[Draft] Camp Pluckemin Bergen County N Jersey 9th Novr 1780 My dear Brother I wrote you by Mr Boyen on teh 31st ultimo a few days after I had the happiness to receive your note by the Minister of France announcing your arrival. Since that time I have not heard of it from you. The Mal arrangement of the post, and the dangerous route it takes by the Sea Coast of Connecticut deters me from writing so freely as I could [wish] - a Mail has lately been taken and a great part of the letters and papers it contain'd published in the New-York Gazette. I mention this that you may be cautious of the conveyance [2] by which you may write - Your sister and her sweet [ladies] are well. She and Lucy send their love to you. Write I pray by every good opportunity, and let us hear from you by every post. The defeat of part of Lord Cornwallis' Army has induced that General to retreat from [Charlotte] in North Carolina to [Camden] in South Carolina and it is said he will be oblig'd to retire to Charleston Genl Leslie who saild some time ago from New York with about 2500 men, landed in Virginia, but from some reason or other has gone on [illegible] bound again. [3] We have [illegible] [a part] that a French fleet has been off the Coast of Carolina, but at present it seems rather in the clouds. I am my dear friend and brother with the utmost ardor of affection Yours HKnox MrWilliam Knox