The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter from TRENTON, dated this morning (July 4) 5 o'clock.

A Gentleman, who this moment arrived, informs that about half past twelve on yesterday noon, as he was passing from Staten Island to Brunswick, he was surprised by three or four officers and about one hundred regulars, who detained him upwards of two hours.

In the course of his confinement he met with Courtland Skinner, who told him that General Howe, with his army, from eight to ten thousand men, had landed the night before, and taken possession of every pass on the island. He says he saw most of the troops, but, as they were dispersed through the island, he could form no idea of their numbers.

Skinner also told him that the fleet from England had arrived at the Hook, on the night of their landing, with ten thousand men, who were to land on Staten Island, as this morning; that they had placed two regiments opposite Amboy, had planted several pieces of cannon there, and at each of the ferries. He also asked the officers if the commissioners were come, to which they answered yes, and that they were the very men most proper to settle differences of this sort, and also told him they were determined to dislodge our worthy General from New York.

He left New York yesterday morning, where the Jersey militia had most of them arrived; that the General and his troops were in high spirits, and he supposes much disappointed at this sudden movement of Howe's.

The Jersey militia have turned out unanimously, to their great credit, but as most of them are gone over to York, would it not be necessary for Pennsylvania to send them assistance? The Gentleman thinks that both the General's express (if one was sent) and the stage are in all probability stopped, for which reason I thought it necessary to send an express.

I fear I shall not be able to join our worthy General; however, I am determined to try, and if I fail must be satisfied with having done my duty.

Howe treated him very genteelly, and dismissed him at half past two. The enemy have taken several of the rifle men, who were on their way to Pennsylvania.

I hope all such scoundrels, who will quit an army in sight of an enemy, may meet the same fate.