May it please your Excellency,

We thought proper to forward the enclosed Letter¹ for your Perusal, partly be­cause it contains a pretty circumstantial Account of the late action at Red Bank² & the burning two of the Enemy's Ships of War;³ but principally on Account of the De­claration in the last Paragraph of a Want of Ammunition in the garrison & Fleet.

We have, whilst at this Place, exerted ourselves in supplying our Ships with nec­essaries, which is the Reason Capt^n. Robinson has applied to us for Cartridges & Ball; but as it is altogether out of our Power to furnish those articles, and a Scarcity of them may be attended with very serious Consequences, we thought it most prudent to inform your Excellency of the Requisition made not doubting but you will give such Orders as may have a sure & speedy Effect.

Sincerely wishing you Health & Success we have the honour to be [&c.]

P.S. We wish your Excell^y would be so good as to return Cap^t. Robinson's Letter by the Bearer—