Dear Sir
Inclosed is The Lieuts Letter — we coud get no Express & I send Harry. This Morning about 9, or half after, the Van of the Enemy appeared above the Bodkin, in sight of Town from the Crt House Steeple, and the Hill above the Church. they were on the Eastern Shore standing up the Bay and have so continued, just now (10 minits ago) I saw them from the Church Hill and they seemd the Rear division being composed chiefly of small Craft with a few large Ships, as they appeard to the naked Eye for I had no Glass, and the distance very Considerable. Capt Nicholson says he counted 150 Sail from his Maintopmast Head. — As they are obliged to go above the Mouth of the River to clear the Bodkin Shoals, before they can stand in to the Mouth of the River, we cannot yet determine whether they mean to come here, or not, but I shoud suppose not, because I think if they had, their Headmost Ships must have hove in Sight coming up the River before now. — Your Letter was sent Express by an Officer to Congress at 2 oClock, and we wrote them of the Enemy being in sight, & standing up the Bay. I am [&c.]
Thursday 15 Minits past 3 oClock
21 August. 77.
