My dear Lord — The army having at last extended their flank to the North River has relieved us from a tedious and disagreeable confinement, as well as from a state of extreme anxiety, not having been able to procure the least certain intelligence of what was going on ever since we came up the river.

I have just been ashore to stretch my legs and to pick up news, by which means I have learnt that your Lordship is still among us, which gives me hopes of seeing you again before you take your departure. Hyde Parker is well, and desires his best compliments; he had great merit in coming up by the chevaux-defrise, as the pilot proved to be totally ignorant of the place where the opening was supposed to be, at the moment when it was necessary to look out for it. As soon as he found this he determined at once to steer the same way that he came down, which was close to the eastern shore, where we found a broad channel of twelve fathom water.

The shot that did the ships the most damage was from the Jersey shore. The guns from those batteries were so well served that very few missed striking some part of the ship; and by its falling very little wind (perhaps occasioned by the firing), we were upwards of an hour in passing. Eight men were killed in the three ships, four of which unfortunately came to my share who could least spare them, as indeed is generally the case. Among them was poor Leake, my first lieutenant.

I have the pleasure to tell you that we have taken two of their galleys. When they found they could not escape us, they ran them on shore, and left them so precipitately that no man would stay long enough to set them on fire.

Since that time we have had so little to do, and so little to amuse ourselves with, that if it had not been for a little vingt-et-un now and then, I scarce know what would have become of us before this time. I hope and trust the case is so far different with your Lordship and our other friends of the fleet below (who cost us every day a b9ttle of wine extraordinary in drinking your health) that we expect to find the town of New York, at our return, quite enlivened by your influence. Ommaney is well and sends his best respects; do me the favour to remember me to Sir Peter, the Commodore, Banks, &c., and to believe that I am with the most affectionate attachment and regard etc.,

P.S. — We know nothing as yet of what the army intends doing, but I have taken it into my head it will go farther north this year. General Cleaveland set off this morning with the heavy artillery against Fort Washington. ³