Sir 

I take the earliest opportunity to advise you, that I have been informed of your arrival on this Coast, with a Fleet of Ships under your command, belonging to his most Christian Majesty, our great Ally. 

I congratulate you, Sir, most sincerely upon this event, and beg leave to assure you of my warmest wishes for your success. The intelligence of your arrival was communicated to me last night, by a letter from the Hon^ble M^r. Laurens, president of Congress, as you will perceive by the inclosed copy.¹

With respect to the number or force of the British Ships of War, in the port of New York, I am so unhappy, as not to be able to inform you of either, with the precision I could wish as they are constantly shifting their Stations. It is possible, and I hope it is the case, that your advices on this subject, from some captures you may have made, are more certain than those of Congress, or any I can offer. The number of their transports is reported to be extremely great, and I am persuaded that it is. If possible, I will obtain an accurate state of their Ships of War, which I shall do myself the honor of transmitting to you. 

Before I conclude, I think it proper to acquaint you, that I am now arrived with the main body of the Army, immediately under my command, within twenty miles [of] the North or Hudsons River, which I mean to pass as soon as possible, about fifty Miles above New York. I shall then move down before the Enemy's lines, with a view of giving them every jealousy in my power. And I further think it proper to assure you, that I shall, upon every occasion, feel the strongest inclination to facilitate such enterprizes, as you may form, and are pleased to communicate to me. 

I would submit it to your consideration whether it will not be expedient to establish some conventional signals, for the purpose of promoting an easier correspondence between us and mutual intelligence. If you deem it expedient, you will be so obliging as to fix upon them with Lieu^t. Col^o. Laurens,² one of my Aids, who will have the honor of delivering you this, and of giving you satisfaction in any particulars respecting our Affairs, and to whom you may safely confide any measures or information, you may wish me to be acquainted with. 

I have just received advice, that the Enemy are in daily expectation of a provision Fleet from Cork, and that they are under great apprehensions lest it should fall into your hands. You will also permit me to no[tice] that there is a navigation to New York, from the Sea, besides the one between Sandy Hook and Long Island. This lies between the latter and the state of Connecticut—is commonly known by the name of the Sound—and is capable of receiving Ships of forty Guns, tho' the passage, within seven Miles of the City, at a particular place is extremely narrow and difficult. I have the Honor [&c.]