Hayes 16th January 1777.
Dear Sir,
I have had the pleasure of receiving yours from New Bern, enclosing the ordinance for supplying the Treasury with Cash. You will easily guess, that I have it not in my power either to sell Bills on the Continental Treasury, or borrow money, and there is nothing comes in on the sinking fund, so that the Treasury will very soon stop payment, unless you should think proper to exercise the power given you, of giving orders to procure money from the Treasury of the United States.
The King Tawney is here returned from an unsuccessful Cruize and is ordered up to Edenton to receive some small repairs, some think it might be proper to load her and send her out for salt, the Commissioners would be glad to receive your commands in regard to her.
Mr. Robt. Hardy at Edenton has produced a quantity of shoes, some where about 300 pairs for the army and is ready to deliver them to any proper order.
I am very sorry to hear that business is like to be so much retarded by the absence of the Council. I have not seen the acts for appointing them, but suppose they lodged a power for filling up vacancies some where. I have this moment received the agreeable news that Genl. Washington has surprised the Enemy at Trenton and taken upwards of nine hundred prisoners with all their Baggage and Artillery. They were mostly Germans but 'tis needless to be particular, as you will certainly have advice of this important stroke by express before this reaches you. This great success will have a most happy effect, as it will not only give the Troops the highest confidence in the great abilities of their General but will show them that the Europeans are not invincible. It will likewise damp the spirits of the Tories, who began to plume themselves on the success of the Enemy. If we have but Virtue and perseverance we may still be free—it will be of the greatest importance that our Troops should be ready for an early Campaign. I am still inclined to think that the success of the next will depend
greatly on the spirited exertions of the States South of New York. I am very sorry to hear of poor Bright's death, his family is fortunate in having you for their friend. I am very happy to hear of your return of health—and am with the greatest respect and esteem