[Extract]
My dear General

. . . I have been at Chester to Day, 80 sail of Men of War & Transports ly opposite, chiefly of the later; 129 Sail came up to the [Marcus] Hook & Chester Yesterday, from below New Castle; chiefly Transports; a Spy from Hook, assures me they are busy build­ing or repairing Boats on board & are continually at work, a few Marines came ashore & gave a Bushel of Salt for a little Corn, the Tory Inhabitants say they believe the Enemy mean to embark at these places, the Shipping ly in one line extending from a little above Chester to the Hook, I am now going down in hopes of executing a little enter­prize at dawn of Day with Capt^n: Lee....¹ Lord Howe in the Eagle lies opposite Chester, while I was there a Gun fired as a Signal towards New Castle.... I am [&c.]