Sir——

This afternoon at 4 o'clock, I received your orders of the 7th instant; agreeably to which I immediately went to the militia to give them orders to be in readiness at a minute's warning, and on my way to the Oyster Ponds I met an express from the committee of the Oyster Ponds to the committee at Southhold, informing them, that this morning, at 10 o'clock, the Ministerial fleet, consisting of thirteen sail of square rigged vessels, of which seven are ships, arrived from the west end of Fisher's island and came to an anchor off Gardiner's island point, where they now lie. At 5 o'clock this afternoon, a small boat, which our people took to be a passage boat, attacked Mr. Rufus Tuthill, who was landing about fifty sheep from Plumb island. He had landed about thirty on the north side of Oyster Pond point, when said boat ran in shore and fired upon Mr Tuthill, drove him from his boat, and immediately took his boat with the remaining twenty sheep and carried them off.

Upon receiving the express, I immediately sent an express to the officers of the militia to repair to Oyster Ponds as quick as possible, as I look upon it they will make a descent upon Oyster Ponds, Gardiner's island, Plumb island, Shelter island, or upon all of them.

I am, Sir [&c.],

P.S. Sir, if any alteration should occur, you may depend on hearing as quick as possible. We are extremely in want of powder.

To P. V. B. Livingston Esqr.