John Hanson to Thomas Sim Lee

Yours of the 2d September I have Just received. No Accounts of the French fleet and as the Season is so far Advanced it is probable they will not be here at all - indeed their Arrival is not now so desireable. I never was very Sanguine in my Expectations Against New York And it is now quite too late to attempt A reduction of that place. They might render good Service to the Southward. The great preparations lately at New York for a large embarkation of Troops which were generally Supposed to have been intended Against Rhode Island or Virginia Appears now to have been designed to Carry Arnolds Wicked plot Against West point into Execution, in which it is probable they would have Succeeded had it not been timely discovered. By the inclosed papers you will be informed of that treacherous Affair so far as is Come to hand. Our assembly you are so Kind as to inform me is to meet the 17th instant - the important matters they will have under Consideration will it is probable Occasion a long Session. I pray god Something Substantial may be done. I hope our Troops will be particularly Attended to. They must be in a wretched Condition for want of Cloathing having lost all their Baggage in the late Action. We have no very material intelligence from the Southward, What we have is rather favourable, Some Skirmishing in which we have been Successful. The Army increasing fast and is now pretty formidable. Governor Nash has requested General Smallwood to take the Command of the Troops in that State, by which it would Seem that Gen. Gates has lost his Confidence and it is more than probable that of the whole Army, should this be the Case no good Can be expected from his being Continued in the Command. The post is just Setting out and therefore am obliged to Conclude with assuring you of the high esteem and regard with which I have the honor to be,

Yr. Excellencys most Obedt & humble Sevt,

John Hanson