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which came under General Phillips, from twenty-five hundred to three thousand. Arnold s strength before, was, I think, reduced to eleven hundred. They have made no movement as yet. Their preparation of boats is considerable ; whether they mean to go southwardly or up the river, no leading circumstance has yet decided.

I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, your Excellency s

most obedient and

most humble servant,

TH: JEFFERSON.

LETTER HII. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

In Council, April 18, 1781. SIR,

I was honored, yesterday, with your Excellency s favor enclos ing the resolutions of Congress of the 8th instant, for removing stores and provisions from the counties of Accomack and North ampton. We have there no military stores, except a few muskets in the hands of the militia. There are some collections of forage and provisions belonging to the Continent, and some to the State, and the country there, generally, furnishes an abundance of forage. But such is the present condition of Chesapeake bay, that we cannot even get an advice boat across it, with any certainty, much less adventure on transportation. Should, however, any interval happen, in which these articles may be withdrawn, we shall cer tainly avail ourselves of it, and bring thence whatever we can.

If I have been rightly informed, the horses there are by no means such, as that the enemy could apply them to the purposes of cavalry. Some large enough for the draught may, perhaps, be found, but of these not many.

I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, your Excellency s

most obedient and

most humble servant,

TH: JEFFERSON.

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