of Colonel
Tilghman.)]

"I can easily imagine that Genl Howe must be both
chagrined and disappointed at the Retreat of our Army from
New York. I have no doubt but what he expected fully to have
taken them in a net; and he certainly would have succeeded
had we pertinaciously persisted in the plan of defending the
city. You observe that if the passage of the North River is
sufficiently obstructed that our lines will keep the enemy
from making any progress in front. This is certainly true;
but you must recollect that the Sound is, and must ever be,
open; and if they should succeed in landing a Body of Men in
Westchester County, they might, by drawing lines to the
North River, as effectually hem us in, as if we were in New
York. From Sutton's Neck to the North River (if I am not
mistaken) is not above twelve miles."

Again on the 2d of October, speaking of the possibility of the enemy's
getting on our flank or rear, Duer says:

"I wish they would delay this attempt till Genl. Lee
arrives, or till Mifflin comes from Philada. I am
sensible that however great General Washington's abilities
and vigilance are, he must stand in need of the assistance
of such excellent officers. Is Genl Greene with the Army,
or is he still in Jersey? If he could be spared from that
quarter his presence, I think, would be of great
consequence. I am much mistaken, if he is not possest of
that Heaven-born Genius which is necessary to constitute a
great General.--I can scarcely describe to you my feelings
at this interesting Period--what, with the situation of our
enemies in your quarter and the cursed machinations of our
Internal Foes, the fate of this State hangs on a single
battle of importance."

Again on the 8th:

"I am sorry to tell you (for the credit of this State) that
the Committee I belong to make daily fresh discoveries of
the infernal Practices of our Enemies to excite
Insurrections amongst the inhabitants of the State.
To-morrow one Company, actually enlisted in the enemy's
service, will be marched to Philadelphia, there to be
confined in jail, till the establishment of our Courts
enables us to hang the Ringleaders."

And on the following day Robert R. Livingston added on this subject:

"Tho' we are constantly employed in the detection of