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Sir,

By a Trading Sloop met with off the Entrance of the Delaware, I received the Duplicate of your Letter of the 15^th. of last Month, respecting the Intelligence you had obtained of an intended Invasion of the Province under your Government from South Carolina and Georgia and the Measures you had adopted in providing a more adequate Defence for the inland Navigation, since the Accident to the Hinchinbrook and the Armed Vessel fitted at Augustine; which, I understand, have by some unaccountable Inattention fallen into the Enemy's Hands.¹ 

I concur intirely in Opinion with your Excellency, on the Utility of employing some Vessels armed as You describe, for commanding the in-land Navigation: Deeming that Expedient, assisted by a well established Post, the most eligible for the proposed End 

The Carysfort and Galatea are said to have left their Stations some time since.² It was intended, if the Perseus could be refitted in Time,³ that a seasonable Supply of Provisions and other Necessaries should be sent, for enabling Captain Fanshawe to continue one of those Frigates with the Perseus on the Southern Coasts. The Lizard will now be ordered in Addition to the Perseus and Otter for the better Security of the Province,⁴ until the Corps of Troops destined to re-inforce your Garrison by Sir Henry Clinton, who has succeeded Sir William Howe in the Chief Command of the Army, is arrived.⁵

Captain Elphinstone will be [ordered] to conduct one Navy Victualling Transport, sent by desire of Sir Henry Clinton for the immediate Supply of the Garrison.⁶ And he takes an eighteen Pounder, the only piece of heavy Artillery remaining to have been embarked preparatory to the intended Movement of which I conclude your Excellency will be fully apprized in the General's Letters by this Conveyance. I have the Honor to be with great Respect Sir, [&c.]