211. JOHN ADAMS

Philadelphia, 14 September 1777

You will learn from the newspapers, before this reaches you, the situation of things here. Mr. Howe’s army is at Chester,¹ about fifteen miles from this town. General Washington’s is over the Schuylkill, awaiting the flank of Mr. Howe’s army.

How much longer Congress will stay is uncertain. I hope we shall not move until the last necessity, that is, until it shall be rendered certain that Mr. Howe will get the city. If we should move, it will be to Reading, Lancaster, York, Easton, or Bethlehem, some town in this State. It is the determination not to leave this State. Don’t be anxious about me, nor about our great and sacred cause. It is the cause of truth and will prevail. If Howe gets the city, it will cost him all his force to keep it, and so he can get nothing else.

My love to all friends.