wever, afforded the aids we
formerly mentioned, and supplies of various articles have continued
till lately to be sent consigned to Mr Gerry, much of which we hear
has safely arrived. We shall use our best endeavors to obtain a
continuance and increase of those aids.

You will excuse our mentioning to you, that our expenses here are
necessarily very great, though we live with as much frugality as our
public character will permit. Americans, who escape from English
prisons, destitute of every thing, and others who need assistance, are
continually calling upon us for it, and our funds are very uncertain,
having yet received but about 64,571 livres, of what was allotted for
our support by Congress.

With the greatest respect, we have the honor to be, &c.

B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE,
ARTHUR LEE.

FOOTNOTES:

[40] Missing.

[41] Missing.

[42] See Mr Deane's letter above, p. 105, dated August 23d, 1777.

[43] See the two preceding letters of July 16th and 17th.

* * * * *

FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

Yorktown, 6th October, 1777.

Gentlemen,

Since ours to you, by return of the packet from New Hampshire, and
duplicates by Mr McCreary, from Maryland, we have not written, nor
have we received any of your favors during the last two months, except
a letter of old date, (April 19th) signed by Messrs Deane and Lee.
Captain Hammond being not yet arrived, although he sailed in April, it
is too probable that he has fallen into the enemy's hands, or
miscarried at sea.

Two reasons have prevented us from writing hitherto; because from your
assurances we had cause to expect a monthly packet, and because the
progressive state of the war gave us reason to look for some more
decisive event daily, than had happened, and which might warrant the
expense of sending a particular packet, as the casual conveyance by
merchant vessels is almost entirely stopped by the number and
vigilance of the enemy's cruisers.

We shall now give you an accurate detail of the war in the northern
and middle departments, where alone it has raged since our last. You
were before apprized of the evacuation of Ticonderoga, and of the
retreat of our army from thence tow