Kingston, 8th April, 1777.
Sir:
Yours of the third came safe to hand this day, and gave us great
pleasure by certifying your health. The smallness of our numbers
will not permit the loss of one useful citizen. It is, therefore, a
determined point, that, sick or well, you are by no means to die.
At this distance, it is impossible to determine what the enemy can, or
what they cannot, do. But, certainly, if we can bring a respectable
force into the field previous to their movements, it must be extremely
difficult for them to advance or retreat. The latter, indeed, may be
assisted by the works they are throwing up.
Their attempt upon the Delaware is far from improbable. Howe is
certainly a stupid fellow: but if he reasons so far, the taking of
Philadelphia would give a splendid sight to their manœuvres in the
eyes of Europe. This would be productive of advantage. The seizing that
large city, would also afford him much benefit in the several ways
which you suggest. But would it not be wise to permit his force to be
thus divided, that one part after another might be cut to pieces?
Since the affair at Peekskill, their views this way seem to be less
probable. It was, doubtless, unmilitary to warn us of our danger. They
will also soon learn that we are in this quarter, in a decent posture
of defence; and that may decide their fluctuating councils.
Perhaps, after all, they will find it more convenient to keep post at
Amboy, with an advanced party at Brunswick, secure New-York, and carry
on a kind of naval partisan war, till the further aid and order of
their masters.
You will take care, whenever you write to us matters which ought not
to be seen by all, to direct to _one_ of _us_ only in a separate
letter: while that which is merely indifferent, comes under your usual
direction. The reason is, that sometimes, when we do not happen to be
immediately in the way, your letters are opened by the President; and
although no evil consequences have accrued from this as yet, it is
nevertheless proper to guard against it.
What you say relative to a cartel, reminds us of the case of Major
Edminston, who was taken by General Schuyler at the same time with Sir
John Johnson. This gentleman, as His Excellency will recollect, was
sent into the enemy’s quarters, with a letter to negotiate an exchange
for one of three Majors, prisoners in their hands. He hath since
returned, with a letter from Howe to General Schuyler, purporting that
one of those Majors shall be exchanged for him, he being permitted
to join his regiment in Canada. He was three weeks, or thereabouts,
travelling from New-York to Albany; of which the Convention being
informed, caused him to be made prisoner, and intend sending him to
Head Quarters. He is well acquainted with the face of this country, and
the disposition of its several inhabitants. He has sufficient interest
with the Indians to accomplish an escape. Upon the whole (as it will
not be prudent to confine him within this State), it is submitted,
whether it would not be proper to secure him elsewhere until the close
of the present campaign?
We are, Sir,
Your most ob’t and humble servants,
Robt. R. Livingston,
Gouv. Morris.
Colonel Hamilton.