d General Gates to that department, and have
directed Generals Schuyler and St Clair to appear at head quarters,
that an inquiry may be made into their conduct, and the circumstances
of this mysterious affair. In the papers of July 16th, 23d, August 5th
and 6th, you have Generals Schuyler's and St Clair's letters, and the
resolves of Congress. We have been fortunate enough to take, and so
unfortunate as to lose again, the Fox frigate. She was taken by the
Captains Manly and McNeil, but two heavy English ships being in sight
when she struck, she was afterwards retaken by them.

Major General Prescott, who commanded the enemy's forces at Rhode
Island, was seized and made prisoner by a small party under Lieutenant
Colonel Barton, as you may see by General Washington's letter to
Congress, printed July 23d. The Congress have presented Colonel Barton
with a sword, and likewise Lieutenant Colonel Meigs with another; this
officer having performed a gallant exploit on Long Island, bringing
off nearly a hundred prisoners, and destroying a large quantity of
forage.

Were it not for the Ticonderoga affair, we should have nothing but
good news to communicate; and even that may turn out in the end a
lucky circumstance to the general cause, as did the attempt of the
enemy to march through the Jerseys last winter. We have a fine healthy
army, anxious for nothing so much as to meet their foes. Surely it
must appear very ridiculous in Europe that General Howe should be
thus shunning the army he came out to conquer, and wasting his time in
cruising upon the coast with his whole fleet, at this hot season of
the year, when the ministry in England, and perhaps Lord Stormont at
Paris, have given out that he has penetrated a hundred miles or more
into the country.

We are, with great regard, gentlemen,

Your most humble servants,

BENJAMIN HARRISON,
ROBERT MORRIS,
JAMES LOVELL.

* * * * *

TO COUNT DE VERGENNES.

Versailles, August 12th, 1777.

Sir,

We understand, with great surprise, that one of our countrymen, Mr
Hodge, a merchant of Philadelphia, is apprehended at Paris, with all
his papers, and carried away by the officers of police.

As Mr Hodge is a person of character, co