Bristol of[f] Bull's Island 2nd June 1776
Sir
In your Answer to my Letter of this Date, You are pleased to Say "In this Attack I ever understood the Navy were to bear a considerable Part, but by your late Arrangement You have marked out for Them, little more than reducing any insignificant Batteries that may be found on Light-House or Cummins's Point; I have ever been of the same Opinion with regard to the Consequence of Sulivans Island, and if it is taken, the Fleet must give Their great assistance I cannot think of landing on the North Side of that Island, as You propose, without in the first Place being assured, there is no Surf, that armed Vessels can approach near enough to cover my Landing and Retreat, and that such Naval Force as can be brought into Action, may be ready at Their Stations to Co-operate; without which I am free to own any attempt I shou'd make might justly be called, Rash and Absurd"
I thought myself Sir sufficiently explicit in my Letter, and if You will be so good, as to consider my Arrangement, You will find that the Ships are to bear a very considerable Part; that it is not confined to reducing any insignificant Batteries, but to be ready shou'd there be Occasion to make a joint Attack with His Majesty's Troops, on the Batteries on Sulivans Island; according to my Ideas, these Words convey the very Wish you express "that such Naval Force as can be brought into action may be ready at Their Stations to Co-operate" however to avoid all possibility of being misunderstood in Future, I do now assure You, that His Majesty's Ships inder my Command, shall during the Course of the whole Expedition, give every Assistance in Their Power, and that I hope You will find considerable.
I sent the Sphinx and St Lawrence Schooner last Night to sound the Channel and Examine the Shore, and this Night I shall send the Syren for the same Purpose. The Ranger and Delegate are gone with Captain Moncrief, Mr Knowles and the best Pilot I have to Sound and make Observations on the North Part of Sulivans Island and Long-Island as far as the Rattle Snake, and I dare say that if They Report the Landing easy You will not have Occasion to Fire a Musquet, or the Ships a Great Gun.
As it may come on to Blow after We are under Sail, and some of the Transports may be drove to the Northward, and not be able to reach Charles-Town-Bar, I submit it to You whether it will not be proper to determine on the next Rendezvous. I must now Sir beg the Fav[or] that shou'd I hereafter express myself in Terms that may appear to You Ambiguous, that You will put the best construction on Them, and believe me to be equally zealous with Yourself for the Success of His Majesty's Arms, and that I shall be Happy to be at all Times serviceable to You; Having the Honor to be Sir [&c.]