I intreat you to ascribe my not having yet acknowledgd the Receipt of your favor1 to the true Cause, a perpetual Hurry of affairs. I have not been unmindful of its Contents. Major Ward, as you have heard, is appointed Commissary General of Musters with the Rank and Pay of a Colonel. I have long known him a Man of Sense and a zealous and steady Patriot, in Times less promising than the present; and the Part he took on the ever memorable 19th of April 75, together with the Experience he has gaind by constant Application ever since in the military Line, intitles him to particular Notice. I will bear in my Memory the Hint given in the Close of your Letter. If at any Time I may have it in my power to render benefit to a Friend by puting him in the Way of serving our Country it will afford me double Satisfaction. You will have heard before this reaches you that General Howe has at length drawn all his Forces from the State of Jersey to New York. It is the Business of General Washington to penetrate his future Design. This City has been threatned for some Months past; if he ever had such an Intention, it is probable he has now laid it aside, and that he will attempt to force a Junction with Burgoyne, and subdue the Eastern States. [But] why should I hazzard a Conjecture of this kind who profess no Skill in military affairs. I hope my Countrymen are prepared to give the Enemy a proper Reception whenever they may be attackd! I have written you a friendly Letter though a short one--short for want of time to write more. I have twenty things to say to you but at present must conclude with most respectful Complts to your Lady Family & Connections very cordially your friend, _________________________________________________________________ 1Of March 25, 1777. TO JOHN PITTS. [MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.] PHILADE July 8 1777 MY DEAR SIR I do not recollect to have receivd a Letter from [you] of a later Date than the 25 of Decr last, although I have been since writing to you as often as I cod find Leisure. I do not know that I have by any thing I have written given you just Cause of offence. If you think otherwise pray let me know it, and I will make as full Atonement as I am able, for I do assure you I wish to continue a friendly epistolary Correspondence with you. Be so kind as to write me by the very next Post and assure yourself that I am unfeignedly and most cordially, Yr Friend, TO RICHARD HENRY LEE. [MS., Emmet Collection, Lenox Library.] PHILADE July 15 1777 MY DEAR FRIEND