Mr. Berkleys Summer seat,⁴⁵

[Note:Thomas Barclay's "Summer Seat" was in what is now Morrisville, Pa., opposite Trenton, N. J. The house was about half a mile from the Delaware River. ]

    Sir: Colo. Reed would inform you of the Intelligence which I first met with on the Road from Trenton to Princeton Yesterday.⁴⁶ Before I got to the last mention'd place, I receivd a Second Express informing me, that as the Enemy were advancing by different Routs, by one of which it appeard they were attempting to get in the Rear of the Troops at Princeton whose numbers, comparitively speaking, were small, and the place by no means defensible they had judgd it prudent to retreat to Trenton. The Retreat was accordingly made first to that place and since on this side of the River.

[Note:Ford quotes from a letter of Greene to Washington (December 7): "This moment a captain has returned that went to reconnoiter last night, and it is beyond a doubt the enemy are advancing; and my Lord Stirling thinks they will be up here by twelve o'clock." This letter is not in the Washington Papers in the Library of Congress. ]

    This information I thought it my duty to communicate as soon as possible, as there is not a moment's time to be lost in Assembling such force as can be collected as the object of the Enemy cannot now, in the smallest degree, be doubted. Indeed I shall be out in my conjecture (for it is no more than conjecture) if the late Imbarkation at New York is not for Delaware, to co-operate with the Army under the immediate command of Genl. Howe who I am informd from good authority is with the British Troops and his whole Force upon this Rout.

    I have no certain Intelligence of Genl Lee; although I have sent frequent Expresses to him and lately a Colo. Hampton to bring me some accurate Accts. of his Situation; last Night I dispatch'd another Gentn. to him, Major Hoops,⁴⁷ to desire he would hasten his March to the Delaware, at which I would provide Boats near a place called Alexandria for the Transportation of his Troops. I cannot acct. for the Slowness of his March.⁴⁸

[Note:Maj. Robert Hoops, brigade major to General Dickinson. He was appointed Deputy Commissary General of Issues July 1, 1777; resigned Aug. 7, 1777. ]

[Note:On December 8 Lee wrote to Washington, from Morristown, N. J.: "If I was not taught to think that your Army was considerably reinforced, I should immediately join you; but as I am assured you are very strong, I should imagine We can make a better impression by hanging on their rear, for which purpose, a good Post at Chatham seems the best calculated. It is at a happy distance from Newark, Elizabethtown, Woodbridge and Boundbrook. It will annoy, distract and consequently weaken 'em." He addressed a similar letter to the committee of Congress sent to learn his position and situation. On the same day, after Major Hoops had reached him, he again wrote to Washington: "I am extremely shocked to hear that your force is so inadequate to the necessity of your situation, as I had been taught to think you had been considerably reinforced." He pretended to believe that the main effort of the enemy was to be directed against the Eastern States, reporting that his information was that the British embarkation at New York had sailed eastward. On this account he concluded: "It will be difficult, I am afraid, to join you; but cannot I do you more service by attacking their rear? I shall look about me tomorrow and inform you further." ]