Sir 

Since I had the honor of addressing you on the 14^th. I have been favoured with your Letters of the 11^th and 17^th. with their respective inclosures.¹ 

The next morning after the receipt of the former, which came to hand on the 17^th. I dispatched L^t. Col^o Hamilton another of my Aides, with the best Pilots and the most skilful masters of ships, I could procure to Admiral Count D'Estaing, to converse with him more fully on the subject of his operations than I was able to direct L^t Col^o Laurens to do, for want of the information which I afterwards obtained from Major Chouin, and a knowledge in several other points besides.² On sunday night M^r Laurens returned and I found by him, that it was the Count's first wish to enter at Sandy hook in order to possess himself of, or to destroy, if possible, the whole of the british fleet, lying in the Bay of New York; and that for this purpose he had been much engaged in his inquiries about the depth of water, and in sounding the channel to ascertain it.³ The result of which was, that the water from the experiments made, was too shallow at the entrance to admit his large Ships—or if they could be got in, it appeared that it would not be without a great deal of difficulty and risk. After this disappointment, the next important object which seemed to present itself was an attempt against Rhode Island, which the Count inclined to make unless I should advise the contrary, as soon as the Chimere frigate which had carried his Excellency Monsieur Girard, into the Delaware, should rejoin him. L^t Col^o Hamilton, who was well informed of our situation and of my sentiments on every point, was instructed to give the Admiral a full and accurate state of facts, and to acquaint him, what aid and how far we could co-operate with him, in case of an attempt, either against New York or Rhode Island, and also to obtain his ideas of the plan and system, which, he might think, ought to be pursued, and to agree with him on certain Signals. 

Previous to my dispatching M^r Hamilton, from the information I received on my inquiries respecting the navigation at the Hook, I was led to suspect, however interesting and desireable the destruction or capture of the British fleet might be, that it was not sufficient to introduce the Count's Ships. Under this apprehension, I wrote General Sullivan on the 17^th. by Express, that an Expedition might take place in a short time against Rhode Island, and urged him, at the same time, to apply to the States of Massachusetts- Rhode Island & Connecticut for as many men, as would augment his force to Five Thousand, and also to make every possible preparation of boats- provision- pilots &c, as if the event was fixed and certain.⁴ 

From this time till about Twelve O Clock on Sunday the Troops continued passing the River, when I crossed with the last division. On Monday after noon I arrived at this place, in the neighbourhood of which the right and left wing encamped that night, with the second line a few miles in their rear. And here I am happy to add, that their passage across the river was effected without any accident, or without any more delay than necessarily attended the work. 

Being persuaded now from the conversation which I had had, with several pilots and Masters of Vessels of character, as well as from the accounts of other Gentlemen and Colo Laurens's report on his return, that the passing of the Count's Ships by the Hook would be extremely precarious-if not impracticable, I determined yesterday, which was as soon as it could be done, without waiting for further intelligence upon the subject, to put Two Brigades under marching orders. They accordingly marched this morning at Two OClock for Rhode Island, under the particular command of Generals [James M.] Varnum and [John] Glover respectively-and both under the direction, for the present, of the Marquis de la Fayette. A Water conveyance was thought of, and wished for the ease of the Troops,- but on consideration of all circumstances, such as the difficulty of providing vessels-the change and precariousness of the winds—The risk from the enemy's Ships &c, their route by land was deemed by far the more eligible. The force with General Sullivan from the best and latest advice, I have been able to obtain is about Three thousand.—A Detachment under Col^o Jackson⁵ will follow Varnum & Glovers brigades. ... 

1 OClock. PM.

I this minute received a Letter from Colo Hamilton, who is on his return to the Army, dated the 20^th at Black point.⁶ He informed that the Count D'Estaing would sail the next Evening for Rhode Island, being convinced from actual sounding that he could not enter his Ships. He was anxiously waiting the arrival of the Chimere, but at all events, meant to sail at the time he mentions.⁷ The Admiral has agreed on Signals with M^r Hamilton—Immediately after this Letter came to hand, my aid M^r Laurens set out for Providence, having many things to communicate to General Sullivan upon the subject of his co-operation, which neither time nor propriety would suffer me to commit to paper. Gen^l Sullivan is directed not to confine the number of his Troops to Five thousand, but to augment it, if he shall judge it necessary to ensure his success.⁸ 

I was informed by M^r Laurens that the Count D'Estaings magazine of bread is not so large as we could wish, and that in the course of a few weeks he will be in want. This circumstance I thought it right to mention, and I should suppose, that any quantity of Biscuit may be provided in a little time at Philadelphia. 

The Inclosures No 2, are Copies of three Letters from myself to the Admiral.⁹ I flatter myself the present of stock, which I directed for him, on his first arrival in behalf of the States, will be approved by Congress.... 

I have the Honor to be [&c.]