Sir

I received a Letter from Maj^r- General Sullivan of the 22^nd- advising that he expects the Enemy will make a Descent on Providence in a very short time—that they are now 7,000 Strong, and in a day or two will be eleven, requesting aid from this State—¹ Although we are exceedingly exhausted of Men &c—and this critical moment for securing the Labours of the last and the produce of this year, which is of essential consequence, rendered it additionally distressing to take off more of our Militia—yet, I doubt not, we should have made an effort to support them—But before we had come to a full determination, Your Excellency's Favor of the 22^nd from White Plains came to hand, advising of Admiral D. Estaing's Design at Rhode Island which has greatly relieved our anxiety for the Fate of Providence.² I was this Day with my Council³ considering how and in what manner to raise or furnish aid &c agreeable to your Excellency's Requisition when I just received another Letter from Maj^r Gen^l Sullivan of yesterday requesting,⁴ from authority derived from you, five hundred Militia from the State, to act under his Command at Providence—So exceedingly difficult was it to take off any more from the pressing Labours in the Field, that instead of it, we have thought it necessary to call these Companies from our Sea Coasts, which strips them from Fairfield to New London, and leaves us none of four Regiments raised heretofore by enlistment and detachment for our own Defence, in addition to all in the various Continental Services in which so many of our Inhabitants are engaged—

If a larger number of the Enemy's Troops should be drawn from New-York to New-Port than Your Excellency was aware of, perhaps you may be able to spare a further Detachment from your Army, so as to release our Men who will leave our Sea Coasts exposed—

Agreeable to your desire signified by Lieu^t- Colonel Lawrens,⁵ I yesterday gave orders for a suitable number of Skillful Pilots to be sent out from New London in quest of the French-Fleet whose seasonable aid appears probable to be of very great importance, and with whom this State will be forward to cooperate to the utmost of our power—.... I am with great Esteem & Regard [&c.]