I expect the pleasure of seeing your excellency within a few days—excuse the imperfection of my letter—I am with due respect— Dear Sir, Your most obed’t Serv’t BENJAMIN HAWKINS. [Illustration: Logo] LETTER FROM SILAS DEANE TO CAPT. JOSEPH HYNSON. [This letter, which was sold at auction in New York in May, came to light very opportunely for our article. Its existence was before unknown.—See article “Between Two Flags,” p. 203] Paris, _27 August, 1777_. CAPT. HYNSON— SIR: I wrote you on the 4th., the 15th., the 17th., & the 21st.,—on the 17th I sent a copy of my letter of the 4th. I now have before me yours of the 24th., by which it does not appear that you have received any of my Letters, this & the pretended Secrecy with which everything is conducted convinces me of what I have been long since suspicious, (viz) that you are in the hands of a very dishonest man—I once more enclose the copy of my letter of the 4th and again insist, that before you leave Havre, you see that every Bill is just, and that every thing has been conducted as it ought to be, for I freely own to you, I have lost all confidence in Eyries (?) You will then ask me why I have dealt with him at all for this Vessel. I answer at once, to get my Money out of his hands, but if he witholds anything from your knowledge quit him immediately. I have wrote directly to Eyries by this post, & am with due respect, Sir Your Most Obedt & very hum; Servt. S. DEANE. I have repeatedly told you that you cannot be permitted to cruise in the Channel, & were I to give you a Commission for that purpose it would be fatal to me, therefore urge no more on that subject—I once more inclose you the Orders I gave (on) the 4th and must insist that you see every thing done to your satisfaction or that you instantly tell Eyries you will have nothing to do in the affair. MINOR TOPICS WHAT DID WAYNE PLAN IN THIS ORDER? Mad Anthony was not content with his success at Stony Point, but a short time after issued this order: Fishkill Landing, 4 Aug., 1779. Dear Sir: You’ll please to order a detachment of one hundred and fifty men, with two days’ provisions, under the command of Col. Butler. I wish you to order Major Hull with him. Interim believe me yours, ANT’Y WAYNE. B. G. N. B.—The detachment will move to-morrow morning early. _To Mr. Nath’l Sackett._