My Lord,

The Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton lately did me the Ho or to impart to me a Plan of Incursion he proposed making into the Jerseys, which he was of Opinion, if critically timed, might not only operate strongly in favor of the Grand Army, but be attended with other Advantages; The necessary Directions were accordingly given respecting the Flat Boats, the Disposition of them ordered in the manner he desired, and he Landings made at the following places.

On the 11th in the Forenoon a Detachment of eleven Batteaux (to prevent any Jealousy in the North River) were sent by the Way of the East River through King'sbridge to the Mouth of Spikendevil creek; whence, soon after the Close of Day, a Body of near 1500 Men with some Field Artillery were passed over to Fort Lee in three Divisions, under the Direction of Captain Reid of the Rose, who commanded this Division of Boats. A sufficient Guard was left in the Fort, in case it should be found advisable to re-embark the Troops from that Spot.

About Nine o'Clock the same Night were embarked from the King's Wharf in the North River, Part of the 7th and 26th Regiments, with about Thirty dismounted Dragoons. They fell down with the Tide to Staten Island in Ten Flat Boats, attended by the Gun-Boat, and were there joined by the 52d Regiment and 300 Provincials; the whole amounting to about 1250 Men, who at break of Day were landed at Elizabeth Town Point. This Debarkation and Division of the Boats was put under the Direction of Captain Uppleby, which being effected, a Detachment of three of his Boats with the Galley were detached up the Hackinsack River to Schuyler's Ferry, to act as Occasion might require a Guard being placed there for their Protection.

The same Night a smaller Embarkation of about 320 Men, including a Squadron of Cavalry with Two Pieces of Cannon, was also made from the King's Wharf by Long-Boats, Horse-Scows &c. They landed at Paulus Hook soon after it was dark and were to march by Schuyler's Ferry to the Heights of Second River.

About 200 Provincials were previously sent onboard the Squadron up the North River to be landed about the Neighbourhood of Tapan, with Orders to move down towards Bergen, driving Cattle before them. Captain Ommanney finding it impossible for the Ships to get up the River, embarked onboard the Galleys with this Body of Men, to which he added a Party of Marines, and took the Direction of the Landing himself.

A Detachment of Sixty Marines were also sent over to Paulus Hook to re-inforce that Post in the Absence of such as were taken from it.

The different Embarkations and Landings were effected as could be wished, and the Troops were again re-embarked from the Jerseys on the 16th. The Detail of the Operations during their Stay there, I shall not enter into, more than that the Acquisition of Cattle derived from this Incursion has been considerable, as I hope it will be found beneficial to the Troops and Seamen, added to the End it. seems to have had, of throwing the Enemy into a general Alarm. The whole re-embarked from Paulus Hook and Fort Lee.

A French Sloop commanded by a King's Lieutenant arrived here from Martinico about the Beginning of the Month. She brought a Letter from the Governor of that Island addressed to your Lordship, relating to the Frenchmen we had in Custody found trading with the Rebels.² The Number remaining being so small, I thought it a good Occasion to get rid of them, as well as to compliment him at the same Tiine with their Delivery. Inclosed is the Governor's Letter with my Answer.

[Endorsed] No 3. In Lord Howe's Letter of 24: October 1777.