Lord North — I have the satisfaction of acquainting You that I have this instant received from Lord Sandwich an account that Captain Pownall of the Blonde on his return from Canada met the Active Captain Williams off of Newfoundland who left New York on the 14th of Nov. who acquainted him that the Rebels had been forced to quit King's bridge, that they have no other post in the Province of New York except Fort Washington which Gen. Howe was preparing to attack; Pownall sends this on his arrival at Plymouth, as the Active is a slow Sailer she was [sic] will not arrive within a couple of days; Lord Sandwich has sent for another Captain who has brought letters from Lord Howe but they referr to those sent by the Active and do not mention any public events.

Queens House
Dec. 17th 1777 m/44 pt 4. P M.