Isis off Billingsport 30th. Octr. 1777
My Lord
Captn. Owen has been on shore with the Engineer to examine the state of Billingsport & finds it still full of Water, he is getting his Arms & accoutrements which were much damaged by the rain in Order again & proposes to reland the Troops to morrow morning1—every thing was taken off but the Cannon which were dismounted & brought down to the beach, the Elk sloop was placed in shore close to them with a party of Marines on board, from whence Centinels were posted on Shore & regularly relieved every two hours; we could not get them off during the bad weather & I was in hopes they would have been able to reland to day, I have been thus particular as your Lordship seemed under some apprehension for the Cannon but I should think from the Possition the ships are now in that a rebel would not venture to shew his head at Billingsport I have the honor to be [&c.]
Wm. Cornwallis
PS: Since I wrote the above I have seen Captn. Owen & it is determined to land at 4 OClock to morrow morning—
LB, NHi, William Cornwallis Papers, Letter Book, 81-82.
1. For Capt. Edward Owen's report to Cornwallis, see Owen to Cornwallis, 30 Oct., ibid.