Kingston, March 29, 1777.
Sir:
We received your favor of the--instant, and am obliged to you not
only for your acceptance of a very troublesome challenge, but for the
alacrity with which you meet us in the field. We wish it would afford
you as many laurels, as you are like to reap elsewhere.
You have heard of the enemy’s little excursion to Peekskill; we wish it
may not encourage them to make a more serious attempt: may it not be
proper to remove the stores to a place of greater safety?
We are somewhat alarmed at accounts of the Indians having left their
villages; from whence many conclude, that they have hostile intentions:
though as they are much in our power, we cannot be entirely of this
opinion.
Your reasons for supposing that the enemy will not proceed to
Philadelphia till the beginning of May seem to be conclusive; are you
equally well satisfied that they may not open their campaign by sailing
to the northward? You have probably seen some affidavits of people who
had been to New-York, which were sent by Convention to his Excellency
the General. As this does not go by our own express, we do not care to
risk any thing more on this subject, which we shall treat more at large
in our next.
Time must shortly prove the truth of Mr. Franklin’s conjecture, which
derives great credit from the several accounts we daily receive of
the state of Europe. You will oblige us by communicating any further
intelligence you may have received on this subject; its importance
renders us solicitous about the event.
I am, Sir, by order,
Your most obed’t humble serv’t,
Robert R. Livingston.
Col. Alexander Hamilton.