New york the 26 of July 1776
[Extract] Dear Ginrol
I have waited with impasonc to hear from you but being Sensobel the many and Grait Difficultys you had to surmont Dant in the Least wonder at your not ntmg to me we have ben in great Constornation hear and hardly know what to Do nor what thare intentions are but som things we dow know we know that the kings troops are Landed one stratens Island and are throwing up works in many Plases ther and that two ships are gon past our batre up to the topon See but belcause they ware pritey wel pepored as thay pasd by ous thay have maid seavrol atempts to land but hav always ben drove of with Loos...the fleat now lays in this bay vary saf clos under Straten Island thare troops poses no land hear but the Island IS It not vary strang tat thos invinsabel troops who ware to destroy and lay wast all this Gantry with thare fleats and army are so fond of Islands and penelsenes and dare not put their feat on the main but hop by the blesing of god and good frends we shall pay them a viset one thare Island for that eand We are preparring 14 fier ships to go into thare fleat som of which are ready Charged and fit to sail and hop soon to have them all fixed we are preparing Shevordfres at which we mak grat despach by the healp of ships which, are to be sunk, a seem of min which you may be ass[u]red is vary simpel a plan of which I send you the 2 ships starns Ley toward each outher at about [seventy feet apart] 3 Larg logs which reach fr[om ship to ship are fastened to them] 2 the 2 Ships and logs stop the revor 280 feet the ships to Be sunk and when helled Down on won sid raise the picks at a proper haith and must unevatabelly stop the revor if thay will let ous sink them...all your shipeng can be of no sarves to you if thay git Poseson of Crown pint which they may easly do when you are at 15 milds Distonc and now leat me intreat of yo to yous your Endevor and influenc to tak Posson of it and to keep it...for I am wel assuered if you dont thay wiil and not ask your leav and then all must be over as to your ships in the laks by a leator Just recived we understand that Ships gon up the revor intend soon to return as they have heard of our Desine to stop the revor and they are affraid to stay any Longer in that setuation...
1. Autographs of Generals of the American Revolution, PML.
2. The words within brackets were added in a different hand.