Eagle Off Staten Island [N.Y.]
July the 6th: 1778.
Number 67.
Sir,
From my Letters by the Porcupine, of which Duplicates are forwarded herewith,1 the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty will be informed of the Motions of the Army, whereby my proceedings with the Fleet have been chiefly influenced, to the 19th: past.
Having been retarded on the Passage down the Delaware after the Town of Philadelphia was evacuated, by almost continued Calms, I was not able to quit that River until the 28th: in the Evening; But anchored off of Sandy Hook (followed by the Transports) the next Day.
The Army arrived on the Jersey-Shore adjacent to the Heights of Neversunk,2 the succeeding Morning; No considerable Attempt to interrupt the March having been made until the 28th:. An Attack appearing (as I understand) to have been then meditated in Force on the Rear-Guard, where the Commander in Chief was present, the Rebels were charged with great Vigor and beat off with considerable Loss.3
The Enemy desisting from every purpose of further Obstruction to the Movement of the King’s Forces; And the Artillery, Baggage and part of the Troops taken off as the Weather would permit in the mean Time; The rest of the Army passed on the 5th: Instant, over a Bridge formed with the
Flat-Boats across the Channel which had been made by the Sea last Winter, and separated the Peninsula of Sandy Hook from the Main. They were afterwards carried up to New-York.
On the 29th: of last Month, I was joined on my passage to this Port by the Grantham Packet; The Commander of which was charged with your Dispatches of the 3d: of May advising me of the Force and supposed Destination of the Toulon Squadron, as well as Appointment of Vice Admiral Byron,4 to proceed with the Ships under his Command to Halifax, and further as recited in the Copy of his Orders of the same Date, transmitted for my Information and Government under the like Circumstances.
My best Endeavors will be exerted to promote the Benefit of the King’s Service at this Conjuncture: But the Sickness which prevails in the Fleet (having near Nine hundred Men now in the Hospitals at New York) greatly affects every Measure I can yet propose in the View, with the Force to be here assembled. The State of the Ships in this Port will be seen in the Return (No. 1) enclosed.5
From the Copy of my Letter to Vice Admiral Byron6 (No: 2) the Lords Commissioners will be apprized of all the Information obtained, and the Instructions sent to the Vice Admiral, respecting the Motions of the Toulon Squadron founded on the Report of the Commander of the Packet.
Deeming it inexpedient to send off the Armament for the Secret Service directed in my Instructions of the 21st: of March,7 until the Destination of the Toulon Squadron can be more perfectly ascertained, I have acquainted the General8 with my Sentiments thereupon. And am, in the mean Time getting (with the voluntary Assistance of the Transports’ Men) the Ships named in the Margin9 ready for the Sea, with all Expedition: To act in future both with respect to the Equipment for the Secret Service before-mentioned, and other Matters regarding the Object of Vice Admiral Byron’s Appointment, as Circumstances may require.10
The Necessary Refittings to put the Strombolo in Condition for Service,11 having, by some Misunderstanding of my Intentions, been omitted until my Arrival here from the Delaware, I am doubtful whether I can have the Use of that Ship on the present Occasion.
Rear Admiral Gambier12 will remain here under Orders to regulate the Duties of the Port, and to co-operate with the General in such Measures as he may see proper to adopt in my Absence, for the Advantage of the King’s Service in his Department. I am, with great Consideration, Sir [&c.]
