Ebeneazer Fitch and Paul Blancher—Inhabitants of Bedford N. England—left Boston about 12_or 14 days ago¹—came through, Worcester, Hartford, Newhaven &c was taken up by the Halifax in the Sound.² 

They were in Springfield about a Month ago, where they saw a great number of B[rass] Cannon mounted—they came from Boston, at least 50 pieces a Number of Waggons & Military stores of all kinds guarded by a very few Men—The Report, they say is, that there is no intention of attacking R. Island, but what Troops they can collect (which they say they find very difficult) is only to defend the Continent from any landing of the British Army—

They are collecting all the Vessels & craft in the different Ports, Suspicious—ordered to be looked after—Lodge at M^r Jervis’s water street near Peeks Slip. Nothing paid 

... Captain Dobes, Daniel Marlon, John Fise, a Jeramia Tonkins³ are gone on board the French Fleet as Pilots—reported by the Rebels that only half the French Fleet are of[^f] N. York, the other half are gone to the Eastward—

Washington made the Fleet a present of 500 fat oxen—they report that the French have landed a great many Troops in the Jerseys, & mean to Besiege N. York as soon as the Rebels have got everything ready at the White Plains—

... Samuel Dehart Fisher-Man—was taken Prisoner Saturday fortnight, when fish ing of[f] the Sea Bass bank by the French Fleet⁴—was put on shore on Wednesday 22 Sick at Shroesbury⁵—Says by what he could learn they were going to the Delaware to Water— 

that he see a Lieu^t. of a Rebel Schooner & several of the Men that were on board, taken into the F Admirals Ship as Pilots for R. Island 

that he heard them say as soon as they were watered they intended going there— 

They were at three pints a day allowance very healthy—but—one man Sick on board the Admiral—they had taken Eleven Vessals 6 West India small Sloops—one of those a Frenchman—retaken—a Letter of Mark 24 Guns, a 14 Gun sloop, 2 three other small⁶

Extract of a Letter from New Jersey dated Sunday Evening 26 July Mr Dubois Intelligence— 

G Washington is at the W plains⁷ or near it 

we cannot learn of any preparations to attack any of the Posts—A General Parade will be made towards the White plains but G.W. will risque nothing—The Officers Say they have the Game in their own hands, & the General will not risque a Gen^l. Engagement for fear of loosing it— 

It was the French Admirals orders to Intercept the Fleet coming from Philadelphia but having a passage of 13 weeks & some days saved them⁸—It is said another French Fleet is Expected—

It is also said that the French Fleet is gone to the Southward to Collect a Convoy the Tobacco and Rice Vessels—as Congress is much in debt to the French...