196
tress for provisions, which may, perhaps, take place on their first going to the new post, before matters are properly arranged. I have the honor to be, with great esteem and respect, your Excellency s
most obedient and
most humble servant,
TH: JEFFERSON.
LETTER XXXIII. TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON.
Richmond, November 10, 1780.
SIR,
I enclose your Excellency a copy of an intercepted letter from Major General Leslie, to Lord Cornwallis.* It was taken from a person endeavoring to pass through the country from Portsmouth towards Carolina. When apprehended, and a proposal made to search him, he readily consented to be searched, but, at the same time, was observed to put his hand into his pocket and carry some thing towards his mouth, as if it were a quid of tobacco : it was examined, and found to be a letter, of which the enclosed is a copy, written on silk paper, rolled up in gold beater s skin, and nicely tied at each end, so as not to be larger than a goose quill. As this is the first authentic disclosure of their purpose in coming here, and may serve to found, with somewhat more of certainty, conjectures respecting their future movements, while their disap pointment in not meeting with Lord Cornwallis, may occasion new plans at New York, I thought it worthy of communication to your Excellency.
Some deserters were taken yesterday, said to be of the British Convention troops, who had found means to get to the enemy at Portsmouth, and were seventy or eighty miles on their way back to the barracks, when they were taken. They were passing un der the guise of deserters from Portsmouth.
I have the honor to be, with the greatest esteem and respect, your Excellency s most obedient
and most humble servant,
TH: JEFFERSON.
[* See Appendix, note F.]
