Letter from a gentleman in Philadelphia to his friend in Annapolis

v1:34

General Howe has landed a great body of troops on Staten Island. His force cannot be ascertained. General Washington and his troops are in high spirits. The strength of our Army at New York cannot be ascertained, the Militia pour in so fast that it is impracticable. The Jersey Militia, amounting to three thousand five hundred, have acquired great honour in forming and marching with such alacrity and expedition. They have for some time past got over to New York. The battalions of this city (every one of them) are marching to Trenton and Brunswick, in the Jerseys. The rifle battalion in the pay of this Province, marched yesterday for the same places. The Militia in the Counties are also ordered to march. Out of these bodies they mean to form their quota of the Flying Camp, to be posted in the Jerseys, and to be at the command of General Washington. It is expected that the Lower Counties and Maryland will

v1:35

Your hour of trial is come; your plighted faith, your publick honour, the love of your country, and its dearest liberties, in this moment of imminent danger, demand that you instantly fly to the assistance of a sister Colony.

Saturday noon. — An express is just arrived from General Washington. Howe' s Army consists of ten thousand men. Admiral Howe is not yet arrived, but hourly expected, with one hundred and fifty sail, having on board twenty thousand troops. The enemy' s grand army will consist of thirty thousand. The whole Militia of this Province are ordered to the Jerseys. We are in anxious expectation to hear from Maryland, nor can we for a moment entertain a fear that our brethren will desert us in the day of our distress. The farmers here have left their harvest, and cast away the scythe for the musket. I should rejoice to hear you have imitated so laudable, so glorious an example.