Dear General

I received your favour of the 2d Inst & Coppy of yours of the 23d Ulto yesterday by General Waterbury who arived with the Two Gallies about 2 oclock. ー I fully expected by him, to have all the particulars of the Evacuating Long Island, & New York, He seems to know little of the Matter, & General Washingtons Letter seems not very explicit ー the Affair of long Island, seems, still in Obscurity ー I am Very' Anxious for Our Army, & Friends. below Lord Hows, desiring a Conference, & Neglecting his Appointments, seems not very favourable It Appears to me our Tropps, or Officers [sic], are Pannic Struck; or why does a hundred Thousand Men Fly before, One quarter of their Numbers, is It possible my Country Men can be, callous to their wrongs. or hesitate one moment, between Slavery, or Death ー what Advantage can we derive by blockadeing, the Enemy when, they Are in possission of a Part of the Country sufficient to support them. it appears to me Concise measures, should be Adopted ー however, I will say no more, least I incur the Censure, we passed on their Councel last Spring for Judgeing too rashly of our measures ー That Being, in whose hands are all human Events will doubtless turn the Scale in favour of the Just. & opprisedー

Nothing worth Notice has Occurred in this quarter since my last, the weather is very severe here, & Gales of wind freq[u]ent. If the Enemy do not make their apperance by the Middle of this Month I have thought of returning to Button Mold Bay ー as I think they will not pretend to Cross the Lake after that Time, we are prepared for them at all Times & If they attempt Crossing the Lake, I make No Doubt of giveing a good Accot of them ー I am Dear General Your Affectionate [&c.]