[Extract]

Dear General Early this morning The Phenix man of war, Rose Frigate, and the Two Tenders Came to Sail and stood Down the River, Keeping Close under the East shore, in Order to avoid the Fire of our Cannon, But notwithstanding this Precaution the Phenix was Thrice Hull'd by our Shot from mount Washington, and One of the Tenders Once, ー The Rose was Hull'd once by a shot from Surdits Ferry ー They Kept their men Close, otherwise Some of them would have been picked Down by a Party of Riflemen who were Posted on the Bank, ー They fired Grape shot as they Passed, But did no Damage save to one Tent we hope to hear that your Batteries have Done the work for solile ol them, ー We shall recover Some Swivel Guns, Gun Barrels, shot &c Out of the Wreck of the Tender which was Burnt the Other night, the Particulars of which shall be Transmitted to your Excellency as soon as I can obtain them... The ships have now tryed the Practicability of Passing our works They have Explored every part of the shore as far as they have gone up the River, and Sounded the River in almost every Place, should the ships rejoyn the Fleet with out Receiving much Damage, I think How[e] will be Emboldened to Attempt an Attack some where above this Place, thinking that there may be a greater probability of succeeding here, than in the Face of so many, and Strong works, as have been Erected in and around the City, ー However should his Inclination lead him this way, nature has Done much for us, and we shall as fast as Possable add the Strength of art,...

I have Just now received your Excellencys Command, to Enquire into the Cause of the Inactivity of some of the Row Gallies in the late attack on the Enemys' ships but as the Gallies have all Left this Post and fallen Down to the City I must beg your Excellency to Excuse me from that Serviceー