possessed ever since that
time, as well as Millstone and Princeton to the west, and Cranbury to
the south; the enemy being confined to a narrow communication on
Rariton River, from Brunswick to Amboy, twelve miles. About ten days
ago General Washington moved his head quarters towards the enemy, to a
place called Middlebrook, about eight miles from Brunswick. He has now
called in most of his outposts, and the enemy has done the same, being
chiefly collected about Brunswick, and just upon the eve of some
movement, which is generally supposed to be intended against this
place. We are taking every measure to disappoint them, and have good
hopes, in dependence on divine Providence, as our army has been
augmenting daily for these three months past. It is given out, that
the enemy intend to come up the Delaware Bay with their ships, as well
as by land, through the Jerseys. It is probable, that before the
vessel sails we shall have something to add on this subject.

In the northern department, things are yet entirely quiet. We have a
pretty strong body at Ticonderoga. Small parties of the enemy were up
the lake lately, a considerable way, but are gone again, and there is
no appearance of any important motion soon. Whether this is owing to
their not being ready, or to a change in their plans, and the army in
Canada being ordered round to reinforce General Howe, as some late
reports would make us believe, it is impossible to say with certainty.

A third body of our forces is at Peekskill, upon Hudson River, to
defend the passes towards Albany, and be ready to fall down upon New
York, in case the greater part of the enemy's army should be drawn
from that place. The convention of that State has issued an act of
indemnity, to encourage those who had been seduced to join the enemy
to return, which has had a very happy effect. Upon the whole, our
affairs wear as favorable an aspect as at any time, since the
beginning of the war. And the unanimity of all ranks, in the different
States, in support of our independence, is greater than at any
preceding period. The arbitrary conduct, and the barbarity and cruelty
of the enemy, for the twentysix days that they possessed a
considerable part of New Jersey, have been of service to our cause.
See, upon this subject, the report of a committee of Congress, with
the proofs in the newspapers, which you may safely assure any person
is a just and true, but very imperfect, sample of their proceeding