Mr Roberts, who was charged with these Dispatches,² says, that a day or two before he left Sandy Hook, vizt the 20th of August, the Ships which were in the North River returned to the Fleet, having been almost constantly attacked with Gun-Boats &c, & having expended almost all their ammunition ー The Rebels had nearly effected the stopping the Passage of the River to prevent the Return of the Ships³ ー They did not return 'til after he had received these Dispatches ー He adds that most of the Hessian Troops were re-embarked

Admty Office 29 Sepr 1776 ー ½ past 6 o'clock A.M.