Note (117) — SECRET SERVICE SECRETS

A typical Townsend letter.

“October 9th, 1779.

“Sir, In my No 9 I informed you that the first division of Troops had returned—They disembarked on Long-Island & Staten Island that day. The next morning about 100 of the inhabitants went on Governor’s Island, and began to repair the works there, and have continued going every day since.—The works are now nearly completed. About that time the Garrison was much alarmed, as by a number of coroborating documents they had great reason to expect D’Estaing. All the Men of War and a number of arm’d Transports were ordered down to the Hook, with several old hulks to sink in the Channel in case D’Estaing should appear. They had also two or three fire ships prepairing, and are building a very strong Fort at the Light House. The ships do still continue there, tho their fears are now in some measure abated. The transports destin’d for New York are still at White Stone, and it’s now thought quite uncertain whether it will be evacuated this Fall. The vessels belonging to private people sailed this day, and are to stop at Huntington to join the wood Fleet, and proceed from there immediately. From this circumstance I think it will not be evacuated. It is now said that the first division of Troops are to re-embark immediately, and it’s generally believed that they are destined for Georgia. The last accounts from the West Indies say that Byron was at Barbadoes about a month ago. There positively is a letter from his Secretary to a gentleman in this place dated the first of Sept: which says that Byron was going home and that the Fleet was taking in water, and preparing with all expedition to go down to Jamaica, expecting that D’Estaing had gone against it. A vessel from Tortula which left it the 10th. Septr, the Capt of which says that it was reported there, and generally believed that D’Estaing had come to this Continent.—He likewise says that the English trade in the West Indies, is almost ruined by the number of French & Spanish Cruisers. Tortula has already been plundered, and it’s expected that all the rest of the English Islands will share the same fate in the course of the winter. The Spaniards, he says, are even fitting out privateers at St. Thomas’ & St. Croix.—Some say that Pensicola is invaded by the Spaniards. Accounts from England, via Rhode Island, as late as the 10th of August, say that there has been no engagement between the French and English Fleets.—No late accounts from Georgia; Some begin to fear that all is not well there.—A considerable number of Troops are on the West end of Long-Island—The 17th Dragoons at Hempstead—The mounted Legion of Queens Rangers at Jericho, and the Foot belonging to the Legion are at Oyster Bay. No arrivals of any consequence since my last, except those mentioned. The Spirits of the Tory’s Flags much, but still some flatter themselves that there is yet a probability of England’s rising superior to all her enemies. There does not appear the least prospect of this place being evacuated this fall. Tho’ I believe thay would be glad to have them at home, as from the best accounts they are in a very critical situation—if we were only to judge from Sir Joseph York’s memorial presented to their High Mightinesses, they are low enough.

“Large Magazines of Hay is already collected, and more collecting. The expense of transporting letters has already amounted to the money sent;[68] I am therefore under the necessity of requesting that you will send me 20 Guineas by next conveyance.

“I am, Yours, &c.

“Saml. Culper, Jun.”