New London April 4, 1776 eight o'clock A.M.
[Extract]
The various Accots from N ewp~rt since tuesday noon, made it probable the Accot of a Fleets being arrived there was preipature, and last evening the Post came in from thence, & confirmed the matter that no ,Fleet had been there, as your Honor was informed by Express from Govr Cooke. the Post tells me two men made Oath before Colo [Henry] Babcock they saw a Fleet, which I conclude was the Foundation of Govr Cookes Inteligence. enclosed you have the Newport Paper, by which youl see that no Ship but the Nautilus (of 16 Guns) had arrived there, and the Accot of the Fleet was only Report.
Matters relative to sd Fleet being thus situated, thought it my duty to send this express to your Honor for further Orders.
1. Conn. Arch., Trumbull Papers, V, 23a, ConnSL.
