Page:Memoir, correspondence, and miscellanies, from the papers of Thomas Jefferson - Volume 1.djvu/223

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LETTER XLI. TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Richmond, February 8, 1781.

SIR,

I have just received intelligence, which, though from a private hand, I believe is to be relied on, that a fleet of the enemy s ships have entered Cape Fear river, that eight of them had got over the bar, and many others were laying off; and that it was supposed to be a reinforcement to Lord Cornwallis, under the command of General Prevost. This account, which had come through another channel, is confirmed by a letter from General Parsons at Halifax, to the gentleman who forwards it to me. I thought it of sufficient importance to be communicated to your Excellency by the sta tioned expresses. The fatal want of arms, puts it out of our power to bring a greater force into the field, than will barely suffice to re strain the adventures of the pitiful body of men they have at Ports mouth. Should any more be added to them, this country will be perfectly open to them, by land as well as water. I have the honor to be, with all possible respect, Your Excellency s most obedient,

and most humble servant,

TH: JEFFERSON.

LETTER XLII. TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Richmond, February 12, 178.1. SlR,

The enclosed extract of a letter from Governor Nash, which I received this day, being a confirmation of the intelligence I trans mitted in a former letter, I take the liberty of transmitting it to your Excellency. I am informed, through a private channel on which I have considerable reliance, that the enemy had landed five hundred troops under the command of a Major Craig, who were joined by a number of disaffected ; that they had penetrated forty miles ; that their aim appeared to be the magazine at Kings ton, from which place they were about twenty miles distant.

Baron Steuben transmits to your Excellency, a letter from General Greene, by which you will team the events which have