I am exceedingly Honored that I have been asked to summarize reports received from the Colonies to the north. If I may be so bold, and again forgoing any comment on the Southern states with which perhaps you are more Familiar than I, let me report that there has been some debate among our Commanders about the proper placement of the extremely successful but somewhat depleted Army of Lord Cornwallis. General Clinton believes that all our forces should be concentrated for a major Confrontation with the rebel and French forces, which are apparently being led by French officers. We have a large army of 5,500 in the Chesapeake area under the Command of General Benedict Arnold (who now honors us with his Service) and with troops from New York, and those in Virginia joining him would ensure a Victory. With Charles Town and Savannah secure, Lord Cornwallis prefers to join with Arnold and face the rebels in Virginia. Having had some Skirmishes with the boy general Lafayette, he is now in Williamsburg, but my latest information is that he contemplates moving to the Peninsula of Yorktown, where he can defend himself from land and be Protected and Supplied by the British fleet. There are some reports from the West Indies that Count de Grasse may move his large Fleet northward, but all past experience has shown that the French are giving top Priority to the Caribbean. In any case, we have a superior Naval presence in New York that can be utilized if needed.

It will be interesting to see if Washington is finally prepared, after almost three years of Dormancy, to risk any of his northern troops in battle, even though most of the officers and fighting men will be French. The Americans still prefer to Concentrate on New York and the French on the Chesapeake, both guessing what De Grasse might do if he moves his formidable Armada. It seems that, on land, the French wish to move south and fight, the Americans to refrain.

Respectfully submitted by the Governor’s agent

With the struggle for final control of Georgia intensifying, frightened and defenseless people moved to areas controlled by the military troops. Those Georgians inclined toward the Whigs felt safer in the vicinity of Augusta, and Tories were forced into the Savannah area. A few went to live among the Quaker families in the Wrightsborough community, whose settlement was still spared despite resentment of their neutrality by strong partisans on both sides.