Hon'd Sir

We had a short tho' disagreeable passage ー the Second day after our leaving you, We had, a Snow Storm which lasted us the Whole day-and on our arrival here we found this City in a most disagreeable State, in every street, there is a Barrier errected to prevent the landing of troops, people moving out of the town very fast, hourly is expected four Regiments from Pennsylvina ー all the Militia from the Jerseys, and Westchester, in short all the men far, and near that can be procured-by the papers that I send you enclosed you will find that on the 17 Instant Mr Howe with the troops under his Command, embarked, on board their Ships, and fell down as far as Nantasket Road, their has been a vast number of surmises, relative, to the conduct of Gen. Howe in quitting so strong a hold, which the Provincials are now in Possession off-Yesterday, came to town an Express from the east end of long Island, given an account of a fleet of 25 sail of Ships being seen off Montock Point, steering: North east for Road Island ー by accounts from the; Southward their has been an Engagement, between Governer Martin and the Provincials in which the latter came off victorious I am very sorry to Inform you that flour is Extremely low, owning to the large Quantities that have arrived. here for these some weeks past, I have sold your R flour for no more than 15/ ー the Burr, I have put in Store in hopes of procuring in a short time Seventeen for, I cannot advise you to send, any more down, till a more favorable oppertunity offers I shall endeavour to Send the Sloop away on friday certain ー as to the Articles Mentioned to me in your Order, altho [few] their not to be had, salt 5/ ー I have made an agreement with a man for 2 Hhds of New York rum for 4/6 ー Sell flour low and by high priced Articles wont do ー I shall write you more fully by the Sloop ー in the Interim Remain Your Most Dutifull Son Henry Livingston