Mr. Davis. Derby Township.
17th Novr 4th 1777. 10 oClock, A.M.

May it please your Excellency

This moment I have seen a Gentleman (a Friend) who left the City Yesterday Evening, the report of the evacuation of Fort Mifflin was generally believed by the Citizens-'twas also said the Troops on board the Transports at Chester wou'd immediately land in the Jersey shore and march to attack red bank-a Captains Guard are on the West side Schuylkill-on the East, the seventy first Regiment and a few Hessians-the main Body are encamped along the line from Schuylkill to Delaware, their Redoubts are at the distance of four hundred Yards from each other-no Cannon in them at present-Feild pieces are in the intervals-two brick Houses were pulled down that stood in the line-two Battalions are attempting to be raised called "the 1st & 2d Pennsylvania loyalists commanded by His Excellency Sr Wm Howe"-The Inhabitants distress exceeds description Potatoes 12/ Beef 4/ Bread in proportion-Our Friends in Captivity in the greatest distress, many have died within this few Days for want of provision-their first allowance was ½ lb. Beef & 4½ Biscuit for three Days & now reduced to ¼ lb. Salt pork & 6 Biscuit for eight Days-near 300 have lately been obliged to enlist or starve2-Major Harper, & Lieut. Col. Frazer were Yesterday permitted to walk the Streets on parole-two Dutch Boys have been taken as Spies & are confined in the old Dungeon-One Shuttle of Maryland Dragoons much insulted because he wou'd not enlist, & is near starving-I am now going down towards Province Island-If the Enemy are going to cross the Delaware to attack red bank, you will have information instantly-any discoveries I make I shall communicate you-I wrote you last Evening & hope you received it.3 The Enemy's Magazine of Hay consists of about 6 or 8 Stacks & no more The prisoners are allowed no fuel, & the Inhabitants very little-I thought to have seen your Excellency to Day-but am much fatigued & a little indisposed-I am obliged to go towards the shore to make some discoveries if possible-great numbers are coming out of the City the Enemy report a part of the 17th Lt Dragoons are on board the Transports before mentioned & they also say, the number of Troops on board are 4,500, three thousand of whom lately arrived from England-From what I seen I must discredit this account-the greater part of them are Green Coats-those clad in red appear dirty. I am with real esteem Your Obedt Hble servt

Jno. Clark Junr

P.S. Gens. Cadwalader & Reed & myself rode along the shore within a quarter of a Mile at most of the Shipping-they fired two Muskets one Ball went over us & the other fell in the Water so that you may conclude we had a good view of them-The reasonable a 64, lay a Ground near the Wharf Day before Yesterday.

A noted Mr Vernum with a party from the City crossed over to Jersey & stole a few Sheep which they sell in Market to the Inhabitants they were pursued & 3 of them taken-Vernum & a Son of his were oblig'd to leap in the Water & swim after the Boat-it having pushed off during the alarm.

The Bridge at Chester on the West side the Creek has caved in, it may be made passable for a few foot-Individuals now cross it-A few flat Bottom'd Boats went down to New Castle in the morning.