Sept. 18, 1777.
Sir:
If Congress have not left Philadelphia, they ought to do it immediately
without fail; for the enemy have the means of throwing a party this
night into the city. I just now passed the Valley Ford--in doing which
a party of the enemy came down and fired upon us in the boat, by which
means I lost my horse--one man was killed, and another wounded. The
boats were abandoned, and will fall into their hands. I did all I could
to prevent this, but to no purpose.
I have the honor to be,
With much respect,
Sir, your most obedient servant,
A. Hamilton.
To Hon. John Hancock.