Clement Biddle to the President of Congress

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Brunswick, 17th November, 1776, eight o' clock, p. m.

SIR: The annexed letter, containing the disagreeable intelligence of the reduction of Fort Washington, arrived this hour. I have it in command from my Lord Stirling, who is now here, to assure you that there are at this place and within a few miles, eight regiments, (exclusive of General Stephens' s brigade at Amboy,) who are ready to march where the service may require, or to cover the country from any attempt of the enemy to land on this coast. His Lordship has good information that the fleet which sailed out of the Hook did not exceed one hundred and fifty sail, and that they were empty and bound for England. He will write to Congress fully to-morrow. The four regiments quartered here amount to nineteen hundred, and Colonel Hands' s brigade, between Elizabeth-Town and Woodbridge, about twelve hundred.

I have the honour to be, with great respect, your most obedient, humble servant,

CLEMENT BIDDLE.