I do myself the honor to transmit to your Excellency the inclosed papers No. 1 to   inclusive they contain a continuance of the Correspondence which has been produced between me, General Robertson and Sir Henry Clinton in the Case of Capt. Huddy—that from Sir Henry Clinton did not come to hand till some days after the receipt of General Robertson’s Letter and after my reply to the latter.

I am in daily expectation of an Answer from General Robertson, which I hope will bring this ungratefull business to a Conclusion.

I take this Opportunity to convey to Congress sundry english and New York papers which have within a few days past been put into my hands: their Contents are new and interesting and I take the earliest Occasion to present them to Congress.

Altho’ I view the Debates so far as they convey proposals of pacifaction to America to be idle and delusory yet I cannot but express my fears for the Effect they may have upon the Exertions of the States which are already too feeble and void of energy.

The people, so far as I am informed are catching at the Idea of Peace with great eagerness. And the Industry which the Enemy are using for it’s propagation is to me a very suspicious Circumstance. For my own part I view our Situation such that instead of relaxing We Ought to improve the present Moment as the most favorable to our Wishes. The British Nation appear to me to be staggered and almost ready to sink beneath the accumulated weight of Debt and Misfortune. If We follow the blow with Vigor and Energy I think the Game is our own.

Just [as] I am closing these dispatches a Letter from Sir Guy Carleton is handed me covering sundry printed papers—a copy of which with the papers I have now the honor to inclose to your Excellency together with the Copy of my Answer to him, and I flatter myself my conduct herein, will be agreeable to the Wishes of Congress I have the honor to be Sir Your Excellencys most obedient humble Servant