elegant sword should be provided and presented to colonel Barton. The British fleet and army which lay at Sandy-Hook, were destined for the reduction of Pennsylvania, particularly of Philadelphia, in pursuance of a plan which had been settled between Sir William Howe and lord George Germain; but did not sail till the 23d of July. The land force consisted of thirty-six British and Hessian battalions, including the light-infantry and grenadiers, with a powerful artillery, a New-York corps called the queen’s rangers, and a regiment of light-horse, estimated altogether, at about 16,000. The fleet consisted of 267 sail. General Washington, upon the fleet’s sailing, marched his army toward Pennsylvania, and halted it at Corriel’s ferry, Howel’s ferry, and Trenton. He wrote from Corriel’s ferry on the 30th——“Howe’s (in a manner) abandoning Burgoyne, is so unaccountable a matter, that till I am fully assured it is so, I cannot help casting my eyes continually behind me.” He mentioned his halting the army till the fleet should appear in the Delaware, and put the matter out of doubt; and that he had ordered gen. Sullivan’s division to halt at Morristown, that it might march southward or northward, upon the first advice of the enemy’s throwing any force up the North-River. General Washington’s perplexity for some days, cannot be so well conceived of as by extracts from his own letters; read then, and judge for yourself. “July 31. The enemy’s fleet arrived at the Capes of Delaware yesterday, therefore order the two brigades thrown over the river, to march immediately.” “Chester, August 1. I had proceeded thus far to look out for a proper place to arrange the army, when I received the provoking account, that the enemy’s fleet left the Capes yesterday, and steered eastward. I shall return with the utmost expedition to the North-River; a sudden stroke is certainly intended by this manœuvre. Call in every man of the militia to strengthen the highland posts.” “August 1. The enemy’s fleet put to sea yesterday morning at eight o’clock, and were out of sight three hours when the express came away. It appears gen. Howe has been practising a deep feint to draw our whole force to this point. Counter-march your division, and proceed with all possible expedition to Peek’s-kill.” “August 3. The conduct of the enemy is difficult and distressing to be understood.” “August 11. On the seventh the enemy was off Sinepuxent Inlet, about 16 leagues to the southward of the Capes of Delaware, on which I have halted for further intelligence.” “August 22. The enemy’s fleet have entered Chesapeake. There is not now the least danger of Howe’s going to New-England; forward this account to governor Trumbull, to be by him sent on to the eastward.”