George Washington Papers
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To George Washington from David Forman, 14 May 1781

Freehold 14th May 1781

Sir

The British Fleete from New York Consisting of Seven Ships of 60 Guns and upwards Twelve Large Transport Ships and Ten Topsail Schoners and Sloops made Sail from sandy Hook on Saturday Morning last about Ten OClock The Wind about South East—at Twelve The Whole fleete was Clear of The Hook and The Wind Hauled round to Southd, in The afternoon The wind Was to The Westward of South.

Upon Which The Fleete Tacked and run into Sandy Hook and Lay untill Next Day Vizt Sunday, Ten OClock The Wind Then Veereing from North to North West, By Four P.M. The Whole Fleete was Clear of The Hook again and Steared to The Southwd.

This Morning accts from The Southward say That in The Night They Heard Several Cannon fired leeding to The Southward—On The whole There does not I belive remain a doubt but They are destined to a Southern Port—My whole Time has been so Intirely engaged with The Distresses of my Family and Loss of My little Son That I have not been of intelegence so as to form an Opinion of The distination of this Fleete—Several Deserters and Prisoners brought in here last Weeke say for Rhodisland—The Fleetes runing Back to Sandy Hook on Saturday last with The Wind to the W. of South does I Think fully Contradict That acct Should I attempt to form an Opinion from former accts I should say They were distined for Deleware—pPerhaps Chesepeck Bay—Should your Excly be of Opinion That it will be of any Publick Utility to Establish a post of Intellegence on The High Lands of Middle Town during the Summer I Can Imploy The Same Person who was Ingaged last Season for The pay and rations of a Horseman—your Excly will please to direct me in That affair—I have The Honr to be Your Excellys Most Obdt Humble Servt

David Forman

DLC: Papers of George Washington.

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