Number 66. 
​Sir,

The Town of Philadelphia having been evacuated, and the last Division of the Army passed over the Delaware to Glocester, for marching through the Jersies to New York yesterday, without Interruption; I am preparing to proceed with the Transports and Ships of the Squadron assembled in this River, for New York: From whence the Troops are to be embarked for the Secret Service directed, immediately upon their Arrival.¹

The King's Commissioners² will go to New York in the Trident,³ which they have desired me to detain until they can determine with more Precision, on the probable Time of their stay in these Provinces; I have therefore dispatched the Porcupine⁴ with the Advices to be transmitted of the State of these Colonies at this period, for His Majesty's Information. 

The farther purpose of my Instructions of the 21^st. of March⁵ respecting the Frigates first ordered to England, will furnish me with an Opportunity to give you the earliest Notice of the Departure of the Armament under Commodore Hotham, when he leaves New York. 

I⁶ am informed by Captain Griffith,⁷ that a Detachment of the Garrison of Rhode Island under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell⁸ of the 22^d: Regiment, was embarked the 25^th: of last Month in the Flat-Boats conducted by Captain Clayton;⁹ And, by a well-concerted Operation, was destroyed one hundred and twenty five Boats collected by the Rebels in Kickamanet River;¹⁰ Together with a Galley under repair,¹¹ meant to be employed in Conjunction with the Boats for a purposed Invasion of Rhode Island. A large Quantity of Pitch, Tar, Plank and other Materials for Ship-building was burnt with them. 

Another Division of Boats from the Ships of War, supported by the Pigot Galley (lately armed and commanded by Lieutenant Stanhope¹² of the Nonsuch) under the Direction of Captain Reeve,¹³ were at the same time ordered against, and succeeded to surprize and take, a Galley of Force,¹⁴ which the Rebels had placed in Warren Creek. And on the 30^th. of the same Month, a second Detachment of the Troops were sent in the Boats of the Squadron conducted by Lieutenant Christian,¹⁵ Commander of the Kingsfisher, to destroy the Saw-Mills on a Creek near Taunton River, then in Use for preparing Materials to build Boats and other suitable Craft for the purpose as before-mentioned. This Service was performed with equal good Effect. 

The Behavior of Captain Reeve, and of the Lieutenants Kempthorne,¹⁶ Stanhope and Christian, is greatly commended by Captain Griffith. I am at the same Time to observe, that the good Disposition made for these Undertakings, as well as the vigorous Execution, appears to have contributed much to their Success. I am, with great Consideration, Sir, [&c.]