Sir

I Recd your three different letters by Express the Fleet Appeard off the mouth of this River before the last came to hand, cant yet tell what their intentions is the headmost Ship, which from her Carrying a Flagg at her maintopmast head, Suppose to be the Admiral has come too in the mouth of the Channel comming to this place, a few minuets ago, the wind now at S.W. a Small Brease dont imagine they will be Up this Night. — General [Andrew] Buchanan is doing all he can to git the Militia togeather hope they Will turn Out Well. Capt Nicholson is down here With all his men which has Nearly mand Our Lower Battery: I am not So well prepared as I coud Wish but Shant give Up the Fort, Without giving them Some trouble. I am sir [&c.]

P.S. Since Righting the Above, Observe the whol Fleet is Comming too off the mouth of the River Yours &c N Smith