Sir,
To-morrow the ferry at Rudolphs' will be in order, and I have got two boats to ply to Fort & Province Islands, agreeable to your Instructions, Capt. Rice's Gally arriv'd from Cape about an hour ago, and Anchors off the Fort. The Lieut. of which Informs of Eight Ships and three tenders being in the Cape, the Fowey and Roebuck is supposed to be two of them. The vessels which were leaving port are some of them gone into Morriss river, others into Christeen, &c., one vesseU taken, said to be a Frenchman. I should be glad to have some Casks of powder sent down here, as there is room in the magazine. The Floating batterys expects supplies from the Garrison, as they have but Fifty rounds for each Gun. It is more than probable that these ships would not attempt our river at this precarious season, did they not Intend forcibly to form a Con junction with Lord Howe, under these Conjectures, think it highly Expedient that a sufficient number of men Should be thrown in Immediately for the Defence of this place, being Exceeding weak, by a reason of Detatchments being sent to Join the Grand Army, & Desertions so prevalent, & be assured if I am suitably furnished with men, provisions and stores, the English shall purchase deer what ever they get from me. I am, Sir, [&c.]
Fort Island, Tuesday Eveng, 7 o'Clock, Decr 17th, 1776.
N.B. — Something ought to be done to prevent their possessing themselves of Red Bank & Billings' Port, as I have not been able to do any thing at either for want of men.
