, under the command of Major General Howe, with orders to compel the mutineers to unconditional submission—and I have requested the civil authority not to interpose with any terms of conciliation. It appears to me essential, that this spirit should be suppressed by force, and by the exemplary punishment, of the principal instigators of the defection.

The complaints and demands of these mutineers resemble those of the Pensylvanians.

It is hard to say with certainty how far the disposition which has now appeared may extend itself among troops, who have so many causes of dissatisfaction, but I hope we shall be able to stop the progress of the evil here.

The Count De Custine, The Marquis De Lavale and Mr De la Corbiere who have honor to call upon me on their return to Rhode Island will communicate to you all we learn, concerning Arnolds descent in Virginia. ’Tis said by later accounts that he had reimbarked—perhaps to fall upon some other point. We have no other intelligence. I have the honor to be With sincere esteem Yr Excellency’s Most Obed. servt