ce, the opportunity was carefully watched,
and a vigorous impression actually made at the very crisis, when our
army in the Jerseys was reduced to 3000 men by the retiring of
numbers, and the sickness of others; and before militia could, in this
extensive country, be brought up to supply their places, the enemy
marched rapidly on through the Jerseys, whilst our feeble army was
obliged to retreat from post to post until it crossed the Delaware at
Trenton, where about 2500 militia from the city of Philadelphia joined
the General.

Since General Howe's arrival on the borders of the Delaware, various
manoeuvres and stratagems have been practised to effect a passage over
the river, but they have hitherto failed. General Washington's small
army is placed along the West side of the Delaware to within fourteen
miles of Philadelphia, from above Coryel's Ferry, which, with the
gondolas, one frigate of thirtytwo guns, and other armed vessels in
the river above the Cheveaux de Frize, cover the passage of it.
General Lee (who had crossed the North River with as many of the
eastern troops as could be spared from the defence of the Highlands,
either to join General Washington, or to act on the enemy's rear, as
occasions might point out) was the other day surprised and made
prisoner by a party of seventy light horse, who found him in a house a
few miles in the rear of his army, with his domestics only. This loss,
though great, will in some degree be repaired for the present by
General Gates, who, we understand, has joined the army commanded by
General Lee, and who, we have reason to think, has by this time
effected a junction of his force with that of General Washington.

As the militia are marching from various quarters to reinforce the
General, if the enemy do not quickly accomplish their wishes of
possessing Philadelphia, we hope not only to save that city, but to
see General Howe retreat as fast as he advanced through the Jerseys.
General Clinton, with a fleet, in which it is said he carried 8000
men, has gone from New York through the Sound, some suppose for Rhode
Island, but neither his destination, or its consequences are yet
certainly known to us.

Thus, gentlemen, we have given you a true detail of the progress and
present state of our affairs, which, although not in so good a posture
as they were two months ago, are by no means in so bad a way, as the
emissaries of the British court will undoubtedly represent them. If
the