[Extract]

Sir I receivd a line from Col [Samuel Blachley] Webb last Evening directing me to enquire how many Ships had past the Narrows. Colo [Edward] Hand reported one yesterday morning, which I thought was reported in my morning report and if it is not reported there, it was an omiss[i]on of mine, I beg your Excellency to examin it. Colo Hand reported at four OClock in the Afternoon that a Brigantine had gone down towards the Hook, and that the Ship that went through the Narrows in the morning had come too, off New Ullrich shore; at Seven in the Evening he reported that the Ship had gone down to the Hook; and that the Enemy were intrenching on the heights of Statten Island.

The two last Reports I did not come to the knowledge off, until within Night. I went over to the City at five and did not return until Eight. Ithought it would be too late to get them to Head Quarters seasonably, therefore concluded to report them in the morning.

I have not receivd Colo Hands morning Report yet. I was down at Red Hook about sun rise and saw a Sloop streaching down towards the Narrows. Nothing extraordinary has happened the last twenty four hours. Our out Guards suspect that there are spies about the Camp. The Centries have fird half a dozzen times, A Night the three preceding Nights.

Col Hands morning report is this moment come in, he mention'd every thing continues in the same situation as last Evening, except the Sloops going through the Narrows, that I observd from Red Hook.