[Extract]

Sir,  Your favour of the 10th instant, with three hundred pounds of powder, per Captain Griffin, I received; and now acquaint your Honour that last Friday morning [August 11] a large sloop of war and twelve transports sailed round Plumb Island. After they had got through the gut, I sent one hundred and twenty men in three boats, which were all the boats we then had, to said island, if possible to get off the stock, with orders to return immediately upon the first appearance of the enemy's attempting to bring away any of their shipping between the island and Oyster Pond Point, lest their retreat might be cut off, it being impassible to support them without boats. Before the last boat had got over, the sloop of war was observed to be returning, and wind and tide favouring her, our boats were obliged to put back again, the hindmost of which had several cannon fired at her, but at so great a distance they did no damage. A cutter came within fifteen or twenty rods of our last, but discovering there were armed men in the boat, stopped their pursuit. Our soldiers in the boat, and some others on the beach, then fired at them, but I fancy to little effect, as our boat was obliged to make all sail possible to keep out of the reach of the cannon from the ship of war, which was close behind them. The sloop of war then came to anchor between the point and the island and that night took from the island nine cattle, and then joined the fleet, which came to very early on Saturday morning, and I suppose have gone to Boston.

I have since taken from Plumb Island their cattle and sheep, and the inhabitants have engaged to thrash out their grain and convey it from the island as soon as possible. I shall to-morrow go to Gardiner's Island, and make such dispositions as shall appear most conducive to the common good. I expect by Thursday to be able to embark for New York.