Letter from Colonel Maxwell to Lord Stirling

v4:296

Woodbridge, December 17, 1775,

DEAR SIR: You will find by this we got no farther last night. Mr˙ Patterson had me entirely in his power. He would go no farther, but declared he would encamp here; and it was so very dark I did not think it safe to proceed. The purport of this is to beg your Lordship would please to begin the letter I left you yesterday in the following order , viz:

"Trenton, December 14, 1775.

"MY LORD: Your favour of the 10th inst˙, I just now received, wherein your Lordship informs me the troops are not to march so soon for the Hudson river, as you first expected. I must acknowledge I am very glad of it; for notwithstanding my utmost endeavours, the soldiers would have been far from complete, as they should be, either in arms or clothing, for such a march to the northward. A great many of our best arms want repairs. I have wrote to the Congress for two casks of powder and one of flints, as I can get none there, and begged they would order the barracks to be repaired."

Please to add what part of the above you may think proper to that you have. Give my compliments to Lawry. Mr˙ Patterson begs I may enclose you his compliments.

I am, my Lord, your Lordship' s most humble servant,

WILLIAM MAXWELL.

To William, Earl of Stirling.