Richard Henry Lee to Robert Carter

I have been the less solicitous about writing to you and my other Westmoreland friends as I know you get the Packet from hence weekly which brings you the news of this place the day that every post quits it. We have hitherto seen the mighty land and sea force of our enemies capable of effecting very little indeed of that great business which brought it here. Three Islands, their only acquisition yet, being a very inconsiderable part of this large Northern Continent. As for Canada, it was the small pox, not their arms, that procured them it. And the whole is but a miserable compensation for 12 millions the expence of the Campaign and 2 millions more of value in prizes made by our Cruizers. Should they be obliged to close the Campaign thus, they will fall under the contempt of all Europe, after the extravagant boast they have made of reducing the whole Continent this summer. Various have been the manouvres of the two armies, and many smart skirmishes have ensued in which we have beaten them five out of six. Gen Lee writes me that "Mr. Howe has but two moves left, and I expect we shall checkmate him in both." By an Express just arrived from Gen. Washington we are informed that Gen. Howe having vainly strived to outflank him, did on Thursday night last decamp with his whole army and pricipitately retreated during the night towards the North river & Kingsbridge as if returning to the City of New York.¹ Various are the conjectures concerning this Manoeuvre. Some think he is going into Winter quarters, some that he intends Southward, and some that his destination is for this City. Few are of the first opinion, more of the second, and most of the last. The reasons already suggested in this letter make it not probable that after such potent efforts they shd. go to Sleep having done so little. Nor does there appear object great enough (unless it be Charles Town) to the Southward for such a force. However we ought to be laying up Magazines of provisions and getting our people in the best readiness. This City & Province are great objects. No government here at present, many Tories, and too much languor. The enemy know this, However, they will not get here easily. To come by water will puzzle them amazingly, and if thro the Jersies, we have 5 or 6000 men there already and Gen. Washington’s Army will follow on their rear. What will be the issue of this movement of the enemy a few days will discover. At present, it is evidently disgraceful to them. They were pursued by parties of our men but they had got too far, except some Waggons and a few strollers that were taken. We have taken every proper measure to secure the French Court in our interest, and I shall think it among the strangest events that have happened if occurrences cast not up soon in Europe that will lighten our burthen. We have had a fair trial of skill between our rifle men and the Hessian Chassuers in which we fairly beat them. Numbers were equal, the Hessians had 10 or 12 killed and some made prisoners, the rest fled. The price of every thing has risen so here that we can scarcely live. Wood 40s a Chord, Beef lld per lb & Hay £10 a Ton. Mrs. Lee presents her compliments to Mrs. Carter in which I beg to join.

I am dear Sir affectionately, yours,

Richard Henry Lee