Honoured Sir:

I received your favour of the 18th, wherein your Honour has been pleased to order me to cruise in the South until further orders, after I had taken the small sloop that was carrying the Tories to Long-Island. I fixed her with two swivels, and put thirty men on board, to go to the Island in search after some Tory deserters that we hear lodged at such a place, which we went to and returned without making any new discoveries. After which I fixed out another small sloop, called the Discovery, to cruise to the westward, which has since returned. I am now about fixing out another small sloop that was taken from a Tory, that I have called the Life-Guard, to be commanded by Mr. [Samuel] Smedley, to cruise to the westward. As I have occasion of many necessaries for the brig before she can be fit for duty, I shall return to New-London, and there prepare her for a cruise; and after that return back to the westward and cruise, except I receive further orders from your Honour. The unnatural combination betwixt the Tories daily grows more and more open, and I shall shortly send ー your Honour some new discoveries that I have already made; they are first examined by me, which will detain me here two or three days. I have cited the Committee, and shall resign them to the Committee. After I arrive at New-London, if I have a convenient opportunity, shall wait upon your Honour and Assembly, I am Sir [&c.]