Sir

Give me leave to Congratulate you and your Honble House on the Success of Lord Stirling, by the Capture of the Transport ship blue Mountain Valley, Captain [James Hamilton] Dempster the particulars of which Lord Stirling writes you by this Conveyance, I was on board the ship last evening in Amboy Bay, some of the Sailors informed one of our men that there was a Quantity of Arms & Amunition in the hold ー the Ship is now gone up to Elizabeth Town point to wait your Orders ー The Bearer Mr [Peter] Barbarie is owner of a Sloop which was taken off Sandy Hook by some of the Men of Warrs Tenders, and retaken on her passage to Boston by Capt Manly or some other New England Captain ² Mr Barbarie is looked upon as friendly to our cause, and now goes down for Instructions from Congress, how to proceed to regain his Sloop and Cargoe. I am with due respect. Sir [&c.]

P.S. a Number of our Militia with three Companies of Lord Stirlings Regiment are on Long Island, and are disarming the Tories without Opposition ー We expect them back in a few days
The Honble John Hancock Esqr
President of Congress Philadelphia