The Edinburgh Evening Courant. Edinburgh, [Scotland, Great Britain]: Printed for R. Fleming, 22 September 1777. 4 pages, folio, disbound, 11 1/2 x 18 in.

A rare issue of the Edinburgh Evening Courant that includes a printing of a letter written by General George Washington to the President of the Continental Congress, John Hancock, on 7 July 1777. 

Under the bold headline "AMERICA," the article reports that on July 18th, "His Excellency the Governor [of Virginia] received the following yesterday attention from Congress which arrived in Philadelphia just as the post was setting out."

The letter follows in full: "No change has taken place in the situtation of the enemy upon Staten Island, since I wrote to you on the 5th, butr I have this morning received an account from Elizabeth Town which mentions that a person was just come from town which mentions that a person was full come from the island, who informs, that finall craft are constantly plying between New York and the fleet, laden with officers baggage, and stores put up in packages, and marked with their names and regiments and that transports are fitted up with stalls over their main decks, for the reception of horses. This looks as if a longer voyage is intended than up the North river. I have given notice to all the Eastern states to be upon their guard should the fleet put to sea and steer that way; and I think the works upon Delaware should be carried on with spirit, and be completed as fast as possible lest they should visit that quarter. I think the Southern states should be also advised of the uncertainty of the next operation of the enemy, that they may be also making such preparations as they judge necessary."

The letter includes George Washington's observations that the British appeared to be leaving Staten Island. Indeed, these were the latter stages of preparations for the British fleet departing New York to capture the American capital, Philadelphia. 

References

“George Washington to John Hancock, 7 July 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives. [Original source: Frank E. Grizzard, Jr., editors The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 10, 11 June 1777 – 18 August 1777. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2000, pp. 215–216.]

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