of the Council of Maryland, 1778-1779. 389

that 4000 troops chiefly British are embarked for the West
Indies or Georgia, though the latter is the most suspected.
General Vaughan & Leslie are supposed to take the command.
They were to embark this day, and the fleet to sail on their
voyage immediately"
I also transmit an extract of a letter of the same date from
Lt. Col^o Ford on Command at Shrewsbury — " Twenty seven
square rigged Vessels of the Enemy's fleet and twelve or
fourteen sloops & schooners put to sea this evening. They
steered a south east course till they got out of sight. By a
person from New York who was a prisoner I am informed
that the report there was that between 6 & 7000 troops were
embarked. He sailed in company with them from New York
to the watering place — saw a number of light horse on board,
and that the fleet was very full of Men — that the destination
was a secret, the officers appeared anxious to know — that their
conjectures were various about it. Some talked of Georgia,
Some of Maryland, and others of Rhode Island."
From these several accounts and the particularity with which
they are related, there can be no doubt but that a body of
troops have imbarked and sailed. What their number is
cannot be ascertained, but even according to the lowest
estimate, which from a consideration of the fleet and many
other circumstances I should suppose to be as high as it
possibly can be and to exceed their real amount it is formidable.
I wish the West Indies may be their object, but from their
having horse and other considerations it is to be feared their
operations will be on our Southern continent
Your Excellency will be pleased to receive a copy of the
report by the Gentlemen appointed on our part to negotiate a
Cartel for the general exchange of prisoners or an agreement
for a more partial relief.
I have the honor to be, with Great respect & esteem,
your Excell^y mo. obed^t serv^t
G^o Washington

P. S. I have this minute rec^d a Letter from gen^l Schuyler,
transmitting Minutes of proceedings in the enterprize against
Onondaga, commanded by col. Van Scaick. An extract from
the former and a Copy of the latter your Excellency will find
inclosed.
Col^o Ford's account of a fleets sailing out of the Hook is
confirmed by others just come to hand. The latter make the
fleet something larger, and one says, owing to a sixty-four
Gun ship, which had a flag at the topmast head, not getting
out, they came to an anchor in the Evening on the sea side,
and were there yesterday morning at 9 o'clock. They also

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