I return you many thanks, my dear sir, for your congratulations on the events of yesterday. I have the satisfaction to hear from Genl Howe, that he has every reason to be contented with the prospects before him, and in the highest degree so, with the spirit & temper of the Troops.
I should be more deficient in judgement & discretion that I will confess that I am, if I did not much covet the assistance of you, & your present captain likewise, when any effectual service is to be undertaken. At present we must wait upon the movements of the Army; But if you can contrive to have the service in Greenwich Bay carried on by Sr Geo: Collier with the assistance of Capt [William] Williams, I shall be glad to see you with the Ph[o]enix, Rose, & Greyhound also, when the last can be consistently spared, nearer to me; for any occasional service, as well as opinion in the conduct of it. Wherefore, tho' your own ship goes down to you today, consider of the plan of arrangement which it maybe necessary to give to Sr Geo: Collier for the Gravesend Bay Service with the State of His Ship in point of Water, and follow your own sentiments for the rest. I will in the mean time endeavor to provide some means to supply him with Water which I believe he wants, that no time maybe lost in fitting him for the proposed Service and that I may the sooner derive the assistance from you which no person can value more than your ever faithful servt