Dear General

Capt Wm Goforth arrived here about an hour since with the inclosed letters ー Express from Canada, which I mean to forward on to Amboy very early in the morning, and beg your Excellency's particular answer in regard to what you would have forwarded from this place, ー Capt Goforth commanded the Schooner in the river St Lawrence he says ー that not more than 100 Men are taken prisoners & them all sick ー the Frigate gave him chase ー he crowded all Sail possible but found it in vain, he then quitted wt his Crew, save a Son of Colo [Alexander] McDougall's and one more who were so obstinate they would not leave the Vessel & were taken Prisoners, ー he further says that he did not see a single Man land from the Ships that came up ー nor does he believe the Enemy sallied out on our Troops ー of this he is confident, that not a Gun was fire'd but between the Frigate and himself. ー the Troops from the Island of Orleans ー Point Levy & all out Guards had got safe off, and join'd Genl [John] Thomas.

Missfortune on misfortune, ー A Vessel from France arrived yesterday on the back of Long-Island & came to Anchor, loaded with 12 Tonns powder ー 500 Small Arms & dry Goods, ー The English Captn with a Boats Crew came on shore for Assistance to land his Goods, soon after the French Capt who was on Board ー saw a small Sloop to Leward beating up to him, 'tis supposed he thot them friends ー he immediately weigh'd anchor and bore down for them when unluckily it prov'd to be one of the Asia's tenders ー who took and carried her into the Hook ー I have seen the Capt he was owned by Mr [Nicholas] Brown of Providence, ー she was seen coming into the Hook this morning in Company with the Tender, that there can be no doubt of the truth of it. ー²

The Committee this Evening applyed to me to let the arm'd Petty-Auger³ Cruise of[f] the back of the Island to protect a number of Vessels which are hourly expected in with Arms & Ammunition. ー she is a very Swift Sailer and draws but little water and probably may be of great service to us in this way ー this Request I shall comply with unless otherways ordered by your Excellency, I have the Honor to be Your Excellencys [&c.]