Sir

I flatter myself that when you are acquainted that I did not arrive upon this Island till Two O Clock this Morning,—that You will be persuaded that it has not been owing to any neglect, that I have not had the Honor of making my Report to You Sooner—

After having visited every part of this Island that I might be informed Exactly, what were the nature of the Attacks that might be made by the French fleet upon this Place[,] I waited upon Lord Howe, & desired him that he would give me his Ideas upon that Head. His Lordship immediately landed with me upon the Hook & after Examining the whole Sea Shore of this Island—was of Opinion that the French Fleet could cover the Descent of Troops almost in every Part of the Coast of the Hook,¹ which is at least four miles in Length—You are Sir very well informed of the facility of entring this place from the Continent at the end of the Island where the Bridge was thrown across the Creek—

As so many formidable Attempts may be made upon this Island, I conceive that it would be absolutely necessary, that a very considerable Reinforcement, not less than fifteen Hundred Men with Six Pieces of Field artillery would be requisite for its defence—& that Number I should Suppose would be very Sufficient against any Attacks that could possibly be made upon this Island— 

The Possession of this post I conceive to be of the greatest Importance as it Enables Lord Howe Under its Cover to take a position that puts him upon a Level with the French fleet—who by being Obliged to pass the Bar by single Ships would be beat by our Fleet in detail—but were the French Masters of this Island they would by erecting Batterys oblige our Ships to quit this present Advantageous Situation & move higher up the Bay—the Enemy would then pass the Bar unmolested & Attack Lord Howe in Line of Battle—I must therefore take the Liberty of repeating that I conceive this Post to be of the very first Importance & that an Immediate Considerable Reinforcement is necessary[.] I have the Honor to be, [&c.] 

I send you Colonel Hope² who is perfectly acquainted with every part of this Island & will give you every Information Relative to it.