Gentlemen
It is Represented to the Govr & Council of Safety that the Enemy are Cutting and Loading Wood on Shelter Island and that some Armed Vessells might Act in Consort against them with Safety and Greatly annoy those Plunderers
You are therefore with the Advice of my Said Council of Safety Directed to Consult with the Officers of the Armed Vessells in N London Harbour on the Subject and if they Judge they Can with Prudence Join and Attack the Enemy with Success you will Act with them in that Service (if you think fit) : otherwise your Whole Attention will be Immediately Turned to Promote the Cruise now Ordered
Give.under my Hand in Middletown the 11th Day of Jany 1777
J: T ———— l
[Endorsed] Directions to the Comission Officers on board the Brig Defence re Shelter Island Wood Cutters —
1. Conn. Arch., 1st Series, IX, 89, ConnSL.
