The Commander in Chief informed the Council that the British Fleet left the Capes of Delaware on the 31st. of July and have not been seen, from any information he has obtained, since the 7th. inst. when they were off Senapuxon and steering to the Southward, and propounded the following Questions for the Opinion of the Council.

    1st. What is the most probable place of their destination, whether Eastward or Southward and to what part?

    2. If it should be thought, from a consideration of all circumstances, that the Fleet is gone far to the Southward, will it be adviseable for this Army, taking into view the length of distance and unhealthiness of that Climate at this Season, to march that way? or will there be a probability of their arriving there in Time, should it be attempted, to give any effectual opposition to the Enemy, or to prevent them accomplishing their purposes?

    3d. If it should not be thought advisable in such case for the Army to march to the Southward, How shall it be employed? Shall it remain where it now is, or move towards Hudsons River to act as the situation of Affairs shall seem to require?⁶⁶

[Note:The council decided unanimously that Charleston was the most probable destination of the British Fleet; that the army could not possibly arrive at Charleston in time to afford any aid' and that it should move immediately towards the North River. The officers in council were: The Commander in Chief, Greene, Stirling, Stephen, Lafayette, Maxwell, Knox, Wayne, Muhlenberg, Weedon, Woodford, Scott, and Conway. ]