[Extract]
Monsieur,
....
permettes moi de vous rendre comte mon general des motifs qui mont engagé a garder la position ou je suis. mouillé environ trois mille dans la riviere lalcmene1 a quelques cables dans le sud, le brig2 au milieu je me suis cru a portée dintercepter tout ce qui pouroit entrer pendant le jour. La nuit la chaloupe de lalcmene va en avance du cote de lembouchure, et la mienne remonte restant cependant a portée de se rallier a la moindre alerte. plusieurs bateaux americains courent le long des deux cotes, et je suis convenu avec le general cornell3 des signaux pour quils ne puissent nous inquieter ni etre inquietes par nous. je suis ici très a portée d'observer la seul camp que les anglais ayent sur cette cote, tres a portée des deux petites fontaines, et du bois qui est tout a fait sur le rivage dailleurs ne connaissant point lendroit ou lon projette la descente jai cru inquiter les anglais pour le haut et pour le bas de la riviere mais il me semble quils sen occupent très peu, et il me parait aussi quil seroit difficille quils ses precautionassent partout ou le terrain se preste dun debarquement fause des embarcadaires au des plages très commodes puisqu'on ne restent point la mer, un terrain très a decouvert point dominè ou du moins de très loin, quelques petites colines sur le bord de la mer avec des plages a coté ce qui donnerait la facilite destablir une fregate de chaque cote et les bateaux pouroient se tenir prest a labri de la coline a se jetter a terre. les fregates peuvent saprocher, a moins de deux cables—voila mon general bien de facilite anxieux dun officier de marine je ne scai ce quen pensera le general sullivan4 —je me conformerai a ses indications selon vos ordres .... jai lhonneur detre [&c.]
a bord de laimable
la siconnett passage le 3 aoust 1778
[Translation]
Sir,
....
Permit me to report to you, My General, the reasons that have engaged me to keep the position I am in. Anchored about three miles up the river, the Alcmène1 several cables to the south, the brig2 in the middle, I believe myself in range to intercept everything that may enter during the day. At night, the Alcmène's boat goes ahead along side the mouth, and mine goes up, remaining, however, within range of rejoining at the least alert. Several American boats run along the two shores, and I have arranged with General Cornell3 signals so that they cannot disturb us nor be disturbed by us. I am here well within range to observe the only camp that the enemy has on this side, and well within range of two small springs and of the woods that are completely up to the shore, besides not knowing at all the place where the landing is intended, I had thought to disturb the enemy above and below the river but it seems to me that they are very little worried about it, and it also appears to me that it would be very difficult for them to take precautions everywhere where the ground is ready for a false landing of troops on the very commodious beaches, since one does not stay at sea, a ground very exposed, not at all dominated or at the least from very far, a few small hills on the verge of the sea with some beaches alongside, which facilitate establishing a frigate on each side and the boats can take station under the shelter of the hill to run ashore. The frigates can approach at least to two cable lengths. There now, My General, is plenty of a naval officer's anxious indulgence. I do not know what Gen. Sullivan4 will think of it; I shall conform myself to his suggestions, according to your orders.... I have the honor to be [&c.]
St. Cosme
On board the Aimable
The Siconnet Passage, 3 August 1778
