[Extract]

. . . . there being between 9 & 10,000 Men there [New York] beside our two Regts and the N,ew York Militia. The Fortifications go on very fast, and I have no Doubt but that the Fortifications in & near that City will be in such a Condition by the End of this Week, that it will not only be impracticable for the Enemy to land An Army at the City but I think that even the Approach of Men of Warr within Gunshot of the City will be so hazardous to the Ships, that I dont think th'ey will Dare attempt it; nor indeed do I think they would even now, for last Monday [April 8) a Person was sent over, on to the Governour's Island, to mark out the, Ground for a Fortification; this is about a Mile from the City or near it and within Cannon Shott of the Asia, on seeing this she immediately hove up her Anchors, and fell down 2 or 3 Miles further untill she was out of the Reach of Cannon from the Island; at Night we sent over 1,000 Men & took Possession of the Isfan, hove up Lines & fortified it ....