The Rebels landed on Long Island last night, took off the little stock thereon (together with 19 Haymakers), and they being observed to be upon the Island again about Noon (when the Admiral himself happened to be on Board the Boyne), the Senegal fired at them and all the Boats of the Squadron with the Lively's Tender immediately pursued and drove them into Shoal Water where they escaped; but the Kings Boats came near enough to fire at them several times, and the Admiral was afterwards informed the Rebels had two men Killed and several wounded.

However they had already set fire to the Houses and Barns on the Islands which were unavoidably destroyed. And it was impossible to prevent this without employing constantly Guards of Soldiers on the Islands, and a number of small Vessels armed in the passages adjoining to the Main, which last, if the preservation of what was on the Island had been an Object, our small naval force would not admit of. Indeed, according to this plan, it would have required our whole Force in Detachments to secure all the Islands from Depredation, which their vicinity to the Main left them open to with very little trouble to the Rebels. And these excursions were always conducted with such Secresy and Dispatch that the Flames were generally the first Notice of their Intentions.