Colonel Joseph Kirkbride
to
Thomas Wharton, President,
Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania
February 14, 1778
Bellevue, 14th Feb, 1778.
Sir,
You have undoubt'ly before this heard of the unhappy Capture of Poor Col. COATS, which was intirely [sic] done by Treachery and for want of proper guard upon the roads in that quarter. Mrs. COATS has been to Town [Philadelphia] since that misfortune hapned [sic] her Husband, and with much Difficulty did get to see him, but not without having an English officer at her Elbow during the whole Intervue [sic].
She is now returned & at my house - Says he has met with some Kindness from some of his Friends their [sic], but is confined in one of the rooms of the new Gaol [jail], with Capt. SWIFT & one or two others, & has once been permitted to go as far as Burns's under the care of a guard. But what gives the Col. & Mrs. COATS very great concern is, a Violent Fever which prevails very much among the prisoners and Carry's [sic] numbers of them off.
Col. COATS is exceedingly desirous of being Exchanged, or at least, put upon parole, And most hartily [sic] begs your Excellency's kind Intercession (as far as may be thought proper or Consistant [sic] ) in his behalf, as a Lieut. of, & a Representative for the County of Philada., make no doubt your Excellency will do every thing in your power for his relief.
I must now beg leave to acquaint your Excellency that our Roads near the Delaware leading upwards, are intirely [sic] left open to the Ravages of the Enemy, and a Constant Intercourse is kept up between the City & the disaffected part of the County. I am almost every day warn'd by some one or other of my Friends to be upon my guard, as I have for some time past been threatened by the Enemy, and by a letter from the City - an afraid a plan is forming, through Treachery, to kidnap as many as possible of the Friends of Liberty, for which a handsome reward is offer'd, of (that God of the world) hard money.
Jo. Kirkbride.
I was at Genl. LACEY's Camp the other day, he then Expected a numr of Militia in a short time, and as soon as they arriv'd he promis'd to send a party to defend & guard our roads, but, I am sorry to say, I rec'd a Letter from him yesterday informing me that not a single man had arriv'd since I left Camp, & that his whole Command, at this Time, Consist'd of about Sixty privates & thirteen Lt. Horse, twelve of which was sent from this County, and I purpose (if possible) to keep up a Competent number of Horse, as the General finds them very useful. Upon application of several of the good Friends to our Country, I have agreed to rais [sic] a small party of Foot Volunteers to Check the Influence of the Torys below Bristol, and in the neighbourhood [sic] near Neshaminy, which will be some small security to the people in that quarter.
I have Ventur'd to go so far as to promise those that will espiritedly [sic] exert themselves on this Ocasion [sic], shall have Cr. in their proper Class when call'd, and I am well convinced the Collectors in that quarter cannot Carry on their Business without some protection of this sort, and I shall be very happy to find this plan meet your Excellency's approbation.
Your Excy, I expect has rec'd a Letter from Col. COATS respect'g the distress of the state Navey [sic] for want of Cash. I expect soon to have a Considerable sum Collected, and if it should be Consistant [sic] with your Judgment, can furnish that Board with such sum as I can command. The galley men are Deserting every day & Chiefly, I am Inform'd, for want of their pay; I hope to hear from your Excellency as soon as possible on this head, as well as others, which shall Govern my Conduct. I forgot in my last, to thank your Excellency for the Early advice you were pleas'd to give me of Genl. LACEY's appointment, and to Express my hearty approbation, I an convinced he will do servis [sic] to his Country & Honour to his appointment.
I have the Honr to be
your
Excy
& the Honble [sic] Council's
Most obedt Humb. Servt,
Jo. Kirkbride.
Directed,
To His Excellency Thomas WHARTONn, Esqr., President of the State of Pennsyla. at Lancaster.
Favoured [sic] by Mr. MELLIGES.