[Extract]

Dear Sir It was with no small Degree of Pleasure, on my Return here, I ob-served the Cheerfulness which brightened the Countenance of every Soldier I met. The whole Army are in most excellent Spirits &-shew an Impatience for Action And the Spade & Pick Ax have been so well employ'd, that there is scarce a Spot upon the whole Island, where a Redoubt or Breast Work could be of service, but what has either one or other. From the Advantages we now possess, I think General Howe must be repulsed whenever he attacks, but should he be able to carry the Island, it must be with so prodigious a Loss that Victory will be Ruin. He must get Winter Quarters for his Troops somewhere, & I am afraid if he can't get them in York, he will once more attempt it in Boston. Their Command of the Sea gives them vast Advantages.