per Express to New York

Sir The two ships and tuo briganteens I mentioned in my last fell down the river the 4th Currt. ² the ships has 250 men including marine's each of them, and the Briganteens 100 men each, they are Joined by a sloop of 12 guns from New England, there is also a Briganteen, and a Sloop fitted out at Baltimore in Marry land which Joins them before they leave this river: ³ the reason (no doubt) for their shiping such a great number of men, is that they intend to board their antagonists sword in hand: they have hoisted what they call the Ammerican Flag viz the British Union, with thirteen stripes red and white, for its field, Representing the thirteen United Collonies: ⁴ there is a Ship on the Stocks and nigh finished to mount 20 heavey Cannon, to support the fort on the Island, ⁵ a floating battery is also a building to mount 25 heavey Cannon, and a Strong Iron Chain, is a making to be put across the Chas'm betwixt the Island battr'y and the Cheaux de Frise, there is also above thirty five floats preparing to be made use of as occation require. Three Frigates to mount 36 guns each are apreparing to put on the Stock's, and are expected to be ready for launching in April or May, and it is said, the other Colonies are to Build twelve more ⁶... a Ship arrived tuo days ago from France, with sixty tons of salt Petre, and another is hourly expected with arms and military Stores, and above Fifty tons of gunpouder has arrived since my last; it is very extraordinary that this river, (the most Consequential in Ammerica) has been so much neglected by the Kings ships:... Tuo French gentlemen ⁷ (but are called Noble men) arrived about eight days ago in this City, they made their first appearance in general Washingtons Camp, and he recommended them to the Congress, with whom they have been frequently and it is said they are authorized to offer the assistance and protection of that Crown with Supply's of Arms Ammunition etc etc provided they (the Congress) agree to grant them a free trade: one of them (Im told) is to return directly to France, and the othir is to Continue at this place, to negotiate the affairs of that Perfidious Kingdom, who great Britain may be assured, watches every opportunity to involve and distress, though at the same time they are Sensible, they are plunging thousands into death and destruction, but this they matter not Provided they carry their diabolical ends...

This is forwarded by Express to New York, to be forwarded to you by the governor....