I trust General Burgoyne's army will meet, sooner or later, an effectual check; and, as I suggested before, that the success he has met with will precipitate his ruin.

From your accounts, he appears to be pursuing that line of conduct which, of all others, is most favourable to us.

I mean acting in detachment.

This conduct will certainly give room for enterprise on our part, and expose his parties to great hazard.

Could we be so happy as to cut one of them off, though it should not exceed four, five, or six hundred men, it would inspirit the people, and do away much of their present anxiety.