Autograph letter signed : Philadelphia, to [Robert Carter Nicholas] 1776 Feb. 13.

Discussing quantities of paper, printing plates and required denominations for paper bills; discussing monies owed to Mr. Byrd; relating news of the debate that day in Congress "about taking the whole Battalions raised in Virg'a into Continentals pay..." and speculating on the results of a vote; saying "I really doubt if we should carry our point whither Virg'a will not pay more money in the end than she will if we do not, as we must in justice take at least twelve thousand men from the Different Colonies into pay that have been hitherto refused;" discussing the expected movements of General Clinton whom he believes is "on his way to Virg'a to meet a fleet which he expected from England, he gave out that he was to go to the Southward but you must prepare for him for I think he will most assuredly stop with you, as he certainly intends to Hampton Road to wait for his Troops which are to rendezvous there should he land there. God knows what will become of you even if you have your 9 Battalions raised, for I understand you have not arms for a Quarter part of them, the Congress have done every thing in their Power to procure them with out Effect and this will forever be the Case as long as we carry on this war and no War, we shall Start at Shadows till we are undone, and shall never see our error till the Shackles jingle on our Feet and awake us out of our Fatal Lethargy. I could fill a Volume on this subject but it will avail nothing, the sooner I conclude therefore the better."