Philadelphia Octo. 16th 1780
My Dear sir,
The Saratoga one of the Continental frigates, is just returned from a Cruize of about four Weeks and has taken four Jamaica men, with rum and sugar - one of them mounted 22 Guns, one 20, and another 18. She was parted from her prizes a few nights Ago, in a fog, on Soundings, two of them it is said are arrived in the river, and the other hourly expected. Should they get in, it will be a very timely Supply for the Army. This Same Vessel brought in about five Weeks ago, A brig with 230 hhds rum.
In the Opinion of Gen. Washington the Campaign is over, after sufficiently reinforcing the Garrison at West Point, He has removed with the Army to a different part of the Country for the Conveniency of forrage. No further Accounts of the Embarkation at New York, Since my last - perhaps Andre’s tryal and Execution will be in tomorrows paper, it was ordered to be printed. Our embarrassments for want of money are daily encreasing - Constant applications for money and none in the Treasury, nor any likely to be paid in by the States - Taxes in every State being Anticipated and discharged With Certificates instead of money - the resolution of the 18th March not generally adopted - And where it is, the new Emission which in the Opinion of many was to do everything, Cant be got into Circulation, and of Course the four tenths which was much relyed on to pay of the Army, will not be received. The Situation of Affairs is extreamly distressing - and unless our finances Can be properly changed I dont see how our difficulties are to be Surmounted. Nothing in my opinion would so effectually Contribute to put our finances in proper order, as a few Million of hard Dollrs but how are they to be obtained? France pleads poverty and the Court of Spain it is probable, will not be very hasty (Whatever her inclinations may be) in giving us assistance while our Claim to A free navagation of the River Mississippi is insisted on. God Send our independence was Acknowledged by G Britain, and that we had a spaedy and permanent peace.
Your Carriage is now painting and will be ready by the first Week in November.
With Compliments to Mrs. Lee, I am with much esteem, Your Excellencys most hble Servt,John Hanson.1
Receiver’s copy, Lee, Horsey and Carroll Papers deposit (1985), Maryland Historical Society.
1 This day Hanson also wrote a nearly identical letter to Charles Carroll of Carrollton, for which see the Carroll Papers, MdHi.