The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

42 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [JET. 45.
TO MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM.
Bucks County, 22 August, 1777.
DEAR SIR,
By the enclosed, which has this moment come to
hand, you will perceive that the enemy's fleet have at
length fairly entered the Chesapeake Bay, Swan Point
being at least two hundred miles from the Capes. I
desire you will immediately forward this account to
Governor Trumbull, to be by him sent on eastward.
As there is not now the least danger of General Howe's
going to New England, I hope the whole force of that
country will turn out, and, by following the great stroke
struck by General Stark near Bennington, entirely
crush General Burgoyne, who by his letter to Colonel
Baum seems to be in want of almost every thing. I
hope you will draw in such a force of militia as will
effectually secure your post against any attempt from
New York. I shall be obliged to draw General Sullivan
with his division down to me; for, by General Howe's
coming so far up the Chesapeake, he must mean to
reach Philadelphia by that route, though to be sure it
is a very strange one. I am, &c.*
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Camp, at Cross Roads, 22 August, 1777.
SIR,
I am honored with your favor containing the intelligence of the enemy's arrival in the Chesapeake Bay,
-, To an inquiry by General Putnam respecting the mode of treating
deserters from the enemy, General Washington replied, on the 18th of
August;-" When any deserters come out from the British army, they
have been paid four dollars, and, if they bring out their arms, ten dollars