“The express just going, shall employ the present moment to inform you, that yesterday afternoon Col. Laurens¹ (Aid to Gen. Washington) arrived in town in forty-eight hours from Head-Quarters, with dispatches for Gen. Sullivan.² What I have collected of material consequence is, to hold himself in readiness to co-operate with the French fleet,³ who might be expected at Rhode Island every moment. Last evening thirty pilots were dispatched for Point-Judith, to go on board the fleet; and every disposition is making for landing a body of troops on the island.⁴ The enemy have, for ten days past, wrought with great industry in fortifying every entrance into the harbour,⁵ and thrown up many additional works on their out posts. Their Strength is supposed to be near six thousand. Two brigades are on their march from the main army.⁶ Col. Laurens was on board the French Admiral⁷ at Sandy-Hook a few hours, in which time they captured eight of the enemy's ships, four or five of them armed vessels, private property. ["]