_Woodbury, March 9, 1783._
These are to certify, that in December, 1776, and January,
1777, I, the subscriber, was Major of the second battalion of
Philadelphia Militia, whereof John Bayard was Colonel, and
then lay at Bristol, and part of the time opposite Trenton, on
the Pennsylvania side. That while we lay at Bristol, Joseph
Reed, Esq., joined us; that during his being there and near
Trenton, he often went out for intelligence, as Col. Bayard
told me, over to Burlington, in which place the enemy
frequently were; that being absent frequently all day and all
night, I as frequently inquired what could become of Gen.
Reed. Col. Bayard often answered me, he feared he had left us
and gone over to the enemy. One time in particular, being
absent two days and two nights, if not three nights, Col.
Bayard came to me with great concern, and said he was fully
persuaded Gen. Reed was gone to join the enemy and make his
peace. I asked him, how he could possibly think so of a man,
who had taken so early a part, and had acted steadily. He
replied, he was persuaded it was so; for he knew the General
thought it was all over, and that we would not stand against
the enemy; and at the same time wept much. I endeavoured all I
could to drive such notions from him, but he was so fully
persuaded that he had left us and gone over to the enemy, that
arguing about the matter was only loss of time; Col. Bayard
often making mention, that he knew his sentiments much better
than I did. After being absent two or three nights, Gen. Reed
returned, and I never saw more joy expressed than was by Col.
Bayard; he declared to me, that he was glad Gen. Reed was
returned, for he was fully convinced in his own mind that he
was gone over to the enemy.