[draft] Boston Sept: 4 1777 dear Harry Your favor of the 20 Ulto: I recd: & am much surprised that How can't be found what he is after must be a mistery to all the world - I find by your letter you think it is provable he is come this way - I do not think he is, for we have had a number of Vessells arriv'd here within this few day and not one brings the least acct. of him - I expect you'll know more of him by this - Our affair's to the No: ward are in a fine situation - Genl: Stark's Action I think (view'g every circumstance) stand's first in the American War - at least, there is no one Action, that will be attend'd with more happy consequence's - before this the Enemy were Ravage'g butchery and scalp'g all before them, not a prisoner fell in there hand but was, Tomhawk't to Death - now all is quiet with them, &c we hear nothing of there Scalp'g &cc nor of any more proclamation's from Mr. B. we have a fly'g report that Mr: Burge. has retreat'd back to Ticonderoga - wh: I hope is not the case - for there is a great body of Militia from New hamshire [2] and this state - which if they could get in Burgoyne's rear - & the Continental Troops in his Front - I think Mr B would have a pretty time of it - and on this situation I would send him back his proclamation - where he says 'it is only give'g stretch to my Power - and I command this part of the world' - poor delud'd Man - how far Genl. How can answer it to his Lord's & master's for leav'g Mr B in this situation, I don't' know - I suppose they will call Generalship - Yesterday was brought into this harbour a fine prize ship - from Liverpool, bound to New York - She has on board 1,000 Hhds: Salt - & a quantity of English good's - She mount'd 12-4 pounders & 30 Men - she beat off two privateer Schooner's from this Town - but Capt. Fisk in the Massachusetts Brig belong'g to this state came up Just afterwards, after exchange a few shot with the Brig - she struck - she has brought a number of London New Paper's & by the Accts: in them they look upon the affair to be up with us - this Campaign will [3] finish the war - there is private Letters on board her - order'g her to sell her cargo in New York - and then to proceed to Philadelphia and taken in a Load of Tobacco - order'g not to give a great price for it, as they are sure it will soon be very cheap - as there must be great quantity's on the Continent - poor devils it make's me laugh - the whole Nation is dupe'd - I saw in one of the London papers, a paragraph of a Letter I wrote you last March - give'g you an Acct: of a French Ship arri'g at Boston with 12,000 stand's of arms Blankets &cc allso the Ship with the Brass Cannon & severall other pieces of New's - I wish you would speak to the General with respect to my officers Commissions their a great many of them uneasy - I wish I had them on many Accounts - I don't recruit any Men now - hope I shall after the Militia returns - I have in my Regt: includ'g drums Fifes Sergt: Corps: & Private - about 160 Men - I have more than Lee & Hanly together - I am dear Harry Your Friend remember me to Bill'o [address leaf] Brigr: Genl: Knox at Genl: Washington's Head Quarters