Dear General

I have the Honor to Inclose you the Intelligence rece^d from Rhode Island Last night which is not only from Good Authority but is Corroborated by Intelligence Received from various other Quarters.¹ Three Regiments of the Enemy Encamped yesterday on Connannicut Island, Three more came out & Encamped on the North part of Rhode Island near Bristol: They may have Some Designs upon us but I Rather Suppose they are preparing to guard ag^t- the French Fleet[.]² I think it necessary to keep you advised of the movements here that you may the better know how to Regulate your opperations. Twenty one Sail of Square Riggd vessels (mostly Ships) went up the Sound Day before yesterday for Newyork. I cant Learn what was in them. I am pretty Certain they had no troops on Board. I cannot help Supposing that the Enemy will soon bring the principal part if not the whole of their Army this way Either for the purpose of operating in this Quarter, or to make their Retreat in the way to Hallifax: most probably the Latter. If they Intended to Act offensively in the York Department they would not have Sent off Such a [number] of Troops from their Main Army So Soon after Defeat which convinced them of your Excely^s Superiority in the Field: to Suffer their whole Army to Lay in Newyork inactive is what they cannot afford & what in my opinion they will never attempt[.] to Leave a Garrison there while there is a Superiour Army in the Field & a greater Naval Force at the Entrance of the Harbor would (at Least) be Hazarding the Loss of the whole as their Supplies would Effectually be Cut off both by Sea & Land unless The British Fleet from England Should Arrive and oblidge The French Fleet to remove for I can by no means think They would Leave this Garrison trusting to Supplies by way of the Sound as a Superiour Army might possess itself of Such posts in the Neighbourhood of Hell gate as would Effectually Cut off all Supplies through that Channel it Therefore follows of Course that unless they are Certain of the Speedy arrival of A British Fleet to assist them they must Remove & Even then Should the French Fleet which Laid at Brest follow their Situations would not be much mended nor Can I See any Solid Advantage Arising from their Coming to Act offensively in this Quarter as they must Later under the Same naval Disadvantages and in a short time if not at once be Checked in their oper ations by Land. for these & many other Reasons (among which is that of their having Sent two Foreign Regiment with a Considerable part of their Heavy Cannons from Philadelphia to Hallifax)³ I am of opinion that they will Try to make their Retreat to Hallifax but that at all Events they will Quit New york[.] your Excellency will pardon this Trouble & believe me to be with Every Sentiment of Respect [&c.]

PS Since writing the above I Read the Inclosed Intelligence from Colo Williams have also Examined the Deserter & find he adds that he Saw the Enemy Embarking their Light Brass pieces in order to Come & Attack this place⁴ I have in Consequence called in the militia to oppose any Design they may have formed against this place & to keep them within proper Bounds⁵ 

JS