My Dear Sir

I have had no opportunity of writing to you before this, or you Sooner would have had my acknowledgements for the favour of your letter by the Fincastle, which was forwarded to me hither. You know how positive my Orders were about the River Delaware, in consequence of which I came here as early as the 25th March, having first sent to Admiral Shuldham for more force and further instructions: It was only yesterday that I had an answer from him, which amounts to no more than that he has sent me another Ship, allows the propriety of all my other requests, but has it not in his power to comply with any one Article of them at present. Without a Body of Troops to act in conjunction with me, I confess, I see no great advantage that would arise in clearing the Passage of the River; It would only afford an opportunity of cannonading the Town for a short time, and the Navigation can be Stoped without it. I conclude and hope Sir Peter Parker is arrived. I would give the world to have an hours conversation with him and you together. The Admiral has left me quite at liberty. I have seen nothing to alter my first Idea of Virginia: Yet I think a Stroke at Philadelphia might come within the plan; D'ont be Surprized if you should See me, I have not yet had time since the Arrival of the Fowey from Halifax to turn this matter sufficiently in my thoughts, and I cannot delay a moment to send her to Lord Dunmore, as I find [Charles] Lee is getting into his Neighbourhood. Our situation there is not much Altered from when you left us, it is certainly no worse; We want Pork it is true, but we have a plenty of flour, and more can always be had. The little Tenders have had great success in taking small Vessels, which has distressed the enemy much, but we have had the misfortune to lose one of the best of our cruizers, the Liverpool's Tender. You will no doubt have heard that [Esek] Hopkins's fleet has been well thrashed by the Glasgow, and they are now blocked up at New London by our Rhode Island Squadron. The people of Maryland and this Government are fitting out a Number of Privateers, and unless we get more Small Vessels will do mischief among our Scattered Transports &ca I have the honor to be sir &ca

General Clinton No Carolina.