Dear Sir, 

I have the honor to acknowledge the Receipt of your Excellency’s favor of the 11^th. Instant conveying the Acc^t. of Byrons Squadron, but previous to its coming to hand had receiv’d similar Information, from Gen^l Heth and the Council of Massachusetts.¹ The obligation I lay under to you is not the least diminished from this Circumstance, but receives additional weight from your kind Promise to facilitate by ever means in your Power the Expedition I have the honor to direct—
I shall with pleasure comply with your request, in giving your Excellency a detail of such Incidents as have been in their Consequences interesting to me, or may afford entertainment to you in the relation—

I had scarce made good my landing on the North-end of the this Island, with the indigested Body of Militia & regulars which composd my little Army, before a British Fleet under Lord Howe² hove in sight & for some time check’d the Progress of our Army. Agreeable to the Plan of operations concerted with Count Destiang, He was to have landed four thousand Men at the same time, on the opposite Side of the Island to co-operate with me in any measure that our Situati[on] or that of the Enemy might point out as expedient or necessary—But the unexpected Appearance of the British Fleet prevented the disembarkation of the French Troops, and fix’d the whole Attention of Count Destiang³—After ascertaining their Force & Number he on the 9^th. Instant determin’d to engage them—on the 10^th. he pass’d the Batteries on the side of the Town, returning their Fire (without shortning Sail,) with a Broadside—As soon as he had room for the purpose, he formd in line of Battle and bore down upon the Enemy, who did not think proper to wait for his Attack, but crouded every Sail to make good an irregular & precipitate Retreat, which all their expedition cou’d not effect, as the french Fleet were seen to overhaul and engage them,and we have reason to expect (the first fair Wind,) a favorable Account of them—My anxiety to advance, determines me to wait the Count’s Return no longer, than I can be justify’d from my Numbers, to proceed without him. in consequence of this Resolution, I issued orders to the whole to march at six oClock this Morning but an unfortunate Storm prevented their being complyd with—& I now wait for a change of Weather—business will not admit me to be more circumstantial—I have the honor [&c.]