Camp Bergen County N Jersey 9. Nov. 1780 My dear Sir I received your favor of the 21st ultimo, and its enclosure which shall be delivered agreeable to your directions. His Excellency informed me that he should acquaint you of your Exchange with the gentlemen of your family, but least anything should turn up which may prevent his doing it. I have the pleasure to announce it to you and I beg you to receive my sincere congratulations on an event which must give you so much real pleasure. The General intimated that it would be very agreeable to him for you to stay in Massachusetts this winter, and endeavor [inserted: to force and the recruiting] the Army- The General Officers of the New England lines, signed a memorial, circular [strikeout] to the Legislature of the New England States, on the subjects of the distresses of their [2] Officers. The packet in which [inserted: I believe] they all were was taken and carried into New York, and there published. We shall send duplicates as soon as possible. The Officers of the Massachusetts Line are about to congratulate the Governor on his appointment. and to address the two houses of Legislature. I think it would be proper for General Heath to forward them to you for your signing if you think proper, and for you to present them formally to the proper persons- It is said that Cornwallis has retreated from Charlotte to Cambden and that he is retiring to Charlestown-it is also said that General Leslie who sailed from New York on the 15th ultimo with 2500 men after having landed in Virginia reembarked with the utmost precipitation and left the State. Some people who are very sagacious say that both of these events are induced by the appearance of a french fleet and army on the Coast of Georgia or Carolina, but this wants confirmation. I am dear Sir affectionately yours H Knox General Lincoln [written vertically along left margin] Directed to Lincoln, "at Hingham near Boston"