AS to Thomas Jefferson
Williamsburgh,Va
July 29, 1776 re Indian Hostilities
Sir,
The Commencement of hostilities by the Cherokees is the only News of general Importance on this Quarter. I hope they will be proceeded against with the Same Rapidity we made use of on the Shawnese Expedition.
Then it is probable we may make such an impression upon them as will Strike terror into the most distant Indian Nations.
Unsupported by the Country in general, and not assisted by any but those concerned in the Expedition, we Rais’d men, armd, Victual’d and provided them with things absolutly necessary; marched in to the Enemys Country, about 500 miles distant; and finished the Expedition in three months; Now the Cherokees are near to the Carolinas; and not so distant from us as the Shawnese. This is a fine Season for destroying their Corn. General Lee is very easy in his department.
The Army of Enemy grow very discontented, and I am sure will soon become Sickly. It is with dread, and despondency that I look torwards New York. I wish all the Virginia Troopswere with Genl. Washington, to give him One Weeks Work and help out the dead lift. I heartily Sympathize with him: there is great difference between a Number of Men, and Soldiers; I hope the Genl. Will cripple them so that they cannot penetrate far into our Country, suppose the Issue is not so favourable as we could wish at new York.
The people of that dissatisfied town should have had twenty Row Galleys, or floating Batteries, lying in the Narrows to Assist the Batteries, and then None of the Enemys ships could have got through with Impunity.
Col. Moultrie with his 15 twenty Six pounders did perform Wonders. Such havock has not been before heard of aboard a Ship.
I have got Carriages made for ten Cannons, from 12 to 24 pounders and have got them Mounted at Portsmouth and windmill point to clear that Harbour.
Norfolk might have been easily Savd. We feel the loss of it daily. Such of the Inhabitants as were our friends would have Expedited our Armd Vessels, fitted our Privateers, and facilitated all our Naval affairs.
It was a Magazine of Naval Stores. Lord Dunmores fleet went up Potowmack untill they found the Water fresh enough to drink. Irritated by Some Blackguards of the Stafford Militia, they landed at the House of Mr. William Brent, Situated on Potowmack about ten miles below Dunfries.
The Poltroons, the Militia of Stafford, run, and the Enemy Set fire to the house. They were on their way to burn a fine Mercht. Mill at a Small distance, but 30 of the P. William militia happily arrived, advanced with good Countenance, and drove him on board.
After this, they went to look for the Runaways, and making briskly up to them, the Stafford men Squatted in thickets, imagined it to be English men, and run themselves almost to death, to avoid falling into the hands of P. William Militia. Pudet hoc Opprobrium Nobis.
I am with Respect Sir Your most Obt. hule Sert. Adam Stephen

P.S. Govr. Henry is in a very low Way, gone to Hanover for his health. .