Ellis. In answer to
your queries; first, a reconciliation between Great Britain and the
United States of America is improbable ever to take place; it is
absolutely impossible, until after the sitting of Parliament.
Secondly, Admiral Howe joined his brother early in August, and sent on
shore to General Washington a letter, which was returned unopened, as
no title was given to General Washington; a second was sent, and met
the same fate. The Congress justified the General in his conduct, and
ordered him to receive no letters, except they were directed to him
with his proper title. Lord Howe sent to the Governors of several
Colonies his proclamation, which, by the army and people of New York,
was treated with contempt and ridicule.

Thus matters continued until the 20th of August, when General Howe had
collected his whole force, and was preparing to attack New York. On
the other side, all the eminences and advantageous posts near the city
were secured and fortified, and the Americans strongly entrenched on
them; the city of New York fortified with batteries next to the water,
and all the principal streets with barriers across them, and, at the
same time, the houses filled with combustibles ready to be set on
fire, should the city be found tenable. The two men-of-war, which had
passed up the river above the city, were returned terribly damaged by
attacking a battery. This, in a word, was the state of affairs in New
York on the 20th of August, from which important news may be expected
every hour.

Thirdly, I know what Dr Franklin's sentiments were when I left
America, and that nothing but a miracle could convert him to wish for
an accommodation on other terms, than the independence of the
Colonies. Depend upon it, my good friend, the Ministry of Great
Britain labor incessantly to propagate stories of an accommodation,
for it is well known, that they despair of reducing the Colonies by
arms this campaign; at the close of which, the national debt will
amount to nearly L150,000,000 sterling, part of which will remain
unfunded; and where are their resources for supporting the next
campaign? He that can discover the philosopher's stone can answer.

To your fourth query, you will excuse my answering more, than that
your conjecture is not far out of the way. My letter will inform you
why I must still delay sending what I promised you the 14th ultimo. In
the meantime, Sir, you may add to indigo and rice, tobacco, logwood,
redwoo